South Korean builder Samsung Heavy Industries has received a US$1.1 billion contract from US-based cruise owner and operator, Utopia, to build a cruise ship.
The 100,000-tonne class is of a new "apartment-type" cruise ship, which, unlike conventional cruise ships which provide short holidays, is aimed at providing long-term holidays.
Each of the vessel's 200 "apartments" will have two or three rooms in room layouts ranging from 132 square metres to 594 square metres. Each room will also have internet access, a living room and a kitchen.
There will be a "resident population" limit of 900 people for comfortable living and recreation on board.
The contract will be signed early next year and will be built by 2013.