And then there were three! Royal Caribbean has announced its third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, set to debut in November 2026. What’s exciting is that the ship will operate year-round from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean itineraries, including stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Before arriving in Florida, Legend will do a Summer season in Europe with 7-night Western Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona starting in July 2026.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, described Legend of the Seas as the continuation of the Icon Class, which has been designed to enhance family travel. The ship will feature destinations in France, Italy, and Spain during its European season, and visit cruise favorite locations such as Oranjestad, Aruba; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Willemstad, Curaçao, once it transitions to the Caribbean.
Legend of the Seas is currently under construction in Turku, Finland. It follows the design of its predecessors, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, and will include eight neighborhoods, over 40 dining and drinking venues, various entertainment options, and recreational activities. Key features include Crown’s Edge, a combination of skywalk, ropes course, and thrill ride, and Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea. The ship will also offer seven pools, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea, and the adults-only Hideaway with an infinity pool. The Surfside neighborhood will cater specifically to young families, featuring the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-story accommodation designed for families.
Legend of the Seas will also incorporate sustainability initiatives. It will be Royal Caribbean’s fourth ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will include environmental systems such as waste heat recovery and shore power connectivity. These initiatives align with Royal Caribbean Group’s goal of launching a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
Bookings for Legend of the Seas will be available tomorrow on Royal Caribbean’s website. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members will have priority access to reservations before the official opening on February 20.
Royal Caribbean gives each ship within a class its own unique personality, making changes to dining options, kids’ spaces, and overall design. On Star of the Seas, the AquaDome Café will feature a refreshed selection of restaurants, the Pearl will introduce multicolor lighting for more dynamic visual displays, and Surfside’s activities will be expanded to accommodate kids up to 10 years old. We’re eager to see what changes will make Legend of the Seas stand out from its sister ships.
