Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas: The world's largest cruise ship makes its debut
Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas is set to revolutionise ocean travel with its record-breaking features and sustainability efforts.
Image: Cruise Mapper
A new era of cruising is on the horizon as Royal Caribbean’s “Legend of the Seas” edges closer to its debut.
Lowered into the water for the first time at Finland’s Meyer Turku shipyard in September, this colossal vessel is set to redefine ocean travel with record-breaking features, cutting-edge sustainability and unrivalled passenger experiences.
The float-out ceremony involved an intricate 12-hour operation, where 350 million litres of water - equal to more than 140 Olympic-sized swimming pools - filled the dry dock to test the ship’s balance and stability.
At 366 metres long and 50 metres wide, “Legend of the Seas” weighs over 250,800 gross tons and is essentially a floating city.
With 18 decks, 22 lifts, seven pools and space for 7,600 guests plus 2,350 crew, its scale is staggering.
As part of Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, the ship builds on the success of “Icon of the Seas” launched in 2024.
Among its headline attractions are the Category 6 water park, the largest ever at sea, and the Crown’s Edge, a suspended walkway, and ropes course offering panoramic ocean views.
Accessibility has also been prioritised, with thoughtful design making the ship more inclusive for travellers with mobility needs.
Behind the glamour lies the challenge of running what amounts to a town at sea, from producing thousands of daily meals to managing waste and docking logistics.
Ports will need to adapt to handle such massive passenger volumes.
Sustainability is central to its design, with energy-efficient propulsion, and advanced wastewater treatment that meet the International Maritime Organization’s strict environmental standards.
The ship will launch in summer 2026 with Western Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona, before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale later in the year for Caribbean cruises.
IOL Travel