This was published 8 years ago
Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas makes maiden voyage to Sydney
By Annie Dang
Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas arrived for the first time in Sydney on Thursday as part of a repositioning cruise to Singapore ahead of her inaugural Australian season.
Legend's arrival marks the first time the cruise ship has docked in Australia since its $50 million refurbishment in 2013. It previously completed a stopover in Cairns in 2000.
The 2000-passenger ship docked for less than 24 hours in Sydney, departing Thursday evening on a 14-night cruise to Singapore with stopovers in Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Darwin and Bali.
The 264-metre-long, 11-deck Legend farewelled Sydney with an ultimate My Kitchen Rules (MKR) dining experience – an exclusive dinner menu designed by MRK winners Will and Steve, and runner-ups Jac and Shaz.
The MKR stars, who boarded the ship on Thursday morning, presented their unique menus at the Captain's Table for a select group of 20 guests that included MRK and Royal Caribbean's competition winners that evening. The select guests also enjoyed a VIP cocktail party on the back deck where they spent the evening mingling with the MKR grand finalists.
The MRK Chefs Table menu featured lobster, confit duck and lemon thyme roasted peaches.
Legend of the Seas, launched in 1993, is Royal Caribbean's first Queensland-based ship, calling Brisbane home from December 2015.
Legend of the Seas arrival follows the departure of Rhapsody of the Seas in April this year.
Legend of the Seas' refurbishment
saw 13 new cabins were added, new carpets, new decor in cabins and public spaces, and speciality restaurants – including Izumi Asian Cuisine, Chops Grille and Park Cafe.
There was also the addition of the Chef's Table – an upscale for-fee dinner experience – which has become a signature feature on all Royal Caribbean ships, as is the adults-only pool area - the Solarium. The on board casino – The Casino Royale – is hard to miss with its dazzling neon lights and colourful buttons.
Other new features included the the R Bar, Viking Crown Lounge nightclub, an outdoor movie screen in the main pool area and bow-to-stern Wi-Fi.
It is worth noting that Legend is a categorised as "Vision-Class" ship, which means it features more than 8000 square metres of glass canopies, skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for fantastic views from the ship..
In comparison with the newer mega ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, including Ovation of the Seas, Legend doesn't have the bells and whistles but offers all you need for a prefect cruise. Giant outdoor movie screen, an outdoor rock climbing wall, and adults-only pool area; a large theatre for pre- or post-dinner shows; a kids play area and the most essential feature on any cruise ship – a spa with ceiling to floor windows and arguably, the best views on board.
Fares for Legend of the Seas’ first Queensland season start from $599 per person for a three-night sampler cruise departing 8 December 8, 2015. An eight-night South Pacific cruise costs from $1179 for the first person and $589.50 for the second when booked before June 30, 2015, departing February 18, 2016.
Phone 1800 754 500; see www.royalcaribbean.com.au.
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