The giant Legend of the Seas will begin its first European voyage from Málaga

The Port of Málaga is preparing to welcome one of the most anticipated cruise ships of 2026. Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest addition, will arrive in the early hours of 29 June to begin an exclusive voyage from the capital of the Costa del Sol ahead of its official European debut.

Málaga will be the ship’s first European port of call, strengthening the city’s position on the Mediterranean cruise map. After remaining docked for much of the day, the vessel will depart at 10:00 pm for Rome, via the port of Civitavecchia.

A fireworks farewell from Málaga

Legend of the Seas will berth at Cruise Terminal A, where representatives of local institutions will present the captain with a commemorative plaque marking the ship’s first visit.

The farewell is expected to be one of the highlights of the day. At around 10:20 pm, a fireworks display is scheduled to take place as the vessel leaves the port, visible from several points along Málaga’s coastline.

The call has also required the adaptation of the terminal’s mobile boarding bridges to accommodate the ship’s size and technical specifications, ensuring safe access for passengers.

A 365-metre cruise ship designed as a holiday destination

Legend of the Seas belongs to Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class and measures approximately 365 metres in length, with a gross tonnage of more than 248,000 tonnes. Its scale and onboard facilities make it resemble a major floating holiday resort.

The ship is divided into eight themed neighbourhoods, each designed to offer a different experience. Among them is Central Park, an open-air garden featuring more than 30,000 natural plants, restaurants and live music venues.

It also offers seven swimming pools, ten whirlpools and a variety of spaces designed for families, adults, children and teenagers.

The largest water park at sea

One of the ship’s main attractions is Category 6, described by Royal Caribbean as the largest water park at sea. It features several slides and adrenaline-focused experiences for passengers seeking excitement during their voyage.

Other attractions include Crown’s Edge, a walkway suspended around 45 metres above the ocean; the FlowRider surf simulator; a climbing wall; a miniature golf course; and Absolute Zero, a large ice-skating rink.

For families with children, Surfside brings together pools, games and age-specific activities. These are complemented by supervised programmes for children and teenagers, water play areas and recreational spaces.

Restaurants and major onboard entertainment

Food and drink play a central role onboard, with 28 dining options and more than 40 venues when bars and beverage spaces are included.

The ship offers a mixture of casual restaurants, specialist venues and immersive dining experiences. The aim is to cater both to families looking for relaxed meals and to passengers seeking more elaborate culinary options.

Evening entertainment will include musicals, aquatic performances, ice shows, live music and themed parties. Announced productions include an adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a live version of America’s Got Talent created specifically for the ship.

Málaga strengthens its position in cruise tourism

The departure of Legend of the Seas marks another milestone for the Port of Málaga and the international profile of the Costa del Sol.

The city has previously hosted presentations and maiden calls by other major Royal Caribbean ships, including Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Spectrum of the Seas. The arrival of this new vessel strengthens that relationship and increases Málaga’s visibility within the international cruise industry.

After beginning its European season, Legend of the Seas will operate in the western Mediterranean throughout the summer, with itineraries departing from Barcelona and Rome. From November, it will reposition to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean sailings.

Information about the call, departure and scheduled events was published by the Port of Málaga, while details about the ship and its onboard experiences are available on the official Royal Caribbean website.