Three Nights on Legend of the Seas

My very excited 14-year-old son Finley (who has Williams Syndrome) and I boarded on 22 October in Civitavecchia (Rome) and stepped off in Barcelona on the 25th. It was the perfect taster.

We were both blown away. Finley has already asked when we can go again!

MEET LEGEND OF THE SEAS

Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean‘s newest ship and the third in the Icon class. She is currently the largest cruise ship in the world.

She‘s enormous! Around 365 metres long, with 20 decks, eight themed neighbourhoods and accommodation for over 5,600 guests.

She feels like a floating resort, with different areas to explore, beautiful spaces to relax in and enough going on to keep the whole family happy.

OUR CABIN: OCEANVIEW INFINITE BALCONY

We stayed in an Oceanview Infinite Balcony cabin on Deck 10, midship.

The cabin was beautifully designed, with clever storage, a very comfortable bed, a sofa, a desk, a sitting area by the balcony and a modern bathroom with a shower.

My favourite feature was the Infinite Balcony, where the floor-to-ceiling window opens at the touch of a button, bringing fresh sea air into the room while giving you wonderful ocean views.

Our central location was ideal, with the lifts nearby and easy access to all the different areas of the ship.

THRILL ISLAND & THE TEEN CLUB

Thrill Island is pure fun. Waterslides, surfing, rock climbing, mini golf and that brilliant feeling of being right at the top of the ship.

The teen club was a huge hit with Finley. A space just for them, new friends from day one and plenty going on. He would have happily stayed there for the whole cruise if I let him!

It gave him independence, and it gave me time to relax, knowing he was safe and having the best time.

For younger children, Surfside has splash pools, a carousel, an arcade and plenty to keep little ones entertained.

CHILL ISLAND & THE HIDEAWAY

One of my worries about a ship this size was that it would feel too busy. I love a beautiful hotel and somewhere peaceful to sit with a drink, so I was delighted to discover there were plenty of relaxing spots on board.

Chill Island is exactly what it sounds like. Pools, sunshine, hot tubs dotted all around and plenty of places to just switch off.

The Hideaway was a favourite. An adults-only retreat at the back of the ship, with its own bar, sundeck and infinity pool looking out over the ocean.

A lovely spot to relax with a cocktail while Finley was off enjoying himself.

THE FOOD

The food was a highlight. Lots of variety, and all of it delicious.

We had our evening meal in the Main Dining Room every night. The menu changed daily, so it never felt repetitive. Lovely food, great service and a really nice way to sit down together at the end of the day.

The Windjammer offers an enormous choice, while the AquaDome Market was perfect for lunch or a snack later in the evening, with dishes from around the world.

There are also lots of casual dining options all over the ship and around the pools and waterpark, which are particularly useful for families. Although we didn‘t try any of the speciality restaurants, I had a good look around and was really impressed by their settings.

One that particularly caught my eye was Royal Railway, an immersive dining experience designed to feel like a journey aboard a luxury train. Definitely somethingI‘dd love to try next time!

CENTRAL PARK, BARS & LIVE MUSIC

Central Park is a garden at sea, with more than 30,000 living plants. Calm by day and beautiful at night.

The Royal Promenade is the lively heart of the ship, with shops, cafés, bars and entertainment.

Every night we‘d enjoy a cocktail in the Overlook, hopefully catching the sunset.

After dinner and a show, my favourite place to visit was Lou‘s Jazz ‘n Blues. Live jazz, a cosy atmosphere and a real buzz. It‘s the kind of bar you pop into for one drink and end up staying all night.

THE SHOWS

Every single show was brilliant. The talent, the staging, the energy.

🍫 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: A spectacular musical with wonderful costumes, sets and performances. Just like watching a West End show.

🎤 America's Got Talent LIVE: Magicians, musicians, acrobats and aerialists from the Got Talent world, all on one stage.

🌊 Shockwave: High divers, aerialists, robots and dancers performing in the incredible AquaTheater.

⛸️ Fusion: World-class ice skaters performing in Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena at sea.

And that's before the live music in the bars every evening. You will never be bored!

My top tip is to book your shows before you sail. They're included, but the best seats go quickly.

OUR PORT DAY IN NAPLES

Our one port stop was Naples. And we stayed on board.

I've visited Naples before, and with only three days on the ship, we wanted to make the most of it. So we had a lazy day in the sunshine instead. Sun loungers, pools, slides and a cocktail or two.

Port days are so much quieter on board, which made it even more relaxing.

If you've visited a port before, I'd really recommend considering staying on board. A day on a ship like this is a holiday in itself.

MY VERDICT ON LEGEND OF THE SEAS

I'd absolutely recommend it!

I was a bit worried whether it would be too much for Finley, but he loved it and even managed to navigate independently around the ship. He loved connecting with the staff, speaking various languages and making friends in the teens club.

What surprised me most was how much freedom and choice there is. You can make your holiday as active or as relaxing as you like.

It's brilliant for families with children or teens. Everyone does their own thing during the day, then you come together for dinner and a show in the evening. That's exactly how it worked for Finley and me.

I'd also recommend it for multigenerational holidays, when grandparents, parents, teens and little ones all want something different from their time away. Couples and friends will love it too.

The service everywhere was excellent, and the crew made us feel so well looked after throughout our stay.

I now completely understand why people choose longer cruises. On a Mediterranean holiday, you get to visit several places without packing and unpacking each time. And the ship becomes just as much a part of the holiday as the destinations.

I'd definitely sail again, without hesitation! 💜