Burrowing Owls Take Unexpected Voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas
When Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas set sail from Miami to Barcelona in February 2025, no one expected two extra passengers: a pair of burrowing owls. These clever birds managed to stow away on the transatlantic voyage, making their home in the ship’s Central Park neighborhood. The passengers were captivated by the owls’ antics. But the cruise line had to act quickly to accomodate these stowaways. This tale of feathered adventurers is a delightful reminder of the unpredictability of nature, even aboard a mega cruise ship.
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An Unlikely Sanctuary
Central Park, an open-air neighborhood on Allure of the Seas, became a safe haven for the two burrowing owls. The neighborhood, filled with real trees and plants, was the perfect environment for the owls to roost. As the ship crossed the Atlantic, passengers couldn’t help but notice the owls perched amidst the foliage. This incident quickly turned into a viral sensation among passengers, with many capturing photos and sharing updates online. The owls made themselves quite at home, drawing attention from cruisers eager to get a glimpse of the feathery stowaways.
These Owls Not a First for Royal Caribbean
It’s not entirely unusual for wildlife to find their way onto Royal Caribbean’s ships. The Symphony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas have both hosted owl stowaways in the past. They seem particularly drawn to Central Park, where the lush greenery offers a familiar environment. Their preference for open, sparsely vegetated areas aligns with the features of this unique space aboard the Oasis-class ships.
The Owls’ Journey Across the Atlantic
Departing from Miami on February 10, 2025, the Allure of the Seas embarked on its 12-night transatlantic voyage to Barcelona. The two owls had quickly become celebrities on board. A Reddit user posted about the owls’ whereabouts and daily adventures, describing how one owl even explored the Solarium and miniature golf course.
Burrowing owls are considered an endangered species, so protecting these birds was the crew’s top priority. The ship’s crew consulted with wildlife specialists to ensure the birds’ safety. After several days of the planning and observation, the crew stepped in to carefully capture them. They ensured they were well-fed and hydrated before the ship arrived in Spain. In predictable cruise ship style, the owls will be fed steak for the remainder of their voyage.
Once the Allure of the Seas docks in Cartagena, Spain, the owls will be offloaded to Spain, where local authorities will assess their health and ensure their safe return to their native Florida habitat. Burrowing owls are not native to Europe and could pose a threat to local ecosystems. Passengers aboard the ship, many of whom have shared the owls’ journey on social media, are eager to see how the story unfolds.
