Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley has taken the search for a name for the next Icon Class ship's canine crew member straight to the fans — and the response has been enthusiastic. After an open call for suggestions, Bayley narrowed the field to seven finalists: Hero, Scout, Marina, Pearl, Coco, Coral, and Sandy. He posted the shortlist on Facebook, inviting a final round of public voting before making the ultimate call himself.
Within three hours of his post going live, it had already drawn more than 670 comments. Based on fan responses, Scout, Pearl, Coco, Sandy, and Hero appear to be the frontrunners, while Marina and Coral have generated comparatively less enthusiasm. One commenter noted that Scout fits naturally alongside the names of the three dogs already serving on Royal Caribbean ships: Rover on Icon of the Seas, Sailor on Star of the Seas, and Skipper on Legend of the Seas.
However, a significant number of fans rallied around a write-in candidate: Dolly, in tribute to the late Dolly Parton, who passed away earlier this week in Nashville, Tennessee. Many commenters argued that naming the dog Dolly — and perhaps even designating Parton as the ship's godmother — would be a fitting honor for someone they described as a lifelong hero to countless people.
The new Chief Dog Officer will sail aboard Hero of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's next Icon Class ship, which is scheduled to debut on August 11, 2027. The inaugural voyage will depart from Miami and head to Perfect Day at CocoCay. The ship will introduce several firsts to the fleet, including the Ultimate Family Treehouse suite spanning three decks, the first funnel raft slide at sea, and the largest swim-up bar at sea in the adults-only Hideaway area. More than two dozen dining venues are also planned, including a New Orleans-themed supper club and the Royal Railway — Hero Station.
This story was originally reported by Royal Caribbean Blog.
