Among all the choices of which stateroom to book on the world's largest ship, a balcony is the most common room you'll find.

Decades ago, a balcony was a luxury. Now, they're the most popular cabin and Royal Caribbean has the most inventory of them on its ships, including the brand new Legend of the Seas.

While there's so much to do around this 5,610-guest ship, it's really nice to come back to your room and have your own private area outside to enjoy.

I've been on over 100 cruises, so I've stayed in every single stateroom category. Balcony rooms are undeniably the Goldilocks choice because of their space, size, and amenities.

Royal Caribbean assigned me a mid-ship balcony cabin for the new vessel's complimentary four-night non-revenue test cruise in late June.

Full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on Legend of the Seas and I did not pay for this cruise.

Balcony cabins can be $600 more expensive (per person) than the cheapest inside cabins.

At the time of writing, the least-expensive inside cabins for Legend of the Seas' 2026 itineraries start at about $1,138 per person for a six night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti (the company's private beach destination).

On the same itinerary, a balcony cabin starts at $1,799 per person, or about $300 per person, per day.

Both types of rooms include the same core options. The difference is in the size, layout, and views you get with a balcony.

Having a balcony means having a quiet space on a ship that is known for being busy

Most standard balcony rooms have a square footage of around 40-50 square feet, which is just enough space for two chairs and a small table.

It's not spacious, but there is plenty of room for two people to enjoy being outdoors.

It's great having your own view, anytime you want it, especially for sailaway or when you want to admire the view outside.

It's also calming to have a balcony room because it's your own space that doesn't have party music, other conversations, or people to contend with. It's nice being able to pop outside anytime you like to read, watch the ocean pass by, or just enjoy some solitude.

Some people will leave their balcony door open and lay in their bed to allow the sea breeze and ocean sounds to filter in.

Luckily my bed was near the balcony door, so I had the perfect view each morning.

I was assigned room 7276, and the king size bed was positioned near the balcony door.  

Royal Caribbean alternates its cabin layout with the bed or the couch near the balcony door.  

Since the couch often gets filled up with clutter, I was happy to have the bed near the window instead.

Better yet, there are USB and power outlets on either side of the bed.  I love having my phone charged overnight and then wake up to be able to conveniently check it as I flip between apps and the outside view.

The couch offers more seating, but I'm bad about keeping it clutter-free.

Our room had a rather large couch, which is nice for having somewhere else to sit during the day.

The sofa is firm, and probably could be good for a nap.

My bad cruising habit that I can't stop doing is using my couch as a collection point for clothes, papers, souvenirs, and anything else I bring back to the room.

There is a vanity and sitting area across from the sofa.

I probably spend more time at the vanity than the sofa, which acts as both my office desk and a prep area for my wife.

As a remote worker, I appreciate how many power and USB outlets there are here. In fact, I don't think you need to bring a USB power extender on an Icon Class ship because of how many outlets Royal Caribbean has in these rooms.

You'll also find additional drawers here, along with a hidden mini-refrigerator.

The wire baskets are still the worst thing about this cabin.

A closet and shelves offer additional storage, including closet doors that open up to have vertical space for hanging clothes.

There are shelves with wire baskets below, but I cannot believe Royal Caribbean continues to use these in the third Icon Class ship.

The wire baskets make an incredibly loud and obnoxious screeching sound when they slide in or out, and it's been my top complaint about staterooms since Icon of the Seas first debuted.

Despite lots of complaints, these baskets are still in use.  Some passengers collect the baskets and toss them to the side, but then I run into the issue of clothes (particularly socks) sliding too far back into the cubby area.

The bathroom has the best standard shower at sea.

If the baskets are the worst feature about the room, the shower is the best innovation Royal Caribbean added to these ships.

Royal Caribbean has showers on Legend of the Seas that are quite large, with a sliding open door and a seat inside the shower.

Most cruise ships have narrow tube shaped showers that feel cramped and awkward to use.  But this shower feels far less cramped, and has an adjustable shower head that can go up or down.

Be sure to bring your own toiletries.

Royal Caribbean provides a basic 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash, but I think most people will prefer something more specialized.

There's no separate conditioner or body wash, so I'd recommend packing your own to bring onboard.

Since I always fly to my cruise ship at least one day early, I'll buy those toiletries once I arrive to avoid having to fly (and potentially explode) with those kinds of liquids.

Overall, a balcony room is enough for most people's needs

Is a balcony worth spending hundreds of dollars more to enjoy? If having easy access to a private, open-air space with ocean views is important, then yes.

The debate of an inside vs balcony room often boils down to cost versus amenity. You can argue how much you'd actually use the balcony, but there's no denying it's lovely to have it. 

Admittedly, I spent very little time on my balcony on this cruise, but that had a lot to do with the fact it was summer and hot.  Plus, I was busy exploring the new ship.

I think this balcony room is comparable in size to other cruise ship balconies, but I appreciated how many outlets there were and the shower configuration.

I take my kids on at least five cruises every year because it's become the best kind of family vacation, but I've had to re-learn the same lesson a few times.

Each of my kids has been cruising since they were 6 months old, and as they've grown, there have been different challenges to traveling with them.  But as they've matured into teenagers, my wife and I have grown to understand we had to change the cabin arrangements for everyone's sanity.

Family fights, arguing, and constant complaining lead us to change how we book cruises with our kids. It's easy to point to kids being spoiled brats, but there is truth in some separation is a good thing for families.

Now that my kids are entering their teens, I've had to create a rule for our family cruises that ultimately makes everyone happier.

I book separate rooms and bathrooms for us and the kids

The rule about booking cruises started off that we needed to have one bathroom for us, and one bathroom for our girls.

As girls mature, they take longer showers and spend far more time getting ready to go out.  Makeup, hair, styling, admiring, singing, and whatever else they do in there takes up time.

Trying to share a bathroom between two adults and two kids just wasn't working, and it lead to me taking showers at odd times of the day or even going to the ship's fitness center to use the showers there.

So I started having my travel agent price out two connecting rooms or suites that had two full bathrooms.

Sharing a suite with them, like the Icon Loft Suite, proved that even having a second bathroom doesn't work from a privacy standpoint.

The couch in that suite opens up to a bed, but there's not enough physical separation between the master bedroom upstairs and the living room/bedroom for the kids downstairs.

I was fine giving up suites in favor of connecting rooms because it's ultimately cheaper.

I book two rooms near each other

At first, I would book connecting rooms so we had a common door between us to make it convenient for going back and forth.

I don't mind connecting rooms, but you end up with the same room category for both cabins.  So if I book a balcony room for me and my wife, my kids get a balcony room too.

My kids never go out on their balcony.  Most of the time they keep the curtains closed to keep the room dark!

This lead me to a little-known fact that Royal Caribbean will allow you to book a minor in a stateroom by themselves if it's one room across or adjacent to the parents.

This means I can book a balcony room for us, and a less expensive inside room for the kids. It's a financial and logistical win all around.

Some suites could work, but it's expensive

You might be surprised how difficult it is to find a suite that has two separate bedrooms and full bathrooms.

Most suites tend to have just one full bathroom, and fewer have two bedroom areas. 

The best suite for this is the Two Bedroom AquaTheater Suite on the Oasis Class ships, but the price of all Royal Caribbean suites has sky rocketed over the last few years. 

None of the Icon Class ships have this sort of a cabin, so it's really the Ultimate Family Townhouse or nothing. Paying six figures for a suite is well out of my price range.

Booking two cabins to have two bathrooms has avoided so many arguments

The family cruise hack of booking two rooms went from "nice to have" to our family cruise rule to avoid problems.

While my kids will quarrel amongst themselves who gets to shower first when we return from the beach, at least there's no competition with us for it either.

Moreover, having two rooms means we can come back from our evening fun around the ship without waking the others up.

There is one problem with separate cabins and that's enforcing curfew. While we let our oldest daughter roam the ship with her friends, we can't peek in the room easily to see if she's back before her curfew time.

Our best solution thus far has been to send us a photo from inside the cabin when she returns to confirm she's there. 

It would be easier with a connecting room, but the money saved by getting them an inside room is worth the hassle.

I wish there were lower level suites that could accommodate our needs

Royal Caribbean has a variety of suites, but they tend to be rooms that are giant versions of balcony rooms.

I would prefer if they added more two bedroom suites that are within the Owner's Suite or Grand Suite price range.

However, their workaround seems to be adding cabins that have outside connecting doors you can close off to form de-facto suites.

I've seen on newer ships more options to book two or three cabins that have a common hallway or outside door.  Once you close off the outer door, you can keep every cabin door open/ajar and allow for free flow between rooms.

This sort of works, except you have to prop open the main door since every cruise ship cabin door automatically locks after a few seconds.

My family cruise rule keeps everyone happy

Any dad out there would likely agree when you take your family on vacation, you want everyone to have a good time and spare your spouse unnecessary fights among the kids.

I think having a room for the kids and a room for us has proven to be a winning combination.

I look at this way: a cruise should be a fun vacation for everyone, and I'm willing to spend a little bit extra to make it easier on us all.

Royal Caribbean has made two changes to Crown and Anchor Society benefits that cruisers should be aware of.

The cruise line does not update its loyalty program often, but the lineup of benefits are a critical reason many people remain "loyal to Royal".

We've noticed two major changes that have been introduced recently, and I think they could make your cruise better (assuming you qualify for them).

One change was announced via email, and another was spotted by our site readers.

Here's what's new and different in the Crown and Anchor Society benefits.

Priority tendering added for Pinnacle Club members

If you're lucky enough to have made it to the upper most tier of Crown and Anchor, there's a new perk.

Pinnacle Club members now don't have to worry about getting a tender ticket to go ashore.

"We’re introducing a new exclusive benefit for Pinnacle Club members designed to make getting ashore faster and more seamless than ever," the announcement said in an email.

Available on select European sailings, tender tickets are now distributed via the Royal Caribbean app.

• Odyssey of the Seas: Santorini tender port days
• Harmony of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days
• Legend of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days

"With Priority Digitized Tendering, you’re automatically set to head ashore — no lines, no waiting, no extra steps."

On ships where Digitized Tendering is not yet available, Pinnacle priority tendering will not be offered, just yet. However, Royal Caribbean says more ships will be added as the experience expands.

Royal Caribbean recently experimented with offering tendering on an Oasis Class ship for the first time. It was to prepare for an even larger ship, Legend of the Seas, to offer tendering as well.

Traditionally, tender tickets were distributed by hand and required guests to a location to request them.  Making them digital means a more convenient way for everyone to sign up.

Single supplement discount for all Diamond Plus guests now?

UPDATE: The grid update was a misprint, and the benefits grid has been updated once more to add back in the 340 points requirement.

• Previous Verbiage: Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings) from 200% for members that have 340+ Cruise Points.
• Correct & Current Verbiage: Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings) from 200% for members that have 340+ Cruise Points. 

Royal Caribbean had updated its loyalty benefits grid, which temporarily showed a more widely applied discount for those cruising solo.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Mick noticed the change and posted about it on our Royal Caribbean message boards.

The Crown & Anchor Society loyalty benefits grid was updated verbiage that no longer mentions needing 340 points to qualify for the single supplement cruise fare reduction.

However, the change has since been revised further to re-add the 340 cruise point requirement to be able to pay only 1.5 times the cruise fare of one person, instead of two times.

The terms and conditions have not changed for the restrictions on this discount: Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club single members are eligible for a single supplement cruise fare at 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings). This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. 

This offer is not applicable to Ocean Voyage Packages, Holiday sailings (including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’ s Day, Holy Week, Easter/Spring break, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Golden Week [Asia],Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year ’s), or peak summer months from June 1 through August 15. Not valid on new ships within the first 365 days of service.

The single supplement discount does not apply to studio cabins, which are solo fares from the start.

As soon as I boarded Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, my first stop was to try their updated food hall.

Ever since Royal Caribbean launched Aquadome Market on Icon of the Seas, I was hooked on this concept of freshly prepared food that you can't otherwise find on the ship. I loved the combination of different food than typical of the line, plus it was available late night too.

With each new Icon Class ship, Royal Caribbean sought to refresh the lineup. Legend of the Seas has five new places to eat, with one being a smoothie bar.

Since Aquadome Market has quickly become my favorite included restaurant, I've been ranking the food halls every time I go to determine my favorites.

Here's how I ranked them all, from my least favorite to my favorite.

Simply Pressed is a new smoothie bar

They don't serve food, but there's a new place to get smoothies and juices on Legend of the Seas.

The drinks here cost extra, but without a Vitality Cafe, having access to a smoothie bar has become important to a lot of cruisers.

There are fresh juices and smoothies you can order, each are 12 oz.

Since these are beverages and not food, I won't rank this stall.  But it's somewhere anyone with a drink package might want to be aware exists before their sailing begins.

I think La Española was my least favorite, but I liked the tapas

There has to be a least favorite in any ranking, and La Española makes it there primarily because the gazpacho was too strange for me.

I love tomatoes, salsa, and hot tomato soup. But cold tomato soup was too strange a taste for my liking, even though I could add croutons and extra veggies in it.  I wanted to love it, but like coleslaw, some foods I just never get a taste for.

The tapas, however, are a stronger option. I really liked the Pan con Tomate with Manchengo because it was a light snack for something less filling.

Adobo serves tacos, and that's always a classic food

I was surprised when Royal Caribbean revealed one of the food stands would have tacos, because El Loco Fresh serves tacos across the deck.  However, these are street tacos instead of the Tex-Mex stuff at El Loco.

Tacos al pastor are arguably more authentic than the basic tacos you'd find in the US. Tacos al pastor feature thinly sliced pork (there's chicken also) marinated in adobo seasoning and stacked on a vertical spit alongside fresh pineapple.

The meat is cooked in the Lebanese shawarma technique, and shavings are stacked in the taco.

Toppings include onion, cilantro, lime, and pineapple. Pineapple is traditionally served with them to balance the marinade of the meat.

I liked these tacos a lot, especially for the different flavors.  Once again, it's going to taste differently (in a good way) from what's at El Loco Fresh.

I found, however, how fresh the tortillas are greatly impact how good the tacos taste.  If the tortillas aren't very freshly prepared, they tend to get harder.  I was sure to ask for a fresh tortilla when I ordered for better results.

I didn't know I was a gumbo fan until I tried Cajun Kitchen

If I had ranked these food halls before I tried them, I'm certain I would have ranked Cajun Kitchen near the bottom.  But it almost became my favorite.

Serving New Orleans gumbo, Cajun Kitchen has one item on its menu and it's very tasty.

You have a choice of chicken, sausage, or shrimp gumbo to go on top of the white rice base.

The rice soaks up a lot of gumbo juice, and you get a very flavorful medley soaked into the rice as you eat it.

Gumbo is a wonderful comfort food, and I think this is a great choice for something filling and easy to eat. 

The new Korean rice bowls won me over as a fan

Seoulmate is not just a creative name for Korean rice bowls, it's also easily my favorite of the new food halls on Legend of the Seas.

Not really knowing what to expect, I asked for the marinated chicken to go along all the toppings available. 

Served with a Korean scallion pancake, this is what I'll order as soon as I board the ship and as a late-night snack every time I sail on Legend.

I love Asian food to begin with, and there are some wonderful flavors when you combine everything.  I loved how light the pancake was as a way to scoop in the food.

I had never tried Kimchi, and it quickly hit the spot. In fact, I think it's what made the rice bowl a great choice.

Creme de la Crepe, the one returning food hall, never disappoints

Every Aquadome Market has a Creme de la Crepe station, and it's because of how insanely popular freshly made crepes continue to be.

Truthfully, this should still be the top ranked food station. But that's like the Tony Awards giving "Phantom of the Opera" the best musical every year because it's a perennial favorite.

There are four types of crepes to choose from, and each is amazing in its own right.

Strawberry Nutella is a top choice, but I wouldn't fault you for choosing "The Classic" of dusted sugar and lemon zest.

This was, to put it plainly, so good.

Aquadome Market instantly catapulted to the top of my must-eat list as soon as I tried it, and that continues here with Legend of the Seas.

I admire Royal Caribbean for branching out and challenging themselves to offer different choices instead of copying the menu from the ship that came before it.

Creme de la Crepe and Adobo are the safest options to consider.  Even the pickiest of eaters should be able to find something because it's all customizable.

Seoulmate works if you're just getting marinated chicken or beef and rice, or if you opt to load it up. It's something I could eat almost everyday.

Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and are ready to catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

The biggest cruise ship in the world has arrived!

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas began sailing this past week, welcoming its first guests onboard.

The brand new ship is the third Icon Class ship, and introduces new dining innovations and new shows too.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean oversold three cruises. Why cruise ships get overbooked
• Will Royal Caribbean cruise from Australia year-round?
• Legend of the Seas cruise ship review
• Royal Caribbean's newest balcony cabin fixes one of the biggest problems for families
• The best changes Royal Caribbean made to Legend of the Seas
• Are you eating sushi the right way? Do's and dont's from a master sushi chef
• Comparing the Legend of the Seas ships
• Liberty of the Seas cruise ship review

New RCB Video: I Cruised On A $2 Billion Ship Before Anyone Else!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — I Cruised On A $2 Billion Ship Before Anyone Else! — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean hinted where the new Discovery Class ships will sail

Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley gave us a hint where Discovery Class ships will sail (and probably won't).

While at a press conference on Legend of the Seas, a question was asked about Royal Caribbean's next new class of ships.

He was cagey with not divulging anything new, but he did give us an idea of where these ships are destined.

7 things Royal Caribbean just said about Europe cruises, new ship plans, and AI changes

Jason Liberty and Michael Bayley answered questions about the future of Royal Caribbean.

Journalists from around the world onboard Legend of the Seas questioned the executives on future plans, use of AI, and even the ship's dog.

Both of them were quite candid in offering answers to questions many of us have been wondering about too.

Eating on a train on a cruise ship: Royal Railway Legend Station

Royal Caribbean's new version of its immersive train restaurant is open, and I was so much more impressed with it.

Available on Legend of the Seas, there's a new show, new theme, and new menu with it too.

Silk Routes offers a different take on the family-friendly first show, and I loved the new food and storytelling.

10 things I loved and hated about my Liberty of the Seas cruise

Liberty of the Seas is updated and back in service, so what's good and bad about this amplified ship?

After spending a week onboard, there are a few things that stand out.  

Some of the changes have been great, while others are head scratchers.

Whether you've never tried sushi before or are new to it all, now is the perfect time to master it and give it a proper try.

Nearly all Royal Caribbean ships have Izumi Japanese restaurant onboard, including the brand new Legend of the Seas. 

From the first time I tried sushi on a Royal Caribbean ship in 2010, I've been hooked on their brand of freshly prepared food. It's become a must-eat when I'm onboard.

However, I know there are lots of people who have never tried it before or are new to it all. Izumi Master Chef Travis Kamiyama created the Izumi brand and works year after year to bring his vision for quality Japanese cuisine to cruise ships.

"People are really interested in the culture, the type of food. Japanese cuisine is very diverse. Sushi is just the tip of the iceberg."

While sailing on Legend of the Seas, I asked him to share the proper way to eat sushi and how to go about trying it if you've never sampled any.

What's the best first sushi to try?

You don't have to start off with raw tuna or salmon as your first entry into sushi.

Chef Travis recommends starting with a fried roll because it's cooked instead of being raw.

"You've got to start out with our crispy Philly or the crispy spicy tuna. It's actually flash fried on the outside, so it's quite friendly."

Another good option is the crispy shrimp roll because it features shrimp tempura, which is a flavor and texture many people already enjoy.

Of course, there's always the tried-and-true California roll. It's not fried, but it appeals a lot to American tastes.

"It's basically the flagship of all the Americanized sushi. It's super friendly because the crab is cooked. As long as you're not allergic to shellfish, it's a great place to start."

Sushi isn't an all-or-nothing experience. You can start with a familiar flavor, and perhaps graduate to something more adventurous later.

How to use chopsticks the right way

Learning to use chopsticks can seem intimidating, but there's a trick that might make it easier.

Chef Travis recommends asking for wooden chopsticks if they're available because they're easier for beginners to grip than reusable plastic ones.

Once you've separated them, don't rub the chopsticks together, "You don't want to do the sharpening... trying to get splinters out because there's none, honestly. That's totally not what Japanese do."

Learning to hold chopsticks requires practice and patience. He says to move the top one up and down, while keeping the other one stable.

"It's going to take practice. Your muscle memory isn't going to be there."

Fortunately, Izumi restaurants also offer chopstick "helpers" that snap onto the sticks to make them much easier to control while you're learning.

Is eating sushi with your hands rude?

Since mastering chopsticks isn't going to happen at once, you might need another way to eat sushi.

"Traditionally in Japan, it's normal to eat sushi with your hands," he said.

Ask your server to leave the warm oshibori towel at your table. The towel allows you to comfortably eat with your fingers while cleaning your hands between bites.

What about using a fork? That should be the last option, "Chopsticks first is ideal. Then hand. Then fork is last."

Using a fork is actually not practical because it often causes the roll to fall apart before it reaches your mouth.

I was using ginger wrong for my entire life

I asked Chef Travis about what ginger was for when it's served with your sushi, and I had no idea I was actually using it incorrectly.

According to Chef Travis, it's not a topping. Instead, it's meant to be a palate cleanser.

Imagine you're eating a sushi sampler featuring tuna, salmon, yellowtail and shrimp. You should be eating the ginger between pieces because that allows each fish to stand on its own.

"You want to try to taste the fish instead of masking it with the ginger."

Should you mix soy sauce and wasabi?

The answer depends on where you're eating.

"If you go to a high-end sushi bar... don't touch it," he said.

At an omakase experience, the sushi is already seasoned exactly as intended.

"They're not going to give you soy sauce anyway."

But since you're probably eating sushi at Izumi, Chef Travis says diners have more flexibility.

You could take some wasabi, put it in the dish, add some soy sauce, mix it up, and then dip it. That's okay."

The key is not to overdo it. You want a little bit, so you don't overwhelm the fish.

What's the biggest mistake people make with soy sauce?

I asked Chef Travis what is the top faux pas people make when eating sushi.

He said too many people dunk the rice directly into the soy sauce, "The thing you want to avoid is to dip the rice in there where it soaks up all the soy sauce."

This causes two problems: it overwhelms the flavor and can cause the rice to fall apart.

He compared it to covering French fries with so much ketchup that you can't taste the potatoes anymore.

Is eating raw fish dangerous?

Some people have been hesitant to try sushi because the idea of eating raw food could make them sick.

Chef Travis explained the fish in sushi is different than the raw seafood from your supermarket, "Sushi grade is very different, and we're very honed into that sourcing. We're very picky."

Sushi restaurants operate under entirely different sourcing standards than grocery store prepared foods.

Want a family cruise on the best cruise ship that offers just about everything? I think Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas is the perfect choice.

Ever since Icon of the Seas redefined what we expect from a modern cruise ship, Royal Caribbean has been hard at work to make it even better.

Legend of the Seas is the third ship in this class, which means it's a lot like the latest iPhone. It's not fundamentally different from the past couple versions, but you instantly know it's a step up from them.

This ship was built with one idea in mind: offer the best things on one ship so everyone in the family has an amazing time. 

I've been on Icon and Star of the Seas numerous times, so I can see where Legend of the Seas excels in delivering more to do.

Ship order is irrelevant, this is a ship with lots to do

Unless you follow Royal Caribbean everything like me, the fact Legend of the Seas is the third Icon Class ship doesn't matter.

What does matter is this is the cruise ship for everyone in your fam. It's uncompromising, has more than you could ever do in a week, and even visits some amazing places.

Almost any Royal Caribbean ship is designed to be the kind of vacation that has something for everyone, and Legend of the Seas is the perfect example of that.

It's a great example of "bigger is better" because with more space, you have more room for all the fun (and sometimes crazy) ideas Royal Caribbean can dream up.

This ship is 20 decks high, over 1100 feet long, and has six waterslides, 28 restaurants, 17 bars and lounges,  and 17 pools and whirlpools. It's giant, bright, and the second you get onboard I bet you'll be amazed.

That feeling of being amazed won't soon leave you, because there's so much happening every minute.

This ship is divided up into eight neighborhoods, with each one having a distinct look and feel to it.  It makes it easier to know where you are, and it helps with identifying what things to do are there.

To say the least, there are a lot of things to do. There's a lengthy schedule of events everyday you can navigate in the cruise line app. It's your choice to do all of them, or none of them.

Then you have the pools, waterslides, bars, live music, shows, and dance parties you can choose from as well. It's a bit overwhelming where to start, but you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

Legend of the Seas does three things best: food, water fun, and entertainment

If you want to boil this ship down to why you'd want to book it, it's for three main reasons.

The incredible assortment of entertainment on Legend of the Seas is what has made Royal Caribbean famous. To put it gently, you won't be bored on this ship.

There are three theaters onboard, each with its own show that you can't see on other ships.  There's also a "B show" that is also performed in these venues.

Then there's live music all around the ship, ranging from guitarists to a harpist, to a steel drum band. You can easily walk around the ship and run into some kind of a musician.

All of the entertainment is included in your fare, and its appeal encompasses all ages. I'm a big fan of Dueling Pianos, which is one of the best nighttime entertainment you can find (there is a family show on some afternoons).

The Broadway production of "Charlie and Chocolate Factory" is performed onboard, and it's an incredible production. It works for kids and adults, and is very fun.

The second thing this cruise ship is great at is all the ways to cool off in the water.

Royal Caribbean designed this ship to be a water wonderland. There are six waterslides and 17 pools and whirlpools, which ensures you can find the right pool vibe for you.

The Hideaway has a suspended infinity pool, while Swim & Tonic has a swim-up bar.  Both are for adults-only.

The other pools come in different sizes and views, making them appealing for different reasons.  I love to try as many as I can.

Lastly, there is so much food you can eat on this ship that it's difficult to try to get to it all in one sailing.

Most of the food is included, but there are extra cost options too.

The Aquadome Market is a food hall that prepares each order on the spot, and is my favorite included restaurant on any ship.

Of course, the Main Dining Room has table served food, and the Windjammer Marketplace is a buffet with so many options. 

There are two specialty restaurants that are new to Legend, and each is guaranteed to give you FOMO if you don't try them.

Royal Railway Legend Station is an immersive dining experience that simulates what it's like to be on a classic train. It's even more fun than that sounds.

Guests dine in train cars and thanks to technology, it looks and feels like you're on a moving train.

The Hollywoodland Supper Club is a multi-course meal featuring meals pairs to cocktails and live entertainment that celebrates the golden age of cinema from the 1920s to 1950s.

There's so much more offered than what's listed here, which makes trying to do everything nearly impossible.  It's a reason to rebook another cruise.

There's an entire section for families

It's worth highlighting the fact Legend of the Seas has the Surfside neighborhood, giving it a major advantage for anyone cruising with kids.

While all Royal Caribbean ships have kid-focused areas, this is an entire neighborhood with a buffet that has just kid food, a giant aquapark, climbing area, and many ways to play.

Surfside is one of the ship's neighborhoods, and it is designed for kids under the age of 9-10 years old.

There's a carousel with a very cutely themed rubber duck motif.

The carousel, and nearly all of Surfside is included in your cruise fare.  It's the kind of special area you can bring your kids and they will have full reign on so much fun.

Towards the back is a "mommy and me" bar at the Lemon Post.  There are cocktails for the parents, and mocktails for the kids. That way, everyone can enjoy a beverage.

Plus, there are special activities throughout the day to enjoy.  Limbo, dance parties, ice cream, and even nighttime bed stories that are read for children.

Surfside is the "easy button" for parents to bring their kids and let them have an all-out fun day.

What is different about Legend of the Seas compared to other cruise ships

Legend of the Seas is very similar to Icon and Star, but there are a few notable differences worth pointing out.

The Pearl is updated with better lighting and sounds to make it truly special. 

The Pearl has always been impressive, but now it's stunning.

There is a two story casino onboard, offering additional non-smoking space.

The second floor is on deck 3, and it features its own bar along with table games and additional slot machines.

Like all Royal Caribbean ships, the shows are completely different from other ships. 

• "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in the Royal Theater
• "America's Got Talent LIVE" in the Royal Theater
• "Shockwave" in Aquatheater
• "Fusion" ice skating show in Absolute Zero

Each show was developed for this ship.

The addition of Royal Railway and Hollywoodland are both only on this ship. In addition, Aquadome Market has a completely different line-up of food stations.

Why you should try Legend of the Seas

Legend of the Seas is the best all-around cruise ship you can go on today, featuring the latest and greatest that Royal Caribbean has to offer.

Leaning on its family cruise line tradition, this ship has the most choices of what you can do for all ages. This makes it an excellent choice for multi-gen groups that need things for young kids, grandparents, young adults, and more.

Because it's the newest ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, it has all of their best ideas in one. 

If the idea of going on the world's largest cruise ship sounds as fun as it is exciting to brag about to your friends, then this is the ship for you.

What's missing?

No cruise ship is perfect, and I'd argue there are a few downsides to consider before booking.

There are two adults-only pools (Hideaway and Swim & Tonic), but neither embody the traditional Solarium adult pool experience other ships have. 

If your idea of an adults-only space is a quiet area to read a book, that doesn't exist on this ship.

There aren't any solo cabins, which are staterooms designed for those cruising alone.  Royal Caribbean has moved away from that concept over the past few new ships, so it's not a new trend.  

Unlike the other two Icon Class ships, there is no conference center onboard.  The expanded casino took over that space. 

Where Legend of the Seas will sail

The inaugural season begins in the Mediterranean with summer cruises in 2026 that offer 7-night voyages primarily from Barcelona.

In the fall, Legend crosses the Atlantic and will offer winter cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These will be 6- and 8-night Western and Southern Caribbean cruises.

Cruises are available to book on Legend of the Seas through April 2028.

Royal Caribbean's new immersive restaurant might be the most fun dining experience I've had in a long time.

Available on the new Legend of the Seas ship, Royal Railway Legend Station is a new offering of a restaurant they debuted a few short years ago. This new version is smoother, offers higher quality cuisine, and delivers the kind of meal you'll be talking about for a long time.

When Royal Caribbean invited me to try it on a preview sailing of the new ship, I was eager to see how this experience would measure up.  I had experienced the Wild West show on Utopia of the Seas and even went to an early test preview at Miami Headquarters. 

When you combine great food, technology, and entertainment, you get what might be the best elevated dinner experience that encapsulates everything Royal Caribbean wants in everything on its ships: a terrific memory maker.

After taking in every minute of the 90 minute meal, here's what my experience at Royal Railway was like.

Disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on Legend of the Seas and dine at Royal Railway for no cost. I purchased separately Royal Railway on another upcoming sailing that I paid for on my own.

Royal Railway is a dinner show that looks like you're on a train

Located on the Royal Promenade, you'll find what appears to be a train station and this is all part of the story telling at Royal Railway.

Unlike traditional specialty restaurants on cruise ships that offer a specific type of cuisine, there's show and technology that aims to transport you to a different time and place.

It costs extra to dine at the Royal Railway, which should be booked before the cruise begins via the Royal Caribbean app. Yes, printed tickets are delivered to your cabin that you need to bring with you.

About 30 minutes prior to your train time, you can enter the station. This is where I already started getting impressed.

You walk onto a station platform that looks and sounds like a real train station. There's even a bar that has cocktails you can order for your ride.

The level of detail on the platform alone sets the tone for why Royal Railway is so impressive.

When it's time for your train (dinner and show), a conductor will call for everyone to board.

I was impressed by the variety and flavor of each course

Each train car has a table for two or four, where the full menu is waiting.

The story behind Royal Railway is you're following the Silk Routes that Marco Polo took on his journey back from the Orient to Europe.

Each region your train visits along his famous path represents a course of food and cuisine. Most of the food is served family style, but the main entree (Turkey) is ordered individually.

There's food from Persia, India, Turkey, China, and Italy.  Other than Turkey, all the food are small bites that are meant to be shared. All the food from Italy and China are served to each person as a sampling platter.

Before we talk about the show, I think the food should be recognized for being sophisticated, yet palate pleasing.  You don't have to be a foodie to enjoy eating here, as there's lots to choose from.  There's even a kids menu that anyone can ask for!

I was so impressed by the Silk Routes food, to the point I would go back just for the food options.

The original Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas had a more family-focused menu and its food was good, but didn't wow me. The Silk Routes menu is a significant step up in variety and flavor.

Your journey begins in China, where a trio of appetizers are served to each person.

The Wood Ear Mushroom Spring Roll had such great flavor, and I was pleasantly surprised how much better it was than your average spring roll.

The Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls sounded strange (I don't ever order duck), but I really enjoyed it.

Moving to India, a platter of food is served for your table to share. 

I love Indian food so much, so this was the highlight of my meal. As someone that has eaten a lot of Indian on Royal Caribbean ships, this is not your garden variety Windjammer curry.

While Indian food might be somewhat polarizing, I think the flavors and spice level are quite balanced for novice tastes.  Nothing was overly spicy, but it retained plenty of flavor. Stick with the Butter Chicken and Potato Chop if you're new to Indian food.

In Persia, a palate cleanser is served to prepare you for your entree.

It's a tasty sorbet that was more like pre-dessert than anything, so I enjoyed it!

In Turkey, your entrees are served and we went with the two kebabs.  One is a beef kebab and the other an Impossible (vegan) kebab. 

Very similar flavor profiles for both, and I ate every bite.  This is when I started hitting my food limit because I had eaten everything from the Indian serving earlier.

At dessert, there's another sampler provided for everyone. 

Our table's favorite was the Stracciatella Gelato, but my wife really liked the Raspberry Bombolini.

This is the best use of technology on a cruise ship

What elevates Royal Railway beyond just another cruise ship specialty restaurant is the train experience.

Through the use of technology, it looks and feels like you're riding on a train.

As your train pulls out of the station, the windows open and you have a digital view of the places Marco Polo visited. The rumble of the tracks is felt in subtle vibrations in your seat.  The car itself gently moves to simulate movement.

In addition to following Marco Polo's route, each region you visit will celebrate a festival. Holi in India, Chinese New Year, and Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey, for example.

Each second of the ride has something else to see outside the window and what you see on one side is different than what's on the other side.

It's a convincing simulation, while your conductor hosts stops in periodically to narrate and explain the significance of the region, Polo's experience there, and what the food you're being served represents.

Silk Routes solves for most of the issues with the first restaurant

One major improvement with Silk Routes is the pacing and story telling is much better. There's more storytelling on Utopia, which felt like interruptions to a dinner meal many times.

I think there's a much better balance of show, food, and story this time around.

I loved my meal and show, but I recognize there are two possible problems with Royal Railway for some guests.

While the menu has a good deal of variety, it's not as familiar food as you might find in the Main Dining Room or a specialty restaurant like Chops Grille. 

My kids are very picky eaters, and would probably eat less than half the food served. 

The other issue is cost, because Royal Railway isn't cheap. For an upcoming sailings, the cost of one person is $165 (slightly cheaper for kids).  That's over $500 for dinner for four people.

Of course, this isn't your typical specialty restaurant and there's much more that comes with your dinner than just different food. Royal Caribbean calls it a real memory making experience.  Not once-in-a-lifetime, but certainly the kind of meal you might book to try and use it for a special evening.

Dinner you won't forget

As someone that's always looking for experiences that stand out as being unlike anything I can do anywhere else, this hits that target squarely in the center. There's no way you won't dine at Royal Railway and not come home and tell your friends about it.

Moreover, it's not just about it looking like a train. The show element is very well done, but the food stands out on its own as something I wish I could get more of separately.

Royal Caribbean's CEO revealed where the new Discovery Class ships are likely to sail.

While the cruise line is still being tight lipped on just about every detail, it's becoming clearer the Discovery Class ships likely won't be doing traditional Caribbean voyages to the usual places.

Royal Caribbean has ordered two ships so far, with the first one ready to sail sometime in 2029. But beyond that, there hasn't been much additional information divulged.

While sailing on Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley answered a question about this new ship class and gave us a better idea of where these new ships are headed.

A new ship with exotic experiences

Mr. Bayley was keen to not share any significant news about the Discovery Class ships yet, but he elaborated on where they are headed.

There's been rampant speculation as to what Royal Caribbean's plans are for these ships, especially since they won't be as large as the Icon Class ships.

Mr. Bayley specifically called out three parts of the world we will see Discovery Class ships: Asia, Alaska, and Europe.

"Discovery Class is a class for Royal Caribbean. It is a class by its name that will go to Asia, it will go to Alaska, it will go to European itineraries," he said.

"That ship will be specifically designed for those types of more exotic experiences."

Previously, he had only alluded to the fact there would be more exotic destinations. Now we know more precisely which of those markets these ships are headed towards.

In September 2025, he confirmed the ships wouldn't be doing the same routes as the Icon and Oasis Class ships.

Part of that decision to send Discovery on more exotic routes is because of guest feedback, "We've learned about the segment of guests who want to go on these different types of itineraries. And we've packaged and built it into Discovery."

At Wednesday's meeting, he also repeated the fact Discovery Class ships will be able to fit in the Panama Canal, which will allow them to get from one part of the world to the other with less time.

"We'll be able to go through the Panama Canal... which changes access to more exotic destinations."

He explained having to go around South America is a 60 day journey, but going through the Panama Canal reduces that time to just about two weeks. That allows the ship to move around more efficiently.

One more small detail mentioned was these ships are sourcing the best ideas from Royal Caribbean's other ships.

"We've literally taken everything we've learned from all of the classes that have preceded Discovery, including this class, which is, we think, phenomenal class."

When we can expect to hear more details

I know what you're thinking: enough of the speculation, when will Royal Caribbean actually reveal everything about the Discovery Class?

According to Bayley, that should occur in late 2027.

"We'll be super happy to talk about Discovery about typically 18 to 24 months before the ship first sails."

What we know so far

The comments shared today reflect a new ship that is very much still in development, and that's part of why so few details are known.

Royal Caribbean announced they placed an order for two cruise ships earlier this year.

Both are being built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The first will debut in 2029 and the second in 2032.

There are options for four additional ships to be built, should the cruise line exercise those options at a later date.

Thanks to filings with the U.S. government, we also have an idea of how big the ships are.

According to Royal Caribbean Group's form 10-Q filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the new ship will have an approximate passenger count (berths) of 4,300.

That's about 1,300 passengers less than the Icon Class ships.