About Amy
Amy loves all things travel and cruising. She and her husband, Paul, are originally from West Virginia (near Pittsburgh, PA). They now live in Central Florida with their Spanish galgos, Hermes, Cinders, and Emerson.
Amy has a degree in English Education and spent the first half of her career teaching 7th-grade English in WV public schools for 11 years. She now serves as the Manager of Loan Origination for Monera Financial, where she helps buyers finance Disney Vacation Club contracts purchased through the secondary market. She is also the Senior Editor of DVCFan.com, where she helps educate guests on all things Disney. Amy and Paul are both Disney Vacation Club owners, Disney and Universal Annual Passholders, and avid cruisers.
If Amy isn’t traveling or at the theme parks, she loves reading, writing, running, walking her dogs, spending time with family & friends, and quiet nights at home with Paul and the galgos. She loves cruising because it’s a fun and comfortable way to see the world. Visiting different ports is her absolute favorite part. Her favorite ship is Icon of the Seas, and her most loved cruise destination is Alaska.
Recent Articles from Amy
Royal Caribbean Announces Royal Beach Club Santorini
Greece, especially Santorini, has long been on my personal travel bucket list. Those whitewashed buildings, the deep blue domes, and the the island’s cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. It’s the kind of place that feels timeless and sacred, somewhere you want to wander slowly with a camera in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
So when Royal Caribbean announced plans for a brand new Royal Beach Club Santorini, set to open in summer 2026, my first reaction was mixed.
According to Royal Caribbean Group’s official press release, the new beach club will offer what they call “The Ultimate Santorini Day,” combining the island’s volcanic beaches and culture with the company’s signature experiences. Guests from both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises will have the chance to visit iconic spots like Oia and Fira before heading to the beach club for a relaxing, curated escape.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, described it as “a bold step forward in growing our vacation portfolio from two to eight by 2028.” The idea is that the Royal Beach Club Santorini will deliver a “balanced, authentic island experience” that connects guests to both the famous villages and the island’s beach culture.
Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s CEO, added that the new destination will also help alleviate overcrowding on the island by distributing guests across multiple entry points. The goal is to reduce congestion while giving travelers more time to actually enjoy what makes Santorini special.
On one hand, we’ve seen the photos and read the reports. Santorini has been struggling with crowding for years. The island’s small infrastructure simply wasn’t built to handle the surge of cruise passengers it welcomes daily during the summer season. If Royal Caribbean’s plan really does help spread out those crowds and create a more sustainable way to experience the island, that’s a win for everyone.
But on the other hand, there’s a small part of us that worries this could change the very essence of what makes Santorini so magical. There’s something special about exploring the real island, wandering those narrow paths, discovering hidden tavernas, and soaking in the sunset from the caldera’s edge. A private beach club experience might be relaxing, but does it take away from the authenticity that travelers dream of when they picture Santorini? Or has that already been taken away by the cruise ships and crowds who have already been flocking there?
For repeat visitors, the beach club might actually be a welcome option, a peaceful way to enjoy the island’s beauty without the hustle and bustle of the main towns. But for first timers like me, who have had Santorini on their bucket list for years, I can’t help but wonder: will this make the experience better, or somehow cheapen one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations?
Royal Caribbean’s expansion of its beach club collection, from the upcoming Royal Beach Club Paradise Island to Cozumel, Lelepa, and beyond, shows just how much the line is leaning into land based experiences. It’s an exciting move for cruisers looking for new kinds of days ashore. But when it comes to Santorini, we’ll be watching closely to see if this addition enhances or alters the island’s magic.
What do you think? Would you spend your day in Santorini at a Royal Caribbean beach club, or venture out to explore the island yourself?
Let us know in the comments, or join the conversation on The Cruising Compass Facebook page. We’d love to hear your take.
New Details for Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas Announced
We are finally learning more details about Royal Caribbean’s third Icon class ship, Legend of the Seas. Since Paul and I are currently booked on Legend out of Fort Lauderdale in February of 2027, we have been eagerly waiting to learn about the next installment of our favorite class of ship. Let’s dig into all the details that have been announced so far.
1. Ship & Deployment Overview
Name & Class
- Legend of the Seas is the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class—joining Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
- The name “Legend of the Seas” revives a classic name in Royal Caribbean history. The original Legend of the Seas was a Vision-class ship launched by Royal Caribbean in 1995 and sold to Marella Cruises in 2017
Construction Milestones
- In July 2025, the 327‑ton AquaDome was installed atop the ship — a significant engineering feat.
- On September 2, 2025, the ship “floated out” for the first time at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, marking a major milestone in her build.
- As of now, the ship remains under outfitting and finishing ahead of its debut.
Itineraries & Debut
- Summer 2026 (Mediterranean): Legend will sail from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) on 7‑night Western Mediterranean cruises.
- Winter 2026 onward (Caribbean): After summer, the ship transitions to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) offering 6‑night Western Caribbean and 8‑night Southern Caribbean sailings, including stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
- The very first Fort Lauderdale sail is slated for November 11, 2026, a 3‑night “Perfect Day Getaway.”
- The ship is expected to remain based in Fort Lauderdale at least through April 2027.
2. Thrills & Experiences: What’s New (and Elevated)
Legend of the Seas builds on the Icon class blueprint but with upgrades and additions aimed at delivering more.
Category 6 Waterpark
- Legend features Category 6, billed as the largest waterpark at sea—with six record‑breaking slides.
- Among the attractions:
- The first open freefall slide at sea
- The first mat racing duo on a ship: Storm Chasers or Hurricane Hunter
- Storm Surge raft slides included as part of the mix
Crown’s Edge
- Crown’s Edge is a dramatic ropes/skywalk course: guests traverse a narrow walkway high above the ocean, with unpredictable collapses and dangling challenges.
Pools & Chill Zones
- The ship offers seven pools, ten whirlpools, and a variety of “neighborhoods” for relaxation.
- Highlights include:
- Royal Bay – largest pool at sea (multi-use)
- Water’s Edge – family‑friendly pool area
- Hideaway – adults‑only suspended infinity pool and chill zone
- Swim & Tonic – swim‑up bar feature
Neighborhood Enhancements & New Venues
- Many fan‑favorite spaces are being reimagined, with refreshed styling, elevated food & drink, and upgraded ambiance.
- Hollywoodland Supper Club: A new multi‑course, theatrical dining experience with live jazz, inspired by the golden age of Hollywood.
- AquaDome Market: A day‑and late‑night food hall with five new food stands, giving more flexible choices for bites throughout the day. AquaDome Market will feature a new Juice Bar.
- Royal Railway: Legend Station: An immersive dining experience tied into a Silk Routes theme
Entertainment & Spectacles
- A marquee Broadway show at sea: Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is set to debut onboard Legend.
- Guests can expect live music, lounges in every neighborhood, and captivating entertainment throughout.
Legend of the Seas is more than just another ship — it’s clear Royal Caribbean aims to push boundaries again. The Mediterranean debut in summer 2026 followed by Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale later that year ensures a broad appeal for a variety of travelers.
Stay tuned to thecrusingcompass.com for information, news, tips, and tricks on all things cruising and join in the conversation in The Cruising Compass Facebook group.
Royal Caribbean Locks In Future Fleet Plans with Decade-Long Meyer Turku Deal
Royal Caribbean Group has entered into a long‑term framework agreement with the Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku. This is the next step in securing its shipbuilding slots there for the next decade. As part of the deal, Royal Caribbean has confirmed an order for Icon 5, due for delivery in 2028 (pending financing), and added a new option to build Icon 7, in addition to the previously announced option for Icon 6.
What this means for the Icon Class & Royal Caribbean
- Royal Caribbean’s relationship with Meyer Turku is deepening. The yard has built 25 ships for the company since the mid‑1990s, and this agreement ensures Icon‑Class ships continue to be part of that legacy.
- To date, two Icon‑Class ships are in operation: Icon of the Seas (launched January 2024) and Star of the Seas (August 2025). The third, Legend of the Seas, is slated for Summer 2026, with Icon 4 to follow in 2027.
- Icon 5 is confirmed under this new deal; the later ships (Icon 6 and 7) remain options, meaning they will become firm only if Royal Caribbean exercises those options and finalizes the contracts — including securing the necessary financing.
Quotes & Insights
- Jason Liberty, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, emphasized this move as part of the company’s ongoing effort to “reimagine the future of vacations,”. He called Icon Class a “first‑of‑its‑kind series” that helps set a course for innovation through 2036.
- Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku, expressed pride in Finland’s maritime industry and reaffirmed how much the skilled workforces and ecosystem at Turku contribute to shipbuilding excellence. He stated that the agreement builds a “common plan” for the coming decade to advance ship design and environmental performance.
Broader Impacts — Economy, Environment & Shipping Innovation
- The Turku yard and its network employ roughly 13,000 people. They contribute over 1 billion euros annually in added value to Finland’s economy.
- Beyond the sheer size, Meyer Turku is well‐known for pioneering green and energy‑efficient technologies in shipbuilding. This is work that the Finnish government sees as central to international competitiveness. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto both hailed the agreement as beneficial for job creation and investment in Finland’s maritime sector.
What’s Next for Royal Caribbean
- Icon 5 delivery in 2028 assuming financing is secured.
- Options for Icon 6 and Icon 7 stand. The company will decide whether to move forward with them under firm contracts.
- These new ships will help Royal Caribbean continue growing its “multi‑year pipeline” of ocean, river, and land‑based vacation offerings. This includes new destinations, enhanced experiences, and a stronger digital guest ecosystem.
Bottom Line: This long‑term deal cements Meyer Turku as a key partner for Royal Caribbean’s future fleet. It also provides clarity to upcoming Icon‑Class ships while reinforcing Royal Caribbean’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in cruising.
Stay tuned to thecrusingcompass.com for information, news, tips, and tricks on all things cruising and join in the conversation in The Cruising Compass Facebook group.
