Freephone
9am - 9pm
Our sales team are here to help 7 days a week. For international Callers call 02072064176
Freephone
9am - 9pm
There are some cruise ships you step onboard and immediately know you’re going to need more than a few days to explore them properly.
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas is one of them.
I recently spent time onboard Legend of the Seas during a Mediterranean sailing, getting to experience everything from its restaurants, entertainment and neighbourhoods to the cabin, pools and some of the ship’s headline attractions.
And after spending several days onboard, I can safely say this isn’t a ship you book simply because it is new. Legend of the Seas genuinely gives you a lot to discover.
As Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas shares plenty with her sisters, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, but there are also some experiences that make this ship distinctly her own. These include Royal Railway – Legend Station, Hollywoodland Supper Club, new AquaDome Market food stalls and a brand-new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
So, what is it actually like to sail on Legend of the Seas?
Here’s my first-hand review, including the things that surprised me, what I loved most and my top tips for making the most of your time onboard.
The first thing that hits you when you board Legend of the Seas is the sheer scale of the ship.
It is big. Really big.
But interestingly, I never felt like I was constantly trying to work out where I was. The ship is split into eight distinct neighbourhoods, including Royal Promenade, Central Park, Surfside, Thrill Island, Chill Island and the AquaDome, which gives different areas their own identity.
That makes a difference when you're onboard because instead of feeling like one enormous ship, each area has its own atmosphere.
One minute you can be surrounded by the energy of Royal Promenade, then you can wander through Central Park and find yourself somewhere that feels completely different.
My tip: don't try to see everything on your first day. Take some time to wander around without a plan. You’ll get your bearings much quicker and you'll inevitably find a spot you want to come back to.
One of my favourite things about Legend of the Seas was simply walking around.
There is always something happening.
The Royal Promenade is the social hub, while Central Park offers a much calmer atmosphere. Surfside is designed with families in mind, Thrill Island is where you’ll find the adrenaline-fuelled attractions and the AquaDome combines incredible views with entertainment and dining.
Then there’s the Hideaway, complete with its suspended infinity pool, which offers a very different atmosphere again.
This is one of those ships where you choose to spend your time can completely change your experience.
If you want action, you can find it.
If you want somewhere to sit with a drink and watch the world go by, you can find that too.
And if you’re travelling with a family or a group with completely different interests, that variety is a huge advantage.
I stayed in an Infinite Balcony cabin, which gave me the chance to experience one of the cabin concepts that has become such a talking point across Icon Class.
The Infinite Balcony is designed to bring the outside in, with the balcony effectively becoming part of the cabin when the window is opened.
For me, one of the biggest advantages was being able to enjoy the feeling of having an outdoor space without necessarily having to step outside.
And there is something particularly nice about opening the balcony and letting that Mediterranean air into your cabin in the morning.
Don't underestimate the value of your cabin location.
On a ship this size, you will be doing a lot of walking, so think about where you are likely to spend most of your time when choosing your stateroom.
If you know you’ll be spending your days around the pool deck, a cabin higher up may make sense. If you love Central Park or the Royal Promenade, consider how easy it will be to reach those areas.
And if you're unsure which cabin is right for you, this is exactly where speaking to a Cruise Expert can help.
If you think a huge ship means you’ll spend your evenings wandering around wondering what to do, think again.
I had the chance to experience several different forms of entertainment during my time onboard and one of my highlights was Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The production is exclusive to Legend of the Seas, making it one of the experiences you can only see on this ship.
And it isn't just the theatre.
I also watched the AquaTheater show and the ice-skating production at Absolute Zero, as well as experiencing the atmosphere around the ship after dark.
There is something quite impressive about going from a theatre production to an ice show and then finding live entertainment and bars elsewhere onboard.
My tip: check the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you board and start planning your entertainment.
Don't leave every show until the last minute.
Some performances can fill up, and there is so much happening that it is surprisingly easy to accidentally miss something you wanted to see.
If you're someone who likes your cruise with a side of adrenaline, Thrill Island is going to be high on your list.
This is home to Category 6 Waterpark, with six waterslides, as well as attractions including the FlowRider and Crown's Edge.
Even if you aren't planning to go on every attraction, it is worth heading up there just to see the activity.
And if you're travelling with children or teenagers, this is likely to become one of the most popular areas of the ship.
Top tip for Category 6
Go early.
If there are specific slides you know you want to try, don't wait until the busiest part of the afternoon.
Getting there earlier means you can make the most of the attractions before the area becomes busier - and you'll still have plenty of time afterwards to explore the rest of the ship.
The AquaDome is one of those places that photographs well, but feels even more impressive when you're standing inside it.
It is home to the AquaTheater, as well as dining and places to sit and take in the views.
One of the biggest changes on Legend of the Seas is the refreshed AquaDome Market, with food stalls offering options including Korean rice bowls, Mexican tacos, New Orleans-style dishes and Spanish-inspired tapas.
This quickly became one of the places I wanted to return to.
My tip: don't just visit the AquaDome when you have a show booked. Go during the day, grab something to eat and actually spend some time there.
One thing I quickly realised onboard Legend of the Seas is that you could probably have a completely different food experience every day.
The AquaDome Market alone gives you plenty of choice, while the ship also features a huge selection of other dining venues.
Two of the most talked-about additions are Royal Railway – Legend Station and Hollywoodland Supper Club.
Royal Railway is an immersive dining experience inspired by the Silk Routes, while Hollywoodland Supper Club takes inspiration from the glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age.
Even if you're not planning to book specialty dining, I would recommend exploring what is included in your cruise before you decide what extras you actually need.
There is already a lot of choice.
With everything happening onboard, it would be very easy to spend your entire cruise chasing the next activity.
But one of my top tips would be the opposite.
Slow down.
Find somewhere you like sitting with a coffee.
Walk through Central Park.
Grab a drink in the evening.
Sit and watch the sea.
Legend of the Seas has plenty of big, headline-grabbing attractions, but some of my favourite moments were simply being onboard and taking everything in.
That is something I think is important to remember when sailing on a ship this size: you don't have to do everything.
Before sailing, I knew Legend of the Seas was going to be big.
What I didn't necessarily expect was how much there would be to do without it feeling like you had to constantly be doing something.
The different neighbourhoods help create that balance.
You can have a day packed with waterslides, shows and activities, or you can completely change pace and spend time around Central Park, the AquaDome or one of the quieter areas onboard.
It makes the ship incredibly flexible.
And that is probably my biggest takeaway from my time onboard.
Legend of the Seas isn't just about one big attraction. It's the variety.
1. Explore the ship on day one
Don't spend your first day only finding the buffet and your cabin.
Walk.
Take the lifts, use the stairs and explore the different neighbourhoods. You'll quickly work out where your favourite areas are.
2. Download the Royal Caribbean app before you sail
You'll want access to your daily schedule, reservations and onboard information, particularly when there is so much happening.
3. Book your must-see entertainment early
If there's a particular show you really want to see, don't leave it until the final night. Plan around the entertainment rather than trying to fit it in afterwards.
4. Don't try to do everything
This is probably the most important tip.
You won't experience every restaurant, activity, show and attraction in one sailing - and that's okay. Choose your absolute must-dos and leave room for spontaneous moments.
5. Visit popular attractions at quieter times
For the waterpark and other headline attractions, consider going earlier in the day or when other guests are ashore.
6. Give yourself time to discover the ship
Some of the best parts of Legend of the Seas aren't necessarily the things you planned to see. Allow yourself time to wander.
7. Make time for the entertainment
Don't think of the shows as something to do only when the weather isn't great. The productions are a major part of the onboard experience.
8. Choose your cabin carefully
Think about how you actually cruise. Do you want a balcony? Are you likely to spend most of your time around the pool? Would being closer to certain neighbourhoods make your holiday easier? Your cabin location can make a difference on a ship this large.
After spending time onboard, yes - but the real question is whether it's the right Royal Caribbean ship for you.
If you want a cruise where there is always something happening, Legend of the Seas is an obvious contender.
If you're travelling with children or teenagers, the combination of Surfside, Thrill Island, Category 6 and the huge range of entertainment gives families plenty to fill their days with.
If you're travelling as a couple or with friends, there are also plenty of places to escape the family-focused areas and enjoy the ship at your own pace.
And if you're simply someone who loves exploring a new cruise ship, Legend of the Seas gives you a lot to discover.
It is currently the newest Icon Class ship, and Royal Caribbean has used it to build on what worked with Icon and Star while introducing its own dining and entertainment experiences.
For me, that's what made my time onboard so enjoyable.
I didn't feel like I'd seen everything by the time I left.
And honestly, that's probably the best sign of all.
Whether you're looking for a family holiday packed with things to do, a Mediterranean escape with plenty of time to explore ashore or simply want to experience one of Royal Caribbean's newest ships for yourself, Legend of the Seas is one to have on your radar.
From its first European season, the ship has been sailing Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona and Rome, before heading to the Caribbean later in 2026.
Want to know what a cruise on Legend of the Seas could look like for you? Explore our latest Royal Caribbean cruises and speak to our Cruise Experts to find the right sailing.
Q - Is Legend of the Seas a new ship?
A - Yes. Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship and the third ship in the Icon Class series. It entered service in 2026.
Q - What class of ship is Legend of the Seas?
A - Legend of the Seas is an Icon Class cruise ship, joining Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
Q - What can you do on Legend of the Seas?
A - There is a huge choice of activities and entertainment, including Category 6 Waterpark, Crown's Edge, FlowRider, swimming pools, theatre shows, AquaTheater performances, ice skating, live music, dining and more.
Q - Is Legend of the Seas good for families?
A - Yes. The ship has several family-focused spaces, including Surfside and Thrill Island, alongside its waterpark, entertainment and wide range of dining options.
Q - Does Legend of the Seas have an Infinite Balcony?
A - Yes. Legend of the Seas offers Infinite Balcony staterooms, alongside other accommodation categories.
Q - Where does Legend of the Seas sail from?
A - Legend of the Seas launched into its European season with Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome. Later in 2026, the ship moves to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean sailings.
Q - What shows are on Legend of the Seas?
A - Entertainment varies, but the ship launched with productions including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, alongside AquaTheater and ice-skating entertainment.
Q - Is Legend of the Seas worth it?
A - If you enjoy having plenty of choice onboard, want a modern ship with lots of entertainment and activities, and like the idea of combining a busy ship with Mediterranean or Caribbean destinations, Legend of the Seas is certainly worth considering.
