The world’s largest ever cruise ship will make its debut in Spain next year, sparking outrage among local activists.
The Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas will measure a staggering 365 metres in length and will accommodate more than 7,600 passengers and up to 3,000 crew members.
It will first leave Barcelona on August 30, 2026, embarking on a seven-day Mediterranean voyage that will include Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia, Rome and Naples, with prices starting at €1,410 per person.
READ MORE: Anti-tourism activist in Malaga urges locals to vandalise Airbnb lockboxes
It will make its Caribbean debut in November of the same year, departing from Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
But some locals in Barcelona are fuming over the vessel’s planned arrival.
Activist group Stop Creuers (Stop Cruises), said the industry is ‘extractive and ecocidal’ and ‘exploits cities against the well-being of their populations and with extremely strong environmental and climate impacts.’
Daniel Pardo, a member of the group, told El National.cat: ‘We are witnessing certain promising speeches, such as the closure of cruise terminals in the port of Barcelona or the supposed elimination of tourist apartments by 2029, but at the same time, a very strong battle is being waged for the expansion of El Prat Airport, and global tourism policies continue to be strengthened, such as the constant attraction of major events…
‘The only thing we have are words from the tourism councillor, Jordi Valls, and we don’t even know if they’re sincere, but even if they were, the City Council has minimal executive influence in the Port of Barcelona… the real position of Barcelona City Council is to focus even more on tourism.’
Miquel Prats, from the Federation of Neighbourhood Associations of Barcelona (FAVB), also blasted the Legend of the Seas.
He said the ‘sudden presence’ of more than 7,000 tourists ‘greatly affects the people who live in Ciutat Vella and in tourist areas.’
‘The impact of 7,000 people in 8 to 12 hours is destructive for the neighbourhood, but also for commerce and for the quality of services,’ he said, adding that the ship’s effect ‘is brutal and leads to a collapse in tourist areas.’
The Legend of the Seas will boast 20 decks, seven pools, water parks, 10 whirlpools, a surfing simulator and much more.
Its Category 6 water park is the largest ever for a cruise ship. It will feature six slides, including the first ever free-fall water slide at sea.
Passengers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with restaurants including the Windjammer buffet, Japanese cuisine, hibachi, Italian specialties and American dishes with a gourmet touch.
Entertainment features are set to include the AquaTheatre, featuring a 16m waterfall, and a Broadway-style theatre with state-of-the-art shows.
In terms of accommodation, most cabins on the ship will have a private balcony and will hold between two and eight people.
The ship remains under construction at the Turku shipyard in Finland, but tickets for its maiden voyage are already for sale.
