A gigantic new cruise ship that cost a staggering $1.2 billion to build has taken to the high seas for the first time, and it's definitely turning heads.
The latest Carnival vessel is decked out in a rather interesting design — a huge smiling face with bold red lips is painted on the front. It also has a bizarre name — AIDAnova — which is a far cry from the company's typical monikers such as Legend, Triumph, Spirit and Magic.
At 337m long, it's the fifth-biggest ship in the world. Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas is currently the largest on the planet, at 362m and it can squeeze on a handful more passengers (80, to be precise).
![It definitely has the wow factor. Photo / AIDA Cruises](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/DHV3OYLPDHEV2DEY3ANXQXXCDU.jpg?auth=623513e8b55b85e1d158751aeff8e6b6ef11d369004208b6769fdeb24e528c02&width=16&height=13&quality=70&smart=true)
The ship weighs a whopping 184,000 tonnes and features 23 bars, 17 restaurants, a beach club, floating TV studio, theatre, water slides, a rock climbing wall and an outdoor gym.