Royal Caribbean’s New Icon-Class Ship “Legend of the Seas” Accidentally Leaked

Royal Caribbean International appears to have accidentally revealed details about its third Icon-Class newbuild. According to reports from the U.S., the company’s website briefly displayed information about a ship named “Legend of the Seas.” This vessel is expected to set sail for the first time in the summer of 2026, initially operating in the Mediterranean before relocating to the Caribbean for the 2026/27 winter season.

If the name is confirmed, it would mark the return of “Legend of the Seas” to the Royal Caribbean fleet. The name was previously used for a cruise ship that operated from 1995 to 2017 before being transferred to British cruise line Marella Cruises, where it continues to sail as “Marella Discovery 2.” Additionally, the name aligns well with the existing Icon-Class naming convention, which includes “Icon of the Seas,” launched in 2024, and “Star of the Seas,” set to debut in the summer of 2025.

The deployment of such a significant new ship in the western Mediterranean would be a notable development for the European cruise market. Current plans suggest that “Legend of the Seas” will operate in this region throughout the summer of 2026 before making its transatlantic crossing to North America in the fall. Once in the U.S., it is expected to be based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for its first Caribbean cruise season.

This schedule would also align with Royal Caribbean’s existing summer 2026 program. Notably, “Harmony of the Seas” is currently only scheduled for a classic week-long itinerary in the western Mediterranean from May to July 2026. This could indicate that “Legend of the Seas” will take over from August onward. More details about Royal Caribbean’s European itineraries may be announced as early as the week of February 10, 2025, when the company is set to launch its “Europe 2.0” booking phase.

The third Icon-Class ship is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. However, before the focus shifts entirely to this new vessel, the shipyard will first complete and deliver “Star of the Seas” in the coming months. Following the introduction of “Legend of the Seas” in 2026, another Icon-Class ship is already planned for delivery in 2027.