Royal Caribbean Unveils Six Emerging Artists for New Icon Class Ship Legend of the Seas
Guests can experience local culture from ship to shore through immersive art installations
Royal Caribbean has revealed the next chapter of its Artist Discovery Program, announcing six talented artists whose original creations will be showcased aboard the highly anticipated Legend of the Seas.
Set to debut in July 2026, the newest Icon Class ship will feature destination-inspired artwork throughout some of its most prominent public spaces, bringing the vibrant spirit, culture and creativity of the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America to life for guests.
Six Artists Selected for Legend of the Seas
Following a competitive application process that attracted 250 submissions from across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, Royal Caribbean selected six emerging artists to create exclusive pieces for the new vessel.
Each artist received a grant to develop original works inspired by their home country, with installations appearing in six highly visible locations around the ship.
According to Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean’s Chief Product Innovation Officer, the programme continues to strengthen the connection between guests and the destinations they visit.
“With Legend of the Seas we’ve expanded our call for talent beyond the Caribbean to include Mexico and Central America, bringing together an even broader range of voices and perspectives,” Schneider said.
Artwork Featured Throughout the Ship
Guests boarding Legend of the Seas will encounter artwork from the moment they arrive.
The featured pieces will be displayed across several key locations, including the embarkation area, the bustling Royal Promenade, the Suite Sundeck and Suite Sundeck Lobby, as well as two additional guest areas on decks two and six.
The installations will take various forms, ranging from large-scale murals to ceramic mosaics and stainless-steel sculptures.
Legend of the Seas Combines World-Class Cruising with Destination-Inspired Art
Meet the Featured Artists
Giovanni Abath – Curaçao
Abath will create both a large-scale mural and a stainless-steel sculpture at the entrance to the Royal Promenade on deck six. Known for blending industrial materials with cultural storytelling, his work celebrates Caribbean landscapes, traditions and communities.
Vanessa Dalla Costa – Trinidad and Tobago
Costa will design a ceramic mosaic sculpture for the Suite Sundeck. Her work explores light, texture and handcrafted clay elements, creating pieces inspired by the atmosphere of the spaces they occupy.
Porschia Denning – U.S. Virgin Islands
Denning’s custom mural will be displayed in the Suite Sundeck Lobby. Drawing inspiration from nature and island life, her artwork encourages viewers to slow down and reconnect with their surroundings.
Rafeal Vega Feliciano – Puerto Rico
Feliciano will create a mural for the guest boarding area on deck two. His work incorporates expressionist portraiture and ancestral symbolism, highlighting the rich cultural history of Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean.
Rodrigo Macias Maldonado – Mexico
At the heart of the ship’s Royal Promenade, Maldonado will unveil a large-scale mural inspired by geometry, resilience and the relationship between people and the built environment.
Alexander Lopez Ryliouk – Costa Rica
Ryliouk’s vibrant mural will welcome guests in the embarkation area, creating a striking first impression and setting the tone for the holiday experience ahead.
Artist Discovery Program Continues to Grow
Originally launched on Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Artist Discovery Program was designed to give emerging local artists a global platform while helping guests connect with the destinations featured throughout their holiday.
The programme now extends beyond ships and into Royal Caribbean destinations, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, where artwork from 11 Bahamian artists is displayed across 25 locations.
Sailing Begins This Summer
Legend of the Seas will launch in Europe in July 2026, offering 7-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia).
Later in November 2026, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where guests can enjoy 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean holidays. Itineraries will include destinations such as Roatan, Honduras, Willemstad, Curaçao, and visits to Royal Caribbean’s popular private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
With original artwork woven throughout the ship, Legend of the Seas promises to offer guests not only unforgettable holidays but also a deeper connection to the cultures and destinations that inspire them.