I just spent $4,359 to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, Legend of the Seas. Although my dreamy European vacation wasn’t cheap, it was the highlight of my summer.

Brand-new cruise ships typically warrant the highest prices, and Legend of the Seas is no exception. The vessel is the third in Royal Caribbean’s record-breaking Icon Class, and she made her official debut earlier this month. I sailed on the ship’s inaugural voyage, a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Rome, Italy.

When budgeting for a cruise, it’s important to consider not only the cruise fare, but all of the extra purchases that make up the total cost of a vacation. I had to budget for flights, a pre-cruise hotel, shore excursions, and miscellaneous expenses while onboard.

Here’s what it really costs to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Legend of the Seas.

My cruise fare was $4,450, or $2,225 per person

Icon Class cruise ships come at a premium thanks to the plethora of things to do, see, and eat onboard. You shouldn’t expect to see any budget fares on these vessels, especially on an inaugural voyage.

I reserved an interior guarantee cabin for $4,450. This was the cheapest option available when I booked the cruise in January 2026. The cruise fare included taxes, fees, and gratuities for two adults. I shared the cabin with my brother, bringing the total cost to $2,225 per person.

Related: Should you book a guarantee stateroom on a cruise?

Spending over $2,000 per person for an interior cabin is expensive—there’s no denying that. Last year, I booked a cruise to Greece on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship, Explorer of the Seas, for a little over $2,000 total.

Nonetheless, I expected the price to be high, and I was looking forward to sailing on the exciting new ship.

Fortunately, my interior guarantee cabin resulted in an upgrade to a Surfside Neighborhood View cabin. Because the cruise fare was so high, this was a welcome surprise. I thoroughly enjoyed the room’s natural light and spacious size during my week onboard.

*Note: Although my cruise fare included gratuities, I also budgeted for additional tips while onboard. Tips have not been included in the final cost breakdown.

My Economy Class flight cost $1,325, but I booked it with points

Flying to Europe for a cruise can be expensive, especially if your cruise departs between June and August. These are the busiest months for Europe travel, and prices certainly reflect that.

My flight to Italy cost $1,325 from North America. The cruise came in between a separate trip to Mexico, so I flew from Mexico City to Rome and then returned from Milan back to Mexico City a few days after the cruise.

Technically, though, my flight was $0. I booked the flight with Chase Ultimate Rewards Points, using 132,469 points. This wasn’t the most lucrative redemption for my points, but options were limited with my travel dates and itinerary.

Related: 6 things to do before a cruise if you need to fly

Using points and miles is one of the most savvy ways to save money on your overall cruise cost. I make every daily purchase with either my Chase Sapphire Preferred card or my Capital One Venture X card, allowing me to accrue miles at a fast rate.

Although you might still have to pay taxes and fees out of pocket, the savings are substantial when booking flights this way.

That being said, I’ll use the cash equivalent in my overall spending report, as not all passengers book their flights with miles.

Next, I spent $234 on land transportation and a pre-cruise hotel stay

Sometimes the little costs you don’t expect can start to add up.

In addition to my flight, I spent another $153 on transportation to and from the airports, cruise port, and my hotel. This included $30 in Ubers, $17 in transfers to and from the port, and a $9 train from the Rome airport to the city, along with other miscellaneous transportation expenses.

The night before my cruise, I booked a hotel in the small beach town of Santa Marinella, located around 7 miles from the Civitavecchia cruise port.

Related: Western Mediterranean cruise guide

Many guests stay in Rome the night before their cruise, but I personally prefer staying outside the city. Rome in the middle of summer is extremely hot and crowded. Spending the night in the quaint seaside town of Santa Marinella was much more relaxing.

Our hotel, Hotel Isola, was $162 total for the night, or $81 per person. It was just a short walk from the beach and near many authentic Roman restaurants to enjoy classic dishes without the crowds (and prices) of central Rome.

My onboard purchases totaled just $58

While onboard Legend of the Seas, I spent almost nothing extra. A lot is included in your cruise fare, from production shows to activities and over a dozen complimentary restaurants. I rarely felt the need to spend extra on the ship.

Additionally, as a Diamond Plus member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, I receive several benefits that reduce my onboard spending. The five daily drink vouchers, for example, mean I never spend extra on alcoholic beverages, and the free bag of laundry saves me $40 on every cruise.

Related: How to maximize Crown & Anchor Society benefits at every tier

I spent just $58 onboard at Izumi Sushi, Giovanni’s Wine Bar, and Starbucks.

On the first evening of the cruise, my brother and I decided to treat ourselves to a specialty meal at Izumi Sushi. I spent just $24 for dinner, thanks to the BOGO Specialty Dining benefit I received as a Diamond Plus member in the Crown & Anchor Society.

I also enjoyed a specialty meal at Giovanni’s Wine Bar. Rather than pay the $50 cover charge to eat dinner in the adjacent restaurant, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, I instead purchased a margherita pizza from the wine bar’s à la carte menu. After gratuity, my bill was around $9.

Finally, I spent $25 at Starbucks throughout my cruise. Although I can use my Diamond drink vouchers at coffee shops like Pearl Café and the Rye & Bean, I find Starbucks drinks to be higher quality.

I spent $368 on shore excursions in France and Italy

I don't typically book shore excursions, as I usually prefer visiting ports on my own. However, I decided to give two excursions a try when Legend of the Seas visited Marseille, France and La Spezia, Italy.

Having been to Marseille several times before, I wanted to get out of the main city center and explore areas further from the port. Likewise, I hoped to visit Cinque Terre when the ship tendered in La Spezia, but I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of planning logistics myself.

So, instead of traveling on my own, I booked two tours with Shore Excursions Group: Avignon and Wine in Marseille and Cinque Terre by Train and Limoncello in La Spezia.

There were only five guests on the Avignon and Wine tour, making it feel more like a private tour than a group excursion. We toured the Chateau Fortia winery, and later enjoyed free time in the charming city of Avignon. This tour costs $256 per person, and I appreciated the small group experience.

In La Spezia, our tour to Cinque Terre cost $112 per person. It included an all-day train pass and visits to the towns of Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso, along with a brief limoncello tasting.

Related: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a shore excursion on your own

Even though I generally explore ports on my own, I was grateful that I booked tours in these two ports. I wanted to experience destinations further from where the ship docked, and a tour seemed like the most reliable way to do that.

*Note: Shore Excursions Group generously gifted Royal Caribbean Blog these two tours, but all opinions are our own. Tour prices are included as expenses in this overall cruise spending report.

I spent an additional $149 on miscellaneous expenses in port

In addition to spending $368 on excursions, I spent extra in various ports of call.

The night before my cruise, I spent $25 on dinner in Santa Marinella, indulging in a generous portion of cheesy Roman cacio e pepe pasta. I also spent $4 on dessert at a gelateria along with $10 on a pre-dinner cocktail.

During my itinerary, Legend of the Seas visited the ports of Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and La Spezia. Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean Blog duties kept me onboard in Barcelona, but I thoroughly enjoyed the other ports of call.

Aside from my tour in France, I spent around $20 on lunch in the center of Avignon along with another $5 on macarons at a local bakery.

I didn’t book a tour in Palma de Mallorca. Instead, I split my time between the city center and Cala Major, a free public beach.

I kept costs to a minimum throughout the day, spending $6 on local bus tickets, $17 on souvenirs, $12 on Spanish tapas, and $13 on an iced coffee and pastry at a bakery.

Finally, in La Spezia, I visited a cafe before our tour began, spending $5 on a coffee and croissant. While visiting Cinque Terre, a gelato, Aperol spritz, and focaccia set me back $21. I also spent $11 on a plate of pesto pasta before getting back onboard the ship.

I’m not big on souvenirs, but trying local food made a small dent in my budget.

After my cruise, I budgeted extra to extend my vacation in Italy

Considering that I was already in Italy after my cruise, I decided to stay in the country for a few more days after the cruise ended. While I won’t include the total price of my post-cruise vacation in my total, I budgeted around $1,000 for five nights in Tuscany and the Italian Riviera.

Crossing the Atlantic takes time, money, and effort, so I often encourage cruisers to extend their trip on either end. Even just two or three extra nights allows you to experience more of your embarkation city and beyond.

Visiting towns like Lucca and Camogli was the cherry on top of a gorgeous Mediterranean vacation, and soon enough it was time to head home.

In total, I spent $4,359 to cruise on Legend of the Seas

My Legend of the Seas cruise was among my favorite sailings yet.

Icon Class ships are truly something special, and I enjoyed every moment of my time onboard. Whether it was the late-night runs to the AquaDome Market for crêpes or catching the Broadway show of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, there was always something interesting to experience around the ship.

Even though my cruise fare was high, I still stuck to a budget on extras like onboard expenses, and I tried to keep costs down in port as well.

All in all, my vacation wasn’t the cheapest trip I’ve ever taken, but it was an excellent way to discover an impressive cruise ship in such a beautiful and historic region of the world.

When sailing on Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest cruise ship, I tried 6 food hacks to make the most of my meals onboard. From loaded tater tots to a gourmet lunch at the buffet, I discovered a few tasty hacks you’ll want to try yourself.

I recently spent a week aboard Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest Icon Class ship. In addition to offering a wide selection of entertainment options, thrilling activities, and spacious cabins, the ship also offers an extensive lineup of restaurants.

There are 28 dining venues around the ship, with 16 complimentary and 12 extra-cost options.

Food is an important part of any cruise vacation, and I wanted to make the most of everything to eat onboard. I got creative, looking beyond the usual options to see how I could “hack” my way to the most delicious snacks and meals around the ship.

After trying numerous food hacks aboard Legend of the Seas, these were my favorite, along with one I wouldn’t try again.

Food Hack #1: Embarkation Day Gourmet Lunch

The Windjammer buffet is a staple restaurant in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, but it’s usually not associated with fine dining. Although the venue offers a wide array of options, it’s generally seen as a quick, no-frills place to dine while onboard.

However, what if I told you that the buffet offers perhaps the most luxurious meal of the entire cruise?

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Windjammer Cafe buffet

All of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships offer gourmet food options in the buffet for embarkation day lunch. You’ll find options like filet mignon, lobster tails, calamari, mussels, crab legs, and more, and it’s all included in your cruise fare.

I headed to the Windjammer right after boarding to see whether this upgraded buffet meal lived up to the hype. My travel party and I sampled items like lobster tails with lemon caper sauce and filet mignon with chimichurri.

Everything was excellent, and I was impressed with the quality of the food. It was a major upgrade compared to the typical offerings of hamburgers and fries, pasta stations, and Asian stir-fry.

If you’re someone who skips the Windjammer on embarkation day to avoid crowds, you might want to reconsider the restaurant when sailing on Legend of the Seas. Not all cruisers know about this complimentary, gourmet “food hack,” and it’s a fun way to start your cruise with just a little bit of luxury.

Food Hack #2: Tapas & Wine

I love any food hack that feels fancy, and Legend of the Seas’ complimentary tapas stand is an easy way to turn a quick snack into a sophisticated aperitif.

Inside the AquaDome Market on Legend of the Seas are five food stands that are included in guests’ cruise fares. The stands offer everything from Korean rice bowls to Cajun gumbo, sweet crêpes, street tacos, and my personal favorite—Spanish tapas.

Related: Ranking every food stand at Legend of the Seas' AquaDome Market

La Española, the Spanish-inspired stand, offers a variety of bite-sized tapas along with gazpacho. Tapas include marinated Spanish olives, patatas bravas, tortilla de patatas, and pan con tomate.

This is the first time Royal Caribbean has offered a dedicated tapas menu on one of its cruise ships. Although the Trellis Bar, located in Central Park, offers finger foods like truffle fries and steak bites, these come with an extra charge.

I wanted to see if I could “hack” the system to enjoy an aperitif, complete with a drink and bite-sized snacks, without spending extra on food.

So, I grabbed a selection of tapas from La Española and headed next door to The Overlook, an observation lounge complete with a bar and spectacular ocean views. I ordered a glass of wine, which paired perfectly with the savory and crunchy pan con tomate.

Even though the food came from a casual, quick-service food hall, the experience felt much more luxurious, and I would definitely try this hack again.

Food Hack #3: Mexican-Style Loaded Tater Tots

One lunch venue that’s always busy on Legend of the Seas is El Loco Fresh, the ship’s grab-and-go, complimentary Mexican restaurant. If you’re in the mood for quesadillas, nachos, burritos, tacos, and more, this is the spot to visit.

Right above El Loco Fresh, however, is Basecamp, another complimentary restaurant that offers quick-service snacks like pretzel bites, tater tots, and chicken fingers. Given the proximity of these two venues, I decided to try a food hack that would combine them.

Related: I tried a free food hack on my Royal Caribbean cruise that I couldn't believe was so good

I grabbed a bowl of tater tots from Basecamp before heading downstairs to the salsa station at El Loco Fresh. Then I proceeded to top my tater tots with salsa, cheese, guacamole, and lettuce, creating a potato-filled twist on traditional nachos.

It was a fun way to level up my tater tots, but next time, I’d reconsider my choice of toppings. The salsa, lettuce, and cheese cooled the tater tots quite quickly. I also wished I’d topped the tater tots with some type of protein to make the dish more substantial.

If you plan to try this food hack, I’d recommend loading the tater tots with warm options from El Loco Fresh, such as chicken, nacho cheese, and black beans, and later visiting the salsa station to add additional toppings.

Overall, this food hack has great potential, but I’d make a few changes next time I try it.

Food Hack #4: Giovanni’s Wine Bar Pizza

If you want to try a specialty restaurant on Legend of the Seas without a hefty cover charge, there’s a hack you’ll want to try.

Adjacent to the ship’s Italian restaurant, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, you’ll find Giovanni’s Wine Bar. This bar offers classic and Italian-themed cocktails, and it also offers an à la carte menu for food. Menu items range from $7 margherita pizzas to a $9 Italian stromboli and $6 tiramisu.

Related: 6 restaurants on Royal Caribbean we recommend over and over

If you just want to try one or two items, eating at the wine bar will save you money compared to the restaurant’s lunch and dinner cover charges for all-you-can-eat dining, which usually run around $25 and $50, respectively.

One evening of my cruise, I headed to Giovanni’s Wine Bar for a budget-friendly specialty meal. My travel party and I each ordered a margherita pizza, which we enjoyed with an Aperol spritz.

Not including the cocktails, our total bill was only $18.52 with gratuity. The pizzas were large enough to fill us up for the rest of the evening, and they were much higher quality than the pizza at Sorrento’s.

Not only that, but the ambiance of the wine bar—located in the middle of the Royal Promenade—was great for people-watching, and I also enjoyed the live music that accompanied our meal.

Food Hack #5: Ice Cream Crêpe

One hack I wouldn’t recommend trying on your Legend of the Seas cruise is a soft-serve ice cream-topped crêpe.

Judging by the endless lines of hungry passengers, Crème de la Crêpe is, by far, the most popular food stand in Legend of the Seas’ AquaDome Market. Day and night, this stand serves up four sweet crêpe options, ranging from Salted Caramel to the ever-popular Hazelnut & Bananas crêpe.

The crêpes certainly live up to the hype. I’m not sure I’ve gone one day sailing on an Icon Class ship without ordering one myself.

Yet one evening, I had an idea to “elevate” the standard crêpe. I took my freshly-made crêpe just a few steps away to Sprinkles, the soft-serve ice cream stand onboard. I asked the crew member to top my crêpe with chocolate ice cream, thinking it would make the sweet treat even tastier.

Unfortunately, though, my ice cream crêpe was not what I imagined. The ice cream overpowered the crêpe’s flavor, and it quickly made the dish cold and soggy.

It was fun to try something new, but I’ll be skipping this hack next time.

Food Hack #6: Surfside Eatery for Breakfast

Legend of the Seas has over 6,000 passengers, so you’re guaranteed to encounter crowds here and there. Yet with a little planning, you can find quiet areas of the ship that almost feel like you have the place to yourself.

One of my favorite food hacks I tried on Legend of the Seas was eating breakfast at Surfside Eatery instead of the Windjammer buffet. The Windjammer gets extremely crowded during peak meal times, especially at breakfast.

I was determined to avoid these crowds, so I searched for other options. Surfside Eatery, an included, smaller buffet located in the ship’s family-friendly Surfside neighborhood, seemed like the perfect fit.

Many guests don’t even know this venue exists, or if they do, they think of it as a kids-only venue. Yet Surfside Eatery offers a large selection of breakfast foods, albeit not quite as extensive as the Windjammer’s.

Related: Icon of the Seas Surfside neighborhood: What to expect

I visited Surfside Eatery for breakfast on the third morning of my cruise, and I was one of only a few passengers in the restaurant. I enjoyed the same foods I would have eaten in the Windjammer, including an omelet, pastry, and fruit, but without the chaos of the latter.

Throughout my cruise, I kept returning to Surfside Eatery for breakfast. It was a more peaceful way to start my morning rather than navigating the crowds in the Windjammer.

I just spent 7 nights aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest cruise ship, Legend of the Seas. After sailing on 22 Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Legend of the Seas was almost flawless, although there were a few things that surprised me.

Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the cruise line’s Icon Class, launched earlier this month. Like her sister ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, the vessel is known for offering expansive pools, endless thrills, astounding entertainment, and a wide selection of dining venues.

I’ve sailed on every ship in the Icon Class, and while the vessels are largely similar to each other, they each have their own set of features and quirks.

Here’s what I loved, disliked, and found surprising after 7 nights aboard Legend of the Seas.

I loved my unexpected cabin upgrade

Sailing on a brand-new cruise ship is never cheap, and Legend of the Seas is no exception. When I reserved my cruise five months before departure, I paid nearly $5,000 for the cheapest cabin available—an inside guarantee room.

A guarantee stateroom means you cannot select your cabin location on the ship. Rather, it will be assigned to you closer to the sail date.

In most instances, this means you’ll be assigned the “leftover” room that no other guests wanted to book. On my Star of the Seas cruise last year, for example, I was assigned a tiny windowless cabin in the very back of the ship, and the location was far from ideal.

Related: Star of the Seas interior cabin review

This time, though, luck was in my favor. A few weeks before my sail date, I was assigned cabin #8339, a Surfside neighborhood view room. This cabin has a porthole window that looks out at the ship’s family-friendly Surfside neighborhood while also offering a limited ocean view.

This was a huge upgrade compared to the interior guarantee cabin I initially booked.

The cabin was surprisingly spacious. Like in any cabin, it featured a bed, desk, closet, and private bathroom, but there were a few features that made this cabin even more impressive.

The cabin’s couch was huge, and it was far more useful than the small armchair found in most interior cabins. I also appreciated the room’s portable side table, as you could use it as a desk by the couch, an extra nightstand, or a table for room service.

Like on all Icon Class ships, storage was abundant throughout the room. There were more outlets than I ever needed, and the bathroom had a larger-than-typical shower.

When I booked the cheapest interior guarantee room on Legend of the Seas, I never imagined I would end up with such a bright and spacious place to call home for the week.

I enjoyed the AquaDome Market, but thought some options were lacking

The AquaDome Market was my favorite place to eat onboard Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, but I can’t say the same for Legend of the Seas.

The grab-and-go food hall, which is included in guests’ cruise fares, has been a hit among the Icon Class ships. Each ship features five food stands with varied cuisines, offering anything from Chinese rice bowls to empanadas and barbecued meats.

Related: Ranking every food hall at AquaDome Market

On Legend of the Seas you’ll find five options for food and one for drinks:

• Seoulmate for Korean rice bowls
• La Española for Spanish tapas
• Cajun Kitchen for New Orleans gumbo
• Adobo for Mexican street tacos
• Simply Pressed for fresh smoothies and juices
• Crème de la Crêpe for sweet French crêpes

I appreciate that Royal Caribbean tests out cuisines in the AquaDome Market that they haven’t otherwise offered in the fleet, such as Korean and Cajun food. However, as someone who primarily sticks to a vegetarian or pescatarian diet, I found Legend’s options quite limiting.

Seoulmate, for instance, offered the choice between a beef or chicken bowl. While I tried a bowl without meat added, it was essentially just rice. Likewise, Adobo offered no options for vegetarians, as just chicken or pork tacos were available. Cajun Kitchen offers chicken, sausage, or shrimp gumbo, but no vegetarian option.

Related: What's included on Legend of the Seas?

I missed the vegetarian options on Icon and Star of the Seas, such as falafel bowls at Feta Mediterranean or sandwiches at Toast & Garden.

I did enjoy the Spanish tapas at La Española and the market’s crêpes, but meatless options were definitely lacking compared to Legend’s sister ships.

The Hideaway was perfect for sailaway, but it closed earlier than I expected

One of the most photogenic spots on Legend of the Seas is The Hideaway, an adults-only neighborhood in the aft of the ship. This area features two large hot tubs, a bar, and a picture-perfect infinity pool.

There are seven pools on Legend of the Seas, but The Hideaway is my favorite. The adults-only beach club vibe is a plus, but the views are what really make this space stand out from the rest.

I loved spending my evenings in the pool watching Legend of the Seas sail away from scenic destinations like Palma de Mallorca and La Spezia. Unfortunately, though, the pool closed earlier than I would have liked.

The infinity pool closed each evening at 9PM, along with all but one pool on the ship, the Cloud 17 pool, which closed at 11PM.

Because the sun sets so late in the Mediterranean during the summer, guests were kicked out of The Hideaway pool just as the sun was setting. I wish the pool had stayed open just a little later into the night, especially since the area markets an adults-only party atmosphere.

I was impressed by all the signature entertainment, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

As expected, Royal Caribbean delivered in its entertainment options on Legend of the Seas. I saw three signature productions during my week onboard, and every show was excellent.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the full-length Broadway show in the Royal Theater, blew me away. The performance was captivating and professional. It incorporated intricately-designed sets and technology to transport guests straight into the world of Willy Wonka.

To my surprise, the role of Charlie was played by a child actor, the youngest crew member ever hired by Royal Caribbean. His performance was spot-on, and having an age-accurate lead added to the immersive feel of the show.

Related: Meet Royal Caribbean's youngest crew member

Aside from the ship’s Broadway show, I also caught the performances of Shockwave in the AquaTheater and Fusion in the Absolute Zero ice rink. As always, the spectacular high-divers, slackliners, figure skaters, aerialists, and acrobats performed wild tricks.

I watched in awe as a pair of acrobats climbed, flipped, and slid around two poles during Fusion, and the slackliners’ flips and jumps in Shockwave were nothing short of outstanding.

Beyond the signature production shows, Legend of the Seas was packed with additional entertainment. Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues was my preferred music venue for a more tranquil evening, while Dueling Pianos was always full of cheers, laughs, and friendly musical competition.

After sailing on a ship like Legend of the Seas, it might be hard to book a cruise on a ship with fewer entertainment options.

I loved The Overlook, but wish it were adults-only

If you’re a fan of Royal Caribbean’s adults-only Solarium on other ships, you might be disappointed while cruising on Legend of the Seas and her sister ships.

Icon Class cruise ships do not have a traditional Solarium. Instead, the adults-only pool is located in The Hideaway neighborhood, but the pool’s party vibes are quite different from the calm Solariums on other ships.

Surprisingly, the area I find most equivalent to a traditional Solarium on Icon Class ships is The Overlook, despite the fact that it lacks pools and jacuzzis.

Related: The unexpected place people are hiding for peace and quiet on Royal Caribbean

The Overlook is inside the 82-foot-high AquaDome in Legend of the Seas' AquaDome neighborhood. It’s an indoor observation space perfect for relaxing with stunning ocean views.

I visited The Overlook every day of my cruise, and I never got tired of the area’s calm atmosphere, comfortable seating, and beautiful sunsets. Yet if I have one complaint about the space, it’s that it isn’t exclusively for adults.

At the risk of sounding old and grumpy, the area was continuously swarmed with large groups of teenagers during the cruise, particularly in the Overlook Pods, which act as semi-private hangout areas.

For such a quiet, peaceful space, The Overlook often became quite loud, making it difficult to relax. I found myself wishing this area were reserved for adults, like the Solarium on other ships.

Despite this small complaint, it was still one of my favorite spaces to visit onboard.

The itinerary was exciting, but I still prefer other European itineraries

Before Legend of the Seas heads to Florida in October, she’s spending the summer sailing 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome.

There’s no denying that this is a dreamy itinerary. With ports like Barcelona and Naples on the agenda, some of the world’s most popular attractions are just a stone's throw from the ship.

Even still, the itinerary isn’t my favorite in Europe. Western Mediterranean cruises typically visit big cities over the smaller, more charming destinations you might visit on, say, a Norwegian fjords or an Adriatic cruise.

For me, walking around a metropolis like Barcelona in the summer heat is a different level of exhausting compared to planning beach days in the Greek Isles or glacier visits in Norway.

Related: Western Mediterranean vs. Greek Isles cruises: Which is better?

Plus, most ports on the itinerary require a shuttle to reach the city center from where the ship docks. If you don’t book an excursion, these shuttles are not included, and they range between €6 and €20 per person round-trip depending on the port. Overall, I prefer ports that are more easily accessible from where the ship docks.

If you’ve never been to Europe before or don’t mind exploring cities in the heat, the itinerary might be exactly what you’re looking for. For me, though, I might stick to other European itineraries, even if it means sailing on a smaller ship.

Finally, I loved the ship’s layout, which is designed to improve passenger flow and minimize crowds

Although the layout of Legend of the Seas is, for the most part, identical to her sister ships, I still found myself impressed by just how well-designed these ships really are. The ship has a maximum capacity of over 7,000 passengers, but there were times I felt as if I had the ship to myself.

It wasn’t uncommon for an elevator to arrive just seconds after pressing the button, thanks to the Icon Class’ destination elevator system. Likewise, the plethora of pool decks and lounge chairs meant I never had to fight for a chair by the pool.

Walking from place to place on a cruise ship often means fighting crowds, but this wasn’t the case on Legend of the Seas. The sheer number of decks, staircases, and venues throughout the ship make passenger flow seamless and controlled.

There were only a few times the ship felt crowded. Crowds were heavy at the Windjammer buffet during peak breakfast hours, for example, and during events on the Royal Promenade.

Outside of these few instances, I never felt like I was overwhelmed with crowds on the ship. The thoughtful design of Legend of the Seas allowed me to enjoy my vacation to the fullest.

Among all the choices of which stateroom to book on the world's largest ship, a balcony is the most common room you'll find.

Decades ago, a balcony was a luxury. Now, they're the most popular cabin and Royal Caribbean has the most inventory of them on its ships, including the brand new Legend of the Seas.

While there's so much to do around this 5,610-guest ship, it's really nice to come back to your room and have your own private area outside to enjoy.

I've been on over 100 cruises, so I've stayed in every single stateroom category. Balcony rooms are undeniably the Goldilocks choice because of their space, size, and amenities.

Royal Caribbean assigned me a mid-ship balcony cabin for the new vessel's complimentary four-night non-revenue test cruise in late June.

Full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on Legend of the Seas and I did not pay for this cruise.

Balcony cabins can be $600 more expensive (per person) than the cheapest inside cabins.

At the time of writing, the least-expensive inside cabins for Legend of the Seas' 2026 itineraries start at about $1,138 per person for a six night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti (the company's private beach destination).

On the same itinerary, a balcony cabin starts at $1,799 per person, or about $300 per person, per day.

Both types of rooms include the same core options. The difference is in the size, layout, and views you get with a balcony.

Having a balcony means having a quiet space on a ship that is known for being busy

Most standard balcony rooms have a square footage of around 40-50 square feet, which is just enough space for two chairs and a small table.

It's not spacious, but there is plenty of room for two people to enjoy being outdoors.

It's great having your own view, anytime you want it, especially for sailaway or when you want to admire the view outside.

It's also calming to have a balcony room because it's your own space that doesn't have party music, other conversations, or people to contend with. It's nice being able to pop outside anytime you like to read, watch the ocean pass by, or just enjoy some solitude.

Some people will leave their balcony door open and lay in their bed to allow the sea breeze and ocean sounds to filter in.

Luckily my bed was near the balcony door, so I had the perfect view each morning.

I was assigned room 7276, and the king size bed was positioned near the balcony door.  

Royal Caribbean alternates its cabin layout with the bed or the couch near the balcony door.  

Since the couch often gets filled up with clutter, I was happy to have the bed near the window instead.

Better yet, there are USB and power outlets on either side of the bed.  I love having my phone charged overnight and then wake up to be able to conveniently check it as I flip between apps and the outside view.

The couch offers more seating, but I'm bad about keeping it clutter-free.

Our room had a rather large couch, which is nice for having somewhere else to sit during the day.

The sofa is firm, and probably could be good for a nap.

My bad cruising habit that I can't stop doing is using my couch as a collection point for clothes, papers, souvenirs, and anything else I bring back to the room.

There is a vanity and sitting area across from the sofa.

I probably spend more time at the vanity than the sofa, which acts as both my office desk and a prep area for my wife.

As a remote worker, I appreciate how many power and USB outlets there are here. In fact, I don't think you need to bring a USB power extender on an Icon Class ship because of how many outlets Royal Caribbean has in these rooms.

You'll also find additional drawers here, along with a hidden mini-refrigerator.

The wire baskets are still the worst thing about this cabin.

A closet and shelves offer additional storage, including closet doors that open up to have vertical space for hanging clothes.

There are shelves with wire baskets below, but I cannot believe Royal Caribbean continues to use these in the third Icon Class ship.

The wire baskets make an incredibly loud and obnoxious screeching sound when they slide in or out, and it's been my top complaint about staterooms since Icon of the Seas first debuted.

Despite lots of complaints, these baskets are still in use.  Some passengers collect the baskets and toss them to the side, but then I run into the issue of clothes (particularly socks) sliding too far back into the cubby area.

The bathroom has the best standard shower at sea.

If the baskets are the worst feature about the room, the shower is the best innovation Royal Caribbean added to these ships.

Royal Caribbean has showers on Legend of the Seas that are quite large, with a sliding open door and a seat inside the shower.

Most cruise ships have narrow tube shaped showers that feel cramped and awkward to use.  But this shower feels far less cramped, and has an adjustable shower head that can go up or down.

Be sure to bring your own toiletries.

Royal Caribbean provides a basic 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash, but I think most people will prefer something more specialized.

There's no separate conditioner or body wash, so I'd recommend packing your own to bring onboard.

Since I always fly to my cruise ship at least one day early, I'll buy those toiletries once I arrive to avoid having to fly (and potentially explode) with those kinds of liquids.

Overall, a balcony room is enough for most people's needs

Is a balcony worth spending hundreds of dollars more to enjoy? If having easy access to a private, open-air space with ocean views is important, then yes.

The debate of an inside vs balcony room often boils down to cost versus amenity. You can argue how much you'd actually use the balcony, but there's no denying it's lovely to have it. 

Admittedly, I spent very little time on my balcony on this cruise, but that had a lot to do with the fact it was summer and hot.  Plus, I was busy exploring the new ship.

I think this balcony room is comparable in size to other cruise ship balconies, but I appreciated how many outlets there were and the shower configuration.

As soon as I boarded Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, my first stop was to try their updated food hall.

Ever since Royal Caribbean launched Aquadome Market on Icon of the Seas, I was hooked on this concept of freshly prepared food that you can't otherwise find on the ship. I loved the combination of different food than typical of the line, plus it was available late night too.

With each new Icon Class ship, Royal Caribbean sought to refresh the lineup. Legend of the Seas has five new places to eat, with one being a smoothie bar.

Since Aquadome Market has quickly become my favorite included restaurant, I've been ranking the food halls every time I go to determine my favorites.

Here's how I ranked them all, from my least favorite to my favorite.

Simply Pressed is a new smoothie bar

They don't serve food, but there's a new place to get smoothies and juices on Legend of the Seas.

The drinks here cost extra, but without a Vitality Cafe, having access to a smoothie bar has become important to a lot of cruisers.

There are fresh juices and smoothies you can order, each are 12 oz.

Since these are beverages and not food, I won't rank this stall.  But it's somewhere anyone with a drink package might want to be aware exists before their sailing begins.

I think La Española was my least favorite, but I liked the tapas

There has to be a least favorite in any ranking, and La Española makes it there primarily because the gazpacho was too strange for me.

I love tomatoes, salsa, and hot tomato soup. But cold tomato soup was too strange a taste for my liking, even though I could add croutons and extra veggies in it.  I wanted to love it, but like coleslaw, some foods I just never get a taste for.

The tapas, however, are a stronger option. I really liked the Pan con Tomate with Manchengo because it was a light snack for something less filling.

Adobo serves tacos, and that's always a classic food

I was surprised when Royal Caribbean revealed one of the food stands would have tacos, because El Loco Fresh serves tacos across the deck.  However, these are street tacos instead of the Tex-Mex stuff at El Loco.

Tacos al pastor are arguably more authentic than the basic tacos you'd find in the US. Tacos al pastor feature thinly sliced pork (there's chicken also) marinated in adobo seasoning and stacked on a vertical spit alongside fresh pineapple.

The meat is cooked in the Lebanese shawarma technique, and shavings are stacked in the taco.

Toppings include onion, cilantro, lime, and pineapple. Pineapple is traditionally served with them to balance the marinade of the meat.

I liked these tacos a lot, especially for the different flavors.  Once again, it's going to taste differently (in a good way) from what's at El Loco Fresh.

I found, however, how fresh the tortillas are greatly impact how good the tacos taste.  If the tortillas aren't very freshly prepared, they tend to get harder.  I was sure to ask for a fresh tortilla when I ordered for better results.

I didn't know I was a gumbo fan until I tried Cajun Kitchen

If I had ranked these food halls before I tried them, I'm certain I would have ranked Cajun Kitchen near the bottom.  But it almost became my favorite.

Serving New Orleans gumbo, Cajun Kitchen has one item on its menu and it's very tasty.

You have a choice of chicken, sausage, or shrimp gumbo to go on top of the white rice base.

The rice soaks up a lot of gumbo juice, and you get a very flavorful medley soaked into the rice as you eat it.

Gumbo is a wonderful comfort food, and I think this is a great choice for something filling and easy to eat. 

The new Korean rice bowls won me over as a fan

Seoulmate is not just a creative name for Korean rice bowls, it's also easily my favorite of the new food halls on Legend of the Seas.

Not really knowing what to expect, I asked for the marinated chicken to go along all the toppings available. 

Served with a Korean scallion pancake, this is what I'll order as soon as I board the ship and as a late-night snack every time I sail on Legend.

I love Asian food to begin with, and there are some wonderful flavors when you combine everything.  I loved how light the pancake was as a way to scoop in the food.

I had never tried Kimchi, and it quickly hit the spot. In fact, I think it's what made the rice bowl a great choice.

Creme de la Crepe, the one returning food hall, never disappoints

Every Aquadome Market has a Creme de la Crepe station, and it's because of how insanely popular freshly made crepes continue to be.

Truthfully, this should still be the top ranked food station. But that's like the Tony Awards giving "Phantom of the Opera" the best musical every year because it's a perennial favorite.

There are four types of crepes to choose from, and each is amazing in its own right.

Strawberry Nutella is a top choice, but I wouldn't fault you for choosing "The Classic" of dusted sugar and lemon zest.

This was, to put it plainly, so good.

Aquadome Market instantly catapulted to the top of my must-eat list as soon as I tried it, and that continues here with Legend of the Seas.

I admire Royal Caribbean for branching out and challenging themselves to offer different choices instead of copying the menu from the ship that came before it.

Creme de la Crepe and Adobo are the safest options to consider.  Even the pickiest of eaters should be able to find something because it's all customizable.

Seoulmate works if you're just getting marinated chicken or beef and rice, or if you opt to load it up. It's something I could eat almost everyday.

Want a family cruise on the best cruise ship that offers just about everything? I think Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas is the perfect choice.

Ever since Icon of the Seas redefined what we expect from a modern cruise ship, Royal Caribbean has been hard at work to make it even better.

Legend of the Seas is the third ship in this class, which means it's a lot like the latest iPhone. It's not fundamentally different from the past couple versions, but you instantly know it's a step up from them.

This ship was built with one idea in mind: offer the best things on one ship so everyone in the family has an amazing time. 

I've been on Icon and Star of the Seas numerous times, so I can see where Legend of the Seas excels in delivering more to do.

Ship order is irrelevant, this is a ship with lots to do

Unless you follow Royal Caribbean everything like me, the fact Legend of the Seas is the third Icon Class ship doesn't matter.

What does matter is this is the cruise ship for everyone in your fam. It's uncompromising, has more than you could ever do in a week, and even visits some amazing places.

Almost any Royal Caribbean ship is designed to be the kind of vacation that has something for everyone, and Legend of the Seas is the perfect example of that.

It's a great example of "bigger is better" because with more space, you have more room for all the fun (and sometimes crazy) ideas Royal Caribbean can dream up.

This ship is 20 decks high, over 1100 feet long, and has six waterslides, 28 restaurants, 17 bars and lounges,  and 17 pools and whirlpools. It's giant, bright, and the second you get onboard I bet you'll be amazed.

That feeling of being amazed won't soon leave you, because there's so much happening every minute.

This ship is divided up into eight neighborhoods, with each one having a distinct look and feel to it.  It makes it easier to know where you are, and it helps with identifying what things to do are there.

To say the least, there are a lot of things to do. There's a lengthy schedule of events everyday you can navigate in the cruise line app. It's your choice to do all of them, or none of them.

Then you have the pools, waterslides, bars, live music, shows, and dance parties you can choose from as well. It's a bit overwhelming where to start, but you'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

Legend of the Seas does three things best: food, water fun, and entertainment

If you want to boil this ship down to why you'd want to book it, it's for three main reasons.

The incredible assortment of entertainment on Legend of the Seas is what has made Royal Caribbean famous. To put it gently, you won't be bored on this ship.

There are three theaters onboard, each with its own show that you can't see on other ships.  There's also a "B show" that is also performed in these venues.

Then there's live music all around the ship, ranging from guitarists to a harpist, to a steel drum band. You can easily walk around the ship and run into some kind of a musician.

All of the entertainment is included in your fare, and its appeal encompasses all ages. I'm a big fan of Dueling Pianos, which is one of the best nighttime entertainment you can find (there is a family show on some afternoons).

The Broadway production of "Charlie and Chocolate Factory" is performed onboard, and it's an incredible production. It works for kids and adults, and is very fun.

The second thing this cruise ship is great at is all the ways to cool off in the water.

Royal Caribbean designed this ship to be a water wonderland. There are six waterslides and 17 pools and whirlpools, which ensures you can find the right pool vibe for you.

The Hideaway has a suspended infinity pool, while Swim & Tonic has a swim-up bar.  Both are for adults-only.

The other pools come in different sizes and views, making them appealing for different reasons.  I love to try as many as I can.

Lastly, there is so much food you can eat on this ship that it's difficult to try to get to it all in one sailing.

Most of the food is included, but there are extra cost options too.

The Aquadome Market is a food hall that prepares each order on the spot, and is my favorite included restaurant on any ship.

Of course, the Main Dining Room has table served food, and the Windjammer Marketplace is a buffet with so many options. 

There are two specialty restaurants that are new to Legend, and each is guaranteed to give you FOMO if you don't try them.

Royal Railway Legend Station is an immersive dining experience that simulates what it's like to be on a classic train. It's even more fun than that sounds.

Guests dine in train cars and thanks to technology, it looks and feels like you're on a moving train.

The Hollywoodland Supper Club is a multi-course meal featuring meals pairs to cocktails and live entertainment that celebrates the golden age of cinema from the 1920s to 1950s.

There's so much more offered than what's listed here, which makes trying to do everything nearly impossible.  It's a reason to rebook another cruise.

There's an entire section for families

It's worth highlighting the fact Legend of the Seas has the Surfside neighborhood, giving it a major advantage for anyone cruising with kids.

While all Royal Caribbean ships have kid-focused areas, this is an entire neighborhood with a buffet that has just kid food, a giant aquapark, climbing area, and many ways to play.

Surfside is one of the ship's neighborhoods, and it is designed for kids under the age of 9-10 years old.

There's a carousel with a very cutely themed rubber duck motif.

The carousel, and nearly all of Surfside is included in your cruise fare.  It's the kind of special area you can bring your kids and they will have full reign on so much fun.

Towards the back is a "mommy and me" bar at the Lemon Post.  There are cocktails for the parents, and mocktails for the kids. That way, everyone can enjoy a beverage.

Plus, there are special activities throughout the day to enjoy.  Limbo, dance parties, ice cream, and even nighttime bed stories that are read for children.

Surfside is the "easy button" for parents to bring their kids and let them have an all-out fun day.

What is different about Legend of the Seas compared to other cruise ships

Legend of the Seas is very similar to Icon and Star, but there are a few notable differences worth pointing out.

The Pearl is updated with better lighting and sounds to make it truly special. 

The Pearl has always been impressive, but now it's stunning.

There is a two story casino onboard, offering additional non-smoking space.

The second floor is on deck 3, and it features its own bar along with table games and additional slot machines.

Like all Royal Caribbean ships, the shows are completely different from other ships. 

• "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in the Royal Theater
• "America's Got Talent LIVE" in the Royal Theater
• "Shockwave" in Aquatheater
• "Fusion" ice skating show in Absolute Zero

Each show was developed for this ship.

The addition of Royal Railway and Hollywoodland are both only on this ship. In addition, Aquadome Market has a completely different line-up of food stations.

Why you should try Legend of the Seas

Legend of the Seas is the best all-around cruise ship you can go on today, featuring the latest and greatest that Royal Caribbean has to offer.

Leaning on its family cruise line tradition, this ship has the most choices of what you can do for all ages. This makes it an excellent choice for multi-gen groups that need things for young kids, grandparents, young adults, and more.

Because it's the newest ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet, it has all of their best ideas in one. 

If the idea of going on the world's largest cruise ship sounds as fun as it is exciting to brag about to your friends, then this is the ship for you.

What's missing?

No cruise ship is perfect, and I'd argue there are a few downsides to consider before booking.

There are two adults-only pools (Hideaway and Swim & Tonic), but neither embody the traditional Solarium adult pool experience other ships have. 

If your idea of an adults-only space is a quiet area to read a book, that doesn't exist on this ship.

There aren't any solo cabins, which are staterooms designed for those cruising alone.  Royal Caribbean has moved away from that concept over the past few new ships, so it's not a new trend.  

Unlike the other two Icon Class ships, there is no conference center onboard.  The expanded casino took over that space. 

Where Legend of the Seas will sail

The inaugural season begins in the Mediterranean with summer cruises in 2026 that offer 7-night voyages primarily from Barcelona.

In the fall, Legend crosses the Atlantic and will offer winter cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. These will be 6- and 8-night Western and Southern Caribbean cruises.

Cruises are available to book on Legend of the Seas through April 2028.

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. 

Royal Caribbean's new immersive restaurant might be the most fun dining experience I've had in a long time.

Available on the new Legend of the Seas ship, Royal Railway Legend Station is a new offering of a restaurant they debuted a few short years ago. This new version is smoother, offers higher quality cuisine, and delivers the kind of meal you'll be talking about for a long time.

When Royal Caribbean invited me to try it on a preview sailing of the new ship, I was eager to see how this experience would measure up.  I had experienced the Wild West show on Utopia of the Seas and even went to an early test preview at Miami Headquarters. 

When you combine great food, technology, and entertainment, you get what might be the best elevated dinner experience that encapsulates everything Royal Caribbean wants in everything on its ships: a terrific memory maker.

After taking in every minute of the 90 minute meal, here's what my experience at Royal Railway was like.

Disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on Legend of the Seas and dine at Royal Railway for no cost. I purchased separately Royal Railway on another upcoming sailing that I paid for on my own.

Royal Railway is a dinner show that looks like you're on a train

Located on the Royal Promenade, you'll find what appears to be a train station and this is all part of the story telling at Royal Railway.

Unlike traditional specialty restaurants on cruise ships that offer a specific type of cuisine, there's show and technology that aims to transport you to a different time and place.

It costs extra to dine at the Royal Railway, which should be booked before the cruise begins via the Royal Caribbean app. Yes, printed tickets are delivered to your cabin that you need to bring with you.

About 30 minutes prior to your train time, you can enter the station. This is where I already started getting impressed.

You walk onto a station platform that looks and sounds like a real train station. There's even a bar that has cocktails you can order for your ride.

The level of detail on the platform alone sets the tone for why Royal Railway is so impressive.

When it's time for your train (dinner and show), a conductor will call for everyone to board.

I was impressed by the variety and flavor of each course

Each train car has a table for two or four, where the full menu is waiting.

The story behind Royal Railway is you're following the Silk Routes that Marco Polo took on his journey back from the Orient to Europe.

Each region your train visits along his famous path represents a course of food and cuisine. Most of the food is served family style, but the main entree (Turkey) is ordered individually.

There's food from Persia, India, Turkey, China, and Italy.  Other than Turkey, all the food are small bites that are meant to be shared. All the food from Italy and China are served to each person as a sampling platter.

Before we talk about the show, I think the food should be recognized for being sophisticated, yet palate pleasing.  You don't have to be a foodie to enjoy eating here, as there's lots to choose from.  There's even a kids menu that anyone can ask for!

I was so impressed by the Silk Routes food, to the point I would go back just for the food options.

The original Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas had a more family-focused menu and its food was good, but didn't wow me. The Silk Routes menu is a significant step up in variety and flavor.

Your journey begins in China, where a trio of appetizers are served to each person.

The Wood Ear Mushroom Spring Roll had such great flavor, and I was pleasantly surprised how much better it was than your average spring roll.

The Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls sounded strange (I don't ever order duck), but I really enjoyed it.

Moving to India, a platter of food is served for your table to share. 

I love Indian food so much, so this was the highlight of my meal. As someone that has eaten a lot of Indian on Royal Caribbean ships, this is not your garden variety Windjammer curry.

While Indian food might be somewhat polarizing, I think the flavors and spice level are quite balanced for novice tastes.  Nothing was overly spicy, but it retained plenty of flavor. Stick with the Butter Chicken and Potato Chop if you're new to Indian food.

In Persia, a palate cleanser is served to prepare you for your entree.

It's a tasty sorbet that was more like pre-dessert than anything, so I enjoyed it!

In Turkey, your entrees are served and we went with the two kebabs.  One is a beef kebab and the other an Impossible (vegan) kebab. 

Very similar flavor profiles for both, and I ate every bite.  This is when I started hitting my food limit because I had eaten everything from the Indian serving earlier.

At dessert, there's another sampler provided for everyone. 

Our table's favorite was the Stracciatella Gelato, but my wife really liked the Raspberry Bombolini.

This is the best use of technology on a cruise ship

What elevates Royal Railway beyond just another cruise ship specialty restaurant is the train experience.

Through the use of technology, it looks and feels like you're riding on a train.

As your train pulls out of the station, the windows open and you have a digital view of the places Marco Polo visited. The rumble of the tracks is felt in subtle vibrations in your seat.  The car itself gently moves to simulate movement.

In addition to following Marco Polo's route, each region you visit will celebrate a festival. Holi in India, Chinese New Year, and Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey, for example.

Each second of the ride has something else to see outside the window and what you see on one side is different than what's on the other side.

It's a convincing simulation, while your conductor hosts stops in periodically to narrate and explain the significance of the region, Polo's experience there, and what the food you're being served represents.

Silk Routes solves for most of the issues with the first restaurant

One major improvement with Silk Routes is the pacing and story telling is much better. There's more storytelling on Utopia, which felt like interruptions to a dinner meal many times.

I think there's a much better balance of show, food, and story this time around.

I loved my meal and show, but I recognize there are two possible problems with Royal Railway for some guests.

While the menu has a good deal of variety, it's not as familiar food as you might find in the Main Dining Room or a specialty restaurant like Chops Grille. 

My kids are very picky eaters, and would probably eat less than half the food served. 

The other issue is cost, because Royal Railway isn't cheap. For an upcoming sailings, the cost of one person is $165 (slightly cheaper for kids).  That's over $500 for dinner for four people.

Of course, this isn't your typical specialty restaurant and there's much more that comes with your dinner than just different food. Royal Caribbean calls it a real memory making experience.  Not once-in-a-lifetime, but certainly the kind of meal you might book to try and use it for a special evening.

Dinner you won't forget

As someone that's always looking for experiences that stand out as being unlike anything I can do anywhere else, this hits that target squarely in the center. There's no way you won't dine at Royal Railway and not come home and tell your friends about it.

Moreover, it's not just about it looking like a train. The show element is very well done, but the food stands out on its own as something I wish I could get more of separately.

Royal Caribbean created a smarter balcony cabin for families, and it's a great idea.

Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship. Among the additions and changes, including the rubber duck-themed carousel, Hollywoodland Supper Club, and Royal Railway — Legend Station, is a new category of staterooms.

Royal Caribbean introduced the Family Ocean View Balcony (Category FB) on Legend of the Seas. These spacious accommodations measure 285 square feet, with an additional 50-square-foot private balcony.  

Generally speaking, these new cabins are similar to the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony staterooms. However, they have a traditional verandah, replacing the controversial infinite balcony. 

According to the deck plans, Family Ocean View Balcony cabins on Legend of the Seas have space for up to six passengers. Each stateroom includes one Royal King bed (which can be converted into two twin beds), one double sofa bed, and one bunk bed with two twin-size beds.

That's not all, though. Many of the Family Ocean View Balcony cabins are connecting, so you can essentially create a "mini-suite" with significantly more space for families of up to 12. 

However, instead of a connecting door inside the cabins, these cabins feature a shared vestibule with two separate entry doors. The idea is that you can close the outside doors and keep your primary cabin door open or unlocked so you can easily go between them.

As such, if you don't know the family in the other connecting cabin, you don't have to share an interior door inside your stateroom. 

Here's a look at the new family balcony staterooms on Legend of the Seas. 

Legend of the Seas Royal Caribbean Balcony Room: PHOTOS + COST

During Legend of the Seas' preview cruise from Málaga, Spain, Royal Caribbean Blog toured cabin #12716, which is designated as a Family Ocean View Balcony (Category FB). 

Starting off, you're greeted by a long entryway. To the left are the split bathrooms. These innovative bathrooms separate the shower and bathtub from the toilet. 

This makes it easier for families to get ready after a long day ashore by allowing multiple passengers to freshen up without squeezing into one small bathroom.

Another advantage of split bathrooms is that they typically provide more storage space. For example, in cabin #12716, there are six shelves, along with vanity cubbies and two sinks. 

You'll find that Royal Caribbean didn't change much about the beloved Icon Class shower design, so guests can enjoy the spacious layout, glass shower door, and built-in bench. 

Moving on, much of the cabin is similar to standard balconies on Legend of the Seas. 

There's a flat-screen television, an expansive vanity area, two nightstands, and even a large couch that converts into a double bed. 

Being a new cruise ship, there's also no shortage of charging options. The vanity alone has one standard American outlet, one European outlet, and even a USB port. There are also American outlets and USB ports conveniently located by the bedside.

Unfortunately, the storage situation is largely unchanged from other standard Icon Class staterooms. 

While the stateroom offers more living and sleeping space for families, the closet and wire drawer space is on the limited side, especially considering that these rooms can accommodate up to six guests.

Of course, one of the highlights of this cabin is the balcony. Royal Caribbean's Icon Class was the first ship in the fleet (excluding Celebrity Cruises) to introduce Infinite Balconies. 

Although some praise their flexibility and spacious living areas, they remain controversial, with critics claiming they're nothing more than a glorified ocean-view stateroom. 

On both Icon and Star of the Seas, there were no standard Family Ocean View Balcony (FB) cabins. Instead, those who wanted ocean views had to book the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony (IB). 

Legend of the Seas changes that by offering larger families a traditional balcony experience. Instead of the Infinite Balcony setup, the Family Ocean View Balcony features a true outdoor verandah where guests can step outside and enjoy the fresh ocean air. 

The private 50-square-foot balcony comes with two outdoor chairs and a small table, giving families a dedicated place to relax and watch the scenery. This is especially important during the cruise ship's European season, when she'll visit bucket list ports like Barcelona, Spain, and La Spezia, Italy.

That said, perhaps the best part about this specific cruise room is the private bunk bed nook. 

The innovative bunk space gives kids their own area while giving the rest of the family a little more privacy. Here, you'll find two twin-size beds, each with its own flat-screen television!

Additionally, the top bunk bed has a privacy curtain, and there are tons of smart storage solutions scattered throughout the area. 

For example, there are deep shelves built into the staircase, and there are a few drawers below the bottom bunk. Moreover, there's a narrow shelf above the top bunk that provides a convenient spot to keep a tablet, phone, or other small items. 

I don't know about you, but this setup is way more exciting than a standard pullman bed, and I would have loved sleeping here as a child!

So, how much do these staterooms cost? Although they aren't designated as suites, you'll still pay a pretty penny compared to standard balconies and interior cabins on Legend of the Seas. 

For example, a Family Ocean View Balcony (Category FB) on Legend of the Seas' July 18, 2027, sailing from Barcelona starts at $9,054.60 for a family of four, breaking down to around $2,263 per person. 

Comparatively, a standard guarantee (GTY) ocean view balcony costs $7,094.60. The roughly $2,000 price difference is significant, especially considering that European excursions are often more expensive than Caribbean alternatives. 

Not only that, but families also have to factor in airfare, which can add a substantial amount to the overall cost of the vacation. 

The price difference is noticeable on Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, too. On the eight-night Southern Caribbean voyage departing on December 11, 2027, a Family Ocean View Balcony starts at $9,639.92 for a family of four. 

On the flip side, a standard GTY ocean view balcony on the same sailing comes in at around $6,199.92, or $1,550 per person. 

For some travelers, the added space and extra sleeping arrangements may easily justify the higher cost, particularly for larger families. Others, however, may find a standard balcony cabin to be the better value for a Legend of the Seas cruise.

While Legend of the Seas might not be that different from Royal Caribbean's other Icon Class ships, it does a few things differently and it's a win.

No matter how many cruise ships Royal Caribbean builds, each new one comes with a few tweaks and adjustments.  New shows and specialty dining are always going to be different, but other changes also get included.

I've scoured the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship for everything on Legend of the Seas that is new or updated to see which ones truly stand out as being better than we saw before.

I think it's great that even if this is the third Icon ship, it's not a carbon copy of the ones that came before it. It keeps things fresh, even if they didn't remove the screechy wire baskets in the staterooms yet.

Here are 6 improvements Royal Caribbean made on Legend of the Seas that are better than Icon or Star of the Seas.

The Pearl is what we always wanted from it

As soon as you board Legend of the Seas, you will instantly notice The Pearl here is very different from what you've seen on other ships.

Inside it's brighter, more colorful, and animated.  It's stunning, and I dare you not to walk in front of it and not take a photo or selfie.

Earlier versions of The Pearl were impressive, but this one is on another level because of how beautiful it's interior is.  I think this version is the vision for this space all along, but it took a few iterations (and time) to get it right.

I remember there was a lot of hype for The Pearl when it first opened on Icon of the Seas, but now we have a version of it that lives up to it.

Expanding the casino to two decks is a big win

There is a two-deck casino, which adds an additional non-smoking section to deck 3. 

The lower level isn't as large as the main floor, but it does add quite a lot of new slot machines and tables.

There's a staircase in the middle that goes between both decks of the casino and a new casino bar at the base of the stairs. It reminds me of the stairs that lead to the casino on the Freedom and Voyager Class ships.

Royal Caribbean has prioritized more gambling space over the last few years, and in the case of Legend, the expanded casino replaces the ship's conference center.

Considering how popular Casino Royale has become in recent years, more slots and tables means less competing for them among fellow passengers.

Unlike the expanded casinos on the Oasis Class, this new area is connected to the main area so it feels less disjointed and you don't have to play the game of "I wonder if the other section is less crowded".

The rubber ducks carousel is undeniably cute

I never expected the new carousel design in Surfside to be as adorable as it turned out to be when a rubber duck themed design was revealed.

Everything in Surfside is meant to be for kids, but I can appreciate the carousel here has a cutesy look that fits so perfectly in.

In fact, Royal Caribbean has gone all-in with the rubber ducks on cruise ships idea with this new ship. The carousel embodies it, and there are plenty of duck shopping opportunities around the ship.

Each rubber duck on the carousel has a name and a backstory to it.  It's going to be a challenge for children, when given the choice, of which they want to ride first because inevitably I think they will have favorites.

As an adult, I might not be as infatuated with each individual duck. But I do recognize this carousel is a step-up from the previous versions because there's clearly been more thought in how to make this one stand out.

Removing the comedy club is a miss, but Royal Railway looks incredible

I think every cruise ship should have a comedy club, however, there's no question Royal Railway is a very impressive replacement.

Royal Caribbean sought to build an immersive experience that makes you feel like you're dining on a classic train. Now it really looks and feels like you've stepped onto a real train station with cars ready to whisk you away.

I was blown away by the platform design, both in size and scope. There's even a bar on the platform, which I'm told will be open to all guests to stop by and enjoy drinks there.

I have yet to experience dinner onboard (look for my review later this week), but there's no doubt the Product Design folks went all out to make you think you're really on a train. 

There are so many little details, including some very creative newspaper clippings near the bar. As a fan of quality design, I love how this new space really does make it feel like you've stepped from cruise ship to train station.

The crystal blocks are such a smart idea

Royal Caribbean shared a fun idea for their loyal members that reach a loyalty milestone while sailing on Legend of the Seas.

After getting 140 Crown and Anchor Society points, you're eligible for a crystal block gift.  You'll get another every 70 points thereafter.

For Legend of the Seas, someone at headquarters got creative because there's a limited-edition Legend of the Seas Inaugural Season Crystal Block.

It features the all-new Legend of the Seas on the front and the original Legend on the back. It's a wonderful homage to the legacy of this ship's name, and I think loyal cruisers will appreciate the connection to Royal Caribbean's past.

There are so many more shops with things you might actually buy

I'll admit I usually breeze past most shops on a cruise ship because they're more or less the same, but they've re-thought some of the retail spaces on Legend.

While there will always be fine jewelry shops on cruise ships, I think Royal Caribbean rethought some of its shopping spaces to be more practical. I think people on a cruise vacation are more likely to be inclined to buy a fun souvenir than an expensive one.

Instead of Royal Bling, there's now a Sol & Sea shop that has more everyday clothing to purchase. In Surfside, there are shops with fun souvenirs to browse.

On the Royal Promenade, you'll find Jellycats, blind boxes, Funko collectibles and more.  If you don't know, these are really popular among kids and collectors alike.