Legend of the Seas just started sailing. It is the newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, and it did not go to the Caribbean.
It went to Europe. Legend of the Seas arrived in the Western Mediterranean and sailed its first cruise there, with the maiden voyage set for July 4. That is a big deal, and here is why.
The Icon class is the biggest thing Royal Caribbean floats. The first two ships in the class stayed close to Florida and the Caribbean, running warm weather loops out of Miami. Putting the newest one in the Med breaks that pattern completely.
Think about what that means for how you plan. An Icon class ship in Europe pairs the largest cruise ship experience on the water with actual port cities you would fly across an ocean to see. You get the waterslides and the neighborhoods and the giant ship stuff, then you step off in a place that has been around for a couple thousand years.
That combination is not for everyone. Some people want a Mediterranean cruise to be small and quiet and focused on the ports. This is the opposite of that. This is a floating small town that happens to dock somewhere with ruins. If the idea of 5,000 fellow passengers in a European port makes you tired, this ship is not your ship. If it sounds like the best of both worlds, you are the target.
The thing to watch is price and timing. New ships in new regions book up fast, and the good cabins go first. A summer Mediterranean sailing on a brand new Icon class ship is going to be one of the harder tickets Royal Caribbean sells. Waiting rarely helps you here.
My honest take is that this is a smart move by Royal Caribbean and a genuinely interesting option for you. It is not the cheapest way to see the Med. It might be the most fun way, if fun to you means a giant ship with a real itinerary attached.
If you want help figuring out whether an Icon class ship in Europe is right for your trip or just a lot of boat, that is literally what we do.
Fair winds and following seas,
Captain Steve
Like what you’re reading?
The Captain’s Log is published daily by Ernst Travel Agency. We plan, protect, and personalize your vacation at no extra cost to you. If something in today’s post sparked an idea, let’s talk.
Ernst Travel Agency · North Kingsville, OH · Serving clients nationwide · ernst.llc