TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The first-ever, dog-friendly cruise will set sail from Port Tampa Bay in November 2025.
Cruise Tails and Expedia Cruises of West Orlando have partnered for the inaugural cruise to bring 250 dogs and their closest humans aboard the ship.
Hosted on Margaritaville at Sea’s the Islander, the themed cruise will have unique experiences and activities for all on board.
Some of the activities and experiences include:
- Gifts and samples from top vendors
- Dog shows
- Training
- Guest speakers
- Costume contests
- Parades
The waitlist for all dog parents “will open soon,” according to a Margaritaville spokesperson.
“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. I want to change that for myself and other dog lovers,” said Steve Matzke of Cruise Tails.
According to Cruise Tails, several protocols will be placed to achieve the voyage. Some of these protocols will include a pet butler, private relief stations, a pet health certificate, and a passport.
All dog parents must apply and be approved by the Cruise Tails team to join the cruise, according to Cruise Tails.
On board the cruise ship there are both dog-friendly areas and dog-free spaces like the Margaritaville Casino, and pool decks.
