Legend of the Seas Reviewed by Cruise Expert Kayleigh
As someone who was once a fiercely loyal Royal Caribbean customer long before I ever worked in travel, it takes a lot to truly impress me.
My very first cruise was over 15 years ago on Independence of the Seas, and I’ve been chasing the magical feeling of stepping onboard for the first time and thinking “Wow, this is exactly where I’m meant to be” ever since. Legend of the Seas delivered that feeling all over again.
Day 1 – First Impressions of Legend of the Seas
From the moment I stepped onboard, I didn’t know where to look first. Standing proudly in the heart of the ship was the breathtaking Pearl, while every direction seemed to reveal something even more spectacular than the last. My brain simply couldn’t keep up!
Part of me wanted to sprint to the cabin to check out my Oceanview Balcony. Another part wanted to head straight for the top deck to soak up the mind-blowing views of the ship’s areas. Then there were the bars, over 20 to be exact; surely they needed inspecting immediately?
The Lime and Coconut bar was the perfect pit-stop overlooking the ship’s spectacular pool area to sit and book our entertainment for the week, whilst sipping on a frozen Painkiller of course. On a ship like Legend of the Seas, shows are absolutely not something you want to leave until the last minute.
The rest of the afternoon was spent simply wandering around the ship, constantly asking, “Have you seen this”? every few minutes. And the funnest part about it? Instead of taking the stairs, we used the slide between decks.
Legend of the Seas features eight distinct ‘neighbourhoods’, each designed with a different atmosphere, hosting unique experiences and activities.
AquaDome – ocean views, entertainment, AquaTheater shows and dining.
Central Park – a lush open-air garden with restaurants, bars and live music.
Thrill Island – home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea.
Chill Island – the ultimate poolside relaxation zone.
Surfside – a family-focused area featuring a duck-themed carousel, arcade, sweet shop and splash area, with a bar overlooking the aft of the ship.
Royal Promenade – the heart of the ship for shopping, dining and nightlife.
The Hideaway – an adults-only retreat with an infinity-style pool.
Suite Neighbourhood – exclusive spaces and elevated experiences for suite guests.
Day 2 – Slides, Surfing and Showstoppers
A Cruise Ship Built for Every Generation
If I had to describe Legend of the Seas in one sentence, it would be this: the ultimate multi-generational cruise ship. With over 15 attractions and activities onboard, catering to every age, including seven pools, rock climbing, an ice-skating arena, kids’ clubs, mini golf and a sports bar, this cruise ship is the world’s most all-encompassing ship ever built.
I’m 38 years old, but I:
- Ran to all 6 waterslides like I was five.
- Tackled the FlowRider like I was still a fearless teenager.
- Sipped cocktails at the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar like I’d finally reached adulthood.
- Appreciated Broadway-calibre entertainment like the adult I’m supposed to be.
- Then happily drifted off on a sun lounger in the adults-only Hideaway like I’d hit my retirement.
Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, teenagers, grandparents or as a couple, Legend of the Seas has you covered.
Legend of the Seas Outstanding Shows
As someone who grew up loving Willy Wonka, I had high expectations when I found out that it was Legend of the Seas’ headlining show. The production exceeded every single one. The costumes, the music, the staging – it was pure Broadway magic. I’ll admit, I was dangerously close to shedding a tear. This West End production would typically cost you around £100 per person for a decent seat in one of London’s theatres, and like most of the entertainment on Legend of the Seas, it’s completely free.
Considering we were onboard for only four nights, we also watched the ice-skating show, which was like watching Dancing on Ice combined with modern technology, including drones used for lighting effects, and the heart-stopping AquaTheater show, where performers dived 33 feet above stage level into a pool. There is no other cruise ship that delivers entertainment quite like Royal Caribbean.
Day 3 and 4 – Fantastic Food & Feel-Good Music
A Foodies Paradise
Although we had the opportunity to get off the ship and explore, I lasted about an hour ashore. Legend of the Seas was calling me back. I could happily spend seven days in a row on this ship without getting bored.
Why spend hours wandering around when I could have an almost empty infinity pool, shorter queues for the waterslides and the opportunity to eat my way through the ship?
With over 28 dining venues to choose from, it would have been rude not to try them. For breakfast, we visited the AquaDome Market, which hosts a market-style array of food vendors with everything from Spanish to Korean cuisines. We opted for a must-try chocolate Crème de la Crêpe because calories don’t count on a cruise. There’s also the Pearl Cafe, situated right next to Starbucks, for a quick grab-and-go breakfast with pastries and healthier options such as granola pots.
On one of the days at lunch, we visited the Windjammer buffet, with endless options available. The noodle station stole the show for me. But can we just take a moment for El Loco Fresh? Situated on the top deck around the pool area, this is the best spot for a quick bite to eat in between sampling the hot tubs and pools. Fresh Mexican food, from a build-your-own nacho station to readily available burritos and quesadillas, all included in your cruise fare? Yes please!
On the final evening, we visited one of eleven speciality dining venues. There’s everything from a signature steakhouse to Japanese-inspired dining and immersive dining experiences, including the new Royal Railway.
We visited Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, and with eyes bigger than our bellies, we took full advantage of a four-course meal. In true Italian style, we shared antipasti plates and various starters, dipped into each other’s mains and swapped desserts, all washed down with a glass of limoncello. Cheers to that. The atmosphere, service, decor and flavours were divine. Paying for one or two speciality restaurants is always worth it in my eyes, as they rival most restaurants at home.
Legendary Evenings
One thing I love about Royal Caribbean is its effort to cater for everyone. It was one of England’s World Cup games while we were onboard, so the crew had organised for the match to be projected onto a giant screen in the Royal Promenade. England won, and as you can imagine, the atmosphere carried on throughout the evening and into the following days.
My favourite evening venues onboard were the ones featuring live music:
Dueling Pianos – If you’ve never experienced everyone belting out classics together with two incredibly talented pianists, trust me, you need to.
The Music Hall – Featuring bands and DJs, we were lucky enough to watch The Wild Boys, an incredible 80s tribute band that had everyone singing along. Pure nostalgia.
Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues – This open-air jazz bar pours live music into the beautiful Central Park. Sip cocktails with a twist while stepping back in time.
It’s easy to miss bedtime when the evenings are this good.
Saying Goodbye to Legend of the Seas… For Now
Disembarkation day arrived far too quickly. In fact, I was so busy scrolling through our website for the perfect Legend of the Seas itinerary to bring my family back onboard that I nearly walked straight into someone.
People often ask me which cruise ship I’d recommend, and the truth is, every ship offers something different for each type of holiday-goer. But Legend of the Seas managed to give me something I’d been searching for ever since my very first cruise over 15 years ago – that feeling of genuine excitement, wonder and not wanting the holiday to end.
The only way I can honestly describe Legend of the Seas is… legendary.
You can view all Cruise Nation Legend of the Seas holidays here, including flights, a cruise and a free hotel stay.