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Oasis of the Sea, the world's largest cruise ship, will make its U.S. debut at Port Everglades on Friday. Here are four places the public can watch the $1.5 billion Royal Caribbean ship as it arrives at its home berth for the first time.

Where:

Waterfront in front of Point of the Americas

Advantage: The southernmost point of Fort Lauderdale Beach offers a spectacular view and a serene, natural setting.

Disadvantage: Public beach parking south of Las Olas Boulevard is limited.

17th Street Causeway bridge

Advantage: See the ship from a unique vantage point, at water level under the bridge, and from designated pedestrian areas on the bridge.

Disadvantage: Public parking is limited.

Viewing areas may be crowded.

Private boat

Advantage: Watch the Oasis from the comfort of a private boat and perhaps help escort it into Port Everglades.

Disadvantage: Boaters must respect strict security zones, which may limit viewing. Coast Guard requires boaters to maintain a minimum distance of 100 yards from the Oasis. To participate in a flotilla organized by the Winterfest Boat Parade, boaters must contact the parade committee with vessel information by 11:30 a.m. today.

 ***The public is prohibited from entering Port Everglades for ship viewing.***

The just-built cruise ship Oasis of the Sea, Royal Caribbean's $1.5 billion, 1,200-foot-long, 16-deck-high, 225,000-ton flagship, is on its way from its Finland birthplace to Florida, where it will now make its home. 50 percent bigger than the next-largest cruise ship, it holds 6,296 passengers, including 2,165 crew. And there's nothing subtle about it.

But forget about the seven different "neighborhoods," the 2,000 seat theater, the tattoo parlor, the zipline, the ice-skating rink — we're here for the food. There are over 24 restaurants, bars, and cafes on board, including: 150 Central Park, an upscale fine dining restaurant with a ten-course tasting menu (headed by Keriann Von Raesfeld, a 23-year old "culinary phenom"); the Opus Dining Room, a 1920s Art Deco style restaurant spanning three-levels; a family-style Italian trattoria; a wine bar with tapas; a steakhouse; an Asian restaurant with a sushi bar and "hot-rock cooking"; a New York-style pizzeria; a Johnny Rockets; a doughnut shop; and an ice cream parlor. There's also the "Rising Tide," an elevator/bar hybrid that moves slowly up an down through three decks.

And yes, there will be cupcakes: The ship boasts The Cupcake Cupboard — the "first cupcake shop at sea" — a dedicated shop serving fresh-baked gourmet cupcakes and hosting hands-on decorating classes.

To make this operation run smoothly, this floating city has a food and beverage support staff includes nearly 1,100 cooks, waiters, bartenders, and cleaners. And that's just the beginning: there's a second "Oasis-class" ship slated for delivery in 2010.