Royal Caribbean has officially welcomed Legend of the Seas to its family, continuing the evolution of the Icon class designed to deliver the ultimate family vacation experiences. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, the third Icon-class ship is now ready to make its European debut in July 2026.
To commemorate this milestone, more than 1,200 crew members and partners gathered for a legendary ceremony led by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty; Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO Michael Bayley; and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm. During the celebration, the team recognized the efforts of thousands of engineers, designers, architects, and crew members who brought Legend to life, marking the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku.
“Today’s delivery of Legend of the Seas marks another important milestone in our ambition to continually redefine the vacation experience,” said Jason Liberty, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This new ship reflects the strength of the vacation ecosystem we are building: combining industry-leading ships, innovative technology, and exceptional experiences for our guests. It is an achievement made possible only through the extraordinary collaboration and expertise of Meyer Turku and the thousands of talented individuals whose creativity and commitment continue to help us shape the future of vacations.”
The delivery is part of the company's long-term agreement with Meyer Turku, securing the group's access to shipbuilding capacity until 2036, including the Icon 5 order to be delivered in 2028, as well as the sixth and seventh Icon-class ships in 2029 and 2030, respectively.
The Legend will soon travel from Turku to Cádiz, Spain, where Royal Caribbean will put the finishing touches on the ship before vacationers set sail on seven-night Western Mediterranean adventures from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, this summer. In November, the ship will arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to offer six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean vacations, with each adventure visiting Royal Caribbean's top-rated destination, Perfect Day CocoCay.
“We are incredibly proud to introduce Legend of the Seas to vacationers and continue the legacy of the revolutionary Icon Class,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean. “This would not be possible without the many talented people who came together to deliver what truly is the ultimate family vacation, and we expect Legend this summer to be legendary.”
Vacationers of all ages at Legend can experience a full range of outstanding restaurants, immersive entertainment, adrenaline-filled activities, and accommodations in eight neighborhoods.
- Legend will offer the largest culinary experience at sea, with 28 options for every occasion. New experiences include Hollywoodland Supper Club, a sophisticated multi-course dinner inspired by old Hollywood; Royal Railway – Legend Station, an immersive five-course train journey along the Silk Roads; and AquaDome Market, an all-inclusive culinary marketplace featuring five different concepts, plus a new juice and smoothie bar for wellness-focused guests.
- The entertainment will encompass stage, air, water, and ice, with productions designed for families, couples, and multigenerational groups. Vacationers can enjoy Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and America's Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas, along with breathtaking acrobatics in AquaTheater's "Shockwave" and ice-skating shows in "Fusion" on Absolute Zero.
- Families can enjoy seven pools and dedicated water experiences for all ages, including Royal Bay, the largest offshore pool; Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay in the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood; and adult-only spots at The Hideaway and the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar.
- Thrill-seeking adventurers can take on Crown's Edge, part suspended walkway, part zip line, nearly 150 feet above the ocean. Other adrenaline-pumping activities include mini-golf at the new Lost Dunes, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, the Category 6 water park, the FlowRider surf simulator, and more.
- Icon Class favorites in Legend include panoramic ocean views on the Royal Promenade and the Pearl – the world's largest kinetic art sculpture – and open-air Central Park, lined with more than 30,500 natural plants, restaurants, live music, and convenient pickup windows for sushi, champagne, sparkling wine, and more.
- For families of all ages, there are many ways to stay in style, from the exclusive Suite Neighborhood to the redesigned three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse with spaces for the whole family.
Legend will also be the fourth ship in the vacation brand powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will feature a proven range of industry-leading environmental programs, including applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power. As Legend advances Royal Caribbean Group’s path toward introducing a net-zero emissions cruise ship by 2035, the vacation brand is also set to launch its fifth LNG-powered ship with Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon-class vacation, debuting in 2027.
“Legend of the Seas is the third Icon-class ship built at our shipyard, and the construction of this series has allowed us to systematically refine our production processes. We have leveraged the experience gained from previous ships and further improved efficiency with the support of our client and our extensive network of partners,” said Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku. “The ship is an exceptional project in terms of both scale and technical complexity, requiring extensive expertise and seamless collaboration across the entire maritime cluster. At the same time, Legend of the Seas is pushing shipbuilding towards more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions.”
Royal Caribbean's vacation experience offerings combine revolutionary ships with unique destinations, including the groundbreaking Perfect Day CocoCay, the all-inclusive beach day experience at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas, and the Ultimate Santorini Day at Royal Beach Club Santorini. The vacation brand continues to expand its portfolio of iconic destinations in Mexico and Australia.
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