Royal Caribbean’s new and exciting Legend of the Seas is not the first ship to carry that name.
The original Legend of the Seas launched in 1995 and now sails as Marella Discovery 2.
The new Legend of the Seas is around three and a half times the gross tonnage, 100 metres longer and more than twice as wide as the original ship.
The new Legend can also carry more than three times as many guests, taking up to a maximum of 7,600 with 2350 crew. That’s up to 9,950 people onboard at one time – which is simply mind-blowing!
I have cruised on both ships, although I sailed on the original after she had changed cruise lines and began sailing for the British cruise line, Marella.
In this article, we look at the comparison between the two ships – not the two cruise lines.
They were built 31 years apart and show just how dramatically cruise ship design has changed over the years.
The Two Legend Ships At A Glance
| Statistics | New Legend Of The Seas | Original Legend Of The Seas |
| Entered service | 2026 | 1995 |
| Ship class | Icon Class | Vision Class |
| Gross tonnage | 248,663 GT | 69,472 GT |
| Length | 364 metres | 264 metres |
| Width | 66 metres | 32 metres |
| Total decks | 20 | 11 |
| Cabins | Around 2,805 | 918 |
| Guests | Around 5,610 at double occupancy, up to 7,600 | 1,836 |
| Crew | Around 2,350 | 771 |
| Pools | 7 | 2 |
| Waterslides | 6 | 0 |
| Neighbourhoods | 8 | 0 |
The Original Legend Was Once A Large Modern Ship
The original Legend may seem small today, but she was an impressive modern Royal Caribbean ship when she first sailed in 1995.
At the time of her launch, Legend of the Seas featured more glass surface area than any other ship at sea.
Most ships of the time had heavy steel walls and round portholes, but Royal Caribbean used thousands of square feet of glass to “bring the outdoors in.”
The expansive glass-walled atrium offered wonderful panoramic ocean views, and there were floor-to-ceiling windows in the public areas.
She was a fast cruise ship. She could hit a cruising speed of 22 knots, making her much faster than most standard ships of the time.
Many 90s vessels were designed for quick 3- to 7-day Caribbean trips and cruised at much slower speeds.
Legend’s greater speeds allowed her to operate more exotic itineraries, including Asia, Australia, and Northern Europe.
At roughly 69,000 gross tonnes, the original Legend was one of the largest cruise ships in the world when she was launched.
However, by the end of the 1990s, Legend was dwarfed by the newer ships coming into service.
Royal Caribbean’s 1999 ship, Voyager of the Seas (137,000 tonnes), took size and onboard amenities to an entirely new level.
She was nearly double the size of previous ships and introduced groundbreaking “firsts” that we take for granted on Royal Caribbean ships today – like a Royal Promenade with shops and cafes, an ice-skating rink, and a rock-climbing wall.
The New Legend Of The Seas
The new Legend of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships ever built, coming in at a staggering 248,663 tons.
She has eight distinct neighbourhoods.
My favourites were:
- The Aqua Dome, a top-deck, glass-enclosed venue with panoramic views, dining, and high-diving shows.
- Central Park, an open-air garden featuring thousands of real plants, live music, and speciality dining,
- The Hideaway, an adults-only, elevated area with a suspended infinity pool.
They Look Nothing Alike From The Outside
The Original Legend
Had the traditional pointed cruise ship bow. Her hull was long and narrow, and she had plenty of large, glass areas.
She has a conventional funnel, as opposed to the new Legend, which has state-of-the-art retractable funnels which can be lowered by around 17 feet, allowing her to get under lower bridges.
She has a rounded observation lounge near the top of the ship.
It is very easy to see the complete shape of the ship while standing on the dock side.
It is easy to see the complete shape of the ship while standing on the dock – and she’s much better for taking photos of!
The New Legend
The new Legend of the Seas is far taller and wider than the original.
The AquaDome, situated at the very bow of the ship, spans a massive 82 feet tall and 164 feet wide, and is made up of 673 glass panels.
Also in the AquaDome neighbourhood is The Overlook – a fantastic lounge located at the forward upper level; it offers sweeping panoramic views of the ocean, and I found it to be one of the most peaceful areas on the ship.
Guests can relax in this climate-controlled lounge and take in uninterrupted wraparound views. There is plenty of food available in this area too, at the AquaDome Market or food stands like Seoulmate and Cajun Kitchen.
There is a large open-air area running through the middle of the ship.
At the wide open back area of the ship, there is a section called “Surfside”. This is a family neighbourhood designed specifically for young families.
The new Legend of the Seas is more like a floating resort rather than a traditional cruise ship
The New Legend Is More Than Twice As Wide
The difference in width is arguably more important than the difference in length.
The original Legend of the Seas is 32 metres wide, while the new ship is 66 metres wide – so over double.
This makes it possible for the new ship to contain the Central Park area, internal streets and several separate neighbourhoods.
Walking through the narrow traditional cruise ship passageways bears no resemblance to walking through the enormous open areas of the new Legend of the Seas.
Because the ship is cleverly split up into different neighbourhoods and zones, one area never felt too crowded – which was a surprise to me, when you consider the number of guests that are onboard.
One Has An Atrium, And One Has Eight Neighbourhoods
The Original Legend
The original Legend of the Seas has a traditional cruise ship atrium. Public rooms connected by corridors and staircases, and most major spaces arranged relatively close together.
She has a simple layout that can be understood quickly. The ship feels like one connected vessel.
The New Legend
Is divided into eight separate neighbourhoods.
- Thrill Island Located at the top of the ship. This area features the largest waterpark at sea, with six waterslides, including the tallest drop slide at sea.
- Chill Island is a tranquil, three-deck oasis featuring four of the ship’s seven pools.
- Surfside is designed specifically for young families, featuring a carousel, splash zones, and dining options.
- The Hideaway situated at the aft, is an adults-only area with the first suspended infinity pool at sea.
- The AquaDome is a tranquil oasis during the day that transforms to an entertainment venue at night, with cutting-edge technology, robotic arms, and high-dive aqua shows.
- Central Park is a returning favourite. An open-air park featuring thousands of real plants, dining venues, and live music.
- Royal Promenade is another old favourite. This area at the heart of the ship has over 15 restaurants, cafes, bars, and lounges, along with floor-to-ceiling ocean views.
- The Suite Neighbourhood offers a four-deck exclusive area for suite guests, featuring a private sundeck, pool, whirlpool, and upmarket dining at “Coastal Kitchen.”
You do have to walk much longer distances from one part of the ship to another.
It would be perfectly possible to spend several days on the ship and not visit every area every single day.
I barely got off the ship at all when I sailed on her for a week. There was so much to do and so much going on that I never got bored.
The weather in the Mediterranean in July was very hot, and I preferred to stay in the comfort of the fantastic air conditioning.
I am not great at finding my way around ships, and I think it would have taken me weeks to competently find my way around the new Legend of the Seas!
Luckily, cruise ships always have plenty of maps around to help you out.
I think I could find my way around the old Legend of the Seas/Marellla Discovery 2 far faster!
The Royal Promenade Shows How Royal Caribbean Has Changed
The original Legend was built before Royal Caribbean introduced the Royal Promenade.
Her central gathering space is a traditional multilevel atrium.
The new Legend has an enormous internal street running through the ship.
The ship did feel far wider, but the ceiling height in internal spaces felt much the same as on the earlier ship.
The new Legend has far more big, open areas.
There were no big issues with passenger flow on either ship; Royal Caribbean seem to have designed them very well to spread out the passengers onboard.
One thing that is far easier on the old Legend of the Seas is knowing which way is the front, and which way is the back!
This was probably because you could actually see the ocean a lot of the time, so it’s easier to work out which way you were going.
I always remembered the Aquadome was at the front of the new Legend of the Seas, so if I could locate that, I knew I must be at the front of the ship!
Interestingly, the style of Royal Caribbean ships with the central street started in 1999 on Voyager of the Seas was inspired by a ferry!
Find out all about that in the video below:
Their Pool Decks Are Barely Comparable
The Original Legend
The original Legend had two pools, one traditional outdoor pool and one indoor pool under a large glass canopy.
Most pool facilities were concentrated in a relatively small area, and there was a conventional open deck lined with sunloungers.
The New Legend
The new Legend of the Seas has SEVEN pools, spread across different neighbourhoods.
There are plenty of whirlpools and a large main pool (which was incredibly busy on the sea days when I sailed in the school holidays).
This actually worked out quite well for me, as it meant that lots of guests were there, and the rest of the ship felt far less busy!
There is a swim-up bar pool and a adult only pool. Pools are positioned across different levels and sections of the ship.
There is a suspended Infinity pool at the back of the ship, which was very popular on my sailing. This pool is adult-only.
It gave great views of the ocean from the back of the ship.
One Has An Indoor Pool, And One Has An AquaDome
The old Legend of the Seas had one glass-covered indoor pool.
The new Legend of the Seas has an amazing AquaDome.
Both spaces would be great in bad weather, but they are used in very different ways.
The old Legend has a very traditional indoor pool arrangement; the new ship uses a huge enclosed structure containing an AquaTheater, waterfall, seating and ocean views.
Activities Have Become Part Of The Ship’s Structure
The original Legend offered features that were unusual for its time, including minigolf and later, a rock-climbing wall.
The new Legend still has minigolf and rock climbing, but also includes:
- Six waterslides – including the Frightening Bolt – the tallest drop slide on any cruise ship, featuring a 46-foot drop.
- Crown’s Edge – A combined suspended skywalk and obstacle course with a surprise trapdoor drop and zipline that leaves riders hanging 154 feet above the ocean!
- FlowRider – Surf simulator
- Sports court
- A carousel
- Large splash areas
These attractions on the new ship are not simply placed on its decks. They have influenced the ship’s entire shape and outside spaces.
Having all these extra facilities would suit many people, particularly those with young families.
People who prefer a more traditional, quieter cruise with sea views may find the ship overwhelming.
I personally loved it, but I was glad she was sailing in the Mediterranean, as I had been to all the ports of call many times before, so there was no need for me to get off the ship.
I think it might be hard to balance onboard activities with enjoying the port stops – you would never get to do everything in a week!
The Cabins Were Designed 31 Years Apart
On the new Legend of the Seas, I had a Central Park View Balcony cabin.
I couldn’t see the sea at all, so it was very hard to know whether we were docked or had left port!
The cabin itself was lovely, well designed, spacious, and I particularly liked the bathroom with the seat in the shower.
The air conditioning worked brilliantly – as you would expect on a new ship. It was definitely needed, as it was so hot during our cruise.
The old Legend of the Seas has a far more traditional cruise ship cabin design.
I had an oceanview cabin when I sailed on her.
There was plenty of storage space, a typical older cruise ship bathroom design ( with the dreaded shower curtain!), and there was plenty of brown wood – which always seems to really date a cruise ship cabin.
The air conditioning was fine for us, but we sailed out of peak season. I think it might have struggled to cope with the temperatures we had on the new Legend of the Seas.
There were plenty of plug sockets and USBs to charge my phone in the new cabin. When the original Legend of the Seas was built, USBs weren’t even invented, but there were sufficient plug sockets in the cabin for my needs.
The flatscreen TV was great in the new cabin, but seemed like somewhat of an afterthought on the older ship. Who goes on a cruise to watch TV anyway?
Although I was overlooking the Central Park area on the new ship, I wasn’t disturbed by noise from outside.
I could occasionally hear distant music from Lou’s Jazz bar in Central Park, but that really wasn’t annoying.
What was more annoying was hearing the live band on the pool deck, up and opposite. That still wasn’t too bad, though…
Balcony Cabins Were Far Less Important In 1995
The original Legend was designed when private balconies were less common.
A much larger proportion of its cabins have only a window or no outside view – that is why I booked an ocean view rather than a more expensive balcony cabin.
Balconies are at a premium on the old Legend of the Seas.
The new Legend not only has balconies overlooking the ocean, but it also has balconies overlooking the central areas of the ship – like the one I had. These are cheaper than the ocean view balconies.
I think that you would get more privacy if you had a balcony on the outside of the ship with an ocean view.
We were quite overlooked on our balcony, and we could see into other people’s balconies too.
The New Legend Has Far More Cabin Types
The original ship has a relatively straightforward mix of inside, outside, balcony and suite cabins.
The new Legend was designed for many more types of passengers and family groups.
You could choose:
- Inside cabins
- Ocean-view cabins
- Traditional balconies with a sea view
- Infinite balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open halfway to create a balcony.
- Neighbourhood-view balconies
- Family cabins
- Connecting cabins
- Multiroom suites
- The three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse
The enormous choice of options available could make selecting a cabin simpler – or more complicated!
I would suggest getting the help of a good travel agent to find the best option for your travelling party.
If you don’t have a good agent, I have launched my own agency! It will never cost more than booking directly with the cruise line, and you have personal service and expert advice to help you choose.
Book a Cruise (I’ve Launched My Own Travel Agency)
I’ve spent the last 10 years creating cruise content online and over that time I’ve learnt that having a great travel agent makes a HUGE difference.
That’s why in 2026, I launched my own agency and built a team of real cruise experts who love cruising as much as I do.
We combine great prices with personal service. Just click the button below and we’ll find you the perfect cruise. No request is too big or too small, we’re here to help.
The Entertainment Venues Show The Difference In Scale
The Original Legend
Has one main theatre onboard.
There are smaller lounges and performance spaces where live music is performed around the ship.
Most passengers are visiting a relatively small number of entertainment venues at the same time.
There is a traditional stage and seating arrangement in the theatre.
The New Legend
The new Legend has a large Royal Theatre.
She also has an indoor AquaTheater inside the AquaDome.
There is the Absolute Zero ice arena along with several other purpose-built live performance spaces.
There is far more advanced staging, rigging, screens and lighting. This enabled them to put on a Broadway adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I was onboard.
The performance was so fantastic, and I managed to get in to see it twice!
A special mention to the incredible Edward Jones, who was the Charlie on my voyage.
He lives onboard the ship while performing for a month at a time (he has a tutor onboard to keep him up to date with schoolwork).
It was an incredible, incredible performance!
Having so many different entertainment venues onboard the newer ship meant that passengers were spaced out more, and the ship never felt too crowded.
The Original Legend Feels More Connected To The Sea
The new Legend of the Seas is so large that it is completely possible to forget you are at sea, as a lot of the time you can’t actually see it.
The new ship has spectacular sea views in certain areas, but several neighbourhoods face inward so you don’t see it at all then.
The original Legend used large windows and glass walls throughout many public spaces, so you feel far more like you are onboard a ship and sailing on the ocean.
Getting Around Each Ship
The original Legend of the Seas is a traditional cruise ship, with a standard cruise ship layout. It shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to get from one end to another.
The layout is easy to understand and navigate.
The new Legend is a massive ship, and it would take far longer to navigate from one end to the other.
Because of all the different zones and neighbourhoods, it is hard to just get from A to B, and you could easily get lost.
I found myself checking the map on the app or the maps around the ship regularly, because the last thing you want to do is head off in the wrong direction and take a huge detour.
Although there are plenty of elevators on both ships, I try not to take them. I certainly took thousands and thousands more steps on the new Legend, compared to when I sailed on the old one.
Which Ship Felt More Crowded?
The old Legend only felt crowded after theatre performances, when everyone was heading out at the same time or on the pool deck on sunny days.
I did sail in the winter, out of peak season, so it is hard to say whether she would feel too crowded if every berth was full.
One of the things that surprised me most about the new Legend of the Seas was how uncrowded she seemed.
I sailed in the middle of the school holidays, and was expecting it to be jam-packed. In reality, most of the children were in spaces (like the pool) where I was not – so there were plenty of places I could relax in peace.
The new Legend has so many public spaces, bars and entertainment venues that people were able to spread themselves out around the ship.
I think Royal Caribbean have made really good design choices and given the flow of passengers around the ship a great deal of thought.
What Features Connect The Two Ships?
Despite the enormous differences between the two ships, some design ideas from the original have remained.
Royal Caribbean introduced the idea of large glass surfaces, rather than dark interiors, and this concept has been carried through all of their subsequent ships.
The large glass areas in the Overlook Lounge at the front of the ship are literally breathtaking!
Old favourites like the rock climbing walls (added to the older ship in 2003) and the minigolf have remained, but new spaces like the Aqua Park, Aqua dome, zip line, ropes courses – and many, many more have been added.
The new Legend of the Seas is really more like a floating holiday resort than a traditional cruise ship.
Which Legend Did I Prefer As A Ship?
I think both ships have advantages and disadvantages, and provide a completely different cruise experience.
The Original Legend
The original Legend has more of a traditional cruise ship appearance. You are connected to the sea – and you feel like you are on a ship sailing the ocean.
There are much shorter distances between the different venues onboard, and you can quickly find your way around the ship; you can quickly settle into the relaxed holiday atmosphere onboard.
A big advantage of a smaller ship like her is that they can visit exciting and unusual destinations that the mega ships can’t.
Your cruise will be very much destination focused, rather than the ship being the destination and the ports of call feeling a bit like an afterthought.
The New Legend
There are so many places to explore, so many pools and outdoor spaces to enjoy.
Royal Caribbean has become far more ambitious in its activity and entertainment facilities.
For a family or multi-generational holiday, I think that the new Legend ticks all the boxes. There really is something for everyone. Quiet spaces and good food for some, or an action-packed, exciting cruise for others
The Costs
Summer sailings on Marella Voyager 2 generally range from £770 to £1,500 per person, and offer an all-inclusive experience – that price includes flights from the UK, transfers, and all drinks onboard.
In contrast, the new Legend of the Seas advertises entry-level summer rates starting at £800 up to £2,200+ per person. You will have to allow extra on top for gratuities, drinks, and any flights and transfers needed.
The cost of a family holiday onboard can add up very quickly, so it might be worth looking at Legend’s sister ships to see if you can find a more affordable option on a slightly older ship with the same onboard facilities.
Find out more about that here:
Before You Book a Cruise, Check The Sister Ships – Here’s Why
My Final Verdict…
If I wanted a cruise where I wanted to explore and visit new places daily, I would definitely choose the older ship.
The cruise would be all about the connection with the sea – enjoying sunset ocean views and relaxing.
If I wasn’t bothered about the destinations, and I just wanted to have fun onboard, I would choose the new Legend.
I barely got off the ship at all during the week I sailed. There was too much to do onboard, and the weather was just too hot.
I have been lucky enough to sail in the Mediterranean many times before, so I felt no pressure to sight sea or explore. The cruise was literally all about the ship.
These two ships carrying the same name are a perfect example of how much cruising and cruise ships have changed between 1995 and 2026. I very much enjoyed my cruises on both ships.
Have a closer look at the original Legend of the Seas, now sailing for the British cruise line Marella, in the video below:
Before You Go
It is not only ship design that has changed over the last decade. Find out about some other major changes here:
5 Things That Have Changed Dramatically in Cruising in the Last 10 Years
People often ask, “Can you sleep with your balcony door open at night?” I certainly wouldn’t have recommended it in my Central Park balcony on Legend of the Seas, but if you have a quiet ocean view, you could consider it. Find out more about that here:
Can You Sleep With the Balcony Door Open on a Cruise?
Book a Cruise (I’ve Launched My Own Travel Agency)
I’ve spent the last 10 years creating cruise content online and over that time I’ve learnt that having a great travel agent makes a HUGE difference.
That’s why in 2026, I launched my own agency and built a team of real cruise experts who love cruising as much as I do.
We combine great prices with personal service. Just click the button below and we’ll find you the perfect cruise. No request is too big or too small, we’re here to help.