Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Legend of the Seas, began its official sea trials on the open sea on Tuesday, marking one of the final stages ahead of its world premiere scheduled for July 2026. Over the next ten days, the vessel will undergo a series of exhaustive technical assessments to ensure the proper functioning of all its systems prior to final delivery.
A team comprising more than 2,000 engineers, specialists and crew members will oversee the manoeuvres, during which the ship will cover approximately 2,400 nautical miles. During these trials, critical parameters such as propulsion, navigation systems, maximum speed and safety protocols will be assessed.
Once the tests are complete, the ship will return to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland to finalise the outfitting phase and aesthetic details. The official debut of the Legend of the Seas will take place this summer in European waters. The ship, part of the so-called Icon Class, will operate seven-night itineraries in the western Mediterranean with home ports in Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona. The itinerary includes stops at destinations such as Marseille (France), Naples (Italy) and Palma.
Following its inaugural season in Europe, the company has confirmed that the ship will move to the United States in November 2026. From its home port in Fort Lauderdale (Florida), the Legend of the Seas will offer six- and eight-night cruises in the western and southern Caribbean, including visits to the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas.
Guests can go all in on the action across Legend’s eight neighbourhoods, which are destinations in themselves. On deck are new dining experiences transporting guests to the ancient Silk Routes at the immersive Royal Railway – Legend Station or the golden age at the new Hollywoodland Supper Club, headlining entertainment with Broadway hit Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” reimagined family experiences from thrills to new ways to stay and more.
“With Legend of the Seas, we are bringing to life our most legendary vacation yet as we continue to push the boundaries with more of what guests know and love,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean. Those looking to get the most out of their vacation can have it all with Legend’s combination of adventure-packed experiences and incredible destinations in Europe and the Caribbean.”