by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:15 PM ET, Wed November 12, 2025
Confucius once said: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley drew on those words when accepting his award for Travel Executive of the Year at the 11th annual Travvy ceremony last week.
“I actually genuinely never felt like I’ve had a job,” Bayley said at the event, which took place on November 6 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center. “If you do what you love, it just all works. That’s true for me and my career. I’ve only ever done what I loved. I’ve never felt like I had a job.”
Bayley’s award for Travel Executive of the Year was one of the highlights of a night that brought together the travel industry’s finest from destinations, cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, and travel suppliers.
Employed by Royal Caribbean for 44 years, Bayley told those in attendance at the ceremony that he immediately loved working with the cruise company, from day one.
Michael Bayley accepts Travel Executive of the Year award at 2025 Travvy ceremony. (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)
“From that from first day when I stepped on board the Nordic Prince, I fell in love with the Caribbean, with the cruise industry, and with the guests and I’ve just had a great ride all the way through,” Bayley added during his acceptance speech.
The much beloved executive, who received a standing ovation as he strode up to the stage to accept his Travvy award, also made it point to acknowledge that his success would not have been possible without the Royal Caribbean team, who he described as family.
“Success is never a ‘me’ thing, it’s a ‘we’ thing,” Bayley said, thanking all of his colleagues who were present at the ceremony and had come to support him. “I just feel very blessed. My entire 44-year career with Royal Caribbean has always been an incredible joy. I’ve been part of a big family that has a wonderful culture.”
“I think everything I’ve learned over those decades has helped shape me and help me focus on creating wonderful experiences for our guests,” Bayley added. “And I hope you enjoy the products we create.”
An event that's come to be known as the Oscars of the travel industry, the Travvy awards are hosted by Northstar Travel Group’s TravelPulse.com and AGENTatHOME.
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