As one of the fastest cruise ships in the world, Splendour reaches more ports in less time during the 12-night summer sailings to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Russia, and the Norwegian Fjords and round the British Isles.

Like its sister ship Legend of the Seas, launched in May 1995, Splendour, pictured by Wil Moojen, features a number of spectacular cruise ship innovations.

• An 18-hole miniaturised golf course "Splendour of the Greens" challenges the golf enthusiast while at sea. It has been designed with sophisticated landscaping, rough, foliage, water hazards and bunkers.

  The 7,000 sq. ft. course is the second only floating course in the world (the first was introduced on board Legend of the Seas), with the largest of the holes reaching 34 feet.

• The Splendour of the Seas Solarium is designed around a romantic Grecian theme offering swimming and entertainment day and night. It comprises a pool and fountain, whirlpools, chaise longues, Greek columns, stone flooring and a cafe.

• A huge retractable glass roof, the Crystal Canopy, can cover the Solarium and Splendour of the Green alternately. The canopy moves as a single unit between the two areas, producing a vast expanse of glass.

  In fact, the ship has more windows than any other cruise ship, with two acres of glass throughout, including 20 foot high walls of glass on each side of the two-level King & I Dining Room.

• The Solarium opens into the Spa which offers a unisex hair salon, massage rooms, and a fully equipped, top-of-the-range gymnasium consisting of an aerobics floor, exercise cycles, step machines, treadmills, strength equipment stations, incline benches, free weights, a Finnish sauna, steam baths and changing rooms.

• The Observatory provides passengers with a special stargazing platform with planispheres which show the placement of constellations in the sky.

• The state-of-the-art "42nd Street" Theatre stages Broadway-style productions. The theatre which spans two decks, features computerised set equipment and an orchestra pit which can be raised or lowered as needed.

• Royal Caribbean's two hallmark design features are brought together to position the Viking Crown Lounge 11 decks above the Centrum. Glass lifts take passengers from the Centrum past seven levels into the Viking Crown Lounge offering spectacular views above the ocean and a dance club at night.

• Rooms have been specially designed for the Kids/Teens/Tweens onboard children's programme - Optix Teen Centre, Club Ocean playroom and V-Deck video arcade.

Cabins cater for every style and budget - from the 1,148 square foot Royal Suite with its baby grand piano and marble whirlpool to the standard staterooms - one in four featuring a balcony and all offering their own sitting areas.

Seventeen staterooms are designed specifically for disabled passengers, and the ship also features two family suites with separate bedrooms and bathrooms for parents and children.

Splendour also features many of the popular Caribbean features including the indoor/outdoor Windjammer Cafe, a nautically themed Schooner Bar, Casino Royal, Conference Centre (seating 200), library, boutiques, champagne bar and terrace.