DUBLIN PORT WILL welcome the longest ship ever to dock in the city this summer – as the MSC Splendida pays a visit.

How big is she?

Well, the 333 metre vessel is so vast, she won’t even be able to turn around in the port…

The facility’s current operational limit for ships is 300m. Ships below that length are able to turn in Alexandra Basin West, prior to departure – but the Splendida won’t be able to, and the captain will need to decide to either reverse in or reverse out.

A spokesperson for Dublin Port said its Harbour Master, David Dignam, had carried out a detailed analysis of the manoeuvres needed to bring ships with lengths greater than 300m in, in advance of the summer season.

Source: SunQuest Vacations

So just how fancy is this ship, anyway? Well, for starters it has:

A VIP section with 24-hour butler service

More than a dozen bars and lounges

A spa and Turkish baths

Four swimming pools

Squash courts

And a Formula 1 simulator (just the one)

It can carry 1,370 crew and 3,247 passengers – all spread over 18 decks.

Take a tour:

In total, 83 cruise calls have been confirmed for Dublin this year, which will see a total of 140,000 passengers arriving to sample the sights of the capital.

Cruise season gets under way tomorrow with the arrival of the 290m long ‘Caribbean Princess’ – carrying over 4,200 passengers and crew. She’ll be followed on Friday by the 294m long ‘Queen Victoria’.

The Splendida arrives next Monday.