Dog Officer Begins Its Maiden Season Onboard Royal’s Legend

Another “Chief Dog Officer” of Royal Caribbean is already onboard the new vessel Legend of the Seas for its maiden season in the Western Mediterranean.

According to a social media update, the dog named Skipper joined the ship earlier this month ahead of its maiden voyage.

The new Icon-class vessel is scheduled to welcome its first paying guests on July 4, 2026. The Golden Retriever will live onboard, joining Rover on Icon of the Seas and Sailor on Star of the Seas.

Described by Royal Caribbean as a “family dog” for guests and crew, Skipper was born in early February 2026 and underwent special training at the company's headquarters in Miami.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the Royal Caribbean “Chief Dog Officer” program is conducted in partnership with the American Humane Society. This partnership ensures top-tier care and training for the pets, which will have their own tutors onboard. According to Royal Caribbean, the initiative aims to bring joy to vacationers and crew through playtime with the dogs.

Skipper will be onboard Legend of the Seas during its first commercial cruise, which will sail to destinations in Italy, Spain, and France. The seven-night inaugural voyage is scheduled to start this Saturday from the Italian port of Civitavecchia, near Rome.

       
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Highlights of the itinerary include visits to La Spezia, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, and Marseille, as well as two days spent at sea.

The cruise liner Legend of the Seas will spend its first summer season in Europe, offering similar cruises through late October. The 250,800-ton vessel will then complete a transatlantic crossing ahead of debuting in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) for a series of cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

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Consultation on any questions

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