‘Legend of the Seas’ FAM: Royal Caribbean’s Latest ‘Icon’ Lives up to its Billing

Welcome onboard Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean‘s newest ship and the third addition to its Icon Class ships in its Royal fleet.

This 250,800-gross-ton-mega-ship features 18 decks and stretches 365 metres long, offering next-level attractions like the largest waterpark at sea, eight distinct neighbourhoods, and the highly anticipated Royal Railway Legend Station. 

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On Monday morning, ITTN’s Katie Doyle joined Irish travel trade as they embarked on a 4-night adventure sailing from Malaga to Rome onboard the new ship. There are over 120 Irish travel agents and their partners onboard Legend as it makes her debut sailing, joining 4,000 other guests invited on this magical adventure.

At first, the ship seems too large to fathom – the decks are so long and encompass so many things that it’s hard to know your aft from your forward! There are over 25 dining venues onboard – the largest culinary offering at sea which includes every type of cuisine imaginable: from haute-cuisine to an array of buffets, lobster at the seafood restaurants, burritos in their Mexican cantina – there’s sushi and Italian, Sorrento’s pizza to the Pearl Cafe – every dining experience offers something unique through the food and the venues’ ambiance.

There are eight immersive neighbourhoods onboard, each offering something unique tailored for every type of holidaymaker. The ship features worldclass entertainment including the premiere of Royal Caribbean’s new production: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There are pools at every corner – from splash pools for the kiddies to swim-up gin and tonic bars for the adults, relaxation spaces for the ones who want to bask in the heat to stretching gym facilities for those who want to work off the morning’s buffet. Let’s go on a quick deck-by-deck guide to give you and your customers a better idea of just how vast this new ship truly is!

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• Deck 18 and 17 are mainly taken up by the Suite Neighborhood: a range of exclusive two-floored suites are here that include the Royal Loft: a two-storey that features a piano, two bedrooms, a wrap-around balcony, a bathroom that has a tub and two shower fixtures alongside a walk-in-wardrobe, vanity room and living space. Up here, you’ll also find accessible rooms that include a lift to take guests between their two private floors and accessible bathrooms and amenities for wheelchair users. Deck 17 also includes the Suite Neighborhood’s exclusive Coastal Kitchen dining and The Lime and Coconut Pool alongside the Sports Court for basketballers and paddlers.

• On Deck 16 really is where Legend begins to shine in the surrealist waterslides mounted on its open top deck at Thrill Island. Category 6 spans a massive 17,010 sq. ft. (1,580 m²) and the park features six record-breaking, adrenaline-pumping waterslides like Frightening Bolt (the tallest drop waterslide at sea) and Pressure Drop (the first open freefall waterslide in the cruise industry). Here, you’ll also find Flowrider: the 40-foot -long surf stimulator and Crown’s Edge:  a high-altitude skywalk, ropes course, and thrill ride perched 154 feet above the ocean. For those less adventurous, you can still hear the splashing from Chill Island while you sip on a cocktail at the swim-up Swim & Tonic bar or bask in the heat at the Lime & Coconut Frozen Bar.

• On Deck 15 aft is the Windjammer buffet: with a broad selection of international cuisines offering made-to-order stir-fries and pastas, Indian and Mexican food, a sprawling salad bar, hot food and cold alongside an array of desserts – to name just a few of their offerings. On this deck, you’ll also find a range of pools with a Mexican cantina, Sprinkles and Royal Bay all part of Chill Island with shaded lounging spots perfect for pale redheads!

• At the Aquadome on Deck 15 forward, guests can find the Aquadome market with a selection of international specialities including Cajun, South Korean and Spanish food that also includes a creperie! There is also speciality dining here – Hooked Seafood offers Maine lobster rolls and just-shucked oysters. At The Overlook, guests can see a panorama view of the front of the ship and sip on cocktails by the domed windows. In the evening at the Aquadome guests can watch Shockwave: a bass-dropping, heart-racing Acqua Theater show where aerialists soar and water flies in the air!

•  Decks 12-14 feature the Vitality℠ Spa with professional spa products from acclaimed brands such as Elemis®, bliss®, La Thérapie and Ionithermie that bring the most advanced services to the sea. Massages, wraps, facials and acupuncture are on offer or guests can choose medi-spa treatments to smooth wrinkles, lift and tone. A more brilliant smile is just a tooth whitening away, while a salon completes the perfect look with hair and nail services.

• On Decks 7 and 8, you are introduced to the two most immersive neighbourhoods inside the ship. Surfside is the stay-all-day neighbourhood tailored to the kiddos where they can ride a carousel and play in a splash pool, there’s pizza and hotdogs, ice-cream and a full buffet, alongside an arcade and candy shop. Central Park offers a more refined experience that makes you feel as though you’re sitting on a boardwalk in Milan, with a harp playing seamlessly in the evening and a range of premium beverages at Bubbles, and at Lou’s; while the Park Café offers an all-day buffet. Here, you’ll also find a selection of speciality dining: Izumi – the Japanese sushi offering and Chops Grille, the Hollywood Supper Club is a timeless dining experience that takes you back to the 1920s, while those who have thrown their budget to the wind can find premium and luxury shopping here too!

• Deck 5 and 6 are the inside decks that makes you feel as though you’re in a city rather than on a ship: the Royal Promenade offers a range of bars, restaurants, shopping and more and serves as the evening meeting spot for guests onboard. From the Duelling Pianos bar that plays live tunes late into the evening to the salsa dancing at Bolero’s, Sorrento’s offers pizza until 2 am while Starbucks helps you recover from being up that late the next morning! Playmakers sports bar offers classic Americana chicken wings and burgers while the jaw-dropping ice-skating performances at Absolute Zero will make you feel as though you’re in a trance. On this deck, guests will also find Legend Station at Royal Railway: designed to make diners feel as though they are coursing down the ancient Silk Routes in this five-course menu that takes in a range of Asian cuisines from Siu Mai to butter chicken.

• On these decks, the fascinating Pearl will always stop you in your tracks: this architectural and engineering marvel is a kaleidoscope of colours and movements with a neon infusion that makes for the must-have selfie of the trip!

• On Deck 5, you’ll also find the Fitness Center: a full-equipped adult-only gym that features everything you might need to get fit onboard the ship: treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and stepping machines, there are also resistance machines, free weights, and plate-loaded Life Fitness equipment. The centre also offers an Aerobics Studio: that offers classes on Pilates, Yoga and Zumba to name a few! Here, you can also find the wrap-around Jogging Track that you can choose to walk or run with beautiful views of the ocean on either side.

• On Deck 5 in the afternoon and evening time, guests can experience the Royal Theater that offers a range of incredible shows throughout the ship’s sailings. Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is Royal Caribbean’s new production that brings a magical, mystical world to life where Oompa Loompas fly through the air and the lead acting role is shared between two young boys – but more on that later in the week!

• Finally, on Decks 3 and 4, guests can find the Music Hall – a standout venue for a range of performances, talks and lectures throughout the ship’s sailings alongside the Casino: Royal Caribbean’s most ambitious and biggest to date. The onboard Casino is a massive two-storey offering that hosts over 370 slot machines, 30 table games, a central bar, a sports bar, dedicated high-roller areas, and a massive non-smoking section.

All this to say: Legend of the Seas is something else entirely – it’s hard to put it into words how it feels to be onboard. Royal Caribbean has most certainly met its reputation for being a leader in cruise excellence with its award-winning entertainment, exceptional dining and jaw-dropping experiences. As an introduction to the brand, let’s say Katie is beyond impressed! Stay tuned for more throughout the week as she continues her explorations!