Croatian crews on Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas; Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady docks in Zadar

The newly launched Royal Caribbean cruise liner Legend of the Seas began its first commercial voyage from Civitavecchia with a number of Croatian seafarers on board, including chief engineer Zdravko Vodopić and chief electrician Mirko Mandić. The vessel, an Icon‑class ship built in Finland, will operate seven‑day cruises from Barcelona and Rome starting 4 July 2026.

Around the same time, Virgin Voyages' adult‑only megacruiser Scarlet Lady arrived at the Gaženica terminal in Zadar after calling at Greece and Montenegro. The 277‑metre ship, which restricts passengers to those over 18 and hosts LGBTQ+ themed cruises, was forced to alter its itinerary after being denied entry to Turkey and Egypt.

Both ships highlight the growing presence of large cruise operators in the Adriatic region and the role of Croatian maritime professionals in the industry.