Legend of the Seas Floats Out Ahead of 2026 Debut

On August 29, 2025, Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class ship, officially floated out of the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. This milestone marks the ship’s entry into the outfitting phase – the final stage of construction before delivery and its official debut. With a gross tonnage of close to 250,000, Legend of the Seas ranks among the largest cruise ships in the world.

Float-Out Ceremony: A Key Step in Shipbuilding

The float-out signifies the completion of heavy exterior construction, transitioning the ship from dry dock into the basin for interior outfitting. Meyer Turku celebrated the occasion by sharing photos of the dry dock filling with water on its official Facebook page. This traditional step clears the way for the keel laying of the fourth, unnamed Icon Class vessel.

Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku, emphasized that Legend of the Seas continues the state-of-the-art Icon Class, showcasing Finnish shipbuilding expertise and the collaboration between the shipyard, Royal Caribbean, and its partners.

Outfitting Phase: Preparing for Sea Trials

With the ship now afloat, Meyer Turku’s teams will focus on outfitting the vessel with thousands of interior and technical elements, including 2,805 staterooms, dining venues, theaters, entertainment spaces, and essential marine systems. Once this phase is complete, Legend of the Seas will proceed to sea trials to test its maneuverability, safety, and overall performance before delivery to Royal Caribbean.

Global Deployment Plans

Royal Caribbean announced initial itineraries for Legend of the Seas, scheduled to debut on August 2, 2026. Its inaugural season will feature a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing roundtrip from Barcelona, Spain, with stops at Palma de Mallorca (Spain), La Spezia (Italy), Naples (Italy), and Civitavecchia (Italy). These Mediterranean itineraries will run through October 25, 2026.

After that, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for its first U.S. season. The winter 2026–2027 sailings will include six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises, as well as a three-night preview cruise to Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay.

Future Expansion and New Destinations

Royal Caribbean has indicated plans for further expansion of its Icon Class fleet. Galveston, Texas, is set to welcome an Icon Class ship following the completion of an upgraded cruise terminal at the port. Although launch dates remain unconfirmed, projections suggest that Icon Class itineraries from Galveston could begin by fall 2027. This expansion aligns with Royal Caribbean’s broader efforts to enhance its Western Caribbean offerings, which include anticipated new destinations such as Perfect Day Mexico and the Royal Beach Club Cozumel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the significance of the float-out ceremony for Legend of the Seas?

The float-out signifies the completion of the ship’s exterior construction and the transition to the outfitting phase, where interior elements like staterooms, dining venues, entertainment spaces, and technical systems are installed.

When and where will Legend of the Seas debut?

The ship is scheduled to debut in August 2026 with a Western Mediterranean itinerary departing from Barcelona, Spain. It will later reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for its U.S. season.

What itineraries will Legend of the Seas offer from Fort Lauderdale?

During the winter 2026–2027 season, the ship will offer six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises, along with a three-night preview cruise to Royal Caribbean’s private island, CocoCay.

How does Legend of the Seas compare to other cruise ships?

At close to 250,000 gross tons and featuring 2,805 staterooms, Legend of the Seas is one of the largest and most advanced cruise ships in the world.

Are there plans for future Icon Class ships?

Yes, following the float-out of Legend of the Seas, Meyer Turku is preparing for the keel laying of a fourth, unnamed Icon Class ship, and additional deployments are planned from Galveston, Texas.