The Very First Dog-Friendly Cruise Sets Sail From Tampa in 2025

In a breakthrough development for pet-friendly travel, Cruise Tails has teamed up with Expedia Cruises of West Orlando to launch the first-ever dog-friendly cruise on Margaritaville at Sea. Set to embark in November 2025 from Tampa, Florida, this innovative voyage will provide dog parents and their furry companions an unparalleled vacation experience aboard Margaritaville at Sea’s flagship vessel, The Islander. 

The maiden voyage will welcome 250 dogs, their owners and their human guests, with each traveler becoming an Inaugural Ambassador of this unique adventure. Guests can look forward to a variety of pet-centric activities and experiences, including dog shows, training workshops, costume contests, themed parade, guest speakers, special gifts and samples from premium pet vendors, and more. 

Steve Matzke, founder of Cruise Tails, was inspired to create this one-of-a-kind experience after facing his own travel challenges as a dog owner. “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,” he said. “I want to change that for myself and other dog lovers.”

To ensure smooth sailing for both pets and their owners, Cruise Tails is introducing several protocols for a successful voyage. In part, these include: 

• Approval Required: All guests must apply and agree to specific onboard rules, such as keeping dogs within designated areas. Dogs must also meet vaccination requirements. 
• Pet Butler Service: Each family will be assigned a dedicated Pet Butler to maintain cleanliness of their cabin and the ship, ensuring everyone is comfortable and hygienic throughout the trip. 
• Private Relief Stations: Every dog on board will have access to a private pet relief area on the balcony of their cabin. 
• Health Certifications: All pets must have a health certificate, signed off on by a licensed veterinarian, and proof of up-to-date vaccinations before boarding the ship.  

There will be many special activities onboard that guests can enjoy with or without their pets, and a full support team will be available to ensure that everything goes smoothly for participants. Dog-specific amenities will include grooming services, puppy massages, dog-friendly splash zones and more. 

Human guests can also take a break from Fido to enjoy dog-free spaces like the Margaritaville casino, the St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, pool decks, 12 island-inspired dining options, 13 lively lounges, live music and entertainment venues, and various spots for soaking up the Caribbean sun. 

While specific dates and details have not yet been released, the Margaritaville dog-friendly cruise is expected to set sail at the end of 2025. The waitlist for all dog parents who are eager for an opportunity to vacation with their four-legged friends will open soon and a full list of onboard protocols will be released in the next few weeks. Dogs will be required to be leashed in public areas and cruise-goers will be expected to sign a photo waiver since everyone is sure to be sharing the doggie-filled fun on social media.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.