Legend of the Seas Departs Málaga on Inaugural Mediterranean Sailing

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas departed Málaga on Monday evening, June 29, on a four-night inaugural Mediterranean sailing to Civitavecchia, the port for Rome. The 248,663-GT Icon-class ship boarded passengers at the Levante cruise facilities after the port adapted terminal equipment for direct gangway embarkation.

The departure was the debut voyage for the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class. It also added Legend to Royal Caribbean’s history of ship launches at the Spanish port, after Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas.

“This is now the fourth time it has chosen this port to launch a ship of this calibre,” said Carlos Rubio, chairman of the Málaga Port Authority, calling Legend “absolutely impressive not only for its size and design, but also for the technology it incorporates.”

Terminal work at the Levante pier

Legend of the Seas docked at Cruise Terminal A around 7 a.m. Monday, using the Levante pier facilities that handle Málaga’s largest cruise calls. The port adapted mobile boarding bridges to the ship’s dimensions so passengers could embark and disembark from the gangways.

Rubio linked the terminal work to the ship’s expected return: “Clearly, for an event like this, these are investments that are made because the ship is due to return to Malaga later this year.” A fireworks display over the bay was planned for the late-evening departure.

Esperanza González, chief executive of Turismo Costa del Sol, said the call “demonstrates the confidence that major cruise lines have in Málaga and the Costa del Sol.”

A closer look at Legend of the Seas

At 364.84 metres long, with a maximum width cited at 66 metres, Legend of the Seas has 20 decks, 2,805 cabins and capacity for 5,610 guests at double occupancy or up to 7,600 at maximum. A crew of 2,350 operates the vessel.

Royal Caribbean took delivery of Legend from Meyer Turku on June 10 after nearly two years of construction at the Finnish yard. The Icon-class pipeline continues with Hero of the Seas in 2027, followed by additional class deliveries slated for 2028, 2029 and 2030 under Royal Caribbean Group’s framework agreement with Meyer Turku, which secures shipbuilding capacity through 2036.

Royal Caribbean has configured Legend around eight neighborhoods and 28 dining options, including Hollywoodland Supper Club, Royal Railway — Legend Station and AquaDome Market. Entertainment includes Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, America’s Got Talent LIVE, AquaTheater productions and ice-skating shows at Absolute Zero.

Outdoor and family features include the Category 6 waterpark, seven pools, FlowRider, mini-golf, rock climbing, Crown’s Edge 154 feet above the ocean and a Central Park area with more than 30,500 real plants.

Legend is Royal Caribbean’s fourth LNG-powered ship. The vessel also has waste heat recovery systems and shore-power connections for ports equipped to supply electricity at berth, as Royal Caribbean Group continues toward its target of introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

First itinerary and commercial deployment

The Málaga-to-Rome voyage includes a technical call at Tarragona, a scheduled call at La Spezia and one day at sea. Regular cruises in the region are seven-night Western Mediterranean voyages embarking from Barcelona and Civitavecchia during the summer.

Sergio Arévalo, Royal Caribbean’s sales director for Spain, Iberia and the Nordic countries, declined to disclose a starting fare for the lowest cabin category. The price range is “very wide and variable,” he said, with family rates and suite pricing changing by product and timing.

Legend of the Seas is due back in Málaga in October during its repositioning to South Florida. In November, Royal Caribbean plans to start six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, with each itinerary visiting Perfect Day CocoCay.

See current Legend of the Seas fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.