If you've been looking at Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, you've probably already seen the incredible videos.

The soaring water slides, the spectacular entertainment, t he endless restaurants, the neighbourhoods that feel more like a floating city than a cruise ship.

But after spending three days onboard exploring every deck, every venue and every type of experience I could, the question people keep asking me isn't "What's it like?"

"Is it actually worth booking?"

The short answer?

For many people (me included), absolutely.

But, like every holiday, it isn't the right cruise for everyone.

As a Travel Counsellor, that's exactly why I wanted to experience Legend of the Seas for myself. I didn't go simply to admire the world's biggest cruise ship—I went to understand who it suits, what it does brilliantly and where another cruise line might actually be a better fit.

Here's my honest verdict.

First impressions

The scale of Legend of the Seas is difficult to comprehend until you're standing onboard. It feels less like a ship and more like a resort. There are restaurants around every corner, bars tucked into different neighbourhoods, entertainment venues, multiple pools, waterslides, sports courts, children's areas and quiet places to sit with a coffee and watch the ocean. Despite carrying thousands of guests, I was surprised by how rarely it felt overcrowded. Royal Caribbean has done an excellent job of spreading people around the ship, so there's always another area to discover.

What I loved most

The choice

If you're someone who likes variety, you'll love Legend of the Seas. Whether it's food, entertainment or simply finding somewhere different to relax, there's an incredible amount on offer. You could easily spend a week onboard and still discover somewhere new every day. 

The family facilities

This is, without doubt, one of the best family ships I've ever visited. The children's clubs are exceptional. Activities are tailored to different age groups rather than trying to entertain everyone together, and children aged three and over who are fully toilet trained can attend supervised sessions, giving parents a chance to enjoy some well-earned time to themselves.

The splash area for younger children really stood out to me. It has been thoughtfully designed with little ones in mind, with gentle slides, splash features and plenty of seating nearby for parents. Add in waterslides, mini golf, sports courts and countless family activities, and it's easy to see why Royal Caribbean is so popular with families.

The entertainment

Royal Caribbean certainly knows how to put on a show. The theatre itself is huge, with drinks served directly to your seat and thoughtful touches like wine-glass holders built into the seats.

The sail-away fireworks on the first evening were a real highlight and set the tone for the holiday perfectly.

All the shows are amazing, with incredible performers and of the highest quality. The value they add to your cruise is like nothing else.

The gym and spa

Even if you're not planning to exercise every day, it's worth taking a look. The fitness centre is one of the largest I've ever seen at sea, while the spa provides plenty of space to escape the busier parts of the ship. It was one of the few places where you could completely switch off for a while.

The cabins

One of the biggest misconceptions about Royal Caribbean is that you need to book an expensive suite to enjoy the ship. In reality, that's rarely true. I toured a wide range of cabin categories during my visit and was impressed by how consistent the standard cabins are. The layouts are practical, comfortable and designed to make the best use of the available space. Suites do, of course, offer considerably more room and additional benefits, but that doesn't automatically make them the right choice.

This is where having an experienced Travel Counsellor can save both money and disappointment. Sometimes upgrading is absolutely worthwhile. Sometimes you're paying for features you'll barely use. Matching the right cabin to the right traveller is far more important than simply choosing the most expensive option.

The food

One of the questions I'm asked most often is:

"How's the food?"

Overall, I'd describe it as very good. The Main Dining Room offered excellent service and a lively atmosphere. The desserts were particularly impressive. There were a couple of small disappointments. My steak arrived much rarer than requested, and I found the selection included within the drinks package a little more limited than I'd expected. Later in the trip, I also tried the Windjammer buffet. It offered a huge amount of choice and was perfect after a busy day ashore. No matter how fussy your family is, I'd be amazed if everyone couldn't find something they enjoyed.

Things worth knowing before you book

No holiday is perfect, and I think it's important to share the little things that brochures don't always mention.

Firstly...

It's a very big ship.

That sounds obvious, but you'll genuinely walk a lot. Comfortable shoes are definitely worth packing.

Secondly...

The sheer amount of choice can feel overwhelming, particularly if it's your first cruise. There are so many restaurants, activities and entertainment options that planning ahead can make a huge difference.

Finally...

Royal Caribbean has a huge variety of cabin categories. It's one of the reasons I always encourage clients to ask for advice before booking, because understanding the differences can save both money and disappointment.

Who I'd recommend Legend of the Seas to

Families

This is where Legend really shines. If you're travelling with children, particularly those under 16, I genuinely think it's one of the best cruise ships currently available. There is simply so much for them to do.

Multi-generational holidays

Grandparents, parents and children all want different things from a holiday. Legend manages to cater for everyone remarkably well. While younger guests enjoy the activities, older family members can relax in quieter areas, enjoy a coffee or watch the world go by.

First-time cruisers

If you've never cruised before and want to understand why so many people fall in love with cruising, this is a fantastic place to start. It's exciting, modern and packed with entertainment.

Couples

Although it's often seen as a family ship, I think couples would also have a brilliant time—particularly if they enjoy lively evenings, plenty of entertainment and lots of dining choices. 

Who might prefer something different?

If your ideal cruise is peaceful, intimate and feels more like staying in a luxury boutique hotel, I'd probably recommend looking at smaller ships instead. Cruise lines such as Seabourn or Azamara offer a very different experience. Neither is better. They're simply designed for different types of travellers. And that's exactly why choosing the right cruise line matters.

My top booking tips

After spending three days researching the ship, here are my biggest pieces of advice:

• Think carefully about your cabin location as well as the cabin type.
• Don't overpay for a suite unless you'll genuinely benefit from the extra space and inclusions.
• If you're travelling with children, make use of the kids' clubs—they're excellent.
• Plan any must-see shows and speciality dining in advance where possible.
• If your itinerary includes La Spezia, consider exploring Cinque Terre independently if you're comfortable doing so.

So... is Legend of the Seas worth it?

For the right traveller?

Absolutely.

It's exciting, modern, beautifully designed and packed with enough entertainment, dining and activities to keep almost anyone happy. What impressed me most wasn't simply the size of the ship. It was how well everything had been thought through.

Would I recommend it to every client?

No.

And that's actually one of the biggest advantages of booking through a Travel Counsellor. My role isn't to sell you the biggest ship or the newest ship. It's to help you find your perfect ship. Sometimes that will be Legend of the Seas. Sometimes it will be something completely different. Having spent three days exploring every corner of Legend, touring the cabins, sampling the dining, experiencing the entertainment and learning exactly how the ship works, I can help you make that decision with confidence.

If Legend of the Seas has caught your eye, I'd love to help you plan your cruise. Whether you're travelling as a family, a couple or a group of friends, I'll help you choose the right itinerary, the right cabin and the best value for your budget—so you can simply look forward to your holiday knowing everything has been taken care of.