Royal Caribbean International’s new Legend of the Seas has reached a major construction milestone, sailing out of the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for its first sea trials. The LNG-powered Icon-class ship will spend the next 10 days at sea, undergoing a comprehensive series of real-world tests before it officially enters service in July 2026.
Over the course of the trials, Legend of the Seas will cover approximately 2,400 nautical miles, with more than 2,000 engineers and specialists onboard to push the vessel’s systems and engines to their limits. Royal Caribbean says that sea trials are one of the final milestones before delivery, confirming the ship’s performance, safety and maneuverability in open water.
For more details on the ship and its features, visit Royal Caribbean’s official page for Legend of the Seas: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/legend-of-the-seas.
Third Icon-class ship raises the bar again
At 250,800 gross tons, Legend of the Seas is the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s revolutionary Icon Class, following Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. Designed as a next-generation family vacation ship, Legend features eight distinct neighbourhoods and more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained.
Onboard highlights will include expansive waterparks, multiple pools, family-friendly venues and headline entertainment, continuing the class’s focus on larger‑than‑life experiences at sea. The ship is also powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and advanced energy‑efficient technologies, supporting Royal Caribbean’s broader sustainability goals.
European maiden season in the Western Mediterranean
When Legend of the Seas enters service in early July 2026, she will debut in Europe with a season of seven‑night Western Mediterranean cruises. Sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) and Barcelona, these itineraries will visit popular ports in Italy, Spain and France, including Naples, Palma de Mallorca and Marseille.
This Western Mediterranean deployment positions Legend as a flagship option for families and couples looking to combine major European cities with resort-style shipboard experiences.
Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from Port Everglades
Following her inaugural European summer, Legend of the Seas will reposition to North America in November 2026. From Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, the ship will offer a series of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, including itineraries that call at Perfect Day at CocoCay – Royal Caribbean’s top‑rated private island destination in The Bahamas.
These sailings will deliver a mix of Western and Southern Caribbean adventures, combining beach days, warm‑weather escapes and the full range of Icon‑class onboard attractions.
What’s next for Royal Caribbean’s newbuild pipeline
Legend of the Seas is part of an ambitious newbuild programme that will significantly expand Royal Caribbean’s modern fleet through 2028 and beyond.
- A fourth Icon‑class ship, Hero of the Seas, is currently under construction at Meyer Turku, with delivery scheduled for 2027 and entry into service from Miami in August 2027.
- An additional Icon‑class vessel was ordered in 2025, with delivery planned for 2028 from the Finnish shipyard.
- Royal Caribbean is also set to welcome another Oasis‑class ship from Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint‑Nazaire, France, in 2028.
- The same French yard will build two prototypes for the new Discovery Class, scheduled for 2029 and 2030, which are expected to be smaller than the Icon and Oasis ships but with details still under wraps.
This robust orderbook ensures that Royal Caribbean will continue introducing headline‑grabbing ships and new concepts through the end of the decade.
Why the sea trials milestone matters
For cruise fans watching shipbuilding progress closely, sea trials signal that a new vessel is nearing completion. This phase verifies everything from speed and fuel consumption to stability, noise levels and safety systems, allowing the shipyard and cruise line to fine‑tune performance before handover.
With Legend of the Seas now at sea and covering 2,400 nautical miles of testing, the countdown is very much on to one of 2026’s most anticipated new cruise ships, promising a feature‑packed, family‑focused vacation experience in both Europe and the Caribbean.
