The Pearl, the beating heart of Legend. Photo: PassportNews There are moments when even someone who has been covering the world of tourism and cruises for many years realizes that they are about to see something different.
Something that can't really be explained with numbers, specs, or even pictures. That's exactly what happened to us this week, when we arrived in Malaga, southern Spain, where Royal Caribbean held the international debut of Legend of the Seas.
Even before we arrived at the port, it was clear that we were going to witness something extraordinary. As the vehicle that took us from Malaga airport to the local port approached the terminal, the ship had already completely dominated the city's skyline.
Royal Caribbean's two familiar blue chimneys towered into the distance, and behind them, a ship that was hard to take your eyes off gradually revealed itself.
Even those who have already visited dozens of the world's largest cruise ships could not remain indifferent.
This is not another ship.
This is a simple statement.
Legend of the Seas/ photo: PassportNews
First cruise on Legend of the Seas. Photo: PassportNewsThe Spanish city, considered one of the most important cruise ports in the Mediterranean, wore a holiday look this week.
Thousands of guests arrived from all over the world, including CEOs, tourism industry executives, travel agents, journalists, business partners and Royal Caribbean executives, to be among the first to board Legend of the Seas.
The PassportNews team was also invited to participate in the prestigious launch voyage, just before the ship departs for Rome, where its first passengers will board in a few days.
The atmosphere at the port was more reminiscent of the launch of a global luxury brand than the launch of a passenger ship.
Smiles, cameras, music, flags, excited crew members and, above all, one clear feeling: the cruise world is about to welcome a new star.
Behind Legend of the Seas are almost two years of planning and construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, one of the most advanced cruise shipyards in the world.
The ship was recently officially handed over to Royal Caribbean in a ceremony attended by more than 1,200 employees, crew, partners and executives. For the company, this is one of the most important launches in recent years.
Legend is the third ship in the Icon Class series, the series considered Royal Caribbean's biggest revolution since the Oasis series was launched.
First cruise on Legend of the Seas. Photo: PassportNewsFrom the first moment on board, one thing is clear: Royal Caribbean has long ceased to build ships, it builds cities.
Legend of the Seas extends for about 365 meters, rises to a height of about 20 decks and is capable of hosting up to about 7,600 passengers along with more than 2,300 crew members.
But the dry data fails to explain the feeling.
Everything is vast, spacious and designed so that the guest will forget they are even at sea. The new Royal Promenade is a game-changer, and one of the most impressive changes is already at the heart of the ship.
If in the past it was an internal promenade, here it is a real street, and the new Royal Promenade feels like a modern city center packed with:
-Coffee shops
-Restaurants
-Shops
-Music
-Palm trees
-Art exhibitions
-Natural light penetrating from a huge glass roof.
And at night, spectacular lighting makes the place one of the liveliest areas on the ship. You can sit down for a cup of coffee and eat pizza even in the wee hours of the night, stop for a cocktail, or simply sit for an hour and look at the people, the scenery, and this wonder that this amazing cruise company has built.
Legend of the Seas. Photo: PassportNewsIf there's one place every guest should stop by, it's The Pearl. The massive work of art connects the Royal Promenade to the AquaDome.
It is a spectacular architectural structure, made up of thousands of illuminated tiles that change colors throughout the day. During the day it is breathtaking, at night it is simply mesmerizing and it is one of the new symbols of Royal Caribbean.
Central Park, a botanical garden in the middle of the sea. Photo: PassportNewsA few more minutes of walking and you reach Central Park. Here you almost forget you're on a ship, as there are hundreds of trees, thousands of plants, walking paths, luxury restaurants, wine bars, seating areas, and chirping birds. Not to mention the smell of real vegetation.
This is one of the quietest and most beautiful places on board.
Central Park, a botanical garden in the middle of the sea. Photo: PassportNewsLegend of the Seas is also a paradise for culinary enthusiasts.
There are more than 40 different places to eat, drink and hang out on board.
Among the most notable restaurants:
-Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - Modern Italian cuisine.
-Chops Grille - The company's upscale steakhouse.
-Izumi Hibachi & Sushi - The Japanese cuisine experience.
-Hooked Seafood - Fish and seafood.
-Empire Supper Club - Chef's dinner with a musical performance.
-Celebration Table - Private guest room.
Alongside them are Pearl Café, Park Café, Basecamp, AquaDome Market, ice cream parlors, cocktail bars, wine bars, pizzerias (Sorento), buffet restaurants, and of course Starbucks.
You can sail for a week or more and still not have time to try everything.
The largest water park at sea. Photo: PassportNewsOne of the most sought-after areas is Thrill Island, where we found Category 6, the largest water park ever built on a cruise ship. The water park features:
-Six giant slides
-Extreme complexes
-Pools
-Attractions for children
And facilities that would not put the world's largest water parks to shame.
Next to it are Surfside, which was designed especially for families, and Chill Island, the pool and relaxation complex.
When the sun set, the ship comes to life. Photo: PassportNewsIn the evening, the atmosphere changes completely, and you get to experience:
-Broadway shows
-Water shows at the AquaDome
-Acrobatics
-Live music
-Parties
-Nightclubs
-Karaoke
-Piano bar
And alongside all of these, Casino Royale, one of Royal Caribbean's largest and most luxurious casinos, with hundreds of slot machines, blackjack, roulette and poker tables.
And you can also watch the game. Photo: PassportNewsThere is a particularly impressive shopping complex along the Royal Promenade. You can find a variety of boutiques from Cartier, TAG Heuer, Omega, Breitling, Bvlgari, Swarovski, Effy Jewelry, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Ray-Ban and more.
Next to them are Royal Caribbean's perfume, cosmetics, fashion and souvenir shops, and the feeling is of a luxury shopping avenue, just in the middle of the sea.
First cruise on Legend of the Seas. Photo: PassportNewsLegend of the Seas is not only luxurious, it is also one of the most advanced ships in the world.
It is powered by LNG, liquefied natural gas, and incorporates advanced energy-saving systems, waste treatment, shore power connection and other environmental technologies as part of Royal Caribbean's sustainability goals.
At the same time, passengers benefit from fast connectivity, a smart app, digital navigation systems, and services that make their stay on board more comfortable than ever.
First cruise on Legend of the Seas. Photo: PassportNewsTomorrow the maiden voyage will end in Rome, and then the real journey of the new queen of the luxury cruise company will begin.
Now Legend of the Seas is making its way with us to Italy, but for Royal Caribbean, this is just the starting line.
From Rome, the ship will depart for its first cruises in the western Mediterranean, with departures from the Italian capital and Barcelona, and later this year it will cross the ocean and move to its new home port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from where it will sail to the Caribbean and the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The ship will depart from Rome for its first voyages in the western Mediterranean. Photo: PassportNewsOver the years, we've visited many cruise ships and been on glittering launches; each time, it seemed like we'd seen it all. Then Royal Caribbean comes along with a new ship and proves that we only thought we'd seen it all and that it's possible to think differently.
Legend of the Seas is not just bigger, it's not just more luxurious, it's not just more innovative, it simply redefines the concept of a cruise vacation.
The cruise giant proves time and time again that it is not content with leading the cruise industry; it continues to reinvent it. With each launch, it seems like the bar has already reached an unsurpassable height, and then a new ship arrives and reminds everyone why Royal Caribbean is considered the global leader in innovation in the field.
After two days aboard Legend of the Seas, it's impossible not to come to a clear conclusion: the destination is no longer just the next port. In the case of Legend of the Seas, the destination is the ship itself.
The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean.