Legend of the Seas will triple the world’s best family vacation count in July 2026

 

Royal Caribbean has set the stage for the third revolutionary combination of the best of every vacation – Legend of the Seas, the next chapter in delivering the world’s best family vacations. The unmatched combination of Icon Class experiences will make its grand Caribbean debut in November 2026 on getaways to the Western and Southern Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after summer 2026 European adventures.

  She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she’s changing the game. Royal Caribbean has once again set a new standard for vacations and revealed the name and debut lineup of the third Icon Class vacation – Legend of the Seas*. The unmatched combination of experiences that define the revolutionary Icon Class will sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting in November 2026 on 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean vacations, including visits to Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Prior to her Caribbean debut, Legend will offer summer adventures in Europe with 7-night Western Mediterranean vacations from Barcelona beginning July 2026. Legend's debut lineup will soon open on Royal Caribbean’s website, and Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members will have special access to book ahead of the official opening on Thursday, Feb. 20.   “On the heels of celebrating one year of the record-breaking Icon Class and the memories made by vacationers of all ages on Icon, we are thrilled to announce the name of Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Legend of the Seas is the next bold step in this exciting era of vacations and the continuation of the Icon Class legacy, and we look forward to bringing the revolutionary lineup of experiences to more families and adventurers across Europe, the Caribbean and beyond.”   In the summer, vacationers can Euro-hop to bucket-list destinations like France, Italy and Spain, filled with historic sites, stunning landscapes and sun-soaked beaches. Legend’s grand Caribbean debut in the winter will take vacationers to the region’s most magnificent destinations in the Western and Southern Caribbean, including visits to the vacation brand’s one-of-a-kind private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, on every getaway. More adventures are in store across picture-perfect spots and next-level activities to match the views, from snorkeling in Oranjestad, Aruba, to lounging on the beaches of Falmouth, Jamaica, and exploring the cultural Willemstad, Curacao.   A legend in the making, the vacation currently under construction in Turku, Finland, is set to be the next chapter of the world’s best family vacation. The third combination of the best of every vacation will bring more of the unparalleled experiences introduced by Icon of the Seas and doubled by Star of the Seas, the next in the lineup debuting in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in August 2025. There’s something for every type of family and vacationer across eight neighborhoods with more than 40 ways to dine and drink, adrenaline-pumping thrills, unrivaled ways to chill, and plenty of ways for vacationers to make memories together and on their own, without compromise.   Adventurers have in store a lineup of Icon Class highlights on Legend from thrills like Crown’s Edge – part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride – to the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6. Sun-seekers can kick back and choose from seven pools for every vibe and mood, including the largest pool at sea, Royal Bay; swim-up bar Swim & Tonic and the adults-only Hideaway, featuring a one-of-a-kind infinity pool suspended above the ocean. Plus, families of all ages can spend time together or chart their own adventures at Surfside, the neighborhood designed for young families, and with a lineup of activities and ways to stay, including the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse with reimagined spaces for the whole family.   Legend will also be the vacation company’s fourth ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programs. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection, Legend will advance Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.  

  Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Chantiers de l'Atlantique to order a sixth Edge Series ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028. Edge 6 or “Xcel 2” will be the sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is preparing to take its inaugural sail later this year. Other Edge Series ships include Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge – the first ship in the series that was delivered in 2018.   “Celebrity's Edge Series redefined premium travel at sea, blending groundbreaking design and unforgettable guest experiences. Each ship in this award-winning series has set a new standard for the industry, and Celebrity Xcel, sailing later this year, is no exception,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. Partnering with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to expand the Edge Series with Edge 6 is another milestone in our mission to deliver the world's best vacations responsibly.”   “Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6," said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. "Celebrity Xcel will take forward the best of Edge Series ships coupled with seven new experiences, all perfected with the help of our recently announced Xcel Dream Makers - an industry first program enlisting the power of cruisers to make final decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment."   Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series ships transformed guest’s experience by bringing them closer to destinations with state-of-the-art features like the iconic Magic Carpet® – the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform at sea – offering a unique way to dine, drink and connect with destinations, or take in the dramatic local landscapes. Other innovations introduced by Celebrity’s Edge Series ships include Infinite Veranda® staterooms, which erase the boundaries between ship and shore. The sixth ship in the lineup will incorporate the series’ key features and make room for other yet-to-be-announced innovations.   "The strong ties between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Group have led to the creation of the unique Edge Series design,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “This sixth ship marks the epitome of a pioneering series in the cruise industry that is both elegant, high-performing, and ever more innovative, notably thanks to its methanol capabilities.”   Royal Caribbean Group’s newbuild pipeline currently includes a total of eight ships on order. This year, the company will welcome two new ships including Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel. With this announcement, Royal Caribbean Group continues to drive its moderate capacity growth to help guests turn a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.   This agreement is contingent upon customary conditions, including financing.   For more information on Royal Caribbean Group and its brands, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com.

Royal Caribbean has halted port calls to Manzanillo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, due to a US State Department travel advisory. It upgraded an advisory to ‘Level 4: Do Not Travel’ due to the high risk of violent crime. This includes murder and kidnappings. Although Colima State is one of the smallest, the homicide rate is way above the national average. “Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread,” the State Dept said. Although most crime of this nature is targeted at crime gangs the State department said tourists have been caught in the crossfire. It warns people to not venture beyond the port area and tourist district of the city. “Most homicides are targeted assassinations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. US citizens have been victims of kidnapping.” Royal Caribbean has quietly stopped calling at the port although it still lists port information on the website. That suggests it is a temporary measure. Carnival Corp owned Princess Cruises still has ships scheduled to visit Manzanillo in early 2025.

Royal Caribbean has shared new details about its new private destination, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas. It will feature two beaches, three beachfront Paradise Grills, and dozens of cabanas for rental. “The Royal Beach Club Collection is designed for every type of family and vacationer to get everything they want out of their ideal beach day,” said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International president. “We continue to super-serve our guests with a tailored experience at one of our most highly visited destinations.” The facility will cover 17 acres on west Paradise Island. All amenities are available with the purchase of a pass, which includes food and drinks. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will have three zones. Family Beach features beach games and the Ultimate Family Cabana, a two-story private cabana accommodating up to a dozen people. Chill Beach houses a local market with artisan huts and eateries. Party Cove has a more vibrant vibe with DJ sets at the large swim-up bar. For an extra fee, there is a Party Cove VIP space. Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to open in December 2025. A second Royal Beach Club is planned in Mexico and is expected to open in 2026.

Royal Caribbean International is facing a lawsuit after the sentencing of a former crew member for video voyeurism. The Jane Doe lawsuit alleges the cruise line didn’t do enough to prevent the actions of Arvin Joseph Mirasol who was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison this summer. Mirasol set up a camera in a cabin bathroom and recorded the guest ‘while undressed and engaging in private activities’ during a Symphony of the Seas cruise. Mirasol filmed several guests including children earlier this year. “He transmitted and/or uploaded images of the Plaintiff to third parties and/or to the world wide web, including, but not limited to, the dark web, without Plaintiff’s prior knowledge or consent,” the lawsuit alleges. It also says Royal Caribbean ‘knew or should have known sexual assaults were reasonably foreseeable considering the prevalence of sexual assaults aboard RCCL’s cruise ships,’ referring to a separate hidden camera offense on a different Royal Caribbean ship. In this other incident an arrest was made in 2023. The complaint says Royal Caribbean has not provided sufficient security, training or supervision to prevent offenses like this. It also alleges the cruise line did not notify individuals who were secretly filmed during Mirasol’s time on the ship from early December 2023 to late February 2024. The suit claims it may involve hundreds of unwitting cruise guests. “If you're a company that's looking out for the best interest of your passengers, then you would certainly be telling all these people that they could be potential victims, right?” said Jason Margulies, the plaintiff’s attorney. The cruise line responded, reiterating it ‘immediately reported this case to law enforcement and terminated the crew member.’

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Royal Caribbean International has marked the float out of its latest mega cruise ship, Star of the Seas. Celebrating the key construction milestone, the ship the ship hit the water for the first time at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The new ship is set to launch in August 2025, sailing from Port Canaveral. The ship floated out to the outfitting pier, where interior work continues The 5,610-guest Star of the Seas will house more than 40 food and beverage venues, and various waterslides, with eight themed ‘neighborhoods.’ Bookings are now live for the inaugural season. The ship will offer week-long Caribbean cruises. 

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A young boy has died after falling from a balcony aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. It happened at the weekend on the way back to Galveston, Texas after a week-long Caribbean cruise. The 12-year old was pronounced dead on the ship. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time,” the cruise line said. The boy was on the cruise celebrating a family member’s birthday. According to witnesses, he had been playing with a group of friends when he fell over the cabin railing. He fell from deck 14 to near the ‘Central Park’ area on deck 8. In 2019, a 16-year-old boy also fell to his death on the ship. The following cruise from Galveston was delayed boarding as the investigation continued.

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Royal Caribbean is partnering to bring Starlink internet access to popular Alaska cruise destination Juneau. Royal Caribbean Group and Goldbelt Incorporated are teaming up for a pilot program to boost bandwidth in the downtown area. Together, they plan to install 10 Starlink receivers at local businesses. The first Starlink terminal is already live. “As a person who lives in downtown, my internet was slow, and I know a lot of businesses and residents who had the same situation,” said McHugh Pierre, Goldbelt’s president and CEO. “So, trying to figure out a way to add new capacity to the community was critical.” The connection is public and free, allowing both cruise ship visitors and locals to use it. It will ‘enhance the travel experience for residents and cruise guests alike’ says Preston Carnahan, of the Royal Caribbean Group. “We have a collaborative tourism environment because everybody can work together,” McHugh Pierre added. They said more Starlink receivers are dur to be installed over the coming weeks. The pilot program will run through the remaining summer season this year and for the entirety of the 2025 cruising season. 

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Royal Caribbean Group has inked an agreement with Meyer Turku for a fourth Icon Class ship. It is expected to be completed and delivered in 2027. The agreement also includes options to build a fifth and sixth Icon Class ship. "We're thrilled to join with Meyer Turku once again to expand our roster of Icon Class ships and continue our future growth plans," said Jason Liberty, president and CEO. "Since its debut, Icon has changed the game in vacation experiences and exceeded our expectations." "This is great news for Finland. Royal Caribbean Group's long-term partnership will continue to have a positive impact on our employment and economy," says Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland. The first Icon Class ship only launched in January 2024. Next up is Star of the Seas (launching in 2025) and the yet-to-be-named third Icon Class ship (2026). Royal Caribbean Group's has had a long and fruitful relationship with Meyer Turku. Including this later order, Meyer Turku will have built 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group over 28 years. Royal Caribbean Group newbuild pipeline spans seven new ships on order. This year alone, it welcomed four new ships, including Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. 

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A small fire broke out on Royal Caribbean mega ship Icon of the Seas. It was described as a ‘small fire with minimal impact to guests’ the cruise line says. It happened while the world’s largest cruise ship was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico. Onboard crew managed to extinguish the blaze while local fire fighters were called to the scene. The fire caused an initial outage but this was quickly fixed with backup power coming on. The cruise line said there were no injuries. Onboard announcements were made to ship guests. The incident hasn’t impacted the ship’s itinerary, Royal Caribbean said. The cruise line hasn’t said where on the ship the fire broke out except to say it was in a ‘crew area.’ It is unknown what, if any, damage was caused. The $2-billion ship has a guest capacity of more than 5,600. 

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Royal Caribbean has taken delivery of newest megaship Utopia of the Seas at French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique. The ship will debut in a month’s time, sailing out of Port Canaveral on short three- to four-night cruises. “It’s a very proud day for Royal Caribbean and another incredible milestone,” CEO Michael Bayley said. Utopia of the Seas comes in at 236,860 gross tons with a passenger capacity of more than 5,600. Ship amenities are extensive, such as five pools, the world’s longest dry slide at sea, a casino, and surf simulator. Utopia of the Seas is the first in its class with LNG fuel capabilities. It is the largest ship to go directly into the short cruise segment. "With the delivery of Utopia of the Seas, we have the keys to the ultimate weekend," Bayley said. The company says there has been strong demand for short cruises on the sixth Oasis class ship. Royal Caribbean will also deploy Allure of the Seas on short cruises. 

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Cruise lines will start returning to Baltimore later this month. Royal Caribbean said the Vision of the Seas ship will return to the Port of Baltimore for a cruise on Saturday, May 25. Ships were shifted from the port after a cargo ship collision caused the Key Bridge to completely collapse. It has been disrupting cargo and cruise traffic since March. Vision of the Seas will be the first cruise ship departing Baltimore and is sailing a five-night trip to Bermuda. Also, Carnival Cruise Line is planning to return to Baltimore a day later on May 26. The line is currently offering cruises out of Norfolk, VA after shifting cruise operations there following the bridge collapse. Carnival Pride’s next departure from Norfolk on May 19 will go ahead but the ship is expected to return to Baltimore. “Because of this operational plan, we are encouraging guests to use our complementary bus service between Baltimore and Norfolk for embarkation,” Carnival said. The journey time between the ports by road is about three-four hours. “Carnival will be chartering buses for all those who sign up and preregister for the service.” 

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