Why Royal Caribbean's next mega-ship will debut in Europe instead of the Caribbean
Briefly

Royal Caribbean is set to launch its third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, in July 2026, marking a significant shift from its Caribbean-centric approach. This mega-ship will make its debut in Europe instead, responding to the growth in the European cruise market, which welcomed 8.2 million cruisers in 2023. Royal Caribbean aims to enhance its European presence, increasing its capacity allocation to 15% for 2025. The ship will initially operate in the western Mediterranean before relocating to Florida, indicating a dual strategy across both markets.
Royal Caribbean's new ship, Legend of the Seas, will debut in Europe in July 2026, marking a shift in its deployment strategy toward the growing European market.
The cruise line is responding to increasing demand in Europe, where 8.2 million Europeans took cruises in 2023, highlighting a notable growth in the market.
Royal Caribbean plans to dedicate 15% of its 2025 capacity to Europe, reflecting its strategy to capitalize on the burgeoning European cruise market.
Legend of the Seas will launch in the Mediterranean before transitioning to North America, underlining Royal Caribbean's dual market focus.
Read at Business Insider
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