Are you a lover of cruise vacations? Well, 2026 is going to be your year! It will be with the cruise Legend of the Seas, considered one of the largest passenger vessels in the maritime industry. It was launched for the first time on September 2, 2025, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. With a capacity of 7,600 passengers, it is the new venture of Royal Caribbean International, featuring 18 decks, 22 elevators, 7 pools, and a wide gastronomic offer.
According to the itineraries published by Royal Caribbean, the first trip of the cruise will take place in the summer of 2026 in the western Mediterranean. With departures from Barcelona, and later routes through the Caribbean, Fort Lauderdale, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas. This ship is also characterized by its innovations in sustainability and technology.
Among them, recycling processes and energy consumption reduction stand out, which comply with the International Maritime Organization’s agreements for reducing emissions in commercial vessels. Regarding technology, predictive maintenance and user interaction with the digital offering of entertainment and reservations are highlighted.
This is not the only ship with such outstanding characteristics, as the Icon of The Seas and then the Star of The Seas began operations in 2024. The floating stage has already been surpassed, and now the ship will move on to the outfitting and decoration process, with the expectation that it will be completed by the summer of 2026, as announced by the company.
This is not the only ship with such outstanding characteristics, as the Icon of The Seas and then the Star of The Seas began operations in 2024. The floating stage has already been surpassed, and now the ship will move on to the outfitting and decoration process, with the expectation that it will be completed by the summer of 2026, as announced by the company.
Legend of the Seas
On September 2, 2025, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the floatation maneuver took place for what is considered the largest cruise ship in the industry to date, the Legendario of the Seas. After 12 hours and 92 million gallons of water, the mandatory stage was completed before the final equipment and technical validation for the vessel’s entry into service.
This is Royal Caribbean’s latest venture, with a capacity and internal infrastructure featuring 18 decks, 22 elevators, 7 pools, and 5 restaurants. With a capacity for 7,600 passengers, it matches the record set by Icon of the Seas.
Where will it travel to?
Royal Caribbean has announced the planned itineraries for the Legend of the Seas. It is expected to begin its journey in the summer of 2026 in the western Mediterranean. Departures are anticipated from Barcelona, Spain, and subsequently it will operate routes in the Caribbean, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and even at the private destination Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas. The routes are expected to include 7 nights in the Mediterranean and 6 or 8 nights on the Caribbean routes.
Technology and sustainability
This vessel measures approximately 365 meters in length and 50 meters in width, nothing more and nothing less. However, the efforts have not only focused on building the largest and most complete cruise ship, but also on respecting and keeping in mind certain non-negotiable aspects related to technological innovation and sustainability.
In this way, the ship features efficient propulsion technology, advanced systems for wastewater treatment, energy consumption reduction processes, and recycling. All of this is in accordance with the agreements of the International Maritime Organization for the reduction of emissions in commercial vessels. In terms of technology, it includes automation of navigation functions, predictive maintenance, and user interaction with the digital entertainment and booking offerings.
Descendant of the Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, the new Legend of the Seas not only offers a great size, but also internal characteristics and public offerings that we will be able to enjoy starting in the summer of 2026.