THIS is the first photograph of the world's largest cruise ship, Liberty of the Seas, undergoing trials before she sets a course for Southampton where she will make her dramatic entry on Sunday, April 22.

The vast ship, the second of three sister vessels being built for Royal Caribbean International, will be a spectacular sight alongside the Western Docks as she towers over the city's Mayflower Park.

At present the huge ship, that can accommodate nearly 5,000 passengers and crew, is scheduled to begin her way through the Solent and then up Southampton Water at 7.30am before coming alongside her berth at 9am.

On each of three evenings Liberty of the Seas is in port, a glittering firework display will light up the night sky over the decks of the ship.

The fireworks are due to start at 9.45pm on the Sunday and Monday evenings while on Tuesday, April 24 the display is set for 9pm as Liberty of the Seas will leave an hour later for a short two night voyage before returning on Thursday, April 26.

Sightseers at Mayflower Park will have a grandstand view of a unique event at about 10am on the Thursday morning when Liberty of the Seas sails passed one of Royal Caribbean's other large cruise ships, Navigator of the Seas, which will have arrived in port for the beginning of a programme of summer voyages from the city.