Jac’s marvellous Mediterranean cruise

EL’s JACQUI YOUNG gets the chance to experience the maiden voyage of Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas in Europe – a Mediterranean cruise on not just any boat, but the largest cruise ship on the planet!

As our family of four – two adults and two incredibly hard-to-impress teenagers – approached the Port of Málaga, Spain, the sheer scale of Royal Caribbean’s newest masterpiece took our breath away.

Rising spectacularly into the Andalusian sky and stretching for hundreds of metres across the water, Legend of the Seas is the world’s largest and most technologically advanced cruise ship. This third vessel in the groundbreaking Icon Class series is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), showing that mega-scale can coexist with forward-thinking innovation.

Our Mediterranean cruise had a four-night itinerary. The journey started in Malagá, and made its way to Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome, with a balance of high-end luxury with plenty of adventure.

Setting sail on our Mediterranean cruise

Travelling with teenagers requires space, strategy and seamless coordination. Upgrading to a premium suite category unlocked Royal Caribbean’s elite suite benefits, elevating our holiday from a standard getaway to a flawlessly tailored retreat.

The experience began as we boarded the ship via the exclusive Royal Caribbean pink carpet and were introduced to our lovely butler Carmen, our personal concierge, fixer and coordinator for the duration of the cruise. For parents of teens, the benefits were instantaneous as she helped to make our show reservations and secure the best prime-view tables in specialty restaurants.

Our suite featured a beautifully appointed master bedroom with a double bed and sofa bed, a walk-in wardrobe and a nicely sized balcony. The included high-speed internet packages kept us all connected from the moment we crossed the gangway.

A fun send-off

The energy on the pool deck as departure neared was electric. Rather than a quiet departure, Legend of the Seas transformed its top deck into a high-energy festival. With the sun setting over the mountains of Málaga, a DJ took over the poolside decks. Thousands of passengers gathered, dancing and raising a toast to the voyage ahead. Our teens, usually glued to their screens, were swept up in the music, joining the crowds under the giant LED screens.

At 10pm, the lines were cast, and the massive ship slid away from the Spanish coast. Then came the showstopper, as the sky erupted in an unforgettable fireworks display over the coastline.

On board the largest cruise ship!

Legend of the Seas is structured into distinct, immersive neighbourhoods designed to cater to every mood. For a family with teenagers, it provides the perfect balance of together-time and independent exploration.

Thrill Island, home to the largest waterpark at sea, features six waterslides, including terrifying drop slides, raft rides and duelling mat racers. Conquering these adrenaline-pumping rides became a daily ritual for us. We were also kept busy with the classic FlowRider surf simulator, an expanded rock climbing wall and rounds of mini-golf. Braver guests can step onto the Crown’s Edge. This fear-inducing challenge is part skywalk, part obstacle course and part thrill ride. At any moment, the floor beneath your feet could collapse and leave you dangling over the ocean!

With seven sparkling pools on board, finding a spot to cool off was remarkably easy. The Hideaway, suspended eight decks up, is an adult-only beach-club-style infinity pool. Elsewhere, The Royal Bay Pool is the largest pool at sea, perfect for general splashing and family fun. You can also drift on over to Swim & Tonic, the first ever swim-up bar in the Royal Caribbean fleet. It’s a great spot for ice-cold drinks and sun-kissed beats.

For a more peaceful oasis, the Suite Sun Deck is reserved exclusively for suite guests. You’ll find private loungers there, and a dedicated bar service away from the crowds. Kids, meanwhile, can head to the Gamer Zone and The Hideout, a cool hangout space specifically designed for teenagers.

Wining and dining on Legend of the Seas

With a record-breaking 28 dining outlets, eating on Legend of the Seas is a culinary adventure. The ship balances high quality complimentary venues with exceptional specialty dining restaurants. Windjammer was our go-to spot for tantalising global flavours, with chefs whipping up over a dozen international cuisines every day. You can go all-in on Indian food one time, with authentic chana masala or lamb curry, and enjoy Jamaican specialties or Italian pastas on the next visit.

For casual quick bites, Basecamp was there to refuel us between activities. Think hotdogs, smash burgers and a round of drinks before hitting a few balls on the mini-golf course! El Loco Fresh was our lunchtime spot for beef burritos, carnitas and more. And we also enjoyed AquaDome Market, the only food hall in the fleet, with five unique food stands. It was also hard to pass up Sprinkles, our poolside fave for afternoon soft-serve ice cream.

After dinner, we enjoy spending time in Playmakers Sports Bar, where we watched World Cup matches with a few ice-cold beers. From there, we’d head to Duelling Pianos for a singalong, and then to The Overlook for a nightcap with stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and amazing cocktails.

A standout of our culinary experience, though, was the exclusive Coastal Kitchen, a sanctuary reserved strictly for suite guests. This elegant two-level venue has sweeping ocean panoramas and feels entirely removed from the high-energy flow of the main decks. The concept fuses Mediterranean influences with farm-fresh flavours from California, and the execution is immaculate.

Entertainment on board Royal Caribbean cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has a stellar reputation for Broadway-calibre theatre, but the entertainment on Legend of the Seas hits new heights. The headline performance for this inaugural season is a full-scale production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We were honoured to witness the first performance and enjoy an intimate chat with the cast.

The show condenses the story into a fast-paced, high-impact 90-minute spectacle. The stage is transformed from a drab town into the vibrant, surreal world of Willy Wonka’s factory. There’s some incredible sharp choreography, and the climax features an engineering marvel where Wonka and Charlie fly out directly over the audience in a glass elevator as the curtain falls!

Equally noteworthy is Shockwave, held within the futuristic dome of the AquaTheater. This show is a total adrenaline rush. It combines world class high-divers, synchronised swimmers and daring aerialists. The stage utilises advanced hydraulics to shift from a deep, 15-foot diving pool – with performers launching themselves into the water from towering platforms – into a dry, fountain-filled dance floor in a matter of seconds. The whole thing had a Cirque du Soleil-style energy that left us blown away.

Return to port

As Legend of the Seas smoothly docked in Civitavecchia on the Italian coast on the final morning, we stood on our balcony and marvelled at the seamless transition from the historic streets of Málaga to the ancient heart of Italy. Our Star Class suite benefits concluded with a late 11am checkout and priority disembarkation. This allowed us to skip the early morning rush entirely. We stepped off the vessel feeling relaxed, sun-kissed and filled with memories. For families navigating the delicate balance of entertaining teenagers while seeking some luxury and relaxation, Legend of the Seas is an absolute triumph.

Reflecting on the voyage, what stands out most is how effortlessly the vessel accommodates differing definitions of the perfect holiday. For our teenagers, it was an action-packed playground of high-speed slides, gaming tournaments and late night music under the stars. For us as parents, it was fine dining, exclusive suite retreats and productions rivalling those you might see in London or New York.

From the sail-away fireworks to the quiet morning sunrises over the open sea, Legend of the Seas sets a new benchmark. It proves that the journey itself can be just as monumental as the historic destinations it connects.

Find more details and sailing schedules at royalcaribbean.com.

Enjoyed this? Jacqui’s cruise story first appeared in the September 2026 issue of Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, or read the digital version for free now.