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Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
12 days and 15:04:57
100 copies available
U.S. only
A Fast Company Press book
How a culture of “WOW” transformed the travel industry
“WOW!” was the word on everyone’s lips as the first guests stepped aboard Icon of the Seas, the largest, most spectacular cruise ship ever created.
Icon was one of many WOWs generated by a standout culture during the tenure of Richard Fain, regularly named one of Barron’s “World’s Best CEOs.” Under Fain’s leadership, Royal Caribbean Group built the world's most innovative ships—large and small—and one of the strongest service cultures in the travel industry.
In Delivering the WOW, Fain shows how a culture united people around a mission, delighted guests, and unlocked extraordinary performance. Drawing on vivid stories from 33 years at the helm, Fain explains how a remarkable culture was forged and strengthened
•Alignment: ensuring every employee understands the same clear mission, beyond hierarchy or titles
•Intentionality: never losing sight of the ultimate goal and ensuring that every action, big or small, supports that objective
•Continuous improvement: never being satisfied; always believing that there are ways to improve
•Crisis response: deeply rooted culture as a stabilizing force during black swan events, including the global pandemic
Invaluable principles like these are woven into unforgettable stories which help explain how the company's profitability, guest capacity, and employee base all grew more than thirtyfold. Fain also candidly recounts mistakes he made along the way. He takes readers inside tough decisions during high-stakes crises—including the COVID shutdown—that helped rally 100,000 employees to beat the odds and unify the company like never before.
Beyond its valuable lessons, the book offers cruise enthusiasts a behind-the-scenes look at the dedicated teamwork that shapes every unforgettable voyage. Delivering the WOW tells the dramatic story of a tenacious culture that surmounted challenges, thrilled customers, and introduced game-changing innovations.
How a culture of “WOW” transformed the travel industry
“WOW!” was the word on everyone’s lips as the first guests stepped aboard Icon of the Seas, the largest, most spectacular cruise ship ever created.
Icon was one of many WOWs generated by a standout culture during the tenure of Richard Fain, regularly named one of Barron’s “World’s Best CEOs.” Under Fain’s leadership, Royal Caribbean Group built the world's most innovative ships—large and small—and one of the strongest service cultures in the travel industry.
In Delivering the WOW, Fain shows how a culture united people around a mission, delighted guests, and unlocked extraordinary performance. Drawing on vivid stories from 33 years at the helm, Fain explains how a remarkable culture was forged and strengthened
•Alignment: ensuring every employee understands the same clear mission, beyond hierarchy or titles
•Intentionality: never losing sight of the ultimate goal and ensuring that every action, big or small, supports that objective
•Continuous improvement: never being satisfied; always believing that there are ways to improve
•Crisis response: deeply rooted culture as a stabilizing force during black swan events, including the global pandemic
Invaluable principles like these are woven into unforgettable stories which help explain how the company's profitability, guest capacity, and employee base all grew more than thirtyfold. Fain also candidly recounts mistakes he made along the way. He takes readers inside tough decisions during high-stakes crises—including the COVID shutdown—that helped rally 100,000 employees to beat the odds and unify the company like never before.
Beyond its valuable lessons, the book offers cruise enthusiasts a behind-the-scenes look at the dedicated teamwork that shapes every unforgettable voyage. Delivering the WOW tells the dramatic story of a tenacious culture that surmounted challenges, thrilled customers, and introduced game-changing innovations.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
54 people are currently reading
2641 people want to read
About the author
Richard Fain
2 books10 followersRichard Fain is chairman of Royal Caribbean Group, He served as chairman and CEO from 1988 to 2022 when he transitioned to his current role as chairman. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small cruise line to its current place as one of the world’s most valuable vacation companies.
Recognized for his “visionary leadership,” Mr. Fain was named one of the 30 World’s Best CEOs by Barron’s for three years running and received the Ultimate CEO Award from the South Florida Business Journal. His international awards include the rank of Officier in the Légion d’Honneur of France and Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
He and his wife of 56 years have four children and eight extraordinary grandchildren.
Recognized for his “visionary leadership,” Mr. Fain was named one of the 30 World’s Best CEOs by Barron’s for three years running and received the Ultimate CEO Award from the South Florida Business Journal. His international awards include the rank of Officier in the Légion d’Honneur of France and Commander, First Class, of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
He and his wife of 56 years have four children and eight extraordinary grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 26, 2025
As someone who has recently become newly obsessed with cruising, I thought this insider’s perspective was really well done! I loved the behind-the-scenes history of my favorite cruise line, the culture they’ve created, and the overall tone of the storytelling. It felt informative, fun, and genuinely engaging.
November 13, 2025
Reading Delivering the WOW felt less like reading a business book and more like sitting across from Richard Fain while he tells stories about how Royal Caribbean became… well, Royal Caribbean. What struck me most was how much of his philosophy lines up with the way I think about leadership, crisis management, and building something that lasts.
One big idea that stayed with me is Fain’s belief that there’s no motivation on earth that can match self-motivation. Over and over, you see how his teams didn’t just execute his vision—they brought their own passion, creativity, and ownership to the table. My favorite example was when multiple architecture firms came in to pitch designs for the next generation of ships. When the first firm presented, the staff actually gave them a standing ovation. The next firm, seeing that, basically said, “Okay… we want to do that next time.” That kind of contagious creativity and internal drive doesn’t happen by accident.
Fain also has this rare ability to reframe even the darkest moments with optimism. After 9/11, when cruise bookings dropped 50%, most CEOs would have interpreted that as devastation. He chose to see it as: “Fifty percent of people still want to cruise—even after everything that just happened.” That is a completely different mindset, and it shapes every decision you make next.
A lot of the book contrasts short-term reactions vs. long-term thinking. Are you leading for next week? Or for seven years from now? Fain constantly pushes the organization to look beyond the immediate turbulence—something that’s so important in real life. When one of the ships hit a reef and the captain intentionally drove it onto a sandbank to keep guests safe, what stood out to Fain wasn’t the damage or the headlines—it was the team who prioritized the comfort and experience of 2,500 guests while dealing with chaos behind the scenes. That’s long-term culture on display.
Then there’s the innovation: rock-climbing walls at sea, engineering a real ice-skating rink on a moving ship, building amenities nobody had ever imagined on the ocean. What I appreciate is that Fain doesn’t present innovation as “glamorous.” He shows the problem-solving, the late nights, the failures, the engineers trying crazy things because they believed in the WOW.
And of course, the crises. 9/11. COVID. Storms. Environmental failures. Fain doesn’t hide them. He talks honestly about them—and, more importantly, what Royal Caribbean learned from each one. That resonates with me deeply. It reminds me of when Palm Coast lost almost all our long-term tenants in a single week. We literally called every remaining tenant one by one, got the real story, and adjusted immediately. No blaming. No hiding. Just learning and moving forward. Reading Fain recount Royal Caribbean’s hardest moments made me feel like: Okay, this is what real leadership looks like when things fall apart.
Maybe the biggest reason this book hit home for me is that we’re planning to take our own team on a cruise in early 2026. After reading this, I’m even more excited for them to experience, firsthand, the culture and philosophy that shaped these ships. I understand now that the “wow” moments aren’t accidents—they’re the product of decades of intentional decisions about people, design, courage, innovation, and optimism.
In short, this book is about more than cruise ships. It’s about how to think, how to lead, and how to build something that lasts. And it left me inspired—not just as a business owner, but as someone who wants to create memorable experiences for the people I serve and the people I lead.
One big idea that stayed with me is Fain’s belief that there’s no motivation on earth that can match self-motivation. Over and over, you see how his teams didn’t just execute his vision—they brought their own passion, creativity, and ownership to the table. My favorite example was when multiple architecture firms came in to pitch designs for the next generation of ships. When the first firm presented, the staff actually gave them a standing ovation. The next firm, seeing that, basically said, “Okay… we want to do that next time.” That kind of contagious creativity and internal drive doesn’t happen by accident.
Fain also has this rare ability to reframe even the darkest moments with optimism. After 9/11, when cruise bookings dropped 50%, most CEOs would have interpreted that as devastation. He chose to see it as: “Fifty percent of people still want to cruise—even after everything that just happened.” That is a completely different mindset, and it shapes every decision you make next.
A lot of the book contrasts short-term reactions vs. long-term thinking. Are you leading for next week? Or for seven years from now? Fain constantly pushes the organization to look beyond the immediate turbulence—something that’s so important in real life. When one of the ships hit a reef and the captain intentionally drove it onto a sandbank to keep guests safe, what stood out to Fain wasn’t the damage or the headlines—it was the team who prioritized the comfort and experience of 2,500 guests while dealing with chaos behind the scenes. That’s long-term culture on display.
Then there’s the innovation: rock-climbing walls at sea, engineering a real ice-skating rink on a moving ship, building amenities nobody had ever imagined on the ocean. What I appreciate is that Fain doesn’t present innovation as “glamorous.” He shows the problem-solving, the late nights, the failures, the engineers trying crazy things because they believed in the WOW.
And of course, the crises. 9/11. COVID. Storms. Environmental failures. Fain doesn’t hide them. He talks honestly about them—and, more importantly, what Royal Caribbean learned from each one. That resonates with me deeply. It reminds me of when Palm Coast lost almost all our long-term tenants in a single week. We literally called every remaining tenant one by one, got the real story, and adjusted immediately. No blaming. No hiding. Just learning and moving forward. Reading Fain recount Royal Caribbean’s hardest moments made me feel like: Okay, this is what real leadership looks like when things fall apart.
Maybe the biggest reason this book hit home for me is that we’re planning to take our own team on a cruise in early 2026. After reading this, I’m even more excited for them to experience, firsthand, the culture and philosophy that shaped these ships. I understand now that the “wow” moments aren’t accidents—they’re the product of decades of intentional decisions about people, design, courage, innovation, and optimism.
In short, this book is about more than cruise ships. It’s about how to think, how to lead, and how to build something that lasts. And it left me inspired—not just as a business owner, but as someone who wants to create memorable experiences for the people I serve and the people I lead.
November 14, 2025
When I picked up Delivering the Wow, I expected a book about culture—about how to inspire teams and shape an organization people love to be part of. What I found instead was the fascinating story of how Richard Fain built Royal Caribbean from a relatively small cruise company into the largest cruise organization in the world.
Fain’s storytelling is engaging, and his leadership style is both disciplined and humble. I loved reading about how he formed task forces to tackle major challenges and then actually followed their recommendations—a rare trait among CEOs. His ability to navigate near-acquisition by assembling a financial team to keep Royal Caribbean independent was brilliant.
What impressed me most was his perspective on competition. He didn’t see other cruise lines as rivals; he saw the real competition as the broader vacation market—Disney, Hyatt, and Hilton. That big-picture thinking changed how I view strategic positioning in my own work.
Fain’s commitment to excellence and to his employees—even those in the lowest-paying roles—was admirable. And while the book isn’t as much about culture as I initially thought, it is a masterclass in building a business.
By the end, I was both inspired and oddly ready to book a cruise. A fascinating look at leadership, innovation, and perseverance through stormy seas—literally and figuratively.
Fain’s storytelling is engaging, and his leadership style is both disciplined and humble. I loved reading about how he formed task forces to tackle major challenges and then actually followed their recommendations—a rare trait among CEOs. His ability to navigate near-acquisition by assembling a financial team to keep Royal Caribbean independent was brilliant.
What impressed me most was his perspective on competition. He didn’t see other cruise lines as rivals; he saw the real competition as the broader vacation market—Disney, Hyatt, and Hilton. That big-picture thinking changed how I view strategic positioning in my own work.
Fain’s commitment to excellence and to his employees—even those in the lowest-paying roles—was admirable. And while the book isn’t as much about culture as I initially thought, it is a masterclass in building a business.
By the end, I was both inspired and oddly ready to book a cruise. A fascinating look at leadership, innovation, and perseverance through stormy seas—literally and figuratively.
October 31, 2025
Absolutely a great read on the importance of innovative leadership, innovative culture, and an innovative brand. This was a great book with a mix of: leadership principles, overview history of the Royal Caribbean Group, and insight into cruising culture.
December 22, 2025
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Delivering the WOW: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success by Richard Fain is a behind the scenes look at Royal Caribbean’s c-suite. Mr. Fain was the longtime CEO of Royal Caribbean (33 years) and named one of the world’s best.
The older I get, the more I enjoy cruising. I never thought I would, but I love going places but not traveling. I can’t say I’m an avid cruiser, but the three I’ve been on (to Nova Scotia, Caribbean, and Alaska) were very enjoyable.
The last two were in the past three years and this is where I concluded that cruising might be the way to go. The hustle and bustle of airports, train stations, making hotel reservations, pickups, drop-offs, etc. used to excite me – but not so much now. Cruising offers the opportunity to see the places I wanted to see, with less of the headaches.
Delivering the WOW by Richard Fain is part memoir, part leadership guide focusing on Mr. Fain’s philosophy. His focus on taking big risk for long-term financial gains.
Mr. Fain does an excellent job toggling actionable business guides and telling a personal, delightful memoir. He also reads his own work and does a fine job at it.
The most fascinating people I met on my cruises were the staff. Each one was a joy, happy to talk about their family, country and culture. To my delight Mr. Fain recognizes them and realizes they are part of the “WOW”, if not THE “WOW” in many cases.
The author’s ability to explain the extremely complex global cruise operations into simple lessons one can apply almost anywhere is enviable. While it obviously only talks about Royal Caribbean, a shared mission by everyone from the top CEO to the night guard is really the vehicle to long-term success.
Delivering the WOW: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success by Richard Fain is a behind the scenes look at Royal Caribbean’s c-suite. Mr. Fain was the longtime CEO of Royal Caribbean (33 years) and named one of the world’s best.
The older I get, the more I enjoy cruising. I never thought I would, but I love going places but not traveling. I can’t say I’m an avid cruiser, but the three I’ve been on (to Nova Scotia, Caribbean, and Alaska) were very enjoyable.
The last two were in the past three years and this is where I concluded that cruising might be the way to go. The hustle and bustle of airports, train stations, making hotel reservations, pickups, drop-offs, etc. used to excite me – but not so much now. Cruising offers the opportunity to see the places I wanted to see, with less of the headaches.
Delivering the WOW by Richard Fain is part memoir, part leadership guide focusing on Mr. Fain’s philosophy. His focus on taking big risk for long-term financial gains.
Mr. Fain does an excellent job toggling actionable business guides and telling a personal, delightful memoir. He also reads his own work and does a fine job at it.
The most fascinating people I met on my cruises were the staff. Each one was a joy, happy to talk about their family, country and culture. To my delight Mr. Fain recognizes them and realizes they are part of the “WOW”, if not THE “WOW” in many cases.
The author’s ability to explain the extremely complex global cruise operations into simple lessons one can apply almost anywhere is enviable. While it obviously only talks about Royal Caribbean, a shared mission by everyone from the top CEO to the night guard is really the vehicle to long-term success.
October 22, 2025
★★★★★ (5/5)
A 5 stars for me! I genuinely enjoyed Delivering the Wow and ended up reading it in one sitting. Now, I’m probably not the intended audience for this books, I’ve only cruised once, and not with Royal Caribbean, but I work in an hospitality adjacent field and the title, Delivering the wow, and using culture as a catalyst for lasting success, intrigued me and the book delivered.
I learned so much about the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean’s history and how they’ve managed to grow from a small cruise company with only a few ships to the world’s top cruise line through innovation and a people-first culture. I appreciated the auhtor’s humility and how honest he was in speaking about times when choices didn’t go as planned
The writing is accessible and engaging. I never felt like I needed a business background to follow, and when the author used more specific language, it was explained clearly. Each chapter, ending with key takeaways was also useful in reflecting on how those lessons can apply to my field of work. I really got a sense of how “buzz words” like excellence and alignment are so much more than that at Royal Caribbean and it’s really made me want to experience a Royal Caribbean cruise to get to experience it first hand and feel the “Wow”.
Thank you to the author, Greenleaf Book Group and to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
Review crossposted to Storygraph
A 5 stars for me! I genuinely enjoyed Delivering the Wow and ended up reading it in one sitting. Now, I’m probably not the intended audience for this books, I’ve only cruised once, and not with Royal Caribbean, but I work in an hospitality adjacent field and the title, Delivering the wow, and using culture as a catalyst for lasting success, intrigued me and the book delivered.
I learned so much about the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean’s history and how they’ve managed to grow from a small cruise company with only a few ships to the world’s top cruise line through innovation and a people-first culture. I appreciated the auhtor’s humility and how honest he was in speaking about times when choices didn’t go as planned
The writing is accessible and engaging. I never felt like I needed a business background to follow, and when the author used more specific language, it was explained clearly. Each chapter, ending with key takeaways was also useful in reflecting on how those lessons can apply to my field of work. I really got a sense of how “buzz words” like excellence and alignment are so much more than that at Royal Caribbean and it’s really made me want to experience a Royal Caribbean cruise to get to experience it first hand and feel the “Wow”.
Thank you to the author, Greenleaf Book Group and to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review.
Review crossposted to Storygraph
October 15, 2025
As a woman in my late 20’s who quite honestly loves a good cruise, I couldn’t put this book down. It was a fantastic insight to the history and operations of Royal Caribbean and the Royal Caribbean Group through not only their highs but also through global and financial events that shaped and caused them to persevere.
Fain has shown honesty through this book during years of global unsureness, he has demonstrated the importance of collaboration and guest first approach. There was never a moment that made me feel distrust in these pages, Fain felt open and honest, which is exactly how I feel on any experience of cruising, if it be Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Lines.
This felt WOW, seeing ships sliced in half to lengthen its size and grand islands built exclusively for the Perfect experience felt utterly luxurious. The restlessness for innovation shows the culture Fain strived for in the company, never saying no but instead ‘what’s next’? As a woman who enjoys a yearly cruise this has only solidified my positive feelings as well as given me a sense of admiration to Richard Fain and everyone under Royal Caribbean Group that consistently delivers on the holiday experience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group and a big thank you to Richard Fain for exchanging this ARC for a honest review.
Fain has shown honesty through this book during years of global unsureness, he has demonstrated the importance of collaboration and guest first approach. There was never a moment that made me feel distrust in these pages, Fain felt open and honest, which is exactly how I feel on any experience of cruising, if it be Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Lines.
This felt WOW, seeing ships sliced in half to lengthen its size and grand islands built exclusively for the Perfect experience felt utterly luxurious. The restlessness for innovation shows the culture Fain strived for in the company, never saying no but instead ‘what’s next’? As a woman who enjoys a yearly cruise this has only solidified my positive feelings as well as given me a sense of admiration to Richard Fain and everyone under Royal Caribbean Group that consistently delivers on the holiday experience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group and a big thank you to Richard Fain for exchanging this ARC for a honest review.
November 2, 2025
I’ll admit right from the start—having worked with Royal Caribbean Group for a long time, I might be a little biased here. But even with that in mind, this book absolutely blew me away. It weaves together company history, behind-the-scenes insights, and leadership philosophies in a way that feels natural, engaging, and surprisingly inspiring. I found myself learning more about my own company in these pages than I have in years on the job, which says a lot about how well it’s written and how thoughtfully it’s put together.
What really stood out to me, though, was how applicable the lessons are beyond just Royal Caribbean. Whether you’re already in a leadership role, hoping to move into one, or simply trying to adopt a more innovative and forward-thinking mindset, this book is packed with ideas that stick. Richard Fain has always been an incredible storyteller, and hearing his voice narrate his own words just made it all the more powerful. I’m genuinely grateful he decided to share this piece of the company’s legacy and his leadership wisdom with the world.
What really stood out to me, though, was how applicable the lessons are beyond just Royal Caribbean. Whether you’re already in a leadership role, hoping to move into one, or simply trying to adopt a more innovative and forward-thinking mindset, this book is packed with ideas that stick. Richard Fain has always been an incredible storyteller, and hearing his voice narrate his own words just made it all the more powerful. I’m genuinely grateful he decided to share this piece of the company’s legacy and his leadership wisdom with the world.
January 18, 2026
What I enjoyed most about Delivering the Wow by Richard Fain was his storytelling. The book felt personal and engaging, more like someone sharing real experiences than a typical business read. One story that really stood out to me was how Royal Caribbean’s upper management actually stepped in to serve as wait staff so they could truly understand what employees experience day to day.
I also appreciated how honestly he discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges the cruise industry faced. Those sections showed how important company culture and leadership were during such an uncertain time. Throughout the book, it was clear that Royal Caribbean is always trying to make cruising more efficient while also making it more fun for guests.
After reading this, I’m even more excited knowing I get to take my second cruise in about a month. Understanding the thought and care that goes into the experience makes me appreciate it even more.
I also appreciated how honestly he discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges the cruise industry faced. Those sections showed how important company culture and leadership were during such an uncertain time. Throughout the book, it was clear that Royal Caribbean is always trying to make cruising more efficient while also making it more fun for guests.
After reading this, I’m even more excited knowing I get to take my second cruise in about a month. Understanding the thought and care that goes into the experience makes me appreciate it even more.
October 29, 2025
Former CEO and of Royal Caribbean Group, Richard Fain, brings us the story of his adventures in the cruise industry and the lessons that they learned.
I love that this audiobook is read by the author because of the energy that comes through. You can see the smile on his face as he imparts this fatherly advice. The wink and nod at his sense of humor. Can’t imagine that this information would have had a big impact if it was read by someone else.
Now, about that information. There is so much wisdom in his words. He isn’t painted as some dynamic hero, but someone that has vision and made wise decisions in who he surrounded himself with.
A lot of great lessons for anyone that is called to be a leader or make an impact.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
I love that this audiobook is read by the author because of the energy that comes through. You can see the smile on his face as he imparts this fatherly advice. The wink and nod at his sense of humor. Can’t imagine that this information would have had a big impact if it was read by someone else.
Now, about that information. There is so much wisdom in his words. He isn’t painted as some dynamic hero, but someone that has vision and made wise decisions in who he surrounded himself with.
A lot of great lessons for anyone that is called to be a leader or make an impact.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an ARC for an unbiased review.
January 17, 2026
Had been planning to read this book anyway - receiving a free Kindle copy thru GR giveaway was a bonus!
I knew Richard Fain was a great storyteller having heard him on numerous TV interviews and online videos. And that's certainly what you enjoy the most with this book. He does share quite a few cruise insider tidbits that I hadn't heard before. In that respect, this book pairs well with Kristoffer Garin's Devils on the Deep Blue Sea.
I've also read Lisa Lutoff-Perlo's Making Waves which I really liked. I'd say Lisa's book leans more heavily into the business leadership & motivation side and has a more serious tone, whereas Richard's book tilts more toward the memoir side and is definitely cheekier. Both books are excellent reading for cruise junkies.
This book fulfilled the 2026 PopSugar prompt #16 - A book less than 260 pages.
I knew Richard Fain was a great storyteller having heard him on numerous TV interviews and online videos. And that's certainly what you enjoy the most with this book. He does share quite a few cruise insider tidbits that I hadn't heard before. In that respect, this book pairs well with Kristoffer Garin's Devils on the Deep Blue Sea.
I've also read Lisa Lutoff-Perlo's Making Waves which I really liked. I'd say Lisa's book leans more heavily into the business leadership & motivation side and has a more serious tone, whereas Richard's book tilts more toward the memoir side and is definitely cheekier. Both books are excellent reading for cruise junkies.
This book fulfilled the 2026 PopSugar prompt #16 - A book less than 260 pages.
January 17, 2026
I really enjoyed Delivering the Wow. Hearing the history of Royal Caribbean through Richard Fain’s perspective was fascinating, especially since I’ve been on several Royal Caribbean cruises myself—it made the stories feel even more meaningful.
What stood out most to me was the emphasis on culture and the belief that “good enough isn’t good enough.” That philosophy really resonated with me, and I loved reading about the bold risks Fain took as CEO to grow the company into what it is today. The behind-the-scenes stories were genuinely interesting throughout.
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Royal Caribbean, cruising in general, or leadership stories focused on culture and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
What stood out most to me was the emphasis on culture and the belief that “good enough isn’t good enough.” That philosophy really resonated with me, and I loved reading about the bold risks Fain took as CEO to grow the company into what it is today. The behind-the-scenes stories were genuinely interesting throughout.
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Royal Caribbean, cruising in general, or leadership stories focused on culture and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
January 5, 2026
This book delivers exactly what it promises for cruise industry professionals and Royal Caribbean enthusiasts, but lacks broader business appeal. Fain's stories about bold risks—like cutting ships in half to expand capacity—and his candor about mistakes add credibility, but the narrative is so deeply embedded in cruise-specific operations that it struggles to hold attention if you're not invested in that world. The cultural principles of alignment and continuous improvement are sound, but they're buried under repetitive details about ship design and onboard amenities rather than being presented as portable business lessons.
October 26, 2025
As I disembarked from a Royal Caribbean cruise, I wondered at the intentionality of the culture and amazing results that I had just experienced. How did they do it? Coincidentally, it seems that their former CEO just published a book that, in large part, touches on the creation and maintenance of that culture. The early chapters delve deeper into the author’s biography, but by chapter 12 you really start finding out how the organization and its crews deliver the wow!
December 17, 2025
If you are interested in this authors personal story, ships, and Royal Caribbean this is your book. I have only done a cruise once and it was on Royal Caribbean. It was wonderful and we had a great time.
December 24, 2025
As a seasoned passionate cruiser, I enjoyed this book very much. The author was not only a visionary, but a true pathfinder in the cruise industry. He was a rare executive who was willing to take chances with Royal Carribean making it one of the main cruise lines today.
Want to read
October 31, 2025O
November 7, 2025
I are rich! But I are not rich enough! What do??
OH
I-DEA >; )
I fart out garbage book waste of paper!
YAY WOW
OH
I-DEA >; )
I fart out garbage book waste of paper!
November 11, 2025
An excellent memoir of the author’s career at Royal Caribbean!
November 30, 2025
Interesting, engaging and well written. Enjoyed the story
December 31, 2025
If you are a cruiser, you will enjoy this book!
December 30, 2025
Review of Delivering the Wow: Culture as Catalyst for Lasting Success by Richard Fain
Delivering the Wow is an insightful exploration of how organizational culture can serve as the driving force behind sustainable success. Richard Fain emphasizes that culture isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the catalyst that shapes behaviors, decisions, and ultimately, results. The book blends practical strategies with real-world examples, making it both actionable and inspiring.
One of its greatest strengths is the focus on creating a “wow” experience for employees and customers alike. Fain argues that when people feel valued and empowered, innovation and excellence naturally follow. The writing is clear and engaging, avoiding jargon while delivering meaningful lessons on leadership, accountability, and adaptability.
This book is ideal for leaders, managers, and anyone passionate about transforming workplace dynamics. It doesn’t just preach theory; it provides a roadmap for embedding cultural values into everyday practices. By the end, readers will understand why culture isn’t a side project—it’s the foundation for lasting success.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) – A compelling guide for anyone looking to harness culture as a competitive advantage.
Delivering the Wow is an insightful exploration of how organizational culture can serve as the driving force behind sustainable success. Richard Fain emphasizes that culture isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the catalyst that shapes behaviors, decisions, and ultimately, results. The book blends practical strategies with real-world examples, making it both actionable and inspiring.
One of its greatest strengths is the focus on creating a “wow” experience for employees and customers alike. Fain argues that when people feel valued and empowered, innovation and excellence naturally follow. The writing is clear and engaging, avoiding jargon while delivering meaningful lessons on leadership, accountability, and adaptability.
This book is ideal for leaders, managers, and anyone passionate about transforming workplace dynamics. It doesn’t just preach theory; it provides a roadmap for embedding cultural values into everyday practices. By the end, readers will understand why culture isn’t a side project—it’s the foundation for lasting success.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) – A compelling guide for anyone looking to harness culture as a competitive advantage.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews