Nerves of steel: The Allure of the Seas passes under the Store Belt Bridge, in Denmark, with just the slimmest of gaps to spare
It required a steady hand... and nerves of steel.
Fortunately for the captain, the world's newest superliner squeezed under this Danish bridge with ease, even though there was just an inch-and-a-half margin of error.
The Allure of the Seas - which cost a staggering £1billion ($1.5bn) - measures around four football fields and accommodates 8,300 people including crew members.
Audience: Crowds gathered to watch the £1billion ship pass after it lowered its telescopic smokestacks
It is the sister ship to Royal Carribean's Oasis of the Seas.
Hans Nilsen, an official at the Korsoer Naval Station, said the passage at 2.20pm went well after the Allure had lowered its telescopic smokestacks.
He said there was about 20in (50cm) clearance between the bridge and the top of the ship - but swell adn weather conditions brought that margin of error down to 1.5in (4cm).
Any sudden movement and it would have been a very different story.
He said traffic on the bridge did not have to be stopped during the passage because the voyage was made during daytime, reducing any risks.
Mega-ship: The Allure is the size of four football fields and can accommodate around 8,300 people
The ship left the shipyard in Turku, Finland, on Friday and is expected to reach its new home port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in a few weeks.
The cruise liner measures 1,200 feet (360 meters) from bow to stern, and its height from sea level is 236 feet (72 meters).
As well as a two-deck high dance hall, a 1,380-seat theatre and an ice skating rink, a number of pools, spas, gyms, it also houses bars, restaurants and cafes as well as a shopping street with a park with trees.
The building of the ship began by shipyard owner STX Finland in February 2008. STX Finland is part of the international STX Europe Group, with shipyards in Brazil, Norway, France, Romania and Vietnam.
Lavish: The ship's main restaurant, which spreads across three floors, with the Captain's Table at the centr
Floating city: The Allure also has a shopping street and a park with trees
30th October 2010 The 60th MISS WORLD Is....UNITED STATES
Botswana is first runner up, followed by Venezuela as second runner up
United States - Alexandria MILLS has been crowned the 60th Miss World. She won the coveted crown as Miss World 2010, triumphing out of 115 beautiful and talented young women who took to the stage of the 60th Miss World Final from the Beauty Crown Theatre in Sanya, China.
As the final duty in her reign, Miss World 2009 Kaiane Aldorino removed the bejeweled crown to place it on the head of her successor as the new Miss World 2010. Taking up her deserved position on the throne, Miss World 2010 was joined by first runner-up Botswana and second runner-up Venezuela.
Alexandria was almost lost for words at the excitement and emotion of the event: “It’s a cliché but this really is a dream come true,’ she said. “I can’t believe it’s happening to me. My time has come. I’m loving it!”
The glittering two-hour live TV spectacular to launch the 60th anniversary of Miss World 2010 showcased the beauty and talent of 115 of the World’s most incredible young women, who have spent one month enjoying the wonders of China.
Seven previous Miss Worlds from across the decades were among the judges at the live televised final:
Denise Perrier Lanfranchi Miss World 1953 France Ann Sidney Miss World 1964 United Kingdom Mary Stävin Miss World 1977 Sweden AgbaniDarego Miss World 2001 Nigeria Maria Julia Mantilla Miss World 2004 Peru Zhang Xi Lin Miss World 2007 China KseniaSukhinova Miss World 2008 Russia
International musical entertainment came from multi-Grammy nominee and superstar saxophonist Dave Koz, global chart-topper Shayne Ward and Puerto Rican singing sensation Carlos Aponte.
The event also featured music and dance performances from Sanya, the home of Miss World in China. Angela Chow presented the show to a global TV audience. Angela is one of China’s most recognised and glamorous TV presenters who understands the status of Miss World as the co-presenter in previous years. She was joined by Miss World Event Director Steve Douglas.
After the Final, the contestants attended the Coronation Gala at the Crowne Plaza Sanya, where they dined with family and new friends from around the world.
Since 1 October, a record 115 contestants have been touring China. They visited Shanghai and Beijing, and saw some of the most famous ancient moments and sites, including the Great Wall of China and Genghis Khan’s mausoleum in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. They also got a taste of modern China, with a VIP visit to Beijing’s Olympic Stadium and a tour of the Shanghai EXPO. This is the fifth time that Sanya has been home to the Miss World Final, successfully hosting the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 events.
21.43 Kaiane on stage in a stunning white Galliano dress...
21.42 Kaiane is due on stage any moment now!!!!
21.39 Shane Ward is performing..
21.38 Angela Chow is introducing Beauty with a Purpose and the work that Julia Morley has done around the world for the underpriviliged....
21.35 Back stage the cameras are speaking to the Top 5's room mates!!!
Top 5 - Venezuela, Botswana, United States, Ireland and China PR
21.34 Final TOP 5 place....China!!! (Big Cheer!!)
21.32 Next to speak is United States, she says the last month as made a big impact on her life and would be a great honour to win.....Ireland speaks next starting in Chinese!!!
21. 30 Venezuela is first under the spotlight.....She describes herself and gets loud cheers ....next up (in no particular order) Botswana...
21.28 The top 7 are on stage....Ann Sidney is being interviewed...
21.23 And it is the contestants hot spot moments.....30 seconds to talk about themselves....
21.19
ITALY NORWAY UNITED STATES BOTSWANA
21.14 Top 7:
IRELAND VENEZUELA CHINA PR
The rest to be announced after the break!!!!
21.11 Top 7 to be announced after the break....expect tears of happiness and tears of dissapointment..
21.06 Angela has a costume change and is now wearing a white dress. Dave Koz has just taken to the stage...
20.56 And the Top 20 who will join the 5 fast track winners are:
PARAGUAY ST LUCIA NETHERLANDS CANADA FRANCE BAHAMAS COLOMBIA RUSSIA THAILAND SOUTH AFRICA MONGOLIA FRENCH POLYNESIA SCOTLAND VENEZUELA NAMIBIA ITALY UNITED STATES GERMANY CHINA PR BOTSWANA
20.48 Carlos Aponte is performing 'Time to say goodbye'....
20.41 The audience are watching the Ordos video about the contestants stay in Inner Mongolia....
20.38 Beauty with a Purpose is being announced on stage. The crowd is emotionally moved by the video of Kenya's charity project....
20.35 Norway is on stage as the Top Model winner.....Puerto Rico comes on stage next as Beach Beauty winner....
20.30 Beijing Video being played of all the activities the contestants participated while in Beijing...
20.25 The fast tracks are being announced....Ireland - Talent and Northern Ireland - Sports have just been introduced...
20.16 And now to a favourite part....'Dances of the World'...
20.14 The judges are introduced....and receive a huge clap especially Denise Perrier Miss World 1953...
20.10 All the contestants are on stage....flags are waving around the auditorium, the dancers are back on stage....Angela Chow is introduced and comes on in a Chinese silk embroidered dress...
20.04 The contestants are being introduced on stage in evening wear...
20.01 The Li Dancers start the show with a dazzling colourful dance...Big drums & sticks, a cloud of clapping to the beat as the 60th Miss World kicks off in Sanya style...
20.00 The show has begun!!!!
19.43 The girls have just been given their stage call.....many are waiting in the wings....the audience are taking their seats...
19.35 We are LIVE at the Beauty Crown Theatre, waiting to bring you the fastest updates....25 minutes till the show begins!!!!!!
Tonight, one young lady's life is going to change.....tonight we crown Miss World 2010. Keep watching for live updates direct from the Beauty Crown Theatre, Sanya, China.
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