Holidaymakers rejoice— one of the largest cruise ships ever built is set to embark on its maiden voyage, providing a floating palace to passengers, three weeks ahead of schedule. Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas will set sail in July 2026, calling at some of Europe’s most iconic holiday destinations.
“We have an important update on the arrival of the Legend of the Seas. Our teams have been working diligently to deliver to you an iconic family holiday, and the ship is progressing ahead of schedule,” Royal Caribbean said. Departing from Italy’s Civitavecchia port, near Rome, the mega-ship will glide through the Mediterranean, stopping at Naples, Barcelona, Palma De Mallorca and Marseille. This Icon Class cruise ship measures roughly 1,198 feet in length, offering luxury, adventure and more than 40 bars and restaurants to those on board.
The 18-deck vessel will also boast the largest waterpark and slides at sea, fit for its 5,610 passengers.
Three seven-night sailings on July 11, 18 and 25 next year have been added to the cruise line, while the August 2 sailing date is still expected to depart from Barcelona, also on a seven-night western Mediterranean round trip.
Several holiday packages are still available for booking via the company’s website, such as a three-night Western Mediterranean cruise in October 2026 priced at £932, as well as an eight-night Caribbean voyage costing £2,729 per person.
Guests who are booked on the initial inaugural departure date have been offered the chance to move their booking to the new preview cruise.
“Understanding that some guests may value being the first onboard, and others look forward to celebrating the inaugural voyage, we want to give you the first choice and the flexibility to switch sailings, add an additional sailing, or stay on your currently booked sailing,” the cruise line explained.
Legend of the Seas is the third addition to Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, joining both Icon and Star of the Seas as three of the world’s biggest cruise ships.
A deal has been signed with Finnish shipbuilding company Meyer Turku to deliver a fourth Icon Class vessel for delivery in 2027, with the option to build a fifth and sixth.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
