Legend of the Seas, the highly anticipated next new Royal Caribbean cruise ship, has officially left the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and will soon enter service.
The 248,663-gross-ton vessel, and third in the Icon Class, sailed away from the shipyard and is on its way to start offering cruises soon.
Before that can happen, Legend needs to go to Spain. There, the ship will prep before its first sailings begin.
"And she’s off! Legend of the Seas has officially departed from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is now heading to Cadiz, Spain to get her finishing touches," the cruise line posted in a social media post.
Primary construction of the new ship began in October 2024 when the keel was laid. Then in September 2025, the ship was floated out. This is when the ship touches water for the first time and transitions from a dry dock to a wet dock.
In April 2026, Royal Caribbean held sea trials for Legend in order to ascertain the new ship's sea worthiness. This is when all of the ship's systems are put to the test.
What's next for Legend of the Seas
Legend of the Seas is headed to Cadiz, Spain to enter a different shipyard in order to be fully provisioned.
While the new ship has completed construction, it's not ready to welcome passengers yet. Think of it like a new house: when the builder finishes it, it doesn't mean the house has furniture, artwork, and all the things necessary to live inside.
Some crew members are already onboard, but more will join so that the cruise ship is fully operational.
After leaving the shipyard in Spain, Legend of the Seas will sail to Malaga, Spain, to offer a quick 4-night media preview sailing. This is when travel partners, media, and VIPs will sail on June 29 and visit La Spezia, Italy.
The inaugural voyage will be held on July 4, when paying passengers will board for the first time. Legend will homeport in Rome, Italy and begin a Western Mediterranean summer cruise itinerary.
The ship’s first regular sailing is set to depart on July 4th and is a 7-Night Western Mediterranean itinerary with calls to Provence, France; Barcelona, Spain; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and La Spezia, Italy.
A naming ceremony is likely coming later this year
One detail we still don't know about Legend of the Seas is who the ship's godmother will be, and that detail is likely going to be a few more months away.
Legend of the Seas will sail in the Mediterranean for the summer before heading to Fort Lauderdale this winter.
In November, Legend of the Seas will arrive to start a winter cruising season in the Caribbean. This is when I expect the official naming ceremony to take place, headed up by the ship's godmother.
The new will will rotate between six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises. Following her five-month stint in Florida, she will once again return to Europe in April 2027.
Whenever a new Royal Caribbean ship debuted in Europe first and then sailed to North America for a winter cruise season, this has been the pattern of waiting to officially name and christen the ship until it arrives closer to Royal Caribbean's headquarters in Miami.
When Harmony of the Seas started cruising, it debuted in Europe first and then sailed to the United States at which point the naming ceremony was held.
Later this summer, Royal Caribbean will announce who the ship's ceremonial godmother will be and when the naming ceremony will be held.
The event will be held in the ship’s AquaTheater, in the AquaDome neighborhood, which is an enclosed theater that has restaurants nearby at the front of the vessel.
New Icon Class ship with favorites and new features
While Legend of the Seas is the third in the Icon Class, it's not an exact replica of Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean knows well enough to leave what's working well onboard, including so many of the ship's neighborhoods and popular venues.
Legend of the Seas will have the same eight neighborhoods and amenities as the other two ships, but will also introduce a few firsts.
"America's Got Talent LIVE" will be among an array of brand new shows coming to this ship. This will be an extension of the show many have seen on TV, but this time on a cruise ship.
In addition, there will be a Broadway show, Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Passengers will also be able to enjoy a two-story casino, with one deck being exclusively non-smoking.
Two new restaurants will be added.
A new immersive classic train restaurant will be added, Silk Routes at Royal Railway – Legend Station.
Diners will feel like they are on a classic train traveling across Asia and tracing Marco Polo's route. Every course will match a different region the train is passing through.
Hollywoodland Supper Club is a new fancy restaurant themed to the golden age of Hollywood.
Music of the 1940s and 1950s will be intertwined with a multi-course meal that is paired with a cocktail with each serving.
