The first-ever racing track on a cruise liner is unveiled on the Norwegian Joy

Norwegian Joy, built especially for the Chinese market, features one of the first-ever ocean-bound race tracks. Photo / YouTube, Kallis Video Production

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 ($1.07 billion) 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, the Daily Mail reports.

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.

Ten cars will be able to race on the tarmac at a time, driving at speeds of up to 64 km/h. 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 ship emerges from a hangar at the Meyer Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Photo / YouTube, Kallis Video Production

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 3850 passengers, with hundreds of rooms and suites.

It measures 326-metres-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.

if passengers aren't tempted by the top deck features, there is also a shopping mall inside. Photo / YouTube, Kallis Video Production

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.

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

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.