Posts in category: Cruise Tips

Choosing a cabin on Legend of the Seas is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make before your cruise. With thousands of staterooms and suites spread across this massive ship, where you stay can have a bigger impact on your cruise than you might expect.

While many cabins offer fantastic views, clever layouts and peaceful locations, others come with compromises that aren’t always obvious when you’re booking. Whether it’s extra noise, an overlooked balcony or a location that means a lot more walking, some rooms are definitely more desirable than others.

Although Legend of the Seas is brand new, it shares its design with the other Icon Class ships, giving us a very good idea of what to expect. By studying the deck plans, cabin layouts and feedback from guests who have already sailed on the sister ships, we can identify the cabins that are likely to be the best choices and the ones that are worth thinking twice about.

So, which cabins on Legend of the Seas should you avoid?

Legend of the Seas Cabin Overview

Legend of the Seas has 26 different cabin and suite categories, but they all fall into one of four main types:

Interior Staterooms

Here are the interior cabin options on Legend of the Seas:

• Interior
• Interior Plus
• Spacious Interior
• Central Park View Interior
• Surfside View Interior

On most cruise ships, an interior cabin means no window and no natural daylight. That’s a deal-breaker for some people, while others love how dark the room stays for sleeping. They’re also usually the cheapest cabins on the ship.

Read more: Why I (Almost) Always Choose an Inside Cabin for a Family Cruise

Legend of the Seas is a little different because two of the interior categories do have windows. Surfside Family View Interior cabins overlook the Surfside neighbourhood, while Central Park View Interior cabins look into Central Park. They’re still classed as interior cabins because they don’t have an ocean view, but you do at least get some natural light.

That sounds like the best of both worlds, and for some people it absolutely is. Personally, I think there are a few drawbacks that are worth knowing about before you book, which I’ll come on to shortly.

Also worth me pointing out that, for some reason, these two categories aren’t shown on the deck plan. When I did my initial research for this guide, I assumed that they just weren’t on the ship and were replaced with regular Interior cabins instead! But then I was able to enjoy a preview cruise onboard and saw that the cabins do exist.

One other thing that’s worth pointing out is the Interior Plus cabins. The name makes them sound like a larger version of a standard Interior cabin, but that’s not actually the case. The extra “plus” is storage space rather than floor space. If having a room that feels more spacious is your priority, the Spacious Interior is the one to choose.

Ocean View Staterooms

If you’d like some natural light and a proper sea view without paying for a balcony, an Ocean View cabin can be a great middle ground.

Legend of the Seas has just two Ocean View cabin types:

• Ocean View
• Panoramic Ocean View

The Panoramic Ocean View cabins are the more impressive of the two. Found only at the front of Deck 14, they feature huge floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of the views ahead of the ship. They’re also a little more spacious than the standard Ocean View cabins.

The regular Ocean View cabins are simpler but still a big step up from an Interior if you enjoy waking up to daylight and seeing the ocean. You won’t have your own outdoor space, but they’re often worth considering if a Balcony cabin is stretching the budget.

Balcony Staterooms

Balcony cabins are where the choice really opens up on Legend of the Seas. There are several different options, depending on the view you’d like and how much space you need:

• Ocean View Balcony
• Ocean View Large Balcony
• Infinite Ocean View Balcony
• Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony
• Connecting Ocean View Balcony
• Central Park View Balcony
• Infinite Central Park View Balcony
• Surfside Family View Balcony

One thing that’s worth paying attention to is whether you’re booking a traditional balcony or an Infinite Balcony.

A traditional balcony is exactly what you’d expect – you open the door and step outside onto your own private balcony.

An Infinite Balcony is a little different. Instead of having a separate outdoor space, the balcony is built into the cabin itself. A huge floor-to-ceiling window opens at the touch of a button, letting in the sea breeze while giving you a little more indoor living space when it’s closed.

Royal Caribbean has introduced Infinite Balconies on several newer ships, although they’re probably best known from Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Class ships. Some cruisers love them, while others are disappointed if they book one expecting a traditional balcony, so it’s worth checking exactly which type you’re choosing.

It’s also worth remembering that not every balcony overlooks the ocean. Some face into the ship instead, with views over Central Park or Surfside. These neighbourhood-view cabins are usually cheaper than ocean-facing balconies, but you’ll be looking across at other balconies rather than out to sea.

One final thing to mention is Guarantee cabins. These are available in every cabin category and can save you money, but you don’t get to choose your exact cabin – Royal Caribbean assigns it for you.

If you’re happy with either an ocean-view or neighbourhood-view balcony, a standard Balcony Guarantee could be a good deal. If you definitely want one or the other, though, it’s worth choosing the relevant Guarantee category so you don’t end up with a view you weren’t expecting.

Suites

At the top end of the range are the suites, starting with the relatively affordable Junior Suites and going all the way up to spectacular accommodation like the Royal Loft Suite and the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

As you’d expect, they’re the most expensive cabins on Legend of the Seas, but they also offer far more space along with a range of extra perks. Depending on the suite you choose, that could include access to exclusive areas, priority boarding and a whole host of other benefits that can make the cruise feel very different.

There are so many suite categories that they really deserve a guide of their own. I’ve already put together a detailed guide to the suites on Icon of the Seas, and because the two ships share the same layout, everything there applies to Legend of the Seas too.

Cabins to Avoid on Legend of the Seas

Before I start, I should point out that I don’t think there are any bad cabins on Legend of the Seas like there are on some older ships.

Royal Caribbean has spent billions creating these Icon Class ships, and every cabin is going to suit someone. The trick is finding the one that suits you.

The cabins below aren’t ones I’d tell everyone to avoid. They’re simply the ones that come with compromises that some cruisers won’t mind at all, while others may wish they’d chosen differently.

1. Surfside-View Cabins (If You’re Not Travelling With Young Kids)

Surfside made its debut on Icon of the Seas and returns on Legend of the Seas as the ship’s neighbourhood designed especially for young families. It’s packed with splash areas, family dining, play spaces and activities aimed mainly at children up to around 10 years old.

If you’re cruising with little ones, staying nearby can actually be a huge plus. Everything is right on your doorstep, making it much easier to pop back to the cabin during the day.

If you’re travelling without children, though, I’d think twice before booking a cabin overlooking Surfside.

Family neighbourhoods are rarely the quietest parts of a cruise ship, and the cabins with views over Surfside are likely to hear more excited voices, music and general daytime activity than cabins facing the ocean.

That applies particularly to the Surfside Family View Interior cabins, Surfside Family View Balcony cabins and Surfside Family Suites.

2. Cabins Directly Below Chill Island

14164 to 14286 and 14565 to 14686

One of the oldest pieces of cruise cabin advice is to avoid staying directly underneath the pool deck, and it applies just as much on Legend of the Seas.

These cabins sit beneath Chill Island, the ship’s main pool area. During the day you’ll hear the usual sounds of people enjoying the pools, but it’s often the quieter hours that catch people by surprise.

Early each morning, crew members move sun loungers into position, and later in the evening they’re stacked away again. If you’ve ever heard dozens of loungers being dragged across a deck, you’ll know it’s not the most relaxing soundtrack when you’re trying to sleep or enjoy a lazy morning.

If you’re an early riser, it may not bother you at all. But if you value peaceful mornings or like an afternoon nap, I’d give these cabins a miss.

3. Cabins Below The Hideaway

14288 to 14350, 14352 to 14362, 14688 to 14750 and 14752 to 14762

You might expect the adults-only area to be one of the quieter spots on the ship. On Legend of the Seas, though, that’s not really the case.

Instead of a traditional Solarium, these ships have The Hideaway – an adults-only space with an infinity pool, bar, DJs and a much livelier atmosphere. It’s a fantastic place to spend an afternoon if you enjoy that beach club vibe.

The downside is that the cabins directly underneath can pick up noise from the music and activity above, particularly during the day and into the evening.

If you’ll be joining in the fun, that probably won’t bother you. But if you’re the type who likes to escape back to the cabin for an afternoon nap or an early night, I’d choose a different location.

4. Cabins Near The AquaDome

12134 to 12162, 12530 to 12562, 14138 to 14162 and 14538 to 14562

The AquaDome is one of the most impressive spaces on Legend of the Seas. It’s home to spectacular diving and aerial shows, along with live entertainment that continues into the evening.

As you’d expect from a theatre hosting acrobatic performances, the soundtrack can be powerful, with plenty of bass that may travel into nearby cabins. The cast also rehearses during the day, so you could occasionally hear performances outside of showtime too.

Most people won’t spend much time in their cabin during the afternoon, so rehearsals aren’t usually a major issue. But if you like to turn in early or simply prefer a quieter part of the ship, it’s worth giving these cabins a miss.

5. Forward Cabins (If You’re Prone to Seasickness)

If you suffer from seasickness, Legend of the Seas is about as good as it gets. She’s enormous and fitted with modern stabilisers that do a fantastic job of reducing movement.

Even so, no cruise ship can completely eliminate the motion when the sea gets rough.

The best place to be if you’re prone to seasickness is usually on a lower deck, close to the middle of the ship. That’s where you’ll feel the least movement.

Many of Legend of the Seas’ most impressive cabins are right at the front of the ship on the upper decks. The views are incredible, but they’re also among the locations where movement is likely to be most noticeable.

For most people, that’s a trade-off worth making. But if motion sickness has affected previous cruises, I’d be looking elsewhere. Unless you were on smaller ships – honestly, the movement on Legend is unlikely to be too bad and I’m only including this on the list to be extra careful.

6. Cabins With Sofa Beds (If Adults or Older Children Are Sharing)

This was one thing that surprised me when I first looked at the Icon Class cabin layouts.

Rather than relying on Pullman beds that fold down from the ceiling, many cabins use sofa beds instead. In lots of cases that’s a real improvement. They’re easier to access, there’s no climbing up ladders and nobody has to worry about banging their head on an upper bunk.

The downside is that some of the sofa beds aren’t particularly generous in size.

If the bed is for one younger child, it’s unlikely to be a problem. But if an adult is sleeping there, or two older children are sharing, it could feel a little cramped. It’s definitely worth checking the cabin layout before you book, especially if everyone in your party is close to adult size.

Also, if your kids don’t want to share a double sofa bed, then you may need to give them the two single beds while mum and dad share the double sofa bed. Which isn’t ideal.

7. Cabins Below Crown’s Edge (If You Like Peace and Quiet)

14230-14292, 12230-12292, 11230-11292, 10230-10292, 9240-9292

If you’re lucky enough to book one of the balcony cabins directly beneath Crown’s Edge, there’s one thing you probably won’t have considered…

The soundtrack.

Crown’s Edge is the attraction that sends guests out over the side of the ship, suspended high above the ocean. Unsurprisingly, quite a few people scream their way around it.

I actually stayed in one of these cabins, and every so often I’d hear a chorus of excited shrieks from above. It was more amusing than annoying, and after a day or two it became part of the ship’s atmosphere.

The good news is that Royal Caribbean has done an excellent job with the balcony doors. Once they were closed, the cabin was impressively quiet and I had no problem enjoying an afternoon nap.

8. Surfside and Central Park View Interior Cabins

8321 to 8347, 8721 to 8747, 9181 to 9259, 9587 to 9657 (Interior Cabins Only)

These are some of the most unusual cabins on Legend of the Seas.

Although they’re officially Interior cabins, both categories have a large window overlooking either Surfside or Central Park, so you get natural light without paying for an Ocean View cabin. They’re also a little larger than a standard Interior, which is another bonus.

The catch is privacy.

Those windows look straight onto public walkways, so people are constantly passing by. Unless you’re happy to feel like you’re living in a shop window, you’ll probably end up keeping the curtains closed for much of the cruise.

Also, an unusual quirk – these cabins aren’t shown as being Surfside View or Central Park View cabins on the official deck plans. They just show up as regular Interior Staterooms.

I don’t know why, because on the Legend of the Seas deck plans they are shown. It’s an odd one. Still, you can use the cabin numbers I’ve provided to help you avoid these rooms if you want to. Note that not all cabins within those ranges are Interior rooms, so any Balcony Staterooms within those ranges are fine.

The Best Cabins on Legend of the Seas

The truth is, there isn’t one “best” cabin on Legend of the Seas.

The right choice depends on who you’re travelling with, how much you want to spend and what matters most to you. Some people want the biggest balcony possible. Others just want somewhere quiet to sleep.

That said, there are a few cabin types that stand out because they offer something genuinely better than the standard options.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony

If you’re travelling with children and don’t want to stretch to suite prices, this would probably be my first choice.

The biggest advantage is the layout. Rather than asking the kids to sleep on a sofa bed, these cabins have a separate sleeping area with bunk beds. Each bunk even has its own TV, which can be a lifesaver when everyone wants to wind down with something different before bed or early in the morning.

The split bathroom is another feature that makes a surprising difference. One person can be in the shower while someone else uses the toilet, which helps those pre-breakfast bottlenecks that every family seems to experience.

They’re more expensive than a standard balcony cabin, but if your budget allows, I think they’re one of the smartest upgrades on the ship.

Surfside Family Suite (For Families With Younger Children)

At first glance, this might seem like a strange recommendation after I suggested avoiding Surfside-facing cabins. The difference is who they’re designed for.

If your children are still young enough to spend lots of time in Surfside, being right in the middle of the action is actually a huge advantage. Everything is close by, making it much easier to nip back to the cabin during the day.

Inside, the kids get their own semi-private sleeping area with an oversized TV, while parents have a comfortable living space to relax once everyone’s settled down.

As a Sky Class suite, you’ll also enjoy some excellent suite perks, including access to Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge and The Grove, along with priority dining reservations and complimentary VOOM internet.

If you’re travelling with teenagers, I’d probably still choose the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony. But for families with younger children, this suite gets a lot of things right.

Ultimate Family Townhouse

If money really is no object, there’s only one winner.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is one of the most over-the-top cruise accommodations ever created. It spans three floors, has its own fenced outdoor space opening directly into Surfside, and is packed with features that most hotels couldn’t even dream of.

There’s a slide connecting the decks, separate bedrooms for adults and children, a karaoke area, gaming space, a musical staircase and plenty more hidden surprises.

On top of that, it’s a Star Class suite, which means you’ll receive Royal Caribbean’s highest level of suite benefits, including complimentary gratuities, Deluxe Beverage Packages and the services of a Royal Genie to help arrange pretty much anything throughout your cruise.

With fares often reaching around £20,000 per person for a week, it’s firmly in dream-holiday territory for most of us.

Still, if you’re curious about what it’s like, I’ve written a full guide to the Ultimate Family Townhouse. The version on Legend of the Seas has a few décor changes, but otherwise it’s essentially the same experience.

Final Thoughts

Because Legend of the Seas is so new, it’s possible that a few cabins will reveal little quirks that nobody has spotted yet.

I’ve based this guide on the ship’s deck plans, Royal Caribbean’s published information, my own experience sailing on Legend of the Seas, and what we’ve already learned from Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, which has the same cabin layouts. That means I’m confident the advice here will apply to the vast majority of cabins, even if the odd surprise emerges over time.

If you’ve stayed in a cabin on Legend of the Seas and discovered something I haven’t mentioned, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below and I’ll keep this guide updated so it stays as useful as possible for future cruisers.

The good news is that there really aren’t any bad cabins on Legend of the Seas. Some are simply a better fit than others depending on your budget, who you’re travelling with and what kind of cruise you’re hoping to have.

And remember, even if your cabin isn’t absolutely perfect, you’ll probably spend most of your holiday exploring everything else this incredible ship has to offer.

Below are some of the resources I used while researching and putting this guide together:

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