If you’ve been staring at videos of Royal Caribbean’s next massive, record-breaking megaship, waiting to book your own spot on board for the next big family vacation, you’re about to get your chance. The cruise line just officially took delivery of its brand-new vessel, Legend of the Seas, fresh out of the shipyard in Finland.
To mark the milestone, more than 1,200 crew members and partners came together at the shipyard for a handover ceremony. “This new ship reflects the strength of the vacation ecosystem we are building—combining industry-leading ships, innovative technology and exceptional experiences for our guests,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.
While it’s technically the third sibling in the mega-popular Icon Class, this one has a massive trick up its sleeve that changes the game entirely for anyone planning a big multigenerational trip.
Up until now, if you wanted to experience this specific class of ship—think distinctive “neighborhoods,” the largest waterpark at sea and endless entertainment—you were strictly limited to standard loops through the Caribbean. But for its grand debut on July 4, Legend of the Seas is staying right in Europe for the summer, running gorgeous seven-night itineraries out of Barcelona and Rome.
Related: The World’s Newest ‘Ultimate Family Vacation’ Just Hit the Open Ocean
View this post on Instagram
“Those looking to get the most out of their vacation can have it all with Legend’s combination of adventure-packed experiences and incredible destinations in Europe and the Caribbean,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean.
Imagine exploring the Colosseum with the grandkids or sipping wine along the French Riviera by day, and then returning to a floating resort that actually has something to keep every single age group happy at night. It is the ultimate compromise for families who want a cultural European summer but dread the logistics of packing and unpacking a multi-generational crew across three different countries.
Related: Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Will Have a Very Cool Surprise Onboard
Built-In Variety for All Age Groups
The real magic of a ship this size for a large family getaway is that nobody has to compromise. If you want a quiet, breezy afternoon with a book, you can head to Central Park, an open-air neighborhood lined with more than 30,000 living plants, walk-up champagne windows and live acoustic music. If the kids and grandkids need to burn off some serious energy, they can tackle Category 6, a sprawling top-deck waterpark featuring six massive waterslides, or brave Crown’s Edge, a cliffside skywalk and zip line suspended 154 feet above the ocean.
When you want to gather the whole crew back together for dinner, you aren’t stuck waiting for one massive dining room table every single night. The ship features a record-breaking 28 different dining spots. You can book an elegant evening that transports everyone back to the golden age of cinema at the Hollywoodland Supper Club, or take the grandkids on a wild five-course journey inside Royal Railway—Legend Station, an immersive restaurant simulation themed around the historic Silk Routes.
Related: Royal Caribbean Reveals Details of its Next Megaship, Legend of the Seas
Broadway-Caliber Entertainment and Easy Caribbean Planning
The entertainment lineup is equally geared toward broad age appeal. The main theater is playing host to full-scale productions of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and America’s Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas. Down in the vessel’s massive ice arena, a high-energy skating show called “Fusion” is set to debut, while the iconic AquaDome will host “Shockwave,” a jaw-dropping mix of high-diving and aerial choreography.
If Europe isn’t on your radar for this summer, you don’t have to wait too long to catch it closer to home. In November, Legend of the Seas will make its big transatlantic crossing down to its winter homeport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. From there, it will transition into a mix of six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean getaways—and yes, every single one of those tropical sailings includes a full day at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Whether you want to sneak away to the adults-only Swim & Tonic pool or book one of the massive, multi-level family suites equipped with their own in-room slides, bookings are officially open on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Related: I’ve Been On 50+ Cruises—These Are The 5 Best Weeklong Sailings To Book Right Now