This cute canine has been dwelling on the world’s largest cruise ship ever since Icon of the Seas launched one yr in the past.
Royal Caribbean awarded Rover the coveted title of “Chief Canine Officer” aboard Icon of the Seas. Becoming a member of the ship at simply six months previous, the golden retriever pet has been dwelling onboard ever since. As one of the crucial beloved residents on Icon of the Seas, Rover has an important position: to convey happiness, pleasure, and like to all company and crew members onboard.
Icon of the Seas, the largest ship on this planet, accommodates as much as 7,600 passengers and a pair of,350 crew members – conserving Rover fairly busy! In fact, Rover doesn’t have free rein onboard the vessel. She is meticulously cared for by her handler, Alison Hubble.
Referred to as Rover’s Chief of Workers, Hubble’s solely job is caring, coaching, and dealing with Rover aboard the ship. The dynamic duo meets many company each onboard and ashore, as Rover is ready to discover some ports of name whereas dwelling aboard Icon of the Seas.
Even nonetheless, having a canine stay on a cruise ship is unprecedented. In response to USA As we speak, Royal Caribbean first consulted with animal welfare specialists on the American Humane Society earlier than bringing her on the ship. This helped guarantee Rover is secure, comfy, and completely happy onboard Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean even designed a particular cabin onboard for Rover and Alison to stay collectively comfortably. The spacious stateroom features a built-in crate to take care of Rover’s security. Toys and fluffy beds can be found across the cabin for Rover to play and nap – what a candy life!
In a current video on social media, Royal Caribbean shared a glimpse into Rover’s busy life on Icon of the Seas, together with how she continues to seize the hearts of passengers and crew members alike.
First, Rover shares her favourite spot onboard the world’s largest cruise ship
In her unique interview on social media, Rover first shares that her favourite place to hang around onboard Icon of the Seas is Central Park.
All through the clips, Rover may be seen sniffing the numerous completely different actual vegetation and timber situated in Central Park. Canine have a powerful sense of odor, so Rover probably appreciates discovering the real-life greenery in Central Park and taking within the contemporary air.
In her day-in-the-life video, Rover shares, “Central Park is my favourite spot. I name it ‘Central Bark.’ I like sniffing all of the timber, vegetation, and contemporary air. I get to wag howdy to everybody as they stroll – and loosen up within the shade!”
Central Park has develop into a visitor favourite and is a standout venue on Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ships. Initially debuting on Oasis-class vessels, Icon of the Seas additionally options the serene neighborhood. Famend for its open-air design, Central Park is taken into account one of the crucial revolutionary areas on Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ships.
To maintain the vegetation alive aboard the vessel, Central Park makes use of a classy irrigation and fertilization system to maintain the foliage inexperienced and lusciously stunning. For Rover, this gives many thrilling alternatives for brand spanking new smells and plenty of sniffing!
Subsequent, the Chief Canine Officer explains a few of her key duties whereas dwelling on Icon of the Seas
Embracing their imaginative and prescient of making the last word household trip, Royal Caribbean noticed the right alternative to introduce a household canine to stay at sea.
Having a canine stay full-time onboard a cruise ship was an unprecedented transfer by Royal Caribbean; nonetheless, the advertising and marketing technique was extraordinarily properly acquired. Rover has develop into synonymous with Icon of the Seas, as many passengers eagerly search for her presence.
In her interview, Rover explains, “It’s actually my job to convey optimistic vibes, have tons of enjoyable, and make folks smile!”
Visitors are welcome – and inspired – to playfully pet and work together with Rover throughout their trip. She’s going to by no means flip down a fast stomach rub from completely happy company onboard! Each passengers and crew discover nice pleasure in her furry presence – and Rover takes her job very critically.
Rover can be identified for enjoying fetch and exercising across the ship in venues that aren’t in use, together with the helipad! With busy days onboard, Rover tries to spend time with each company and crew members to maintain everybody in excessive spirits. Nonetheless, Rover typically gained’t be seen in crowded areas or meals areas for her well-being.
Rover additionally has unique entry to the ship’s bridge, the place she likes to take naps!
All that taking part in and exploring may be fairly tiring, particularly for Rover! The pleasant pup has a busy schedule of socializing and napping between interactions. Specifically, Rover shares how she likes to take naps whereas visiting the captain on the ship’s bridge.
“Being Chief Canine Officer means I get to hang around on the bridge with the captain. I often relaxation up on my mattress in there – taking a number of naps with wag-worthy views,” explains Rover.
The captain may be seen giving Rover a number of love and a focus within the clips, playfully petting her, and tossing the ball. Not many pups get to play fetch with sweeping views of the ocean. Rover is even allowed to take a seat in a very powerful seat on the ship: the captain’s chair!
Even higher, it seems Rover has her personal cozy napping spot on the bridge, full with an enormous, fluffy pink mattress. The wood canine home is one other instance of Royal Caribbean’s dedication to Rover’s consolation and security on Icon of the Seas, even on the ship’s bridge.
With a lot love and a focus, Rover loves making everybody completely happy onboard Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean made it clear that Rover isn’t a service canine, that means she doesn’t full duties for incapacity functions. As an alternative, Rover’s solely job onboard is to convey love, pleasure, and happiness to everybody onboard Icon of the Seas.
Throughout Rover’s interview, she was requested what she loves most about being Icon of the Seas’ Chief Canine Officer. She replied, “Paws down, it’s the crew. I like how completely happy everyone seems to be to see me. I get so many pets and love once they’re round. It’s a dream come true!”
Throughout cruises, Rover is offered for meet-and-greets with fellow passengers. She additionally takes her coaching classes critically, typically adopted by some well-deserved playtime across the ship.
As Royal Caribbean hoped, Rover is likely one of the most beloved points of interest on Icon of the Seas. Many company will wait a number of days for the chance to fulfill her – and a few even convey presents to share with Rover.
Luckily, Rover isn’t restricted to the cruise ship—she will get to discover some ports of name as properly!
Even with an atypical life for a canine, Rover has loads of alternatives to discover the world. She will typically be seen working round Royal Caribbean’s personal island, Excellent Day at CocoCay. As a result of this personal vacation spot is owned and operated by the cruise line, Rover is allowed to discover and play across the island. Supposedly, Rover additionally has permission to go ashore in Miami, Florida – which is Icon of the Seas’ homeport.
Throughout her interview, Rover was requested about her favourite exercise on the island. She replied, “I like hitting the seashore to run, swim, and roll round within the sand. Phew! Enjoying fetch is one of the best. My Chief of Workers throws the ball thus far and I get to indicate everybody how briskly I’m.”
Rover’s handler shared that she completely loves working on the seashore at CocoCay and highlighted her spectacular swimming expertise. For Rover, that is her special occasion of the week to let free, run round, and burn off all her power.
Within the clip, Rover is seen enthusiastically taking part in fetch together with her handler on the sandy seashore of CocoCay. She can be seen taking part in within the sand, rolling round, and leaping within the water. In spite of everything that playtime within the solar and sand, Rover says she wants to wash off again in her cabin.
Rover explains, “Then, I cool off with a contemporary tub earlier than snuggling up for a well-deserved snooze on the ship.” As soon as she’s all clear, Rover’s handler says she all the time wants a nap after taking part in a lot.
Rover additionally shared a glimpse into her coaching schedule whereas onboard
Like several good canine, Rover likes to earn treats by perfecting her skillset. Alongside together with her handler, Rover retains busy with coaching whereas she’s not out and about on the ship. Rover says her favourite rewards embody beef treats, which she earns whereas working towards a few of her latest tips together with her Chief of Workers.
Every day consists of coaching for Rover, sometimes within the morning. After morning potty breaks, Rover enjoys playtime and coaching time to make sure she is up-to-date on her expertise. Royal Caribbean must hold Rover well-behaved so she continues to be obedient whereas interacting with passengers and crew members.
As well as, sustaining Rover’s calm disposition is vital, as she interacts with many kids. This heightens the significance of Rover’s obedience, as she appears to be like to her handler for directions and instructions in these conditions.
“I like my yummy beef coaching treats. I earn them once I’m working towards new expertise or conserving previous ones sharp. I can do all types of instructions – and I’m engaged on actually cool tips, like spinning, rolling over, and cleansing up my toys after I play,” says Rover. Within the clip, Rover exhibits off a few of her greatest tips for the viewers, together with the spectacular activity of cleansing up toys!
Rover additionally encourages company to wave to her once they see her onboard, as that is considered one of her newest expertise. Rover exclaims, “In the event you see me round, give me a wave and I would wave again!”
In fact, Rover can’t wait to fulfill her new buddy, Sailor, on the upcoming Star of the Seas
Though Rover was the primary canine to stay at sea for Royal Caribbean, she is going to quickly have a brand new buddy becoming a member of her. With the August 2025 debut of Star of the Seas – the newest Icon Class ship – Rover will likely be joined by a brand new pup, Sailor.
On the finish of the interview, Rover shares how she will be able to’t wait to fulfill her new buddy later this yr when the ship debuts. Rover states, “I’m tremendous excited to fulfill my new buddy! Sailor would be the Chief Canine Officer on Star of the Seas.”
Learn extra: Royal Caribbean can have a canine that lives on Star of the Seas
