Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson will christen the ship on Veterans Day before it begins Caribbean cruises to Aruba, Curaçao and The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas is heading to Fort Lauderdale this November after its debut summer in Europe. Now the cruise line has named the person who will welcome the ship to its new home port: retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson.

Robinson will serve as Legend’s godmother at a Nov. 11 naming ceremony. The Veterans Day date gives the occasion particular resonance. Robinson spent 37 years in the Air Force and became the first woman to lead a U.S. combatant command. She also led NORAD and U.S. Northern Command.

A ship’s godmother traditionally offers a blessing for the vessel, its crew and everyone who sails aboard it. For Legend, that tradition will take place just as the ship prepares to begin its first Caribbean season from South Florida.

“I am deeply honored to be named godmother of Legend of the Seas and take part in such a special tradition for Royal Caribbean alongside my family,” Robinson said. She called the Veterans Day ceremony especially meaningful and said she looked forward to recognizing generations of service members.

The Caribbean Sailings

From Fort Lauderdale, Legend will offer six-night Western Caribbean cruises and eight-night Southern Caribbean voyages. The longer itineraries include Oranjestad, Aruba, and Willemstad, Curaçao, giving passengers two distinct Dutch Caribbean ports on the same vacation.

Every Legend sailing from Fort Lauderdale will also call at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. The private-island stop has beaches, pools, swim-up bars and a waterpark, extending the ship’s family-focused attractions onto shore.

What’s Aboard Legend

Royal Caribbean is giving families plenty of choices at sea. The ship has 28 dining options, including Royal Railway – Legend Station, an immersive dining experience, and the multi-course Hollywoodland Supper Club.

There are seven pools, while Crown’s Edge combines a skywalk and zip line 154 feet above the ocean. The entertainment lineup includes America’s Got Talent LIVE and a production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Legend is the latest ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class, following Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, which we covered ahead of its Caribbean debut. Its arrival in Fort Lauderdale will give travelers another way to pair a resort-scale ship with stops across the Caribbean — beginning with a naming ceremony that honors Robinson’s career and the service of military families.