Meet Dolly: Royal Caribbean's Next Chief Dog Officer is Headed to Hero of the Seas

There's some adorable news coming from Royal Caribbean. The cruise line's President and CEO, Michael Bayley, recently announced the official name for the upcoming Chief Dog Officer aboard Hero of the Seas. When the fourth Icon-class ship debuts in August 2027, guests'll be greeted by a golden retriever puppy named Dolly.

The name wasn't on the original list of finalists, but it was added after country music legend Dolly Parton passed away in August 2026. Fans flooded the cruise line with suggestions, and she quickly became the runaway favorite in the public vote. Dolly's going to join a growing pack of shipboard pups, including Rover on Icon of the Seas, Sailor on Star of the Seas, and Skipper on Legend of the Seas.

What This Means for Casino Royale Players

If you're a Casino Royale member, a new Icon-class ship is always a big deal. Hero of the Seas is scheduled to homeport in Miami, sailing 7-night Caribbean itineraries. Here's how you can leverage this news for your upcoming casino offers:

• Inaugural Year Comps'll Be Tight: Since Hero of the Seas doesn't launch until August 2027, you've got plenty of time to plan. However, Icon-class ships are incredibly popular. If you want to use a casino comp or a tier discount for her inaugural season, you'll need to book the second those cabin allocations open up for casino players. Keep a close eye on your offers page.
• Massive Casino Layouts: If you've sailed on Icon of the Seas, you already know how impressive the casino action is on this class of ship. They've got spacious layouts, the latest slot machines, and plenty of table action. You can expect the same high-energy gaming environment on Hero.
• Maximizing Points at CocoCay: These 7-night Caribbean sailings almost always include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Don't forget that the ship's casino stays open while you're docked at Royal Caribbean's private island. It's a fantastic opportunity to rack up extra tier points without missing out on the island vibes.

Whether you're hoping to catch a glimpse of Dolly the pup roaming the Central Park neighborhood or you're just looking to spin the reels on the newest ship in the fleet, it's never too early to start planning your point strategy for 2027.

Source: Royal Caribbean Chooses Name for Next Chief Dog Officer