World’s biggest cruise ship launches

The world’s largest luxury liner — taller than the Statue of Liberty and longer than an aircraft carrier — will sail out of Miami today on her maiden voyage to the western Caribbean. She sets a new standard for big. The latest fleet addition for Royal Caribbean International, Freedom comes in at 160,000 gross registered tons and is capable of carrying 4,375 passengers. But it won’t hold the record for very long. As cruise lines seek to maximize their profits amid a weakening Caribbean cruise market, they want to attract people whose idea of a vacation is more than betting on bingo and bellying up to the buffet. The bigger the ship, the more restaurants, entertainment and other amenities it’s likely to have.