Royal Caribbean's upcoming Hero of the Seas will have a very special crew member when she sets sail in 2027: a puppy named Dolly. Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley announced the name on Facebook, noting that a panel had ratified the popular vote — even though Dolly wasn't one of the seven names originally offered to the public for consideration.
The original shortlist included Hero, Scout, Marina, Pearl, Coco, Coral, and Sandy. But fans flooded the comments with a write-in suggestion: Dolly, in honor of the late Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer. Parton was celebrated not only for her decades-long country music career but for her extraordinary philanthropic legacy, including her Imagination Library program, which has delivered more than 300 million free books to children worldwide as of 2026.
The response from cruisers was emotional. Many fans called the name a fitting tribute to someone who spent a lifetime giving back, and Bayley's announcement was met with widespread enthusiasm across social media.
Dolly will join three other Chief Dog Officers already living aboard Royal Caribbean ships: Rover on Icon of the Seas, Sailor on Star of the Seas, and Skipper on Legend of the Seas. Hero of the Seas is scheduled to make her maiden voyage on August 11, 2027 — a three-night sailing to Perfect Day CocoCay — before settling into a regular rotation of seven-night Caribbean itineraries. The ship features highlights including the Category 6 Waterpark, an Ultimate Family Treehouse suite, a New Orleans-themed supper club, and the adults-only Hideaway retreat.
This story was originally reported by Royal Caribbean Blog.
