Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Just Hit a Key Construction Milestone
Key Aspects:
A coin ceremony was held for Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas.
In maritime tradition, the event will bring good luck to a new vessel.
Legend of the Seas is due to enter service in July 2026.
Royal Caribbean’s third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, moved another step closer to launch by holding a coin ceremony, an event aimed at bringing good luck to the ship as she sails global itineraries.
The maritime tradition was held on February 25, 2026, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where the 250,800-gross-ton ship is under construction. The ceremony involves placing a set of coins, usually silver, beneath the keel of the ship.
Meyer Turku revealed details of the ceremony in a social media post, noting that the coins are sealed inside a brass box and enclosed within the ship.
“Legend has entered the phase where the vessel is being finalized for delivery. The next major milestone in the project are the sea trials, preparations for which are now underway,” said Sami Kouvonen, project manager at Meyer Turku.
“The coin ceremony is one of our traditional practices which we want to honor and uphold,” added Kouvonen.
Read Also: What Are Royal Caribbean’s Icon-Class Cruise Ships?
Legend of the Seas, which follows Icon of the Seas (2024) and Star of the Seas (2025), has a capacity for 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members. The ship is due to enter service in July 2026.
With completion of the ship just four months away, work is undoubtedly furiously under way at the shipyard, where the design and building of interior spaces are being finalized.
The outfitting stage for Legend of the Seas began with her float out in August 2025, when her hull touched water for the first time.
As the project manager noted, the next major event will be the ship’s sea trials, when key operational elements will be tested and evaluated. These systems include navigation, propulsion, and other technical programs, as well as safety measures.
Following sea trials, the ship will be formally delivered to Royal Caribbean, and onboard crew members will prepare for the first guests.
Maiden Season Offers Western Mediterranean Cruises
The ship’s maiden voyage is set for July 4, 2026. The 7-night cruise will operate roundtrip from Rome and call at Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma De Mallorca, Spain; and La Spezia, Italy.
Legend of the Seas will sail Western Mediterranean cruises through late-October 2026 before the ship begins her inaugural transatlantic journey to Florida’s Port Everglades, for seasonal winter cruises to the Caribbean.
The ship’s maiden voyage in Europe has been twice pushed forward, thanks to the smooth construction process at Meyer Turku.
Originally set to launch on August 2, 2026, the debut was pushed ahead to July 11, with three cruises added during that month. In January 2026, the ship’s introduction jumped ahead again, by another week, and the July 4 voyage was announced.
Guests booked on the July 11 cruise were offered the chance to move their reservation to July 4 instead, since a ship’s maiden voyage is typically in high demand.
Icon-Class Attractions Will Suit All Ages
Guests booked to sail on all Legend of the Seas cruises will enjoy spectacular attractions, such as the Category 6 waterpark, the largest at sea, offering six thrilling slide rides. Crown’s Edge will tempt adventurers with high-altitude thrills, including a skywalk, ropes course, and zip line.
Indeed, Legend of the Seas was named the Most Anticipated New Ship in the 2026 Cruise Hive Awards. Like the other Icon-class ships, Legend of the Seas will feature eight themed neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, Surfside, The Hideaway, and Suite Neighborhood.
A fourth Icon ship, as yet unnamed, is under construction. A fifth ship is on order, and Royal Caribbean has options in place for a sixth and seventh vessel.
Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Just Hit a Key Construction Milestone