There is something exciting about stepping aboard an Icon Class ship…for a second time.
After sailing on Star of the Seas on her inaugural voyage in 2025, I looked forward to experiencing Royal Caribbean’s newest addition, Legend of the Seas, and seeing how it compares to its sister ships.
After three days onboard, I found plenty of familiar favorites, along with a few new surprises that give Legend its own personality. Legend delivers the big-ship energy, family-friendly experiences and impressive entertainment that have become synonymous with the Icon Class, while adding a few new touches.
Legend Makes Its Fort Lauderdale Debut
Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class ship made its U.S. debut this week at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I had the opportunity to experience the ship on a three-night preview sailing that included a stop at the cruise line’s popular Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Three days certainly isn’t enough time to experience everything this massive ship has to offer, but it was a great introduction to what travelers can expect.
For clients who want more time to explore, Legend will sail 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades, with every sailing including a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Before arriving in South Florida, Legend spent the summer sailing 7-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona, becoming the first Icon Class ship to operate in Europe. Its arrival also marks another milestone for Royal Caribbean, bringing the Icon Class experience to a new homeport.
A Familiar Feel, With New Entertainment
Having sailed on Star of the Seas, I immediately recognized the familiar layout and energy felt on an Icon Class ship. The eight neighborhoods give the ship a sense of organization despite its size, with distinct areas for families, thrill-seekers and guests looking for a little downtime. Walking from one neighborhood to another, I found much of the experience familiar, which is a plus for guests who already love the Icon Class experience.
Where Legend starts to distinguish itself is in its entertainment lineup.
Some familiar productions return, including Shockwave, the high-diving, water-based acrobatic spectacle, and Fusion, the ice-skating production. But the ship also introduces two new headline shows: Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and America’s Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas, both in the Royal Theater.
The latter brings the popular television competition to sea with a lineup of performers from the “Got Talent” universe, including magicians, musicians, acrobats and aerialists. For comparison, Star of the Seas features Back to the Future: The Musical, so guests sailing on both ships will find different signature productions.
Where We Stayed: The Infinite Ocean View Balcony
Having stayed in the Infinite Ocean View Balcony category on both Star of the Seas and now on Legend of the Seas, I was familiar with this room design. On Legend, my stateroom was located on Deck 11, and it remains one of the more interesting alternatives to a traditional balcony.
The standout feature is the floor-to-ceiling glass window that retracts at the touch of a button, opening the space to the ocean breeze. When closed, the window becomes part of the air-conditioned interior, effectively extending the indoor living space. There’s also additional seating positioned by the window, creating a comfortable spot to relax and take in the views.
The bathroom features a larger shower with a bench seat, while the approximately 250-square-foot stateroom includes a king-size bed (which can be converted into twins), a sofa seating area and a mini-cooler.
While guests who enjoy having a traditional outdoor balcony may prefer that setup on a cruise vacation, the Infinite Ocean View Balcony provides a different way to enjoy the ocean views. The retractable window gives the room a more open feel and lets guests bring the outdoors in without having to step outside.
Dining Goes Beyond the Main Dining Room
Guests can dine and drink at more than 40 venues onboard Legend, giving guests plenty of options beyond the traditional cruise ship dining experience.
Two of the newer concepts that caught my attention were Hollywoodland Supper Club, inspired by the golden age of cinema, and Royal Railway—Legend Station, an immersive dining experience built around a journey along the historic Silk Routes.
Both experiences were already sold out during my sailing, so I didn’t get to dine at either venue. However, I did have an opportunity to see the spaces, and both offer something different for guests looking to make dinner part of the entertainment.
Royal Railway, in particular, adds a playful twist to dining. Designed to give guests the feeling of traveling aboard a railcar, the experience combines themed surroundings, storytelling and a multi-course meal. It’s a departure from simply sitting down for dinner in the main dining room or one of the ship’s specialty restaurants.
For travel advisors, these are experiences worth mentioning when clients are looking for something beyond the usual cruise dining options. I’d also recommend booking ahead, given that both were fully reserved during my short sailing.
Family Adventures and Plenty to Explore
Of course, no Icon Class review would be complete without mentioning the attractions that make these ships such a draw for families.
Thrill Island is home to Category 6, billed as the largest waterpark at sea, while Crown’s Edge combines a skywalk and zip-line experience suspended approximately 154 feet above the ocean.
The ship also features a variety of pool experiences, including the adults-only Hideaway, Swim & Tonic swim-up bar and Royal Bay, billed as the largest pool at sea.
The eight-neighborhood layout makes it easy to move between the different experiences, whether guests are looking for waterslides and adventure, family activities, dining or quieter spaces to unwind.
Looking Ahead: Hero of the Seas
Royal Caribbean isn’t slowing down its Icon Class expansion. Hero of the Seas, the fourth ship in the series, is scheduled to debut from Miami in August 2027.
Building on the class’s family-focused concept, Hero will introduce nine pool experiences, including the new Caribbean-inspired Coconut Cove, as well as expanded Category 6 attractions featuring new family raft slides and what Royal Caribbean describes as the first funnel raft slide at sea.
Dining will also get new additions, including Orleans Parish Supper Club, featuring Cajun and Creole cuisine paired with live jazz. Accommodations will include the three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse.
For now, Legend of the Seas gives Royal Caribbean another impressive addition to its growing fleet and brings the Icon Class experience to Fort Lauderdale.
While three days only offered a taste of what’s onboard, it was enough to see why these ships continue to attract attention from families and multigenerational travelers looking for a vacation where the ship itself is a major part of the destination.
For more information, visit royalcaribbean.com.
