Royal Caribbean's social media-famous President and CEO joined the national board of Make-A-Wish America.
Make-A-Wish America, a popular nonprofit that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, announced on Monday, May 11, that Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, along with Thomas Mazloum, Chairman of Disney Experiences, joined their national board.
Bayley heads the world's largest cruise line and oversees a global workforce of more than 60,000 employees who help deliver memorable vacation experiences to guests across a fleet of over two dozen ships.
He's responsible for the brand's end‑to‑end operations and has helped expand the portfolio of Perfect Day destinations and Royal Beach Clubs, including the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island and Royal Beach Club Santorini.
Bayley is also credited with spearheading the company's deep commitment to Make-A-Wish, which has granted more than 3,000 wishes to date. In 2024 alone, the cruise line welcomed kids on ten different ships, granting over 50 wishes and raising $1.8 million in donations.
"Thomas and Michael bring a deep understanding of how powerful experiences can create connection, joy, and lasting memories for families," said Leslie Motter, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America.
"That expertise will help us reach more children and deepen the impact of every wish, so even more families can experience the hope and strength a wish can bring."
Royal Caribbean's "Wishes at Sea" program
In 2024, Royal Caribbean officially partnered with Make-A-Wish to help contribute to the nonprofit's efforts with fundraising and in-kind donations of memorable family experiences.
The program includes a variety of initiatives, ranging from Walk for Wishes 5Ks to auctions featuring exclusive experiences and more.
Winnable experiences include everything from getting the chance to blow the ship's horn to private time with Rover and Sailor on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.
"We got to have the private session [with Rover] by winning the Make a Wish Auction on the second day of the cruise. In case you aren't aware, Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Make a Wish and does special auctions on each cruise for a variety of experiences / perks," one passenger explained on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum.
"On Icon of the Seas, a private session with Rover is usually one of the items. We got into a small bidding war with another family, but stopped bidding at $300. The cruise director then offered both our families sessions with Rover if we both made a $300 donation. We quickly agreed."
Another guest recently shared that they won a unique experience during a recent sailing of Symphony of the Seas: the chance to sound the ship's horn as it departed from St. Maarten.
(Credit: Shanna Manley / Facebook)
"We got to blow the ship’s horn on our Symphony of the Seas cruise! The only way you get to do this is by bidding and winning the Make a Wish Auction on the ship. They hosted 2 separate auctions on our sailing," Shanna Manley posted in a Facebook group.
Other experiences included in the auction during her sailing included restaurant and photography packages, a meet-and-greet with the ship's captain, chocolate-covered strawberries, and champagne.
Even if you don't want to donate hundreds of dollars, there are simple ways to take part and support the nonprofit. For example, on every sailing, passengers can join a group walk around the ship to help raise awareness and support the meaningful Make-A-Wish cause.
"The memories we make with our families and friends on vacation are among the moments that are the most special and impactful, and for wish kids and their families, that very impact can change the course of their lives," said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
"We are thrilled and humbled to partner with Make-A-Wish for years to come. In this partnership, we are in a position to do what we love – delivering memorable vacations – while making a difference in the lives of those at the heart of Royal Caribbean, families, who need it most."
