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Cruising has gone to the dogs: This voyage will let you bring your canine on a cruise

Kristy Tolley
Kristy Tolley
Editor
Kristy Tolley is an editor on the cruise team at TPG. She specializes in editing and writing content that focuses on cruises, though she has also contributed her expertise to hotel and destination content.
Nov. 21, 2024
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3 min read
cunard-kennels
Cruising has gone to the dogs: This voyage will let you bring your canine on a cruise
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If you can't bear the thought of a cruise vacation without your furbaby, take heart: An upcoming sailing will welcome all passengers — including the four-legged ones.

Some 250 dogs (and their humans) will set sail in November 2025 aboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander, departing from Tampa Bay, Florida.

The dog-friendly cruise is a partnership between Expedia Cruises and Cruise Tails, which was specifically created to offer an annual dog-themed cruise for dog lovers.

"I consider my Yorkie, Louis, to be part of my family, and for years, I missed out on the 'family reunion' cruise because I will not travel without him," Steve Matzke of Cruise Tails said. "I want to change that for myself and other dog lovers."

Each family will be assigned "Pet Butlers" to help clean and maintain cabins and public spaces. Canine guests will also have access to private relief stations on their balconies.

Passengers will be required to provide a passport and a pet health certificate approved and signed by a licensed veterinarian. It's also important to note that the Cruise Tails team must approve all participants. As such, applicants must agree to onboard protocols, such as keeping dogs in permitted areas and ensuring their pets' vaccinations are up to date.

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Onboard activities will include dog shows, parades, costume contests and even an '80s-night soiree. Additionally, passengers will have the chance to score gifts and samples from vendors and take advantage of onboard training sessions. Cruisers and their pets can indulge in some pampering; humans can book a spa appointment for themselves and a session with a dog groomer or a puppy massage for their pets. When it gets hot, everyone can jump around in dog-friendly splash stations.

No dog? No problem. You can take the cruise sans Fido, but you must love dogs. Additionally, some spaces on the ship will be dog-free zones.

According to Cruise Tails, applications for the cruise will open in early 2025. To increase your chances of snagging a spot, visit the Cruise Tails website and sign up for updates. Itinerary specifics have yet to be released.

The 2,650-passenger Islander is the second ship in the Margaritaville at Sea fleet. The company is the Jimmy Buffett-affiliated oceangoing branch of the popular Margaritaville Resort brand. The ship features three pools, 12 bars and lounges, 12 dining venues, and a casino.

Typically, only service dogs are allowed on cruise ships, with the exception of Cunard, which welcomes (and pampers) both cats and dogs on its luxury 2,691-passenger Queen Mary 2 ocean liner.

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Featured image by CHRISTOPHER ISON/CUNARD LINE
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.