The world's largest cruise ship, Independence of the Seas, arrived in Southampton this morning, bringing a huge economic boost to her first home port.

Over the course of the vessel's inaugural six-month season, Independence of the Seas, the largest ever cruise ship to operate from the UK, is expected to generate an extra £22.8m for the city's economy.

Many suppliers and local services will benefit from her arrival, as will the city's hotels, transport operators, bars and restaurants as thousands of passengers arrive in Southampton to board the ship.

Measuring 1,112ft long and weighing in at 160,000 tons, the latest addition to Royal Caribbean International's fleet of megaships will be at the centre of seven days of celebrations, including an exclusive performance by chart favourites Scouting for Girls.

Click here to watch the Independence of the Seas coming in to port.

There will be firework displays and a charity auction hosted by five-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave, who will be joined by former athlete Steve Cram, television presenter Steve Rider and comedians Nick Hancock, Norman Pace and Jimmy Tarbuck.

The spectacular new ship - longer than three-and-a-half football pitches - is unlike any other to have operated in UK waters in both size and on-board facilities. If standing up on her bow she would dwarf Britain's tallest building, the 771ft One Canada Square at London's Canary Wharf.

Click here to see a behind the scenes gallery of the vessel.

Featuring an ice rink, climbing wall and surfing simulator, the ship's Main Street - complete with bars, cafes, shops and restaurants - is longer than the pitch at the new Wembley Stadium.

Independence of the Seas can accommodate more than 4,300 guests and will undertake a summer-long programme of voyages to the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and Ireland before leaving for the Caribbean in the winter.

Industry body the Passenger Shipping Association forecasts that 1.55million British passengers will take a cruise holiday in 2008, an increase of 14 per cent compared with last year.