The cruise ship Legend of the Seas, the third representative of Royal Caribbean International's Icon class and one of the largest and most advanced tourist ships on the planet, will embark on its maiden voyage on June 29 from the Port of Malaga. This first departure represents a milestone for cruise tourism in Andalusia and solidifies Malaga's capital as a key hub in the Mediterranean.
This giant of the sea, with 248,663 gross tons and 365 meters in length, can accommodate over 5,610 passengers at full capacity. Its arrival at Terminal A de Cruceros is scheduled for the early morning of June 29.
During the day, representatives of the port and municipal authorities will present a commemorative plaque to the captain. The departure for Rome is scheduled for 10:00 PM and will be bid farewell with a fireworks display visible from a large part of the Malaga coastline around 10:20 PM.
The itinerary will last four nights, from June 29 to July 3, with Rome (Civitavecchia) as the main stop. The travel plan includes a brief technical stop in Tarragona, a call at La Spezia (Italy), and a full day of navigation, configuring an exclusive route prior to the ship's official premiere in Europe.
A Latest Generation Giant
With nearly 2,805 cabins and a crew of approximately 2,350 people, the Legend of the Seas incorporates innovations such as the Category 6 water park – the largest at sea, with six slides –, seven pools (including the suspended The Hideaway), and a Central Park area that brings together over 33,500 natural plants.
The ship organizes its leisure offerings around family and high-adrenaline areas spread across 20 decks. For children and families, it combines outdoor areas like Surfside – which integrates the Water's Edge pool and the Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay water parks – with the supervised Adventure Ocean program, an indoor club segmented by age that includes AO Workshop interactive workshops and AO Play technology areas.
In the realm of adventure attractions, the vessel incorporates the Crown's Edge high-altitude experience – a structure that merges a walkway and a zip line 47 meters above the sea –, the FlowRider surf simulator, and the Absolute Zero ice skating rink. The adrenaline activity offerings are expanded with the Lost Dunes mini-golf and the Adrenaline Peak climbing wall.
The Legend of the Seas will offer one of the largest gastronomic proposals at sea, with 28 differentiated spaces. Among the novelties, the Hollywoodland Supper Club stands out, a multi-course experience inspired by classic Hollywood, and the Royal Railway - Legend Station, an immersive five-course culinary journey that recreates a train trip along the Silk Road.
In addition, passengers will have the AquaDome Market, an all-inclusive gastronomic market with five distinct concepts, to which a new juice and smoothie bar focused on guest well-being is added.
The entertainment program will include stage, air, water, and ice productions, with titles such as Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "America's Got Talent LIVE on Legend of the Seas." These will be complemented by the acrobatics of "Shockwave" in the AquaTheater and the ice shows of "Fusion" on the Absolute Zero rink.
As for accommodation, families will be able to choose from multiple categories, from the exclusive Suite Neighborhood to the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-story residence redesigned with specific environments for each family member.
In environmental matters, the Legend of the Seas will become the fourth ship in the fleet powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will integrate advanced waste heat recovery systems and shore power connection technology.
This infrastructure is part of Royal Caribbean Group's strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035. This roadmap will continue in 2027 with the launch of the Hero of the Seas, which will be the shipping company's fifth LNG-powered ship and the fourth in the Icon class.
Costa del Sol, a benchmark in cruises
The designation of Malaga for this premiere reinforces the role of the Costa del Sol in the large-capacity cruise segment. Royal Caribbean, which has already presented other emblematic ships in the city, has launched various promotional actions to involve citizens, including cabin raffles for residents.
After its summer campaign in the Western Mediterranean, operating mainly from Barcelona and Rome, the Legend of the Seas will move to Fort Lauderdale (Florida) in the autumn to offer Caribbean itineraries that will include the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. Thus, this inaugural voyage acts as a prelude to its regular programming in Europe.
The event has generated great expectations due to its economic and media impact, as well as the technical adaptations made in the port to receive the ship. The Port Authority of Malaga, the City Council, Tourism Costa del Sol, and the Junta de Andalucía have worked together in the preparations, which demonstrates the shipping company's confidence in the autonomous community's infrastructure.