Royal Caribbean International marked a major milestone on Friday, August 29, with the float-out of its latest ship, Legend of the Seas, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. The ceremony signaled the hull’s first contact with water and the ship’s progression toward completion, as the cruise line advances a new chapter in its fleet of innovative and environmentally minded vessels.
Legend of the Seas is the third ship in a pioneering Meyer Turku series. The line’s expansion began with Icon of the Seas, delivered in 2024, followed by Star of the Seas earlier this year. A fourth sister ship is confirmed under the current contract, and Royal Caribbean holds options for two additional ships, potentially bringing the series to six vessels.
When finished, Legend of the Seas will be an engineering showcase. The vessel measures 1,196 feet in length and 159 feet in width, accommodates more than 2,800 cabins, and can host up to 5,600 guests. Its hull features a parabolic bow designed to improve stability and deliver a smoother sailing experience in a range of sea conditions.
The ship’s propulsion system stands out for its environmental credentials. It will be powered by six dual-fuel engines capable of operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG). In addition, the design includes five bow thrusters and three diesel-electric driven azimuthing thrusters, each delivering 20 megawatts of power. As part of its lower-emission strategy, Legend of the Seas will also utilize onboard fuel cells to provide electricity and freshwater, underscoring Royal Caribbean’s continuing investment in greener cruising technologies.
The float-out at Meyer Turku highlights the collaboration between Royal Caribbean and the Finnish shipyard, which has become a cornerstone of the line’s ongoing fleet expansion and engineering forward momentum. The project reinforces the cruise industry’s shift toward cleaner energy sources, with LNG and fuel cells playing central roles in reducing emissions as ships grow larger and more capable.
What this signals for the industry and travelers is a continued push toward larger, more capable ships that do not compromise on environmental performance. As Royal Caribbean progresses with this series, passengers can anticipate the next generation of onboard experiences paired with a stronger commitment to sustainability.
Summary: The float-out of Legend of the Seas at Meyer Turku marks a key milestone in Royal Caribbean’s expanding, sustainability-focused fleet, underscoring the line’s ambition to blend large-scale capacity with advanced propulsion and lower-emission technologies.
Additional notes:
– The collaboration with Meyer Turku adds to Finland’s prominence in advanced cruise ship construction and innovation.
– The series’ growth to potentially six ships reflects ongoing demand and the cruise industry’s broader energy transition toward LNG and fuel-cell applications.
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