Royal Caribbean introduced it is going to add its second immersive eating expertise on its latest Icon Class ship, and now we have an early have a look at what you possibly can count on.
Royal Railway – Legend Station is among the large adjustments coming to Legend of the Seas when it launches in 2026. It is the follow-up to the unique restaurant first opened on Utopia of the Seas the place passengers can dine in a full-size rail automotive that appears and looks like an actual prepare. It is a specialty restaurant that has a canopy cost.
The expertise depends on digital screens constructed into the home windows, refined sounds and vibrations, and crew members appearing as conductors to weave collectively a narrative.
This time, there is a model new story, vacation spot, and menu to go together with it. It is known as “Silk Routes”, and it traces the journey of famed explorer Marco Polo from China again to Italy.
There are stops in a number of nations, every nation representing a course on the menu.
Having tried the Wild West model already, Royal Caribbean invited me for an unique first look to check out its new concept at its headquarters in Miami that’s nonetheless very a lot in improvement as they superb tune the ultimate model.
Mock-up of what we will count on
Deep inside its Innovation Lab on the cruise line’s headquarters, Royal Caribbean constructed a scale copy of the prepare automotive that may finally be onboard Legend of the Seas.
Together with about 20 different cruise line staff, I obtained to check out the total meal and see, style, and listen to what passengers might encounter once they get onboard the brand new ship.
That is nonetheless an early model of the restaurant, and the aim of this check is to not solely guarantee the results, crew members, and expertise works prefer it ought to, however it’s additionally a chance to collect suggestions.
Royal Caribbean is adamant about taking visitor suggestions under consideration for the ultimate product, and a prototype permits them to check and alter main proper as much as the ship’s launch.
A journey by Asia and Europe
Silk Routes takes you half method internationally and visits 5 nations.
ChinaIndiaPersiaTurkeyItaly
Every nation corresponds to a course, and the delicacies is consultant of these elements of the world.
We had a restricted collection of meals decisions for this trial run, however passengers can count on a full menu when it opens on Legend.
Whether or not you have been to the primary restaurant or not, I believe your jaw will drop when the home windows open and also you’re transported to China and every subsequent nation.
In actual fact, I believe that is the genius of Silk Routes. As a result of there are a number of nations and every has its personal distinct look, the novelty of looking the “home windows” would not get outdated.
The digital screens depend on excessive definition pc renderings to painting the landscapes your prepare is passing by. I noticed some significantly wonderful vistas, resembling Holi in India, Dolomites in northern Italy, or sizzling air balloons over Turkey. I hope these make it into the ultimate model.
Alongside the best way a conductor is your information by the journey.
The conductor not solely declares which nation and area you are passing by, however explains native traditions, vital landmarks, and shares a few of the historical past too.
Your menu has not solely what meals decisions you possibly can choose from, however it has a map to clarify the place you are going.
In contrast to the map from the fictional Wild West model, this one is rooted in actuality. Every area has a proof of its historical past and what drew Marco Polo there within the first place.
Extra immersion
In addition to the a part of the world you are visiting, one change it is best to count on is much less schtick with the conductors.
The conductor this time round is right here to relate, not act.
It depends extra closely on nice meals and nice drinks, and also you get to benefit from the locations your prepare takes you. Mainly, immersion is turned up with Silk Routes.
The place Wild West was very household centric, I believe Silk Routes will likely be extra of an expertise you’d need to go for to rejoice a special day or just take pleasure in a night out doing one thing particular.
That is not to say youngsters would not take pleasure in this too, however do not count on a narrative telling facet akin to the Wild West present.
Taking the meals tour
In our preview, we obtained an concept Royal Caribbean has for the menu when Royal Railway – Legend Station opens.
There is a model new menu, however do not assume something proven on this menu will make the ultimate minimize. Nevertheless, the thought is to lean into every area’s wealthy culinary historical past to supply choices from every.
We obtained to strive Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls from China, Potato Chop from India, and extra. Have in mind the meals was prepped with a ghost kitchen, so that is merely to offer you an concept of the course Royal Caribbean is leaning in direction of.
Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls
I hope the Potato Chop and Adana Kebab make the ultimate menu, as a result of they have been extremely tasty.
Potato Chop
Adana Kebab
As a fan of Indian meals, I like Royal Caribbean is lastly giving us a specialty restaurant that serves curry, biryani, and extra.
When the restaurant opens, I am going to have a tough time selecting between the varied choices.
Limone
Talking of decisions, this early model of the menu appears to have many extra choices to select than the Wild West menu. I am all for selection, so I might like to see that keep on as nicely.
The brand new must-do restaurant?
When Royal Railway opened on Utopia of the Seas, it was immediately offered out and I believe the model coming to Legend will likely be an excellent hotter ticket.
Not solely is that this the second model of the restaurant, however it’s considerably completely different within the strategy. I believe that may get lots of cruisers eager to strive Silk Routes, whether or not they’ve accomplished Wild West or not.
Leaning into a global showcase of meals is such a sensible concept for Silk Routes, and it is one thing I believe most individuals need. A higher number of nice meals that goes nicely past “simply one other specialty restaurant.”
The immersive issue can’t be understated with Silk Routes. Royal Caribbean designed the prepare restaurant to be a reminiscence making tremendous machine, and I believe anybody eating right here will likely be speaking about it nicely after the verify is delivered.
We do not but know the way a lot Royal Caribbean will cost for Silk Routes or when reservations might open for it. However when you’ll be able to begin reserving it, I do know I am going to need to guide a reservation.
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