Icon of the Seas is understood for being the biggest cruise ship on this planet. Not solely is her dimension record-breaking, however she’s additionally the primary cruise ship to have a canine dwelling onboard full-time.
Rover is an lovable golden retriever who has been crusing the excessive seas since she was a pet. Often called the “Chief Canine Officer,” Rover’s duties embrace assembly passengers, strolling by way of Central Park, and making visits to the Bridge.
On a current cruise aboard Icon of the Seas, two households bid for a personal session with Rover throughout the Make-A-Want public sale.
“We acquired to have the personal session [with Rover] by profitable the Make a Want Public sale on the second day of the cruise. In case you are not conscious, Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Make a Want and does particular auctions on every cruise for quite a lot of experiences / perks,” Chalker defined on a Royal Caribbean Weblog dialogue discussion board.
“On Icon of the Seas, a personal session with Rover is often one of many objects. We acquired right into a small bidding battle with one other household, however stopped bidding at $300. The cruise director then supplied each our households classes with Rover if we each made a $300 donation. We shortly agreed.”
On Day 6, the household met Rover’s handler outdoors of Highlight Karaoke, the place they had been escorted to a personal room for 25 minutes.
“Rover had a ton of power and was sniffing in every single place and cherished rolling round and being petted. We acquired to spend about 25 minutes complete with them, asking numerous questions and getting footage and movies taken with Rover,” they continued.
Afterward, Chalker determined to share what they realized about Rover. Listed here are 19 details in regards to the cutest canine at sea!
1. Rover is nearly two years previous
Icon of the Seas’ crew went all out for Rover’s first celebration. In response to an Instagram reel shared to Rover’s official account, she was groomed earlier than her celebration, sporting a celebration hat and a colourful bandana.
The crew-only space was adorned with balloons and loads of candy treats. Rover even acquired her personal dog-friendly cake! In fact, she additionally acquired tons of pets and brand-new toys.
Her second birthday is shortly approaching! It is an thrilling one as a result of she’ll lastly be allowed to have plush toys.
2. She joined the ship when she was 6 months previous
Rover has been dwelling on Icon of the Seas for many of her life. Whereas she wasn’t a part of the abroad motion in Finland or Spain, she joined the crew in Puerto Rico forward of the official christening ceremonies in January 2024.
Earlier than boarding Icon, Rover hung out aboard Freedom of the Seas. She wanted some expertise at sea earlier than becoming a member of the world’s largest cruise ship!
Fortunately, she has nice sea legs and has hardly had any points throughout tough climate.
3. Rover’s handler has one of the best job on this planet
“Rover’s Chief of Workers” is liable for caring for her. When Chalker met Rover, her handler had been onboard since Sept. 2024 and was getting ready for trip. Rover’s first Chief of Workers was Alison Hubble, who had been with Royal Caribbean for six years earlier than becoming a member of Rover’s staff.
“One other crew member was ‘in-training’ to take over and could be shifting into the cabin within the close to future,” Chalker explains, “This place is extremely aggressive as a result of perks that include it (i.e. the cabin, the duties, and schedule). It solely goes to workers [who] have spent a big period of time on Icon and already know and work together with Rover lots.”
Learn extra: I maintain a canine on the world’s largest cruise ship. Being the Chief Canine Officer is a dream job
4. Royal Caribbean has a partnership with the American Humane Society
Rover’s position as Chief Canine Officer was created in session with animal welfare consultants on the American Humane Society.
Right now, the American Humane Society conducts common visits and inspections to make sure Rover’s well being and well-being.
5. As such, Rover can solely “work” for a set variety of hours each day
The rules mandate that she will be able to solely work a most of two to 3 hours per day in 20-minute shifts.
These measures guarantee Rover has time to chill out, take pleasure in playtime, and obtain correct care at sea. “The remainder of her day is doing regular ‘canine’ stuff,” Chalker says.
6. She does not like huge crowds
Measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons with a passenger capability of seven,600, one would possibly assume that Rover is a social pet who does not thoughts massive crowds.
Nonetheless, based on Chalker, Rover is kind of the other. As such, she usually makes unscheduled appearances in quieter areas, like Central Park and the Overlook.
7. Rover is a 3 Stripe Officer
Due to her rank, she will get to reside in a particular suite with sufficient house to play and sleep — in certainly one of three completely different beds! Rover additionally has loads of toys and actions out there to maintain her entertained.
The cabin itself has home windows, a spacious dwelling space, a big desk for her handler, a separate bed room, and a specifically designed crate.
8. She spends a variety of time within the crew areas
Whereas certainly one of her main duties is to convey pleasure to friends, the crew loves her simply as a lot!
“She commonly visits the bridge and the captain loves her. The crew basically love[s] interacting along with her by way of the day, akin to within the crew café space,” says Chalker.
“There are particular areas she will be able to additionally run round, such because the helipad, the place she commonly performs fetch.”
9. Rover will get off the ship in Miami
Icon of the Seas sails 7-night itineraries to the Japanese and Western Caribbean, returning to Miami each Saturday.
When Icon is docked in Florida, Rover disembarks for normal vet visits and to see her groomer. Not solely that, however she loves going to the seashore, outside parks, and even the mall!
“She’s generally acknowledged as Rover by folks strolling round Miami,” Chalker provides.
10. She has a couple of costumes
Whereas Rover does not costume up typically, she has a Captain’s hat, pirate costume, reindeer costume, and numerous bandanas.
Moreover, when Chalker met Rover, she was sporting a cute skirt that was designed to appear like a mermaid tail.
11. Rover loves fetch and tug-of-war
In actual fact, she loves taking part in a lot that crew members cannot say “ball” or “tug” in entrance of her! Each time the crew is speaking about fetch or tug-of-war, they’ve the spell the phrases out.
She will get so excited that she thinks it is time to play and can wait by sure doorways because the video games are solely allowed in particular areas, such because the helipad.
12. She has a particular life vest
Cruise ships have sufficient life vests for all passengers (and canine)!
Equally, like all friends, Rover has a muster station to report back to in case there’s an emergency. In response to Chalker, “Her muster station is by the large canine statue on the Royal Promenade.”
13. There is a devoted pet reduction space onboard Icon of the Seas
The world is on Deck 5 alongside the strolling observe close to the entrance of the ship and is a snug house for Rover to maintain her wants at sea.
Chalker explains that, “It’s acquired what appears like a raised mattress backyard planter in it with what appears like wooden chips or comparable that may be a dust simulant.”
14. She loves treats and is usually hand-fed
Rover’s Chief of Workers at all times has a fanny pack on them stuffed with Rover’s meals, which is why you would possibly see her nibbling all through the day. Nonetheless, she does get different treats, together with carrots and bananas.
In actual fact, she’s fairly the fan of carrots. At some point, her Chief of Workers requested the Galley crew if Rover may have a spare carrot on the ground. They stated no and disappeared into the cooler, returning with a clear, full-sized carrot for the pup!
“Rover thought this was probably the most superb factor and was strutting round with the carrot in her mouth like a stick or bone for some time (they clearly didn’t need Rover to must accept a ‘scrap of carrot’),” explains Chalker.
15. She’s sensible and responds handy alerts
Earlier than Rover joined Icon of the Seas, she underwent in depth coaching. For instance, not solely does she know easy methods to sit on command, however she loves posing and waving for the digicam!
Throughout their personal session, Chalker acquired a brief video of their household and Rover waving to the digicam on the identical time.
16. Royal Caribbean permits service animals onboard
Each time there is a service canine onboard, the Chief of Workers is notified as a result of Rover is not a fan of smaller canine, as they’re often aggressive round her.
She’s been launched to the Toto puppet for the onboard manufacturing of The Wizard of Oz and was confused as a result of, although it appears like a small canine, it did not odor, sound, or transfer like one.
17. Rover has a conventional canine collar
Crew members have particular ID tags which are completely different from normal visitor SeaPass playing cards. Rover, nonetheless, wears a conventional canine collar with a tag revealing her title and telephone quantity.
Her Chief of Workers stated they need Rover to have a singular crew ID however have not been in a position to get one but.
19. Star of the Seas can even have a Chief Canine Officer
Sailor was born in February and is rising up quick! She’s opened her eyes, taken her first steps, realized to play along with her associates, and had her enamel begin rising in!
Whereas Sailor nonetheless should bear coaching earlier than she will be able to assume her position as Chief Canine Officer aboard Star of the Seas, she’s proving to be simply as lovable as Rover!
19. Rover will not keep on Icon without end
Whereas Rover enjoys dwelling her life aboard Icon of the Seas, she’s solely anticipated to stay onboard till she’s 5 or 6 years previous.
Then, she’ll be adopted by a loving household to reside out the remainder of her life in a “regular dwelling surroundings,” reasonably than at sea visiting ports within the Caribbean.
In response to Chalker, there’s already a protracted listing of adoptees desirous to welcome Rover into their houses when she retires.
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