Royal Caribbean’s third Icon class vessel Legend of the Seas has commenced sea trials in Turku, Finland, marking a key milestone ahead of its scheduled entry into service in July 2026.

Legend of the Seas has undertaken its first open-water testing phase as part of the final stages of construction.

Over a 10-day period, more than 2,000 engineers and specialists are expected to carry out a series of technical evaluations, including propulsion, manoeuvrability, and overall system performance.

The trials will see the ship cover approximately 2,400 nautical miles before returning to the Meyer Turku shipyard for completion work. Sea trials represent one of the final opportunities to assess a vessel’s operational readiness under real-world conditions prior to delivery.

Legend of the Seas follows earlier ships in the Icon Class, which have been positioned as a step change in Royal Caribbean’s fleet strategy, combining increased scale with a segmented onboard layout.

The new vessel is designed around eight distinct neighbourhoods, a continuation of the zoning concept introduced on earlier ships in the class, alongside an expanded range of dining, entertainment, and leisure facilities.

Once delivered, the ship is scheduled to begin its inaugural deployment in Europe during the summer of 2026. This will be followed by a repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, where it is expected to operate Caribbean itineraries during the winter season, including six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean sailings.

Royal Caribbean has continued to expand the Icon Class as part of a broader strategy to introduce larger vessels with diversified onboard offerings, targeting a wide passenger base across multiple regions.

The ship is expected to be delivered later this year, with final outfitting and certification processes taking place following the completion of sea trials.

Legend of the Seas is structured around eight distinct neighbourhoods, reflecting Royal Caribbean’s move towards large-scale ships organised into themed zones rather than a single central layout.

These areas combine accommodation, dining, and entertainment, allowing passengers to move between quieter spaces and high-activity zones depending on preference.

Family-focused areas such as Surfside are paired with more open-air environments and multi-level public spaces, creating a mix of enclosed and outdoor venues across the ship’s 20 decks, 18 of which are dedicated to guest use.

Dining is a central component of the onboard offering, with a mix of complimentary and speciality venues. Included options range from large buffet-style restaurants and casual eateries to cafés and grab-and-go outlets, while speciality dining includes steakhouses, sushi venues, seafood restaurants, and chef-led experiences.

The range extends across more than 40 venues for dining, drinking, and entertainment, supported by a broad selection of bars and lounges including piano bars, sports bars, karaoke venues, and poolside locations.

Accommodation is spread across 2,814 staterooms, supporting a capacity of 5,654 passengers at double occupancy.

The ship incorporates a range of room types, from standard cabins to larger suites, alongside more distinctive layouts such as multi-level family accommodation.

 Public areas include large-scale entertainment venues, a central atrium space, and multiple pool decks, alongside quieter areas designed for relaxation.

Facilities for families and younger passengers are integrated into the wider layout, with dedicated children’s and teen areas including play spaces, arcades, and supervised activity zones.

Additional amenities span sports courts, climbing walls, mini golf, jogging tracks, and wellness facilities such as a spa and fitness centre.