Royal Caribbean International has confirmed that its upcoming Icon Class vessel, Legend of the Seas, will sail with a new Chief Dog Officer, continuing a now-established onboard tradition as the line expands its fleet.
The cruise line revealed that “Rover” will assume the honorary role aboard Legend of the Seas when the ship enters service in 2026.
The appointment follows the popularity of Rover’s predecessor, whose presence aboard Icon Class ships has drawn significant guest engagement and media attention.
Royal Caribbean introduced the Chief Dog Officer concept as part of its broader strategy to humanise the guest experience across its newest generation of vessels.
The move also aligns with Royal Caribbean’s broader long-term fleet growth plan extending into the next decade.
The role, while ceremonial, has become a distinctive branding element tied specifically to the Icon Class, reinforcing the line’s effort to create multi-generational appeal and memorable onboard touchpoints.
Legend of the Seas will become the third Icon Class ship, following Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas. The vessel is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is scheduled to enter service in 2026.
Royal Caribbean has positioned the Icon Class as a transformational platform, combining large-scale attractions with resort-style neighbourhood design and expanded family-focused amenities.
By confirming Rover’s future role well ahead of the ship’s debut, Royal Caribbean continues building early-stage brand awareness around the vessel.
The move supports the company’s wider marketing cadence, which typically introduces personality-driven elements months before deployment details and itineraries receive full emphasis.
As the Icon Class expands, Royal Caribbean appears intent on preserving signature experiential features, even those that sit outside traditional cruise operations, as part of its competitive differentiation strategy in the premium family cruise segment.
