Royal Caribbean Worldwide’s Icon of the Seas – now simply over two weeks from her inaugural crusing – is stuffed with revolutionary firsts, however probably the most distinctive first onboard isn’t structure, engineering, eating, leisure, or a particular venue.
Simply arrived to the ship is the very first canine at sea: Rover, a everlasting resident aboard Icon of the Seas and an official crew member.
Canine Crew Member on Icon of the Seas
Rover, the “Chief Canine Officer” of Icon of the Seas, has formally boarded the ship to start her excessive seas service. The pup, which seems to be a golden retriever, is described because the “household canine” of the vessel and a crew member, however her precise duties haven’t been detailed.
The canine is all the time accompanied by Allison, a crew member from Australia, and might be exploring the ship, greeting visitors, and undoubtedly performing different duties.
“As a crew member on Icon, Rover’s job is to carry pleasure and happiness to her fellow crew and visitors onboard,” Rover’s social media account has said. “From each day walks to hanging out on the bridge with the captain, Rover has already made herself at dwelling.”
The canine boarded the ship whereas the vessel was docked in Puerto Rico not too long ago, taking up provides, present process inspections, and finishing element work forward of her maiden voyage on January 27, 2024. Icon of the Seas is scheduled to reach at her homeport in Miami, Florida on Wednesday, January 10, with a grand welcome celebration deliberate because the ship arrives.
What Will Rover Do Onboard?
Rover’s precise duties onboard haven’t been detailed, apart from bringing pleasure and happiness to everybody on Icon of the Seas.
It’s attainable she is a service canine for Allison, and under no circumstances is it mandatory for Royal Caribbean Worldwide to element the medical circumstances that necessitate a service animal. Service canine typically carry out quite a lot of features and can be utilized for circumstances reminiscent of diabetes, seizure problems, allergen detection, coronary heart arrhythmias and different coronary heart circumstances, and different well being issues.
Whereas the movies shared of Rover don’t present her sporting a “service canine” vest or different gear, that is additionally not required for service canine.
Rover may additionally be a educated working canine to smell out unlawful medication or different gadgets and alert safety to prohibited gadgets. Carnival Cruise Line, for instance, makes use of canine onboard some vessels for precisely that goal.
Additionally it is attainable that Rover will function a mascot onboard, producing social media curiosity and a preferred fanbase. This may be just like Bug Bare, the hairless cat onboard Movie star Past. Bug Bare is Captain Kate McCue’s private pet, and has particular clearance to be permitted onboard.
One other obligation Rover could carry out is enhancing the psychological well being and happiness of crew members, lots of whom have left their very own pets behind as they serve months-long contracts at sea. Canines are sometimes used as remedy animals to assist people scuffling with melancholy, anxiousness, or different psychological well being points.
Visitor Response
Visitor response has been combined to Rover’s life at sea onboard Icon of the Seas. Whereas many visitors are keen to satisfy the canine and excited concerning the new crew member, others really feel a canine onboard is inappropriate and will trigger issues for vacationers who could also be allergic.
It should be famous, nevertheless, that Rover has full clearance from the cruise line, and is undoubtedly totally health-tested and cleared for worldwide journey. Because the canine may additionally be a service animal, having her onboard is definitely in accordance with the cruise line’s service animal insurance policies.
“Royal Caribbean Worldwide welcomes service canine on all ships. Please observe we don’t settle for pets,” the cruise line’s coverage reads.
Even when Rover shouldn’t be a service animal, cruise strains could make their very own selections and exceptions about insurance policies as mandatory, as within the case of Bug Bare.
Will Pets Be Permitted on Cruises?
Some vacationers are wanting to know whether or not Rover’s dwelling on Icon of the Seas could point out a change in coverage that may welcome pets onboard.
That is extremely unlikely, as it might be not possible for Royal Caribbean, or any cruise line, to adequately decide if visitors’ pets have been in correct well being, educated, and socialized to be secure onboard round crowds and in very unfamiliar conditions.
Cruise ships are additionally not geared up to welcome a lot of animals, although reduction areas and different amenities could be organized for service animals.
Moreover, each port of name may have completely different restrictions on animals debarking a ship, together with vaccination and veterinary well being certificates necessities, plus attainable inspections and quarantine intervals.
For instance, the cat that was not too long ago smuggled aboard Ovation of the Seas needed to be extensively quarantined in New Zealand and would have been euthanized if he had not been subsequently deported again to the US and adopted by a Royal Caribbean staff member.
What are your ideas on Rover’s presence aboard Icon of the Seas? Share your feedback on the Cruise Hive boards!
