Royal Caribbean brought back Legend of the Seas, but it's nothing like the original.
The first Legend of the Seas launched in 1995. With a gross tonnage of less than 70,000 and a passenger capacity of around 2,000, the Vision Class ship was a far cry from the massive Icon Class vessel that carries the same name.
That said, she was pretty revolutionary at the time. Highlights included a rock climbing wall, a mini-golf course, an elegant atrium, two pools, a theater, and a fitness center.
(Credit: Soma Biswas)
Moreover, she's considered one of the most well-traveled ships in the fleet, having offered voyages to places like Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Alaska, Central America, the Caribbean, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
In June 2016, it was announced that Legend of the Seas had been sold to Thomson Cruises (now Marella Cruises), with the vessel departing Royal Caribbean's fleet in March 2017.
(Credit: Singaporevideo)
That said, the original Legend of the Seas is still sailing under a different name. Today, she continues operating as Marella Discovery 2.
Marella Discovery is another Vision Class ship that was transferred from Royal Caribbean's fleet to Marella Cruises. She began her career sailing as Splendour of the Seas in 1996, eventually leaving the fleet in 2016.
(Credit: 臺灣賞船人Taiwan Ships Watchers)
Royal Caribbean's newest ship, also named Legend of the Seas, set sail on a special invite-only journey on June 29, 2026, ahead of her maiden voyage on July 4.
Reusing ship names isn't unheard of in the industry. In fact, cruise lines like Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have revived names across multiple generations of ships, including MS Noordam and Sun Princess.
(Credit: Nathan Foley)
That said, it's the first time Royal Caribbean has reused the name of one of its former vessels. More than 30 years after the original vessel debuted, the Legend of the Seas name has returned aboard one of the world's largest and most technologically advanced cruise ships.
Coming in at 248,663 gross tons with a passenger capacity of over 5,600, Legend of the Seas ranks among the largest cruise ships ever built, joining her Icon Class sisters, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, at the top of the list.
In fact, she's more than three and a half times larger than the original Legend of the Seas, when measuring by gross tonnage, and can accommodate nearly three times as many guests.
The size isn't the only thing that showcases just how dramatically Royal Caribbean's ships have evolved since the mid-1990s — it's also the amenities.
On Legend of the Seas, you'll find everything from a rubber duck-themed carousel to an indoor AquaTheater, train car specialty restaurant, multi-deck casino, Ultimate Family Townhouse suite, upgraded Pearl, expansive Central Park neighborhood, and so, so, SO much more.
Guests, for instance, can take advantage of more than 40 places to eat and drink, ranging from the complimentary Main Dining Room to the AquaDome Marketplace, El Loco Fresh, Chops Grille, Hooked Seafood, and Izumi Sushi and Hibachi.
Legend of the Seas boasts an impressive lineup of attractions, ensuring that there's more than enough to keep busy on a six-, seven-, or eight-night cruise.
The record-breaking Category 6 waterpark is one of my favorite Icon Class features. However, there are also multiple pools and hot tubs, a surf simulator, sports court, mini-golf course, rock climbing wall, escape room, an ice skating rink, Crown's Edge ropes course/zip line hybrid, and dedicated youth spaces for every age group.
On a similar note, even spaces designated for relaxation have been elevated compared to older Royal Caribbean ships.
The AquaDome on Deck 15 combines panoramic ocean views with dining (Hooked Seafood and the Aquadome Marketplace), entertainment (AquaTheater), and relaxing nooks.
Back in the 90s, however, the Viking Crown Lounge was one of Royal Caribbean's most recognizable design elements.
With its panoramic views and elevated position high atop the ship, it offered guests a low-key place to relax, enjoy a drink, listen to music, and take in the scenery. In other words, it was much less of a multi-purpose space compared to today's AquaDome.
(Credit: Cruise Passenger)
The accommodations are another area where the differences between the original and new Legend of the Seas are really noticeable.
In the 90s, the stateroom experience wasn't as important as it is today. As such, the original Legend of the Seas offered traditional layouts and fewer categories compared to its modern successor.
(Credit: Tim Pixsson, PIXSSON photo)
On today's Legend, for example, there are over two dozen different types of cruise rooms, ranging from tiny inside cabins to lavish suites and even interior-facing balconies.
Comparatively, the original Legend of the Seas placed a greater emphasis on windowless interior and ocean-view staterooms, rather than the variety of balcony categories common today.
I can't forget to mention entertainment! When the original Legend of the Seas was built, the scale of the ship's entertainment offerings was nowhere near what passengers experience today.
For example, on today's Legend, you'll find everything from high-diving shows with synchronized swimmers and acrobatic performers to ice skating shows and even a Broadway-style production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in the Royal Theater.
(Credit: Adrian The Cruise and Travel Guy)
All of that to say, the two ships may share a name, but they represent completely different eras of cruising.
Modern-day cruisers often expect the ship to be a destination in and of itself, packed with restaurants, entertainment, attractions, and unique experiences designed to keep guests busy all day long.
(Credit: Aaron Hall)
On the flip side, the original Legend of the Seas was built to transport cruisers to various regions across the world, offering a more simplistic onboard experience.
