Legend of the Seas departs Civitavecchia today on a seven-night Western Mediterranean itinerary, calling at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and La Spezia. Royal Caribbean took delivery of the ship on June 10, 2026, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The July 4 maiden voyage is one week earlier than the ship's initial July 11 date and nearly a full month ahead of the original August 2 debut. Construction ran ahead of schedule, prompting Royal Caribbean to move the inaugural sailing up twice.
The ship measures 248,663 gross tons and carries 5,610 passengers at double occupancy with 2,350 crew members. It becomes the biggest cruise ship in the world, coming in at around a foot longer than its sisters. Legend of the Seas is the fourth ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas, currently the cleanest available marine fuel.
Onboard highlights include eight neighborhoods, more than 40 dining venues and bars, and new venues such as Royal Railway and Hollywoodland Supper Club. In the Royal Theater, the ship debuts Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory alongside America's Got Talent Live. Casino Royale expands to two decks and includes a nonsmoking section on Deck 3, while Deck 4 remains smoking.
Legend is the first Icon-class ship to homeport in Europe during its maiden season, spending summer 2026 in the Western Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic and relocating to Fort Lauderdale, where from November it will offer Western and Southern Caribbean itineraries. Legend will offer six-night voyages in the Western Caribbean and eight-night journeys to the Southern Caribbean, a departure from Icon and Star of the Seas, which sail seven-night itineraries only. Royal Caribbean's Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon-class vessel, is scheduled to debut in 2027.