My Travel CV: Rover the dog lives on world's biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas

Meet the golden retriever that spends her life sailing with her bestie/handler, Maya.

The chief dog officer of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is cruising’s goodest girl. This her Travel CV:

As chief dog officer my job is...

One of the many things that bring families joy is a family dog. That’s why, for the world’s best family vacation, Royal Caribbean introduced my role as chief dog officer on Icon of the Seas in consultation with animal welfare experts at American Humane. Each day my job is to help make unforgettable memories for both our guests and crew. I take my role very seriously, bringing plenty of cuddles and fun to life at sea. After all, every great holiday should have a friendly face (and a wagging tail).

My favourite thing about cruising is...

Bringing my golden retriever energy to the high seas every day. Everyone is in such a great mood when cruising, I love to be among the action. There’s always something exciting to see, someone new to meet or a new scent to sniff.

The place I’d love to visit in Australia is...

The Great Barrier Reef. I love ocean swims, and I’d love to get a selfie among the fish. Crystal-clear water, sunshine and new friends to spot sounds like so much fun.

The place I’ve visited most often is...

Perfect Day at CocoCay where my favourite spot is South Beach as I can play fetch in the sand and go for a swim in the Caribbean Sea. There’s nothing better than a splash in the ocean followed by a post-swim snooze.

The place I’ve visited most often is Perfect Day at CocoCay. Picture: Supplied.

A day on the job looks like...

My daily routine on board and on land is hanging out with my handler, Maya, who makes sure I’m happy and healthy, and I also bring joy to the guests and crew we interact with. My day is packed with fun activities like playtime, exercise, and brushing up on my training techniques. I also nap often so I’m always well-rested.

My favourite spot on Icon of the Seas is…

Central Park, which is a real park in the middle of the ship, as I can sniff all the trees and plants (there are over 33,500 plants) and listen to live jazz from my friends performing at Lou’s Jazz ’n Blues. I also love chilling in my bed on the bridge so I can hang out with the captain and enjoy endless ocean views.

My favourite on-board activity is...

People watching, especially families creating their best memories together. I also love hanging out with the crew; they are pretty much from every corner of the Earth and I love all the pats and cuddles they bring – they make me feel like part of the gang.

My favourite spot on Icon of the Seas is Central Park, which is a real park in the middle of the ship. Picture: Supplied.

My go-to travel accessory is...

My custom bandana. We actually have pet accessories on board Icon of the Seas including leads and bandannas so I can keep up with the latest trends, plus guests can take a souvenir home for their own dogs and cats.

My most memorable travel experience happened in...

January when I celebrated my first birthday on board… seven in dog years. The crew threw a huge party with a dog-friendly cake, games and lots of pats.

The travel tips I’d like to share are…

Take plenty of video and pictures on each trip, so you can relive holiday moments. I have my own Instagram account (@chiefdogofficers) where guests from all over the world can see what I’ve been up to.

Cruising is a great way to step outside your comfort zone. Picture: Supplied.

One thing people should know about me is…

I love to meet new people, especially families, who might be missing their own dogs while on holiday. Nothing makes me happier than starring in their selfies.

Advice I’d give to someone going on a cruise is…

Try something new, whether it’s a new food, joining an activity you’ve never done before or making friends with someone from a new country. Cruising is a great way to step outside your comfort zone.

The best person I’ve met on a cruise is…

Lionel Messi. I met him on board as he is the Icon of Icon of the Seas. I reckon he’d be pretty impressed by my fetch skills.

My favourite travel companion is Maya, my handler and my bestie. Picture: Supplied.

The best thing I’ve eaten while cruising is…

Icon of the Seas has Rye & Bean, an awesome coffee shop in the Aquadome which is both a cosy morning café and a buzzing late-night bar, offering coffee-infused cocktails such as Espresso Martinis. The mixologists make me a puppucino when nobody is looking.

My favourite travel companion is…

Maya, my handler and my bestie. She has spent over five years working on cruise ships and travelling the world. Maya always looks out for me and I love our adventures together.

Cruise/car/flight or train?

Cruise, of course. I love to wake up in a new destination each day.

My favourite way to travel is by cruise, of course. I love to wake up in a new destination each day. Picture: Supplied.

Chew toy or treat?

Treats, treats and more treats. Although I do enjoy carrying a soft toy around the ship when I’m feeling playful.

Pool or beach?

That’s a tough choice. We have seven pools on Icon of the Seas, so one for every day of the week. However, I’d choose the beach as nothing beats digging in the sand and sprinting to the ocean.

Originally published as My Travel CV: Rover the dog lives on world's biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas