Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean, and His New Book: Delivering the WOW

Richard Fain, the man who led Royal Caribbean for over three decades and introduced ships like Oasis and Quantum Class, is sharing his story in a new book, Delivering the WOW. It’s part behind-the-scenes look at Royal Caribbean’s biggest innovations and part lesson in how company culture can spark lasting success.

If you’ve ever stepped onboard a Royal Caribbean ship and thought “wow,” you’ve got Richard Fain to thank. His leadership has shaped not just the company, but cruising as a whole. And now, he’s sharing how it all happened in his new book Delivering the WOW: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success.

And hey, if you’re looking for a new book to read on your next cruise… This is perfect!

Who is Richard Fain?

Richard Fain was CEO of Royal Caribbean for more than 30 years, and in that time he grew the brand from a modest cruise line into one of the biggest names in travel. His focus was always on innovation – pushing the boundaries of what was possible at sea.

Innovations Under Fain

Some of the biggest game-changers in cruising came under his leadership:

Sovereign Class (1988) – the first “mega-ships” with multi-story atriums.
Voyager Class (1999) – ice skating at sea, rock-climbing walls, and the Royal Promenade.
Oasis Class (2009) – the world’s largest cruise ships, complete with Central Park and the AquaTheater.
Quantum Class (2014) – skydiving simulators and the North Star observation capsule.
Celebrity Edge (2018) – introducing the Magic Carpet and an entirely new design approach for Celebrity Cruises.

All of these innovations weren’t just “big ideas” – they changed what people expect from a cruise. That’s the Fain legacy.

Richard Fain is probably the reason why cruising is the way it is. All those world-first innovative features you see on cruise ships? Well, they started with Richard Fain at Royal Caribbean.

What the book is about

Delivering the WOW digs into the culture that made these ideas possible. Fain argues that innovation and service don’t happen by chance; they come from building a culture where people feel empowered to dream big, take risks, and stay aligned with a common mission.

The book mixes behind-the-scenes stories from his time as CEO with broader lessons about leadership, teamwork, and long-term success. While the cruise industry is at its core, the message is broader: culture can make or break any business.

For cruisers like me, it’s exciting to think about reading first-hand how some of these ships and ideas came to life. For business leaders (or anyone curious about how to build something lasting), it’s a reminder that “wow” moments don’t just appear – they’re built through years of intentional culture.

Delivering the WOW will be released on October 21, 2025, and will be available in print and digital formats, including Kindle.

Available for preorder now!

More about Royal

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Owen

Hi, I’m Owen - a traveling designer and content creator redefining what it means to work from home. You can usually find me on a cruise ship, somewhere in Europe, or sneaking a beach day. I share beautiful photos, travel tips, and the occasional ‘why did I book this?’ moment. Interests: cruising, city breaks, content creation, travelling

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Topics: Books, Royal Caribbean

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You can usually find me on a cruise ship, somewhere in Europe, or sneaking a beach day. I share beautiful photos, travel tips, and the occasional ‘why did I book this?’ moment.