Royal Caribbean announced it will add its second immersive dining experience on its newest Icon Class ship, and we have an early look at what you can expect.

Royal Railway – Legend Station is one of the big changes coming to Legend of the Seas when it launches in 2026. It's the follow-up to the original restaurant first opened on Utopia of the Seas where passengers can dine in a full-size rail car that looks and feels like a real train. This is a specialty restaurant that has a cover charge.

The experience relies on digital screens built into the windows, sophisticated sounds and vibrations, and crew members acting as conductors to weave together a story.

This time, there's a brand new story, destination, and menu to go with it. It's called "Silk Routes", and it traces the journey of famed explorer Marco Polo from China back to Italy.

There are stops in multiple countries, each country representing a course on the menu.

Having tried the Wild West version already, Royal Caribbean invited me for an exclusive first look to test out its new idea at its headquarters in Miami that is still very much in development as they fine tune the final version.

Mock-up of what we can expect

Deep inside its Innovation Lab at the cruise line's headquarters, Royal Caribbean built a scale copy of the train car that will eventually be onboard Legend of the Seas.

Along with about 20 cruise line employees, I got to try out the full meal and see, taste, and hear what passengers may encounter when they get onboard the new ship. 

This is still an early version of the restaurant, and the purpose of this test is to not only ensure the effects, crew members, and experience works like it should, but it's also an opportunity to gather feedback.

Royal Caribbean is adamant about taking guest feedback into account for the final product, and a prototype allows them to test and adjust leading right up to the ship's launch.

A journey through Asia and Europe

Silk Routes takes you half way across the world and visits five countries.

• China
• India
• Persia
• Turkey
• Italy

Each country corresponds to a course, and the cuisine is representative of those parts of the world.

We had a limited selection of food choices for this trial run, but passengers can expect a full menu when it opens on Legend.

Whether you've been to the first restaurant or not, I think your jaw will drop when the windows open and you're transported to China and each subsequent country.

In fact, I think this is the genius of Silk Routes. Because there are multiple countries and each has its own distinct look, the novelty of looking out the "windows" doesn't get old.

The digital screens rely on high definition computer renderings to portray the landscapes your train is passing by. I saw some seriously amazing vistas, such as Holi in India, Dolomites in northern Italy, or hot air balloons over Turkey. I hope these make it into the final version.

Along the way a conductor is your guide through the journey. 

The conductor not only announces which country and region you're passing by, but explains local traditions, significant landmarks, and shares some of the history too.

Your menu has not only what food choices you can pick from, but it has a map to explain where you're going.

Unlike the map from the fictitious Wild West version, this one is rooted in reality. Each region has an explanation of its history and what drew Marco Polo there in the first place.

More immersion

Besides the part of the world you're visiting, one change you should expect is less schtick with the conductors.

The conductor this time around is here to narrate, not act. 

It relies more heavily on great food and great drinks, and you get to enjoy the places your train takes you. Basically, immersion is turned up with Silk Routes.

Where Wild West was very family centric, I think Silk Routes will be more of an experience you'd want to go for to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy an evening out doing something special.

That isn't to say kids wouldn't enjoy this too, but don't expect a story telling aspect akin to the Wild West show.

Taking the food tour

In our preview, we got an idea Royal Caribbean has for the menu when Royal Railway – Legend Station opens.

There's a brand new menu, but don't assume anything shown on this menu will make the final cut. However, the idea is to lean into each region's rich culinary history to offer options from each.

We got to try Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls from China, Potato Chop from India, and more. Keep in mind the food was prepped with a ghost kitchen, so this is simply to give you an idea of the direction Royal Caribbean is leaning towards.

Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls

I hope the Potato Chop and Adana Kebab make the final menu, because they were incredibly tasty.

Potato Chop

Adana Kebab

As a fan of Indian food, I love Royal Caribbean is finally giving us a specialty restaurant that serves curry, biryani, and more.

When the restaurant opens, I'll have a hard time choosing between the various options.

Limone

Speaking of choices, this early version of the menu seems to have many more options to pick than the Wild West menu. I'm all for variety, so I'd love to see that stay on as well.

The new must-do restaurant?

When Royal Railway opened on Utopia of the Seas, it was instantly sold out and I think the version coming to Legend will be an even hotter ticket.

Not only is this the second version of the restaurant, but it's substantially different in the approach. I think that will get a lot of cruisers wanting to try Silk Routes, whether they've done Wild West or not.

Leaning into an international showcase of food is such a smart idea for Silk Routes, and it's something I think most people want. A greater variety of great food that goes well beyond "just another specialty restaurant."

The immersive factor cannot be understated with Silk Routes. Royal Caribbean designed the train restaurant to be a memory making super machine, and I think anyone dining here will be talking about it well after the check is delivered.

We don't yet know how much Royal Caribbean will charge for Silk Routes or when reservations may open for it. But when you are able to start booking it, I know I'll want to book a reservation.

When Legend of the Seas launches, Royal Caribbean has big plans for how it will be different from the other Icon Class ships.

Entering service in 2026, Legend of the Seas will be the third Icon Class ship. But it definitely won't be a carbon copy of the ships that preceded it.

This is going to be one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with a capacity of 5,610 passengers at double occupancy and 2,350 crew members working onboard.

The cruise line shared new details of the major changes on Legend, including entertainment, dining, and activities.

Here’s a look at the biggest changes guests can expect.

New experiences

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean, said in a statement Legend will be a bold push forward for the Icon Class, "With Legend of the Seas, we are bringing to life our most legendary vacation yet as we continue to push the boundaries with more of what guests know and love."

Royal Railway Legend Station will be on the ship, making it the first Icon Class ship to have the immersive dining experience.

First introduced on Utopia of the Seas, Royal Railway is a dining experience that combines food, sound, and visuals that makes you feel like you're on a classic train.

This version will be expanded into a five-course “expedition” along the Silk Routes, inspired by the travels of Marco Polo.

Guests will enjoy flavors and history through China, India, Italy and more.

Legend of the Seas will also be home to a Broadway musical.

Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" has been confirmed as the musical onboard. 

The world of Willy Wonka will be brought to the stage, and it's included in your cruise fare.

Besides the Royal Theater Legend of the Seas will have shows offered in the AquaTheater and Absolute Zero ice rink.

The AquaDome AquaTheater will host divers, aerialists, robots, and dancers.

Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena at sea, will feature new skating productions.

Another change will be the a reimagined Surfside and Playscape. 

Royal Caribbean wants to offer even more for families with young kids, and promises a new carousel in Surfside and a redesigned Playscape for youngsters.

New dining

You'll also find new dining options on Legend of the Seas, with a mix of reimagined and new offerings. Legend of the Seas will have a total of 28 options to dine at.

The AquaDome Market will have all new food stands, along with a brand-new juice and smoothie bar serving freshly squeezed refreshments.

This is a food hall, where you can go throughout the day and night to enjoy quick bites made exactly the way you like them. It's not only complimentary, but has been consistently a fan-favorite dining area.

A new supper club will also be implemented, with the Hollywoodland Supper Club.

A brand-new concept blending gourmet dining, cocktails, and jazz with a journey through the golden age of cinema, from the 1910s to the 1950s.

Other returning restaurants confirmed for Legend include:

• Surfside Eatery
• Basecamp
• Chops Grille
• Izumi
• Hooked Seafood

There will be more than 20 bars on Legend of the Seas, including:

• Lou's
• Dueling Pianos
• 1400 Bar

The family fun you expect on an Icon Class ship

Legend continues Royal Caribbean’s tradition of adrenaline and relaxation with:

• Category 6 Waterpark: Six massive waterslides.
• Crown’s Edge: A part-zip line, part-skywalk suspended 154 feet above the ocean.
• Lost Dunes Mini Golf and Adrenaline Peak Rock Climbing for active fun.
• Seven pools

Sailing in 2026

Legend will debut with 7-night Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome, visiting destinations like Marseille, Naples, and Palma de Mallorca.

In November 2026, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale for 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries, including Aruba, Curaçao, and Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Bookings are open for all of its sailings through April 2027.

One big change coming to Royal Caribbean's newest ship will be its biggest casino ever.

Royal Caribbean confirmed a change to its casino layout on Legend of the Seas, which will debut next summer.

Instead of the single deck casino layout that both Icon and Star of the Seas have, Legend will expand its casino footprint to two decks.

Here's what Royal Caribbean has shared about its plans for the casino expansion.

Casino upgrade

"Your next Icon Class casino is getting a major upgrade," is what an email to casino loyalty members read to start things off.

Legend of the Seas will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to have a two-story casino.

Concept art released shows a bar at the center of the main level, with table games and slot machines flanking each side.

The upper level appears to have exclusively slot machines, with a sports bar as well.

There's a staircase in the middle, but undoubtedly there will be elevator access at the ends of each deck.

Location onboard

The ship's deck plans don't reflect the second deck yet, but it's likely to encompass deck 3 and 4.  As of now, there's a large unmarked area on the deck 3 deck plan that would seem to fit in.

The new layout opens up possibilities, such as high-roller areas, large non-smoking sections, and more.

Moreover, it makes the casino feel more like a land casino instead of a small part of a cruise ship.  The aura of a "real casino" is meaningful to some players.

Casino has become a major priority

Royal Caribbean has steadily increased the footprint of its casinos, and it reflects the growing revenue they generate.

Cruise ships have traditionally always had a casino, but it was never a major focal point.  In recent years, that has changed.

Royal Caribbean has not only made its casinos bigger on new ships, but also replaced venues with casino space.  All of the Jazz on 4 clubs were replaced by non-smoking casinos on the Oasis Class ships.

We've also seen Royal Caribbean replace bars and clubs with additional casino space.

The combination of increasing popularity of gambling among cruisers and very likely higher onboard revenue has proven to be a winning formula for a company hyper focused on profitability.

Another Legend of the Seas change coming

The same day Royal Caribbean confirmed the changes to the ship's casino, we ran across another change.

The cruise giant trademarked the name, "Hollywoodland Supper Club" signaling the name it's chosen for its third supper club experience.

While we've known for over a year the supper club theme on Legend of the Seas would be Hollywood themed, we did not know the specific name of the venue.

Royal Caribbean filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for Hollywoodland Supper Club and filed it under the category of being a restaurant.

The supper club on Icon of the Seas has a New York theme, while the Star of the Seas version is based on Chicago.

Each supper club pairs live musical entertainment, food, and cocktails to the region and time period.

Given the name "Hollywoodland" alludes to the original name for the real estate development that got shortened later to "Hollywood", it's likely this restaurant will also focus on the golden age of Hollywood, which is anywhere from the 1920s to the early 1960s.

Construction work is moving so quickly that Royal Caribbean will bring its next new cruise ship into service even earlier than expected.

Legend of the Seas will be the third Icon Class ship when it debuts next year. The original plan was for Legend to start sailing August 2, 2026. 

Guests booked on that sailing received an email to inform them that the new ship will enter service sooner than expected.

"We have an important update on the arrival of Legend of the Seas. Our teams have been working diligently to deliver to you An Iconic Family Holiday, and the ship is progressing ahead of schedule."

Royal Caribbean is adding three new 7-night sailings before the August 2nd sailing.

These cruises will depart:

• July 11, 2026
• July 18, 2026
• July 25, 2026

The new inaugural sailing for Legend of the Seas will depart roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy on July 11, 2026, and visit:

• Naples, Italy
• Barcelona, Spain
• Palma De Mallorca, Spain
• Provence (Marseille), France

New choices for sailings

Before these new cruises go on sale to the public, anyone that was already booked on the August 2nd sailing will have the first chance to move up to the new ones.

"Understanding that some guests may value being the first onboard, and others look forward to celebrating the inaugural voyage – we want to give you the first choice and the flexibility to switch sailings, add an additional sailing, or stay on your currently booked sailing," the email wrote.

Guests that opt to move sailings will be transferred in a like-for-like stateroom currently booked, based on availability. This is on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Suite guests have one week to take advantage of price protection for the July 11, 2026, sailing only
  • After that, the transfer will be based on the current prevailing rate.
  • For the two (2) additional sail dates, all suite moves will be based on availability and at prevailing rate
• Guests in Interior, Oceanview and Balcony staterooms will have the opportunity to transfer at the prevailing rate

You have until next week to decide

If you want to move and take advantage of one of these earlier sailings, you need to act quickly.

Guests must decide if they want to move their reservation to one of the earlier sailings no later than September 24, 2025.

If you do not make a change by September 24, 2025, anyone booked on the August 2 sailing will remain booked on that sailing, and you can still choose to add the new Legend of Seas sailings based on availability.

Another new ship moving up sailings

This is the second Icon Class ship in a row that has had their first sailing changed and moved up.

Royal Caribbean did this with the launch of Star of the Seas. Eventually, four "showcase sailings" were added prior to the launch of the ship.

In both cases, the reason was the same: construction was faster than expected and the ship was going to be ready earlier.

Star of the Seas was scheduled for an August 31, 2025 debut but ended up having its first revenue sailing on August 16.

Sister brand Celebrity Cruises did something similar with new cruises prior to the inaugural with the launch of Celebrity Ascent and Xcel.

Before its official inaugural sailing, Celebrity Ascent added "pre-inaugural sailings" before its official maiden voyage. 

Xcel is being readied earlier as well, and has a four-night preview sailing beginning November 9, while the The November 18 sailing will still host the inaugural events.

What's new on Legend of the Seas

The new cruise ship is still under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and there's very little information available on what will be different yet.

Legend will be the third in the Icon Class, and it's expected to be about the same size as both Icon and Star.  That puts the new ship at about 250,800 gross tons and can accommodate approximately 5,610 passengers at double occupancy or up to 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy.

When you add crew members, that brings the theoretical total amount of people up to 10,000.

One change we know about is the supper club will have a Hollywood theme.  The previous two supper clubs on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas had a New York and Chicago theme to theme.

During her inaugural season, Legend of the Seas will sail from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, marking the first time an Icon Class ship will offer cruises around the Mediterranean. 

She'll then move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, following a 13-night transatlantic cruise at the end of October. Her first sailing from Florida is scheduled for November 11, 2026. 

Beyond that, Royal Caribbean hasn't revealed any information yet on what will be different or new about the ship.

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship has reached an important construction milestone. 

Legend of the Seas, which is under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, has touched water for the first time.

Construction began in January 2024 with the celebratory steel-cutting ceremony, meaning it's taken around 18 months to get to this point. 

During her float out, over 90 million gallons of water filled the dock. It's a major step forward in the mega ship's construction process, bringing her closer to sea trials and her anticipated debut. 

Now, the construction will focus more closely on the interior, as most of the exterior work has been completed. For example, the ship's 2,805 cabins will be installed and decorated soon. 

Legend of the Seas is the third Icon Class ship and will join her sisters, Icon and Star of the Seas, in August 2026. 

During her inaugural season, Legend of the Seas will sail from Barcelona, Spain, and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, marking the first time an Icon Class ship will offer cruises around the Mediterranean. 

European itineraries range from 3 to 13 nights and call at ports like Naples, Italy; Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseille), France; and more. 

She'll then move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, following a 13-night transatlantic cruise at the end of October. Her first sailing from Florida is scheduled for November 11, 2026. 

"Legend of the Seas continues the state-of-the-art Icon Class, which allows the Finnish maritime industry to showcase its unique expertise at its best," said Casimir Lindholm, C.E.O. of Meyer Turku. 

"The shipyard, Royal Caribbean, and an extensive network of partners work together to develop the processes and concepts from ship to ship. Alongside its sister ships, Legend of the Seas will also mark an important milestone in increasingly responsible shipbuilding."

As the third Icon Class ship, guests can expect a similar framework to Icon and Star of the Seas. However, there will be a few changes. 

For starters, the supper club will have a Hollywood theme, compared to New York on Icon and Chicago on Star. 

Moreover, it's likely that the entertainment line-up will differ from her sister ships. Onboard Icon of the Seas, for example, the Broadway-style musical is The Wizard of Oz. It was replaced by Back to the Future: The Musical on Star of the Seas. 

Royal Caribbean plans on building a fourth Icon Class ship

According to Meyer Turku's Facebook post, the shipyard is already preparing the dry dock for the fourth Icon Class ship. 

"As Legend starts her outfitting phase, the dry dock awaits the keel laying of the fourth Icon Class ship," the post reads. 

Little is known about the next-gen Icon Class ship. However, it’s expected to build on the innovations introduced with Icon, Star, and Legend of the Seas. 

An engineering marvel has just been completed on Royal Caribbean's next new mega ship.

At a shipyard in Finland, workers celebrated the successful addition of the Aquadome to Legend of the Seas.

The Aquadome is a single-piece glass and steel structure located at the bow of the ship, offering wide panoramic views for guests onboard.

The dome was first built alongside Legend of the Seas, a process that allowed it to be constructed in tandem with ship construction.

This strategy is commonly used in cruise ship building to complete multiple facets of the process at the same time.

It was installed on Saturday, July 5th and it's quite an achievement given that it is the largest steel and glass structure ever lifted onto a ship in one piece.  

According to a statement by Meyer Turku shipyard, lifting and installing a structure of this size and complexity required extensive planning, seamless collaboration, and precise execution

"A big thank you to everyone involved in making it happen!" is what they added in a post on social media.

The AquaDome is 82 feet (25 meters) tall, 164 feet (50 meters) wide, and weighs 367 tons (332 tonnes). 

The dome has 12 modules that were assembled over 8 months, composed of 673 glass panels and 712 aluminum panels.

With the structure in place, work can now proceed to build out the interior of the venue.

Work will commence to add all the interior pieces, such as lighting, bars, lounges, restaurants, sculptures, seating, the central waterfall, and the AquaTheater.

Once the AquaDome is complete, guests will experience 220-degree ocean views, restaurants, bars, nightlife, stunning entertainment, and a 55-foot-tall waterfall.

Aqaudome fun facts

1. It's the Largest Glass and Steel Structure Ever Built on a Cruise Ship

The AquaDome is an architectural marvel made of nearly 700 glass panels and a steel frame that spans the entire front of the ship, offering 270-degree panoramic ocean views.

2. It Replaces the outdoor AquaTheater

Unlike the open-air AquaTheater found on Oasis Class ships, the AquaDome is fully enclosed, allowing Royal Caribbean to run Aqua Shows regardless of weather.

3. It Has a Shape Inspired by the Pantheon

The dome’s circular, skylight-topped design draws inspiration from Rome’s Pantheon, combining modern engineering with timeless symmetry.

4. It Features the Tallest Waterfall at Sea

At the center of the AquaDome is a 55-foot-tall waterfall called the AquaCascade, which serves as a backdrop for acrobatic stunts and synchronized dives.

5. It Doubles as a Tranquil Lounge During the Day

When no shows are running, the AquaDome transforms into a serene space with lounge seating, a full bar, and unbeatable views—perfect for relaxing with a cocktail.

6. It Houses the AquaTheater’s Evolution: Absolute Zero

The AquaDome is home to “Aqua Action!” and other water-based performances that use diving platforms, trapeze rigs, aerial cables, and high-tech lighting in an immersive new venue.

7. It Includes a Full Bar and a Restaurant

Guests can grab drinks and small bites without leaving the space, making it easy to enjoy a full evening of entertainment without missing a moment.

8. It Transforms from Day to Night

With intelligent lighting, moving water elements, and dynamic seating, the AquaDome offers different vibes depending on the time of day—chill lounge by day, spectacle arena by night.

9. It’s One of the Quietest Spaces on the Ship

Despite being near the action, the AquaDome is designed to dampen outside noise, creating a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere for relaxing or socializing.

10. It’s Exclusive to Icon Class Ships

You’ll only find the AquaDome on Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, and future Icon Class ships.

An incredible space only on the Icon Class

The AquaDome was first introduced on Icon of the Seas as a completely new neighborhood concept that was built on the AquaTheater in Oasis-Class ships.

Located atop decks 15 and 16, the neighborhood includes innovative features like the brand-new AquaTheater and the cruise line's first AquaDome Market.

The Icon Class has been specifically marketed to draw in the family vacation market, especially appealing to families with younger children.

Royal Caribbean isn't done building these ships.  There's a fourth unnamed Icon Class ship, with options to build a fifth and sixth Icon Class ship.

Icon 4 is due to be delivered in 2027. No further details have been revealed about Icon 4

Sailing in 2026

Construction on Legend of the Seas began in January of 2024 when steel was first cut in the shipyard.

Once construction is complete, Legend of the Seas will sail to Barcelona, Spain. The ship will begin service with a summer season in the Mediterranean.

The inaugural sailing will now take place on August 2, 2026, which is a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing Barcelona.

That fall, Legend transitions to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to offer cruises in the winter around the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean has opened up bookings for its newest cruise ship, Legend of the Seas.

While the cruise line advertised the official opening for bookings is on Thursday, Feb. 20, in practical terms, it's open for bookings now.

In case you missed it, Legend of the Seas will be the name of the third Icon Class ship, and Royal Caribbean revealed details about the ship yesterday.

This is going to be one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, coming in at 250,800 gross tons, and be able to accommodate up to 7,600 passengers.

Unlike the two ships that came before it, Legend will begin sailing in Europe before coming to the United States.  Here's what to know about the first sailings.

First sailings on two continents

You could book the first sailing across two different inaugural voyages.

Legend of the Seas will welcome paying guests for the first time when she departs Barcelona, Spain on August 2, 2026.

The first sailing is a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise that will visit France, Spain, and Italy.

It's a significant move to have a new ship start in Europe, as Royal Caribbean has shied away from this for a while.

According to Royal Caribbean, it's an opportunity to answer demand from Europeans who have wanted an Icon Class ship, "our guests across Europe have been asking for for an Icon Class ship to to be based there. And this was the right time to bring it," said Royal Caribbean Chief Marketing Officer Kara Wallace.

Legend remains in Europe through October, until the ship departs on a 13-night transatlantic sailing.

The new ship heads to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where the first sailing is a quick 3-night sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

There are additional 6- and 8-night Caribbean voyages through April 2027.

How much does Legend of the Seas cost?

If you're looking to book a cruise on Legend, it's not going to be a cheap deal.

New cruise ships tend to come with higher prices, and Legend of the Seas is no exception to that trend.

In the first hours the new bookings are available to book, the least expensive sailing on the vessel available to book was the 3-night inaugural sailing from Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 11, 2026.

It starts at $918.99 per person, including taxes, fees, and port charges.

Of course, that 3-night cruise is an outlier, as it's the only short sailing.  

The next least expensive sailing is one of the last cruises in Europe before Legend transitions to North America.

The September 20, 2026 7-night cruise from Barcelona, Spain starts at $1,567.67 per person, including taxes, fees, and port charges.

Not surprisingly, the most expensive sailing is a 6-night western Caribbean Christmas voyage that begins on Dec. 20, 2026.

There are 28 stateroom categories, including some truly amazing suites with eye-opening prices.

There's some sticker shock with the price for the top two suites on Legend of the Seas, but that's been a trend since Icon of the Seas first went on sale.

At the upper end of the spectrum, the Royal Loft Suite will cost $115,972.40 for two people on that aforementioned Dec. 20 sailing.

That gets you 2,088 sq. ft of living space, which is the most luxurious suite within the Royal Caribbean fleet.

On the same cruise, the incredible Ultimate Family Townhouse that spans three decks, a slide, white picket fence, and movie room will cost you $110,232.40 for two people.

These two suites are the biggest suites on the ship, with enough space and features to rival some homes. Plus, they come with the cruise line's top perks that include almost everything in your cruise fare and provide front of the line access in many cases.

Suites are always a splurge and expensive, but they also come with tremendous benefits.

Other suites are priced comparatively lower, but like all cabins on a brand new ship, you'll pay a premium for that privilege.

Prices will probably only go up

Don't expect fares for Legend of the Seas to come down anytime soon.

Royal Caribbean Group executives said as much during a recent earnings call, when they forecasted the trend of cruise prices rising to continue through 2025 and beyond.

"Demand for 2025 is strong with book load factors in line with prior years and at higher rates, allowing for further pricing and yield growth as 2025 bookings continue to ramp up," said Royal Caribbean Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz during an earnings call with investors.

Your best price strategy for cruising on Legend of the Seas is too book quickly before prices go higher.

A recent analysis of Royal Caribbean cruise prices indicate fares start rising about 10-12 months before the sailing begins.

Pricing trends show fluctuations in price a year before the sail date, but once you reach that 10 month window, prices only tend to trend upwards.

An added benefit to booking a cruise so far in advance is you might be able to reprice the cruise if there are price drops later.

Residents of select countries can utilize Royal Caribbean's price match option, assuming they take the time to track their cruise fare price.

Royal Caribbean is ready to do something it's never done before: bring back a retired cruise ship name to honor its next new vessel.

The cruise line confirmed a not-so-well-kept secret that it will name its third Icon Class cruise ship, Legend of the Seas.

The name was previously used for one of the cruise line's Vision Class ships, launched in 1995. 

That ship would have been dwarfed by the new Legend of the Seas, as the original was only 70,000 gross tons and had a capacity of about 2,000 passengers.  The new cruise ship will be able to handle about 7,000 passengers when at full capacity and is 250,800 gross tons in size.

In 2017, Royal Caribbean sold Legend of the Seas to a cruise line now known as Marella Cruises, where it was renamed Marella Discovery.

Being the third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas is going to follow-up on the tremendous success of the world's largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. The Icon Class has been nothing short of incredible for Royal Caribbean.  

These ships have been a hit with passengers and critics alike, as it's set a new standard for what a megaship can offer.

Not only did Royal Caribbean share the ship's name, but we also have details on when she'll begin offering cruises.

Debuting in Europe first

Royal Caribbean will begin sailings on Legend of the Seas in the Mediterranean first, and then transition to Florida.

Beginning in August 2026, Legend of the Seas will offer 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, Spain. (Originally the cruise line said it would be July, but the the new first sailing is in August 2026).

Legend will visit ports of call in France, Italy and Spain, that include historical significance and beautiful landscapes.

The inaugural Legend of the Seas cruise will be on August 2, 2026, which is a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing Barcelona. It will visit Palma De Mallorca, Spain, Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy, Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, and Naples, Italy.

Here's a breakdown of the of inaugural European sailings:

After the summer cruising season concludes, Legend will move to her new homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Beginning in November 2026, Legend of the Seas will offer 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades.

The first sailing of Legend in Fort Lauderdale will be on November 11, and it's a 3-night voyage that visits just Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas

In addition, Legend of the Seas will remain in Fort Lauderdale until at least April 2027.

Bookings open tomorrow

You'll be able to start booking sailings this week.  Officially, it goes on sale Thursday, Feb. 20, but expect bookings to open up on Tuesday as an early start.

"A jaw dropping, showstopping, stunning ship"

Naming this new cruise ship Legend of the Seas is significant because of what the name means literally, as well as to the company.

"The Icon Class as a name really sets a really high bar...so we needed a third name that really fit with that," Kara Wallace, Royal Caribbean's chief marketing officer, told Royal Caribbean Blog in an exclusive interview.

"Legend is, not only fitting of the class, but an homage to everything that came before it."

Introducing a third Icon Class ship is something Royal Caribbean can't wait to debut, because of all the success Icon of the Seas has had so far.

"This ship truly has lived up to all of the hype and then some." Wallace said.

Bringing Legend to Europe first is something Royal Caribbean is doing to match what its customers have been clamoring for, "our guests across Europe have been asking for for an Icon Class ship to to be based there, and this was the right time to bring it," Wallace explained.

"The ship will come straight from delivery into Europe, and it's taking now what is going to be a legendary ship and bringing it to legendary destinations."

What will be different on Legend of the Seas?

Royal Caribbean didn't share many details about what will be different about Legend, but Ms. Wallace suggested it won't be a carbon copy of Icon or Star either.

"We'll tweak things as we learn and as we go along to make them both fresh, interesting, but also deliver on the experiences that our guests are asking for and will continue to do that on this ship alike," Wallace said. "Things like entertainment and shows, theming on some venues will constantly be adapted for market, and we'll reveal them in the coming months."

A change that has been leaked already is that the Supper Club will have a Hollywood theme to it.  

Icon of the Seas had a New York theme, and Star of the Seas' version will have a Chicagoland theme.

One thing you won't see is Legend being slightly bigger than Icon or Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider has previously said each Icon Class ship will not be a little bit bigger than the previous one.

"Star will not be a foot bigger. It will be 1198ft long. The third ship in the icon class will also be 1198ft long," he said during an interview held on Icon of the Seas.

Legend of the Seas is being built now

While the ship's name and homeport are news, the ship has been under construction for months.

The first piece of steel was cut in January 2024 for Legend of the Seas. When the steel cutting ceremony is held, it marks the official start of construction.

Then in October 2024, the keel was laid and the ship is being assembled as we speak.

Other milestones include floating out, and delivery.

Building on Icon's record-breaking success for Royal Caribbean

Ever since Icon of the Seas started wowing passengers, the new ship has exceeded even the company's highest expectations.

According to Ms. Wallace, the ship has set a new benchmark for guest satisfaction—not just within the cruise industry, but across all of hospitality.

"It’s delivering at the highest levels of guest satisfaction that we’ve ever seen across our brands, across the industry, and across all of hospitality,” Wallace said. “And that’s really by far and wide margin."

Royal Caribbean re-imagined what a cruise ship could be when it designed Icon of the Seas, calling the ship a "white paper" design because everything was conceived without any pre-existing ideas. Wallace highlighted how the ship’s vibrant design and innovative features created excitement from the moment it launched.

"I think it was highly anticipated when it came to market,” she said. “Last year, the demand for it was off the charts, creating excitement through its colors, its vibrancy, its energy."

One of the most talked-about features is Surfside, a neighborhood designed specifically for families, offering a space where they can “stay and play all day.” The AquaDome, a stunning architectural space with breathtaking exterior views and immersive entertainment, has also left a lasting impression.

Meanwhile, the ship’s water park, Thrill Island, brings an unprecedented level of excitement to the cruise experience.

"It wasn’t one slide, two slides—it’s multiple slides," Wallace said. "The slide experiences are great, and that theming and experience runs throughout a whole neighborhood."

Icon's connection to the water was also one of its primary goals that the ship delivered on, offering expansive sea views throughout the ship.

"I think the flow of the ship, of Icon Class, in terms of bringing the sea to the ship and the expansive views edge to edge, is something that we haven’t experienced on a class of ships like this yet," she noted. "And certainly what that did for the promenade experience and the inclusion of The Pearl—one of my favorite things to do is watch TikTok or Instagram videos when people first board Icon and they just see the magnitude of the ship. That first impression with The Pearl—there’s nothing like it."

Wallace also emphasized that social media has played a major role in Icon of the Seas’ success, as guests eagerly share their experiences online.

"We’re seeing that in the popularity—not just in how people are experiencing the ship, but how they’re also reliving and posting their experiences all over social media," she said. "It is truly a jaw-dropping, showstopping, stunning ship when you see it in person."

A key factor in Icon of the Seas’ success is its focus on families of all kinds. From young kids to teens, multi-generational groups to extended families, the ship offers an unmatched variety of accommodations and entertainment to suit every type of traveler.

"We are a family brand," Wallace said. "When we think about families, it’s every single type of family. It’s families with young kids, it’s families with teenagers, it’s extended families, multi-generational families. And when you think about Icon, it truly does have something for all of those different types of families."

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas departed on March 13th for her last ever sailing under Royal Caribbean colors.

Photo by CruiseArabiaOnline

Legend of the Seas was launched in 1996, and has sailed more than 600 cruise itineraries and is the most-travelled ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

During her career she has been based in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Alaska, Central America, Caribbean, the Baltic, Mediterranean and the Middle East. No other Royal Caribbean ship has been so widely deployed.

Legend of the Seas will be handed over to TUI Group’s Thomson Cruises subsidiary after her arrival in Barcelona in two weeks.

"Since its inaugural sailing, Legend of the Seas has created many wonderful memories for hundreds of thousands of guests, and we expect this successful history to continue as she transitions to Thomson Cruises," said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.  "While she will be missed, her transition supports our objective of moderate capacity growth."

Photo by CruiseArabiaOnline

Legend of the Seas is scheduled to depart Dubai Cruise Terminal at 8pm, with events planned on-board to mark her last ever sailing under Royal Caribbean colors.

“The fact that she is sailing from Dubai on this last ever cruise speaks to the importance of the city as a new global cruise destination,” a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said.

Legend of the Seas was in port in Dubai at the same time as her fleet mate and sister ship Vision of the Seas, which is currently homeporting in Dubai for the 2016/17 cruise season.