World’s largest cruise ship begins first sea trials in Turku

The Legend of the Seas, set to become the world’s largest cruise ship, departed from Meyer Turku shipyard on Sunday for its first sea trials, Finnish broadcaster Yle reports.

The 365-metre vessel, part of the Icon-class series, left the Turku yard and passed Ruissalo island during initial testing. Designed for approximately 5,600 passengers, it will claim the title of largest cruise ship once operational.

Scheduled to begin Mediterranean voyages in July, the ship will later operate in the Caribbean during winter before returning to Europe for the 2027 summer season. This marks the third Icon-class vessel built at the Turku shipyard, following two earlier deliveries to Royal Caribbean in 2023 and 2024.

Meyer Turku currently has two additional unnamed Icon-class ships (Icon 4 and Icon 5) under construction, with options for a sixth and seventh. Last autumn, the shipyard and Royal Caribbean extended their cooperation agreement through 2036.