Royal Caribbean Celebrates Major Milestone for New Icon Class Ship
From thrilling attractions to record-breaking dining, Legend of the Seas is almost ready to welcome guests
She's officially here.
Royal Caribbean has celebrated a major milestone as Legend of the Seas was formally handed over at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, bringing the cruise line one step closer to welcoming guests onboard its newest Icon Class ship.
After nearly two years of construction, the highly anticipated vessel has officially joined the Royal Caribbean family and is now preparing for her debut season, which begins on 4 July 2026.
And yes, cruise fans, the countdown is officially on.
A big day in Finland
More than 1,200 crew members, partners and shipbuilding experts gathered at the Meyer Turku shipyard to mark the occasion, celebrating the completion of Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class ship.
The ceremony brought together Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm, along with many of the thousands of people who helped bring the ship to life.
From engineers and architects to designers and crew members, the event recognised the enormous effort behind creating what will soon become one of the most talked-about ships at sea.
Next stop: The Mediterranean
Before welcoming her first guests, Legend of the Seas will make her way to Cadiz, Spain, where the final finishing touches will be completed.
Then comes the moment many cruise fans have been waiting for.
This summer, the ship will begin sailing 7-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia), giving holidaymakers the chance to experience Royal Caribbean's newest holiday at sea.
Later in the year, Legend will cross the Atlantic and arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she'll offer Western and Southern Caribbean adventures, including visits to the ever-popular Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the seas will debut July 2026
Packed with new experiences
Legend of the Seas isn't just another new ship, she's bringing plenty of fresh experiences along for the ride.
Guests will find 28 dining options, the most ever offered on a Royal Caribbean ship.
Among the new additions are:
Hollywoodland Supper Club, inspired by the glamour of old Hollywood
Royal Railway – Legend Station, an immersive train-themed dining adventure
AquaDome Market, featuring five food concepts under one roof
A brand-new juice and smoothie bar
Entertainment is also taking centre stage, with Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory joining the line-up alongside America's Got Talent LIVE, spectacular AquaTheater performances and ice-skating shows at Absolute Zero.
Bigger thrills, bigger splash zones
Of course, no Icon Class ship would be complete without plenty of ways to turn up the excitement.
Guests can enjoy seven pools, including Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea, while families can make a splash at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay.
Thrill-seekers will find plenty to keep them busy too, from the towering Crown's Edge attraction and Category 6 waterpark to FlowRider surfing, mini golf and rock climbing adventures.
Let's just say boredom probably won't be making the packing list.
Icon Class favourites return
Alongside the new attractions, guests can also enjoy some of the signature experiences that helped make Icon Class such a hit.
The stunning Pearl sculpture returns, along with the open-air Central Park neighbourhood, which features more than 30,500 real plants, restaurants, live music and relaxed spaces to unwind between adventures.
Families looking to travel in style can also book the redesigned three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse, complete with its own slide, dedicated entertainment areas and room for the whole family.
A legendary summer awaits
With the handover now complete, Legend of the Seas is officially ready to begin her next chapter.
From Mediterranean sailings this summer to Caribbean adventures later in the year, Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship is preparing to welcome families, couples and cruise fans eager to see what all the excitement is about.
And if the first two Icon Class ships are anything to go by, Legend looks ready to live up to her name.