Royal Caribbean unveiled the next chapter of its Artist Discovery Program with a new generation of emerging artists who will participate on Legend of the Seas, the new ship debuting in Europe in July 2026. This summer, six artists from the Caribbean and Central America will present original works inspired by their home destinations in various spaces on the ship, bringing the spirit, color, and culture of the region to life in innovative and eye-catching ways.
The Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newest family vacation destination, set to offer European adventures during the summer of 2026 before its grand debut in the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2026. Travelers can look forward to experiences such as the largest dining selection at sea, with 28 culinary options, new shows, and more opportunities to be thrilled, relax, and enjoy.
Royal Caribbean's Artist Discovery Program invites emerging artists from destinations visited by the brand to showcase the culture and communities of their regions. The Caribbean editions of the program are already featured on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, as well as on land at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. The program will continue to evolve in the summer of 2026 aboard Legend of the Seas, inviting artists from across the Caribbean and Central America to present their work to millions of travelers.
The Artist Discovery Program connects emerging local talent and their work with audiences worldwide who visit Royal Caribbean ships and destinations. This new wave of artists for the Legend marks the program's continued expansion, now extending beyond the Caribbean to include artists from Mexico and Central America. The initiative also extends to Royal Caribbean destination experiences, including the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, where 11 Bahamian artists are featured in 25 different locations within the all-inclusive resort.
“Since its introduction on Icon of the Seas, the Artist Discovery Program has continued to evolve how we connect our guests with the places we visit, supporting emerging artists and providing them with a global platform to showcase their work,” said Jay Schneider, Director of Product Innovation at Royal Caribbean. “With Legend of the Seas, we’ve expanded our search for talent beyond the Caribbean to include Mexico and Central America, bringing together an even greater diversity of voices and perspectives. Incorporating artists both onboard our ships and at destinations like Royal Beach Club Paradise Island creates a seamless ship-to-land experience, where art brings each destination to life.”
For the Legend, Royal Caribbean received 250 applications from artists from the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Each application included a personal statement, resume, and original artistic proposals. Six artists were selected and received grants to create works inspired by their home countries.
The artworks will be displayed in six highly visible locations around the ship, including the embarkation and welcome area where guests first arrive; the Royal Promenade neighborhood; the exclusive Suite Sundeck and Suite Sundeck Lobby; plus two new locations at the Royal Promenade entrance on Deck 6 and the passenger embarkation area on Deck 2. In addition to large-format murals, the artworks on the Legend will include other artistic expressions, such as ceramic mosaics and stainless steel structures.
The selected artists are:
- Giovanni Abath (Curaçao): Upon entering the Royal Promenade on Deck 6, travelers will encounter a large-scale mural and stainless steel sculpture created by Abath, setting the tone for this vibrant space filled with restaurants, bars, and entertainment. A multidisciplinary artist, he uses diverse materials and techniques, such as metal and expanded polystyrene, to create sculptures and installations that combine industrial materiality, cultural symbolism, and personal narrative. His work seeks to bring to life the landscapes, communities, and cultural traditions of the Caribbean.
- Vanessa Dalla Costa (Trinidad and Tobago): Costa is a ceramic artist who will create a mosaic sculpture for the Suite Sundeck, an exclusive outdoor space for suite guests. Her artistic style explores the interplay of light, texture, and the transformation of natural materials like clay to create stained-glass-like works. Each clay piece is hand-cut and hand-painted, reflecting the essence of the space it occupies.
- Porschia Denning (U.S. Virgin Islands): Denning is a multidisciplinary artist who creates vibrant paintings and sculptures using acrylic, oil, stone, copper, and other materials. Her art is inspired by the energy of nature and the rhythm of island life. She seeks to invite viewers to slow down, disconnect, and reconnect with themselves—a feeling guests will experience when contemplating her custom mural in the elegant Suite Sundeck Lobby.
- Rafael Vega Feliciano (Puerto Rico): Feliciano is a contemporary visual artist who will draw on his expertise in expressionist portraits and ancestral symbolism to create an evocative mural in the embarkation area on Deck 2, where guests disembark and return to the ship during port calls and excursions. His work reflects the often-overlooked history of pre-colonial Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, bringing aboard the rich cultural heritage of the communities visited by the Legend.
- Rodrigo Macías Maldonado (Mexico): Maldonado is a visual artist who will design a large-format mural in the heart of the Legend, the Royal Promenade. His work explores the relationship between geometry, human resilience, and the built environment, creating an immersive experience for guests as they move through the space.
- Alexander López Ryliouk (Costa Rica): Ryliouk's large-format mural will illuminate the Legend, creating a striking first impression at the start of the vacation. Through the use of vibrant colors, the artwork will set the tone for the experience travelers will enjoy throughout their time on board.
The Legend will offer a comprehensive proposition of gastronomy, excitement, entertainment and activities for families and travelers of all ages through eight themed neighborhoods.
From July 2026, travelers will be able to enjoy 7-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean departing from Barcelona (Spain) and Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy).
In November 2026, the adventures will continue with 6-night Western Caribbean cruises and 8-night Southern Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to sun-drenched destinations such as Roatán, Honduras; Willemstad, Curaçao; and other ports, plus visits to Perfect Day CocoCay, the brand's award-winning private destination in the Bahamas.
