Royal Caribbean Named Chief Dog Officer Dolly
The golden retriever will serve on the Icon-class vessel Hero of the Seas, which debuts out of PortMiami in summer 2027.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Cruises
Royal Caribbean has named a golden retriever Dolly to serve as the chief dog officer aboard the upcoming Icon-class ship, Hero of the Seas. The name was selected following public demand to honor the late singer Dolly Parton, who died in August 2026 at age 80.
Why it matters
The naming reflects a tribute to the singer while building brand identity for the line's upcoming vessel. Royal Caribbean introduced the role in 2024 to enhance the guest experience on their newest fleet.
Dolly joins a team of three existing chief dog officers, marking the fourth canine in this fleet-wide role since it was created in 2024. The selection followed an initial voting period where public demand pushed for the late singer Dolly Parton’s namesake to be added.
The players
Royal Caribbean
The cruise line that established the chief dog officer role and announced the ship's newest canine team member.
Dolly Parton
The late singer whose passing at age 80 inspired the public to request that the new chief dog officer be named in her honor.
Dolly
The golden retriever designated as the chief dog officer for the upcoming Icon-class vessel.
The details
Royal Caribbean selected the name following an initial public vote and subsequent surge in interest. The dog will be stationed on the Hero of the Seas, which is currently scheduled to debut at PortMiami in summer 2027. Dolly will join current canine officers Rover, Sailor, and Skipper in the cruise line's program.
Timeline
Royal Caribbean introduced the chief dog officer title in 2024.
Singer Dolly Parton passed away in August 2026 at the age of 80.
The name Dolly was officially announced by the company on October 14, 2026.
The Hero of the Seas is slated to launch in summer 2027.
Beyond the 305
This naming follows the precedent established by the 2024 launch of the chief dog officer program across the cruise line's fleet. By adding Dolly to the roster, the company extends the established role previously filled by dogs such as Rover, Sailor, and Skipper.
Travelers planning to book trips out of PortMiami can expect to see the new dog officer once the Hero of the Seas enters service. The vessel is scheduled for its debut in summer 2027.
The takeaway
The selection of the name Dolly serves as a final public tribute to the late singer Dolly Parton. Prospective cruisers should monitor the Royal Caribbean schedule for official updates on the Hero of the Seas debut in summer 2027.
Further reading
For more on the latest ship deployments in our port, see our Cruises section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sun Sentinel.
