Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas has arrived in Fort Lauderdale to begin its first Caribbean season, making it the first Icon Class ship to homeport at Port Everglades, Caribbean Journal reported.
The ship pulled into Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 7, its first visit to the United States after an inaugural summer sailing in Europe. Its first voyage from South Florida departs Nov. 8, a three-night trip that stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, on Nov. 9 before a day at sea and a return to Florida on Nov. 11.
A Veterans Day naming and a full Caribbean schedule
Royal Caribbean will formally name the ship at Port Everglades on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. The ship's godmother is retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson, according to the report. A separate three-night naming cruise leaves Fort Lauderdale that evening, calls at CocoCay and returns Nov. 14.
After that, the ship settles into a regular rotation from Fort Lauderdale that alternates six-night Western Caribbean cruises with eight-night Southern Caribbean sailings, all of which include CocoCay. The eight-night sailing that departs Nov. 14, for example, visits Willemstad, Curaçao, and Oranjestad, Aruba, along with four full days at sea.
Onboard, the ship is organized into eight neighborhoods. Thrill Island holds Category 6, which Royal Caribbean bills as the largest waterpark at sea, and Crown's Edge pairs a skywalk with a zip line 154 feet above the ocean. There are more than 40 places to eat and drink, including the Hollywoodland Supper Club and Royal Railway - Legend Station, a simulated train dining experience. Shows include a production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and America's Got Talent LIVE.
Why it matters for Caribbean travelers
The arrival gives Florida three Icon Class homeports: Icon of the Seas sails from Miami and Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral. For travelers, Fort Lauderdale now adds another departure point for the line's biggest ships, with Southern Caribbean sailings to Curaçao and Aruba.
Royal Caribbean has also announced a summer 2028 Caribbean program built around four Icon Class ships, including the upcoming Hero of the Seas, according to Caribbean Journal.
For more on where the cruise industry is heading, read our recap of the cruise travel trends panel at World Travel Expo Miami.
