Vicki Freed Seeks Names For Royal Caribbean's Robot Bartenders

Theresa Norton
by Theresa Norton
Last updated: 4:30 PM ET, Tue July 28, 2015

Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president of sales, is asking travel agents for help naming the bionic bartenders on the Anthem of the Seas.

The submissions are already flowing in, and some of them are downright hilarious.

Freed launched the "Name That Robot" contest on her Facebook page, and is offering a free stateroom on the Nov. 8 two-night sailing after Anthem of the Seas arrives at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J.

The contest is open July 27 through Aug. 3. The winner will be announced the week of Aug. 10.

The bionic bartenders made their debut on the Quantum of the Seas and now are found on Anthem of the Seas as well. (Click here for a summary of how these robots mix drinks and dance.)

The naming contest elicited almost 500 suggestions and comments in the first day. Several drew from the "Star Wars" theme and came up with names like "R2-drink-u." Others reached back to beloved old TV shows and suggested "Rosie," like the maid on "The Jetsons;" Steve Austin, the name of "The Six Million Dollar Man," and Jamie Sommers, the name of "The Bionic Woman."

One thought the name should be a tribute to Claudia Mitchell, the first woman to be fitted with bionic arm technology.

Various versions of bartender terminology were suggested, including "Shaken and Stirred" and "Olive and Twist." And there was more than one patriotic entry. with one poster saying, "Since the ship's name is Anthem I'll go with 'Star' and 'Spangled'."

Others suggested human names such as Bart and Bob. No explanation why.

Of course, many kept with the Royal Caribbean theme, such as naming one Loyal and the other Royal after Freed's own vow to travel agents to be "Loyal to You Always." Other suggested Roy and Al, which equals Royal.

And one thought a little flattery wouldn't hurt and suggested naming the bionic bartender "Vicki Freed, cause you're RCCL's bionic woman!"

Can't wait to see what wins.

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