Royal Caribbean has celebrated a landmark week for its fleet expansion, reaching two significant milestones in the construction of future cruise ships. The cruise line has officially taken delivery of Legend of the Seas, the third vessel in its groundbreaking Icon Class, while also marking the start of physical assembly for its next Oasis-class ship, currently known as Oasis 7.
The developments underline Royal Caribbean’s ambitious growth plans, with multiple new ships already under construction and several more scheduled to join the fleet through the end of the decade.
Legend Of The Seas Delivered Ahead Of Summer Debut
Hundreds gathered at Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on 10th June 2026 as Royal Caribbean formally took ownership of Legend of the Seas during a delivery ceremony attended by more than 1,200 guests, crew members, executives and shipbuilding partners.
The handover took place inside the ship’s AquaDome, one of the defining features of the Icon Class, and was led by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.
“We’re incredibly proud to introduce Legend of the Seas to vacationers and continue the legacy of the revolutionary Icon Class,
“This wouldn’t be possible without the many talented individuals that came together to deliver what is truly the ultimate family vacation, and we look forward to making Legend’s debut this summer a legendary one.”
Michael Bayley
The ceremony brings to a close a construction process that began with the ship’s steel-cutting ceremony in January 2024. While the vessel has now officially entered Royal Caribbean’s fleet, work is not yet complete. The ship will sail to Cadiz, Spain, where final finishing touches will be completed before entering service.
At 248,663 gross tons and measuring 1,196 feet in length, Legend of the Seas is the third ship in the Icon Class, following Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
The ship will feature 28 dining venues, including the Hollywoodland Supper Club, seven pools and water experiences, a production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Crown’s Edge skywalk and zipline attraction, and the three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse accommodation.
Legend also becomes the fourth Royal Caribbean ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the third Icon-class vessel built by Meyer Turku.
Her inaugural voyage is scheduled for 4th July 2026, several weeks earlier than the originally announced debut date of 2nd August. The seven-night Western Mediterranean sailing will depart from Civitavecchia near Rome and call at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and La Spezia.
The ship will spend the summer and autumn operating Mediterranean itineraries before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale on 25th October 2026 for her first Caribbean season. Winter cruises will range from six to eight nights
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