As a first-time cruiser, stepping onboard Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas was both exciting and slightly daunting. Would a ship this big feel too busy? Would I spend half the cruise getting lost? And, with so much happening onboard, where would I even start?
I recently had the chance to find out when Andriea and I joined Royal Caribbean’s largest seminar at sea onboard Legend of the Seas. We embarked in Barcelona and spent five nights sailing through the Mediterranean before disembarking in Rome, with calls in Mallorca and La Spezia, plus a full day at sea to properly explore the ship.
As the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, Legend of the Seas is huge, but it didn’t take long for those initial nerves to disappear. The staff were brilliant from the moment we arrived and, despite the scale of the ship, everything felt far easier than I’d expected.
Here’s what my first cruise was really like, from embarkation and our Infinite Balcony cabin to the entertainment, pools, dining and a few useful things I learned along the way.
What Is Embarkation Like on Legend of the Seas?
The Royal Caribbean check-in process was really straightforward. Before travelling, I’d already entered my contact details, passport information and payment card into the Royal Caribbean app, which meant there was very little left to do when we reached the ship.
The day before sailing, a medical questionnaire also became available to complete through the app. Something I hadn’t realised before my cruise was that you can complete most of the safety briefing digitally too. Once onboard, the final step was simply to locate our designated muster station.
We had booked a Royal Caribbean transfer from the airport to the port and, genuinely, it was one of the easiest airport-to-ship journeys I’ve experienced. As soon as we collected our bags, Royal Caribbean representatives were waiting with their brightly coloured signs.
They tagged our luggage with our cabin number and took it from us there and then. The next time I saw my suitcase, it was waiting for me at my cabin. After a flight, not having to think about your luggage again made the whole process feel effortless.
Because we’d already completed our check-in through the app, the actual boarding process took around five minutes. There were no huge queues, and the staggered embarkation times seemed to make everything feel much more organised.
Once onboard, there were also plenty of staff around to help guests find their cabins and muster stations, which was particularly reassuring for someone stepping onto a ship this size for the first time.
Our Legend of the Seas Cabin: Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony
For our cruise we stayed in a Spacious Infinite Ocean View Balcony, cabin 10268, located towards the mid-aft of the ship.
I’d never experienced an Infinite Balcony before. Instead of walking through a door onto a separate outdoor balcony, you have a huge floor-to-ceiling window where the upper half lowers at the touch of a button. It creates an open-air feel while allowing the balcony space to become part of the cabin when the window is closed.
It felt like a particularly good option for families or anyone who values having a little more usable space inside their cabin. Our cabin could sleep up to four guests, with the main bed configured as either a double or two twins, plus a double sofa bed. There was plenty of wardrobe and storage space, along with a large mirror that came in very handy when we were both getting ready.
The bathroom also felt surprisingly spacious for a cruise ship cabin. The shower was a good size and even had a bench, while there was plenty of additional storage for toiletries.
On our first day, our cabin steward knocked to introduce himself, check whether the beds were arranged how we wanted them and ask what time we’d prefer the cabin to be cleaned. It was a small touch, but one that immediately made the service feel personal.
Legend of the Seas Entertainment: My Favourite Shows
One of the things that stood out most for me on Legend of the Seas was the entertainment. The scale and quality of the productions felt much closer to a West End show than what I’d imagined cruise ship entertainment would be like.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was absolutely amazing. The production stayed true to the familiar story while bringing the songs and characters to life on stage. The attention to detail in the sets, costumes and choreography was brilliant and made it feel like a proper theatre production rather than simply another activity taking place onboard.
Shockwave
My favourite show of the cruise, though, was Shockwave. It’s completely different to a traditional theatre production, combining high dives, stunts, music and energetic performances while the ship itself is moving beneath you. It was unlike anything I’d seen before and easily one of my highlights from the five nights onboard.
Pools & Activities on Legend of the Seas
Legend of the Seas really does have something for everyone, whether you want to relax by the pool, keep the children entertained or spend your day trying as many activities as possible. If you’re planning to make the most of the bars onboard, it’s worth comparing the different Royal Caribbean drinks packages before you sail.
The Hideaway
For adults wanting to get away from some of the busier family areas, The Hideaway was a great place to escape. This adults-only pool and bar area has a much more relaxed atmosphere, with an infinity pool looking out across the aft of the ship. It’s a lovely spot to sit with a drink and enjoy the views. Another favourite was Swim & Tonic, where you can sit in the pool and order a drink from the swim-up bar without having to leave the water.
Activities for Families
There are plenty of activities included in the cruise fare, so families could easily fill a sea day without paying for additional attractions. We saw everything from rock climbing and FlowRider to mini golf, waterslides, ice skating and sports courts around the ship. Adventure Ocean also provides dedicated children’s activities, giving younger guests somewhere to have fun and meet other children while parents get a little time to themselves. Some attractions and experiences cost extra, including the arcade, Crown’s Edge, spa treatments and casino, so it’s worth knowing what’s included before deciding what you want to try.
Legend of the Seas Dining & Bars
One thing that genuinely surprised me was how many food options you can enjoy without paying anything extra. You could quite easily spend your whole cruise eating at the included restaurants and still have plenty of variety.
My Favourite Included Dining Options
El Loco Fresh was one of my favourites. It’s right by the pool deck, so it’s perfect when you want a quick lunch without getting changed or heading far from your sun lounger. There are plenty of Mexican-inspired choices, including nachos and quesadillas.
For breakfast, I really liked Park Café and Pearl Café as alternatives to the Windjammer buffet. They’re particularly useful on a port day when you simply want something quick before heading ashore. We could grab things such as yoghurt pots or overnight oats without having to navigate the busier buffet.
And, of course, there’s Sorrento’s for those inevitable late-night pizza cravings. After an evening of shows or drinks, being able to wander past and grab a slice was very welcome.
My Time Dining in the Main Dining Room
We chose My Time Dining, Royal Caribbean’s flexible option for the Main Dining Room. Rather than having exactly the same dining time each evening, it gave us more flexibility around whatever we had planned that day. I really liked not having to structure everything around a fixed dinner sitting. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming and the service was quick and efficient without ever making the meal feel rushed. There was also a good variety of dishes, so it was easy to find something we fancied each evening.
Bars & Evening Atmosphere
There are plenty of bars around Legend of the Seas, many with live entertainment continuing well into the evening.
Dueling Pianos was definitely a crowd favourite. Two pianists go head-to-head while taking song requests from the audience, and it quickly turns into a huge singalong with everyone getting involved.
For something completely different, The Ale & Arrow has the feel of a more traditional pub, with a live singer performing each evening. It was a nice option when we wanted somewhere that felt a little closer to home.
Is Legend of the Seas Good for First-Time Cruisers?
Before boarding, the thing I was most nervous about was simply the size of Legend of the Seas. As a completely new cruiser, stepping onto such a huge ship seemed slightly overwhelming. In reality, I felt at ease surprisingly quickly.
Having staff around to help when we first boarded made a huge difference, and once we’d spent some time exploring the ship, finding our way around became much easier than I’d expected.
What surprised me most was the amount of choice. You can have a completely different kind of day depending on what you feel like doing. One day might mean relaxing at The Hideaway, while another could be filled with waterslides, activities and shows. And you certainly don’t have to pay extra every five minutes to enjoy yourself. Between the included dining, entertainment and activities, there was far more included in the cruise fare than I’d expected before sailing.
For someone who started the trip wondering whether a ship this big might be too much, Legend of the Seas certainly changed my idea of what a Royal Caribbean cruise holiday can be.
My Top Tips for Your First Legend of the Seas Cruise
If you’re planning your own cruise onboard Legend of the Seas, these are the things I’d recommend remembering:
- Complete your check-in through the Royal Caribbean app before travelling. It made our embarkation incredibly quick.
- Do as much of the safety briefing as you can through the app. You’ll then only need to visit your muster station once onboard.
- Book the shows early. The most popular performances can fill up quickly.
- Try your luck even if a show is fully booked. Head to the venue around ten minutes before it begins as spare seats may become available.
- Try Park Café or Pearl Café for breakfast. They’re useful alternatives when you don’t fancy the busier Windjammer buffet.
- Don’t assume everything good costs extra. There is a huge amount of included dining, entertainment and activities to enjoy.
Ready to experience it for yourself? Explore our latest Legend of the Seas cruises and find the sailing that suits you.
Alice McGee sailed onboard Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas in August 2026 as part of Royal Caribbean’s Seminar at Sea.
