$500 million megaliner to call Australia home

The $500 million Voyager of the Seas will become the largest cruise ship ever to call Australia home when it arrives in Sydney next year.

The 138,000 tonne megaliner from Royal Caribbean Cruises, which carries up to 3840 guests, will embark on a five-month season after it reaches the east coast in November 2012.

Boasting 1556 rooms, an onboard ice rink and four-storey `main street', the ship will sail out of Sydney and Fremantle following a similar run in China.

"The investment of Voyager of the Seas demonstrates our company's tremendous belief in the future of this region and we are extremely honoured to shape the future of cruising in Australia," said Gavin Smith, managing director of Royal Caribbean Cruises Australia.

The five-month season will include 12 itineraries across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Built in 1999, the megaliner is 311 metres long and 48 metres wide, with a total of 15 passenger decks.

It is twice the size of most cruise ships currently based in Australia and nearly two-and-a-half times bigger than the country's largest hotel, Melbourne's Crown Metropol, the company said.

The mega ship also features an inline skating track, a 9-hole miniature golf course, a three-deck restaurant, two-level nightclub, a full-sized sports court and a 1350 seat theatre.

Photos: Voyager of the Seas