World's largest cruise ship will have a family dog that lives on the ship

As if Icon of the Seas wasn’t already full of firsts, it appears that there will be a dog living onboard the world’s largest cruise ship. 

Based on social media posts from crew members, it seems that Rover boarded the ship when docked in Ponce, Puerto Rico before it began its final leg of the journey to Miami, Florida. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to introduce our newest team member, Rover, who has joined us as a permanent resident aboard [the] magnificent Icon of the Seas,” read a post by @godwin_fernandes2000. 

“Meet Rover… the resident Mascot of the Icon,” said @roseveltrodrigues on Instagram.

While in Ponce, Icon underwent some final regulatory inspections and received finishing touches to prepare for guests in late January. This is also where the loading and off-loading of equipment occurred. 

Some yard workers disembarked in Ponce to return home, with new crew members and the brand-new resident Rover arriving onboard. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas is ready: Here’s the timeline for Royal Caribbean’s new cruise ship debut

Guests won’t find a classic car in the Royal Promenade

In lieu of the classic car in the Royal Promenade, there’s a statue of a dog.

Ever since Voyager of the Seas launched and debuted the first-ever Royal Promenade, there’s been a different classic car featured in each ship. 

Njal Eide, the lead architect for the Royal Promenade, had included a model of a Morgan Sportster in his model of the Royal Promenade. Richard Fain, then-chairman and former CEO of Royal Caribbean, ended up donating his own Morgan car that he received for his 40th birthday. 

These cars are a popular photo-op for pictures throughout the cruise, especially on formal night! 

The Royal Promenade is the main thoroughfare of the ship where you’ll find bars, shops, and more. There are parties and parades hosted here, too. 

Read more: Why are there classic cars on Royal Caribbean’s Royal Promenade?

Icon of the Seas’ Royal Promenade will leap forward with new innovations

In addition to the first-ever dog statue in the Royal Promenade, Icon of the Seas’ Promenade will be home to other firsts for the cruise line, including the Pearl, expansive windows, and more. 

Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar will be located on Deck 6, marking the first time that Royal Caribbean will feature a specialty restaurant in the initial design of the Royal Promenade. 

Thanks to renovations, it’s not uncommon to find specialty restaurants in the Royal Promenade on older vessels. Playmaker’s, for instance, can be found in the Promenade on Navigator of the Seas, whereas Adventure of the Seas has Izumi in the heart of all the action. 

Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the fleet to receive the Dueling Pianos bar on Deck 6. This is where two performers will take requests and involve guests in the musical fun during two 90-minute shows each night. 

Nearly all the venues in the Royal Promenade, including Dueling Pianos, will be fully open, allowing passengers to hear all the excitement wherever they are. 

Note that Icon of the Seas doesn’t have any Promenade view staterooms. With over 10 new categories of cabins, that doesn’t seem like much of a sacrifice, though! 

Read more: First look at The Pearl on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

Nearing Icon of the Seas’ maiden voyage to the Eastern Caribbean

We are less than twenty days away from Icon of the Seas’ inaugural cruise. On January 27, she’ll leave Miami, Florida with a ship full of guests eager to be on Icon’s first weeklong cruise sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis.

Before then, however, she’ll have two shakedown sailings that will take place on January 20 and 23, each of which will only be 3-nights. 

These are essentially dress rehearsals that will allow the crew to test and adjust their procedures before welcoming paying guests. 

On January 10, Icon of the Seas will arrive in Miami and be greeted by the ICON arrival party at the Port of Miami. She was originally supposed to arrive on Tuesday; however, unfavorable weather conditions resulted in her delay. 

Read more: 11 reasons Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will change the cruise industry