Commander Riker Day

August 10, 2026

Hey, cruisers!

Remember when Captain Picard promised Commander Riker a little good-natured payback for enjoying Captain Picard Day a little too much? 

Well, in honor of Commander Riker Day, and because the terrific Jonathan Frakes will be joining us on the 10th Anniversary sailing in 2027, I think we officially recognize a few of our favorite Number Ones!

Let’s be honest: being a First Officer is arguably the hardest job in Starfleet. You’re the bridge between the ship’s captain and the crew. You lead the away teams, handle the personnel disputes, and step up to take the big chair when the spatial anomaly inevitably hits the fan.

Looking across Starfleet and beyond, we’ve been blessed with some amazing commanders who showed us all what it means to lead. Below is a super short list (put down your phasers—I know they’re not all here!) of some—not all!—of our favorites:

• William T. Riker: A veritable titan amongst First Officers. Whether he was engaging in the “Riker Maneuver,” playing jazz trombone, challenging the Borg, trying to share the universe with his own transporter beam-created duplicate, or even dealing with Captain Jellico (booooo!) Riker showed us what leadership looks like when it’s made up of brilliance, loyalty, charisma, and facial hair.
• Spock: The TOS OG, Spock brought the best of both his Vulcan and human heritages to the bridge of Kirk’s Enterprise. He proved that the best First Officer isn’t a yes-man, but a fascinating someone who challenges the captain to be the best they can be. 
• Chakotay: His calm, grounded demeanor, skills, and fierce allegiance to Captain Janeway kept Voyager’s Starfleet/Maquis crew working together as a cohesive unit as they made their way back to the Alpha Quadrant.
• Kira Nerys: Though technically not a Starfleet officer, she brought much-needed raw Bajoran firepower to Deep Space 9 and the Defiant. A brave freedom fighter and master strategist, she served as a vital link between Starfleet and Bajor, and a valuable voice reminding all of us of what was right.
• Una Chin-Riley: She represents the pinnacle of what makes Starfleet so well she literally became its poster child. She is disciplined, determined, fiercely capable, incredibly empathetic, and a deeply relatable.
• Seven of Nine: Few in the universe could face everything Seven did—and that includes serving on the Titan under Captain Shaw! From Borg drone to astrometrics genius to Fenris Ranger to captain of the Enterprise-G, she proved that the best Starfleet officers have brains and heart.
• Number One: I can’t forget to mention Captain Picarad’s faithful canine companion. He may not have gone boldly far from Château Picard, but he still fetched our hearts.

And that’s just the tip of the nacelle! 

I think we all take turns playing “Number One” for each other on Star Trek: The Cruise. Whether we’re watching a seat in the Windjammer while a pal goes back to the dessert station, helping a cosplayer fix their Andorian antenna during Q’s Costume Party, or making sure everyone in your group has a drink so you can raise a glass to Star Trek—and each other, we’re all in it together!