Legend of the Seas

Home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six slides that include a family raft slide, drop slides and racer slides. It’s included in your fare. Thrill Island also has Crown’s Edge, a walk-the-plank skywalk high above the ocean (extra cost); a rock climbing wall Danny calls the best Royal has built; and Lost Dunes, a shipwreck-themed mini golf course. Base Camp keeps everyone fed with smashburgers and tots, and has a bar for the grown-ups.

Legend’s main pool deck centers on Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. It has a lap lane down the middle and in-water loungers along the edges. Around it are the Cove infinity pool, a champagne-glass hot tub perched above everything, Cloud 17 (the spot for sail away) and the Swim & Tonic swim-up bar. The Lime & Coconut spans three-plus decks with four bars. You can also reserve private casitas with call-button drink service.

This glass dome was lifted onto the ship in one piece. During the day the AquaDome Market food hall serves crêpes, Korean bowls, Cajun gumbo, al pastor tacos and Spanish tapas, plus the Simply Pressed juice bar, all complimentary. At night the AquaTheater hosts Shockwave, with high divers, slackliners and a ceiling that turns into a waterfall. Hooked Seafood and Rye & Bean (coffee by day, cocktails by night) complete the neighborhood. The Overlook lounge has some of the best forward views on the ship.

Central Park is an open-air garden with tens of thousands of real plants and living walls, cared for by full-time horticulturists. It’s home to Izumi Sushi & Hibachi, Chops Grille, Park Café (unlimited included cookies and the famous Kummelweck sandwich), Bubbles champagne bar, and Lou’s, a jazz club named for Louis Armstrong. Danny thinks the park looks even better at night.

Surfside is a stay-all-day neighborhood for families with kids about 10 and under. It has Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, a duck-themed carousel, an upgraded playscape, the Sugar Beach candy shop and milkshake bar, an arcade (extra cost), and Surfside Eatery and Surfside Bites. The Lemon Post bar serves drinks for both kids and adults. Admiral Awesome reads bedtime stories most nights around 8:00 p.m.

The Royal Promenade is the ship’s two-level main street, with floor-to-ceiling ocean windows. At its center is the Pearl, a kinetic sculpture that moves to music and is part of the ship’s structure. You’ll find the Schooner Bar (Danny’s favorite bar on board), Boleros, dueling pianos, the mixology-focused 1400 Bar, Sorrento’s pizza until the early morning, Playmakers, and Pearl Café, open 24/7.

The Hideaway is an adults-only retreat all the way aft. It has stadium-style loungers, hot tubs, its own bar, and an infinity pool suspended over Surfside, which Danny calls the best Instagram spot on the ship. It’s quiet during the day and gets lively in the evening.

Fusion takes over the largest ice arena at sea, and guests can skate themselves too. The Royal Theater stages Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and America’s Got Talent LIVE at Sea. After dark, there’s the Music Hall, dueling pianos, sing-alongs at the Schooner Bar, Lou’s jazz club, and a two-story casino with a smoke-free level. All the headline shows are included in your fare.