Key Aspects:
- Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas was floated out of dry dock on August 29, 2025.
- The float out marks a major construction milestone and the start of the outfitting phase.
- The move also clears the way for work to begin on the fourth Icon Class ship as Legend of the Seas moves toward delivery in 2026.
Another giant of the seas has officially hit the water. On Friday, August 29, 2025, Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel, Legend of the Seas, floated out of its dry dock at Finland’s Meyer Turku shipyard.
The moment marked the first time the ship touched water and officially begins the outfitting phase of construction.
The float-out is a traditional step in shipbuilding, celebrated as the point when heavy exterior work is complete and attention turns to interiors, technical systems, and final details.
This means the vessel’s 2,805 staterooms are about to be installed and decorated, edging it closer to her handover to Royal Caribbean and eager guests boarding its third Icon Class ship on its first voyage in less than a year from now.
At Meyer Turku, the ceremony also cleared the way for the next stage of assembly on the yet-to-be-named fourth Icon Class ship: laying the keel.
“Legend of the Seas continues the state-of-the-art Icon Class, which allows the Finnish maritime industry to showcase its unique expertise at its best,” said Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku.
The Icon Class has already made history for Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas, which began sailing in January 2024, was the world’s largest cruise ship until joined by Star of the Seas in August 2025, extending the class with similar features and improvements.
Legend of the Seas is scheduled to be delivered in 2026.
What Comes Next
Now that Legend of the Seas has touched water, shipyard crews will focus on outfitting the vessel with thousands of details.
This phase involves installing staterooms, restaurants, theaters, crew spaces, entertainment venues, and technical systems. It is one of the longest phases of construction before sea trials begin.
Meyer Turku follows a precise sequence in building ships of this size. The keel laying, which is now taking place for the fourth Icon Class ship (scheduled to debut in 2027) starts assembly, followed by block construction where massive steel sections are welded together.
In July, Meyer Turku added Legend of the Seas’ iconic AquaDome, the revolutionary glass dome that appears on all Icon Class ships.
Once the hull is complete, the float-out transfers the vessel from dry dock to the water.
Outfitting is the final stage before Legend of the Seas is tested at sea to ensure it maneuvers and operates the way it is intended.
After that? The vessel officially transfers to Royal Caribbean, with Legend of the Seas’ inaugural cruise to take place in the Mediterranean on August 2, 2026.
Read Also: What Are the Different Royal Caribbean Ship Classes?
The 7-night Western Med voyage will sail roundtrip from Barcelona, Spain, to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and La Spezia, Civitavecchia, and Naples, Italy.
The ship, which is likely to be similar in size to her sisters, both at 248,663 gross tons, will continue to sail that roundtrip itinerary, as well as one from Civitavecchia until October 25, 2026, when Legend of the Seas repositions to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
She will spend her first US season sailing an array of itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, including a preview 3-night journey to the cruise line’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.
