The fantastic new mega ship, Legend of the Seas, has an unusual permanent crew member – a young Golden Retriever called Skipper.
Skipper’s official job title is “Chief Dog Officer”.
I was hoping I could meet her sometime during my cruise, but on a ship of that size, it was far from certain!
Passengers can’t book a meeting with Skipper. I only saw her very briefly once on my cruise, and that was because I happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Who Is Skipper?
Skipper is the resident dog onboard Legend of the Seas.
“Chief Dog Officer” is a role Royal Caribbean introduced on its Icon Class ships.
The Icon class ships are:
- Icon of the Seas
- Star of the Seas
- Legend of the Seas
- Hero of the Seas (scheduled to sail in 2027)
Skipper follows Rover, Chief Dog Officer onboard Icon of the Seas and Sailor, onboard Star of the Seas.
The three dogs are adorable golden retrievers. They “are more than just mascots, they’re bona fide members of the crew, dedicated to spreading joy and wagging tails wherever they go”.
These dogs have dedicated handlers, known as their Chief of Staff, and they are always accompanied around the ship.
Royal Caribbean Says:
When guests go on vacation, one of the key things that they miss is their pets back home, and when our crew is out sailing on board for their contracts, one of the things they miss is their pets back at home.
Jay Rosser, senior manager in product development for Royal Caribbean
How I Finally Spotted Her
I had popped into the AquaDome to fill up my drinks cup when I saw Skipper.
At first it didn’t register that it was her. I am used to seeing assistance dogs on cruises, so I had to do a double-take when I realised it might be Skipper.
I definitely got lucky, there were no other guests there making a fuss of her, she was just with her handler.
I was able to get a few quick photos and a brief video, and then she was off on her way.
This very brief encounter was the only time I saw her during the whole week.
It made me miss my own dog, Rolo, who I had left in the care of my family at home.
Can Passengers Meet Skipper?
To be honest, you might, but there is absolutely no guarantee.
There is no regular public timetable or scheduled meet-and-greet listed in the Royal Caribbean app.
Skipper makes short, spontaneous appearances while going about her day with her handler, so passengers simply have to get lucky.
Don’t book Legend specifically expecting a photo, cuddle or planned meeting with her – that is not going to happen.
Where Might You See Her?
I saw her in the AquaDome at the front of the ship, but she could potentially appear in quieter or more open public areas while walking with her handler.
I would suggest simply keeping an eye out while exploring the ship, and if you see her, see it as a bonus.
Why Does A Cruise Ship Have A Dog?
Dogs are intended to bring some everyday happiness to guests and crew members who may be missing their own pets.
They receive specialist training to become comfortable with crowds, unusual noises, movement and life onboard.
Skipper is not expected to spend the whole day meeting passengers. She has rest, exercise, private areas and a dedicated person responsible for her care.
Behind The Scenes
According to Royal Caribbean, Chief Dog Officers have their privacy for both sleeping quarters and “personal relief stations”.
They also enjoy a balanced and healthy diet, along with treats for a job well done.
Special occasions even bring fancy meals and dog-safe, chef-prepared “pup cakes.” Everything the Chief Dog Officers eat is logged, and any special dietary needs or concerns are checked during regular vet visits.
An important part of the job is both crew and guest mingling. Chief Dog Officers stay safely accompanied and guided by their experienced Chief of Staff, so there is no concern about unwanted interaction or paws getting stepped on during line dances or bustling deck events.
Additionally, like all crew and passengers, Chief Dog Officers have personal life jackets and their own muster station!
What It Was Really Like Meeting Skipper
I saw meeting Skipper as a lovely little bonus, rather than something I expected to do while onboard.
I only saw her once for a few moments, but that is hardly surprising, given the size of the ship.
Although Skipper does live onboard, meeting her is entirely down to luck!
Meeting Skipper certainly made me miss my own dog, Rolo.
He was rescued from the streets of Romania by the charity luckyslegacyrescue and he can’t wait to “help” me when I am working! We fundraise for the charity by selling toys of First Mate Rolo. You can order yours/join the waitlist for the next version here: EmmaCruises.com/Rolo. Thank you SO much to everybody who has been a part of the fundraising so far, you’ve made such a big difference.
Before You Go
I took a sailing on a ship that actually allows you to bring your own dog or cat onboard, find out all about that here:
I Took A Cruise That Allows Dogs (And Cats) Onboard!
Someone actually smuggled a cat onboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas in a sweatshirt! Find out what happened to him here:
Cat Smuggled onto Cruise Ship in Sweatshirt – Discovered by Authorities
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