Royal Caribbean International’s Legend of the Seas has reached a major milestone in its construction with the successful installation of the AquaDome, a 327-ton glass-and-steel structure that now sits atop the vessel.

The installation took place at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where the ship is currently under construction.

The AquaDome will serve as a central hub for entertainment and relaxation on board, and its placement marks a key moment in the build process for the third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class.

According to the cruise line, the lift required complex engineering and careful coordination, underscoring the scale and technical ambition of the Icon-class programme, which is the largest cruise ship design in history.

Legend of the Seas is scheduled to debut in August 2026, beginning with a summer season of 7-night Western Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona. Following her European launch, the ship will reposition to Port Everglades, Florida, to begin year-round operations in November 2026.

Itineraries from Port Everglades will include 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean cruises, with destinations such as Aruba, Curaçao, Jamaica, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The new ship will continue the evolution of the Icon-class platform, offering a wide range of features that span eight neighbourhoods and more than 40 dining and beverage venues.

Among the standout amenities already confirmed across the class are the Category 6 waterpark, the Crown’s Edge ropes course, and multiple pools including Royal Bay – the largest pool at sea – as well as the adults-only Hideaway with a suspended infinity pool.

Designed with families in mind, Legend will include reimagined family accommodations such as the three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse, and dedicated spaces like the Surfside neighbourhood tailored for young families.

The ship will also be the fourth in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), among a range of environmental technologies, including shore power connectivity and waste heat recovery systems, as part of Royal Caribbean Group’s broader sustainability goal to launch a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

Further details regarding features and experiences aboard Legend of the Seas will be announced closer to the launch date, but the successful installation of the AquaDome signals steady progress towards its debut as the next vessel in Royal Caribbean’s expanding fleet.