Cruisers Helped Name Royal Caribbean’s Next Ship Puppy — Say Hello to Skipper

If you’ve ever sailed away and thought, “Okay… but I miss my dog,” you’re going to want to hear this.

Royal Caribbean is adding a brand-new “family dog” to its newest Icon Class ship — and she’s a golden retriever puppy named Skipper.

What makes this even better? Cruisers helped pick her name, and the comments rolled in fast — excited cruisers, dog people, and future passengers were all chiming in about how they’re going to track her down for a hello onboard. 

Skipper Just Joined Royal Caribbean’s “Chief Dog Officer” Squad

Picture this: you’re walking the Promenade on a brand-new ship… and a golden retriever in a little captain vibe trots by with her handler.

Royal Caribbean has a new ship dog on the way, and cruisers helped pick her name.

She’ll live onboard Legend of the Seas, and her name is Skipper.

The name was revealed after Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley shared the pup’s birth and asked fans for ideas. People tossed out options like Anchor, Schooner, Marina, Coco, Luna and Pearl — and Skipper got the final nod.

What a “Chief Dog Officer” Actually Does on a Cruise Ship

If this is your first time hearing about a cruise ship having a resident pup, you’re not alone.

Royal Caribbean started the Chief Dog Officer role with Rover on Icon of the Seas, then added Sailor on Star of the Seas. Skipper is next in line for Legend of the Seas.

A lot of the “work” is exactly what you’d hope:

• Surprise guest appearances around the ship
• Photos with families (when the ship schedules it)
• Hanging out with crew who miss their pets back home
• Daily walks and plenty of playtime
• Naps wherever she claims as her spot

Royal Caribbean says each dog has a dedicated handler (their “Chief of Staff”), plus training to get used to crowds, strange noises, and ship motion. They also have private relief areas, regular vet check-ins, and even their own life jackets and muster station.

Is Skipper a Service Dog?

No — Skipper isn’t a service animal assigned to a passenger.

She’s part of the ship’s crew culture, built around comfort, morale, and those “aww” moments that make a big ship feel a bit more personal.

This also doesn’t change Royal Caribbean’s rules on pets — you still can’t bring your own pet onboard, since the line isn’t a “pet-friendly hotel at sea” for everyday pets.

Will Guests Get To See Skipper Onboard?

This is the question everyone asks the second they hear “ship dog.”

With Rover and Sailor, Royal Caribbean has shared tons of photos and short videos of them meeting guests, roaming the ship with their handler, and popping up in different neighborhoods. The Chief Dog Officers guide also says the pups make quick appearances throughout the day, then disappear for quiet time.

If you’re hoping to spot Skipper, your best bet will likely be:

• Family areas like Surfside and the Promenade
• Outdoor decks during walk times
• Meet-and-greets listed in the daily schedule (when offered)

One big note: let her come to you. Golden retrievers are friendly, but a crowd can get intense fast. A calm “hi Skipper” beats a full-on photo mob every time.

When Skipper Will Join Legend of the Seas

Skipper is a female golden retriever puppy born on February 5, 2026, and Royal Caribbean has said she’ll be part of Legend of the Seas while the ship is sailing in Europe. They haven’t shared her exact “move-in” date yet, but the plan is for her to be onboard during the ship’s early Mediterranean season.

As for the ship itself, Legend of the Seas is scheduled to make her inaugural sailing on July 4, 2026, departing from Rome (Civitavecchia).

Suggested read: Royal Caribbean Latest Icon Class Updates And Hints at a Whole New Class Coming

Why Legend of the Seas is a Perfect “Family Dog” Ship

Legend of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class ship, built for the big family vacation crowd — the kind that wants waterslides, a boardwalk-style neighborhood, and enough food choices that nobody has to agree on dinner.

Royal Caribbean describes Legend of the Seas as keeping the Icon Class layout (eight different “neighborhoods”), loading up the dining lineup (so you can bounce between quick bites, sit-down meals, and snacks between waterslides), and even adding a two-story casino — which is one of the details cruisers can’t stop talking about.

After Europe, Legend of the Seas is scheduled to sail from Fort Lauderdale starting in November 2026, with Caribbean itineraries.

Related reading:  7 Big Royal Caribbean Changes Coming in 2026

Why Cruise Fans Love The Ship Dog Idea

Cruising can be loud, busy, and non-stop. A calm, friendly dog in the middle of all that can change the whole mood.

Crew members spend months away from home. Guests leave their pets behind. Families sometimes arrive already stressed from flights, delays, and luggage drama. A happy golden retriever showing up for a quick cuddle is basically a floating reset button.

Also, it’s smart marketing.

People remember the ship with the dog. They follow the dog’s posts. They tell their friends they “met Skipper.” Suddenly, a brand-new ship feels like it has a personality.

If you want to keep up with the current Chief Dog Officers, Royal Caribbean points fans to @chiefdogofficers on Instagram.

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Final Word

If you’re sailing on Legend of the Seas in 2026, you may end up with a new “must-do” item: spotting Skipper — and if you can’t wait until then, you can still follow (and maybe even spot) the other Icon Class pups, Rover and Sailor, on their ships and on @chiefdogofficers.

Now I want to know — would you book a cruise just to meet the ship’s Chief Dog Officer, or is this going too far?

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