SOME of the first passengers on the world's biggest cruise liner are calling for an apology and compensation after its first voyage was dubbed a "PR disaster".

Having arrived back in Southampton, cruisegoers on Harmony of the Seas say they want to be reimbursed after the vessel's "chaotic" four-night cruise.

They claim the liner posed numerous risks and some are now calling for an apology from owner Royal Caribbean International.

Last night the $1billion liner left Southampton on its official maiden voyage to Barcelona.

Horrified parents who took their children on its first commercial voyage to Rotterdam told the Daily Echo that safety glass was missing from parts of the top deck, claiming it left their children at risk of falling 16 decks into the ocean.

Other concerns included overflowing urinals, construction work going on late at night and some rides not being open.

Johnny Hardy is among the passengers looking to get compensation from Royal Caribbean but has also called on the line to apologise to passengers.

He was one of those who saw the missing safety glass and said it shouldn’t be the parents who have to notify the ship’s crew of problems on board.

“It’s frightening, the level of service,” he said. "There’s work still ongoing in the early hours of the morning.

"I have been in touch with some of those people still on board. It shouldn't be the passengers who are informing the company of health and safety issues.

"It’s a big PR disaster.”

Mr Hardy said he was offered a 20 per cent discount on a future holiday but that he could get better deals online.

Another woman, Georgina Davie from Southampton, had paid thousands of pounds for her family - some of whom came from Australia - to go on the cruise for her father’s 60th birthday.

She said she was given an on-board offer of $300 per cabin but that that was never received.

Georgina said this was a “hush hush” deal.

“They were offering everybody on board completely different deals,” she said.

She added that she had been struggling to get through to anyone in customer services since she had disembarked.

“They are refusing any compensation or refunds at a call operator level. They are even refusing the refunds that were offered onboard that is has now become apparent have not been honoured. They are refusing to give out the numbers of the onboard managers that offered refunds,” she said.

A Royal Caribbean spokesman said: “The vast majority of our guests returned home very happy with their holiday on Harmony of the Seas.

“For any guests that have left the ship feeling disgruntled, we encourage them to contact our customer services helpline, where we will be happy to deal with each complaint on a case by case basis.

“Our customers are incredibly important to us and we are more than happy to talk to them and help resolve any queries.

“Our Customer care team can be contacted on 01932 834 119.”

They added: "We were delighted to welcome our first guests onboard Harmony of the Seas for her pre-inaugural sailings this week, ahead of her official maiden voyage on Sunday, 29th May. 

"The ship has been cleared for operations and the majority of her features are being enjoyed by guests.

"As always, Royal Caribbean's highest priority is to ensure the safety of all its guests and crew members and any final maintenance has been carried out in accordance with strict safety guidelines."