
One of the world's biggest cruise liners - boasting 20 decks, 20 restaurants, waterslides and a pioneering car racing track - has set sail with its impressive dispatch caught on camera.

The Norwegian Joy, which cost a staggering £600 million to build over a three-year period, is the first purpose-built ship for the Chinese market with its home ports being in Shanghai and Beijing.

Drone footage shows the incredible size of the ship, with its two-tier driving racetrack seen for the first time. Its makers, Norwegian Cruise Line, claims that its motor course is the first ever of its kind at sea.

The Norwegian Joy cost a staggering £600 million to build over a three-year period - the cruise ship features one of the first-ever ocean-bound race tracks

Full speed ahead: Drone footage shows the incredible size of the ship, with its two-tier driving racetrack seen for the first time

Much-anticipated: The giant ship made its way out of a hangar - if passengers aren't tempted by the top deck features, there is also a shopping mall inside

Multiple water slides can also be seen on the top deck of the boat, with a standard swimming pool for less adventurous types

Ten cars will be able to race on the tarmac at a time, driving at speeds of up to 40 mph. Drivers will be able to admire the ocean views as they scoot along.

Multiple water slides can also be seen on the top deck of the boat, with a standard swimming pool for less adventurous types.

Dozens of spectators turned out to watch the huge boat leave the Meyer Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, on March 4, with it dwarfing everything in its path as it went.

The Norwegian pleasure cruiser will undergo thorough testing on the high seas before passengers are welcomed aboard in the summer.

To the seas and beyond: Dozens of spectators turned out to watch the huge boat leave the Meyer Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, on March 4, with it dwarfing everything in its path as it went

All aboard! The Norwegian pleasure cruiser will undergo thorough testing on the high seas before passengers are welcomed aboard in the summer

The ship has the capacity to carry 3,850 passengers, with hundreds of rooms and suites.

It measures 1,070-feet-long, almost three times as long as a football pitch.

A statement on the cruise line's website also revealed that there will be an open-air laser tag course, a virtual reality pavilion with simulators like hovercraft bumper cars, and multi-storey water slides.

For added luxury, there will be a concierge desk at every level offering premium guests personal service and exclusive space, including a separate lounge and bar.

There are also mini-suites so extended families can travel together.

And for those who want to shop, Norwegian has promised an extensive selection of duty-free luxury brands on-board.

Joy is Norwegian Cruise Line's 15th ship, and the first built specifically for China.

Monster in the making: The ship has the capacity to carry 3,850 passengers, with hundreds of rooms and suites - it measures 1,070-feet-long, almost three times as long as a football pitch

Fun for all the family: A statement on the cruise line's website also revealed that there will be an open-air laser tag course, a virtual reality pavilion with simulators like hovercraft bumper cars, and multi-storey water slides