Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world, will make its first call at the port of Palma on 8 July.
A giant of the seas
Legend of the Seas is the third vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class. It is 365 metres long and can carry more than 5,600 passengers, with a crew of around 2,350.
The ship has just begun service with a four-night preview cruise from Málaga, calling at Tarragona and La Spezia on its way to Rome, before arriving in Palma. It will then spend the summer sailing the western Mediterranean from Barcelona and Rome.
On board
The ship has more than 20 decks, including:
- the largest water park at sea and seven swimming pools;
- a “Central Park” area with more than 33,000 real plants;
- 28 restaurants and other dining venues;
- an AquaTheater for shows and an ice rink.
Fuel and emissions
Legend of the Seas runs on liquefied natural gas and uses waste-heat recovery and shore-power connections where ports provide them. Royal Caribbean Group says these features are part of its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2035.
A sensitive subject in Palma
The arrival of mega-ships is a contentious issue in Palma. Residents’ groups have campaigned against the number of cruise passengers in the city centre on busy days, and the Balearic government has an agreement with the cruise industry limiting the number of large ships that can dock in Palma on the same day.
After its Mediterranean season, Legend of the Seas will move to Fort Lauderdale in Florida later in the year to begin Caribbean itineraries.
