If you can’t bear the thought of a cruise vacation without your furbaby, take heart: Upcoming cruises will welcome all passengers — including four-legged ones.
About 250 dogs (and their people) will set sail in November 2025 aboard Sea’s Islander Margaritaville, from Tampa Bay, Florida.
The dog-friendly cruise is a partnership between Expedia Cruises and Cruise Tails, created specifically to offer dog lovers an annual dog-themed cruise.
“I consider my Yorkie, Louis, part of my family, and for years, I’ve missed out on ‘family reunion’ tours because I wouldn’t go without him,” said Steve Matzke of Cruise Tails. “I and other dog lovers want to change that.”
Each family will be assigned “Pet Butlers” to help clean and maintain the cabins and public areas. Canine guests will also have access to private aid stations on their patios.
Passengers will be required to provide a passport and a pet health certificate approved and signed by a licensed veterinarian. It is also important to note that the Cruise Tails team must approve all participants. As such, applicants must comply with regulations, such as keeping dogs in permitted areas and ensuring that pet vaccinations are up to date.
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Indoor activities will include dog shows, contests, costume contests and an ’80s-night soiree. Additionally, passengers will have the opportunity to receive gifts and samples from vendors and take advantage of onboard training sessions. Cruisers and pets can indulge in some pampering; people can book themselves a spa appointment and a session with a dog groomer or a puppy massage for their pets. When it’s hot, everyone can jump in the dog-friendly splash stations.
No dog? No problem. You can take a cruise sans Fido, but you have to love dogs. Additionally, some spaces on the ship will be dog-free zones.
According to Cruise Tails, applications for this trip will open in early 2025. To increase your chances of snagging a spot, visit the Cruise Tails website and sign up for updates. Tour details are yet to be released.
The 2,650-passenger Islander is the second ship in the Margaritaville at Sea fleet. The company is the oceanfront branch of the Jimmy Buffett-affiliated Margaritaville Resort brand. The ship has three pools, 12 bars and lounges, 12 restaurants and a casino.
Generally, only service dogs are allowed on cruise ships, except for Cunard, which accepts (and pampers) both cats and dogs on its 2,691-square-foot Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.
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