Royal Caribbean expands its artist discovery program on Legend of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International announced the expansion of its “Artist Discovery Program” to coincide with the launch of the new Legend of the Seas ship, part of the Icon class. The program aims to offer emerging local artists the opportunity to showcase their work to international audiences and strengthen the cultural connection between the destinations visited and the passenger experience.

The program invites artists from the regions the company visits to highlight the culture and identity of their territories through their artwork. Following its initial editions on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, as well as at the exclusive Royal Beach Club Paradise Island destination, the initiative will expand in the summer of 2026 to include artists from Central America.

The company's president and CEO, Michael Bayley, noted that the program reflects the brand's commitment to culturally immersive experiences, connecting guests with the communities featured in their itineraries. Furthermore, the new edition will increase the number of spaces dedicated to large-scale murals on board from four to six, creating greater opportunities for engagement.

The selected artists will create monumental works in highly visible areas of the ship, such as the Royal Promenade, the boarding area, and sections of the Sundeck Suite. The proposal seeks to integrate art into the maritime environment through interventions that reflect the creative spirit of the Caribbean and Central America.

To apply, participants must submit five original conceptual pieces, a description of their creative process, and their artistic resume. This new cohort will join the artists who have participated in previous editions of the program, which highlighted expressions linked to rhythm, regional cultural vitality, and local talent.

As for itineraries, the new ship will operate during the European summer of 2026 with seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia), with stops in destinations such as Marseille, Naples, and Palma de Mallorca. Later, in November 2026, it will debut in the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale with routes through the Western and Southern Caribbean, including visits to Aruba and Curaçao, as well as the exclusive Perfect Day at CocoCay destination.

With this initiative, Royal Caribbean reinforces its strategy of integrating art, entertainment and culture into the travel experience, promoting the international visibility of new creators and expanding the cultural component within its vacation offerings.