If you've ever wondered what it's like to be on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship but in a completely different world from everyone else, Legend of the Seas has a pretty compelling answer. The ship's suite-only enclave, called The Grove, sits on deck 18 forward and is accessible only by scanning a SeaPass card at a set of sliding doors — with a crew member stationed nearby to help. Once inside, the contrast with the rest of the ship is immediate: uncrowded seating, a small but serene pool, a covered hot tub, and a buffet offering Mediterranean-inspired small plates from morning through evening.
The buffet is designed for grazing between dips in the pool or stretches in a lounger, not sit-down meals — think tapas-style portions timed to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. One low-key highlight: Magnum ice cream bars are available all day, though you have to ask for them at the end of the buffet line. Opposite the buffet, a bar rounds out the food-and-drink options, and the relaxed atmosphere apparently makes it a natural spot for guests to linger and chat with the bartender or fellow suite passengers.
The Suite Neighborhood doesn't stop at The Grove. Two decks below, the Suite Lounge on deck 16 offers complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., expanding to cocktails in the evening. Suite guests also have access to two dedicated concierges — useful on a ship this size — who can handle reservations, billing questions, and general requests. And then there's Coastal Kitchen, a full-service restaurant exclusively for suite guests that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, with a rotating dinner menu and a permanent section that includes, among other things, a French Onion Soup that earned repeat visits from the reviewer.
Access to The Grove and the broader suite perks requires booking a Grand Suite or higher category cabin, or holding Pinnacle Club status — none of which comes cheap. But for travelers who typically spend significant time on the pool deck, the combination of a private outdoor space, dedicated dining, bar service, and concierge support makes a strong case for the splurge. Non-suite guests can now pay to dine at Coastal Kitchen as a one-off, but The Grove itself remains exclusive to suite guests.
This firsthand tour was reported by Matt Hochberg of Royal Caribbean Blog.
