Ever Wished You Could Take Your Dog on a Cruise? Now You Can.

There’s no word yet on what activities will be available for dogs at potential Caribbean ports of call. Photo: Masarik/Shutterstock

The Margaritaville at Sea Islander ship has 1,105 rooms and 11 decks, but the November speciality dog cruise will have only 250 dogs on board, leaving all four-legged friends plenty of space. Each doggy guest will have a private “relief station” on their stateroom balcony, and cruise “pet butlers” will be assigned to each cabin to ensure rooms and common areas stay clean for both humans and dogs. The itinerary has yet to be announced, but event organizers confirmed to Matador Network via email that the ship will visit at least one port of call, and both people and their pets will be welcome to disembark for the day.

The full itinerary for the dog-friendly cruise will be announced in early 2024, per CruiseTails founder Steve Matzke, with activities designed to ensure all humans and dogs have an enjoyable trip. That’s likely to include “gifts and samples from top vendors, dog shows and training, guest speakers, costume contests, and parades,” among other activities. Accordingly, all pet owners will be required to sign a photo release. “We anticipate the fun will be all over social media and even in the press,” write organizers, who anticipate that some of the 250 dogs selected to sail may be asked to do pet product sponsorships during the sailing.

Dogs allowed on board will need to be up to date on all vaccinations. Photo: Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock

And yes, the dogs welcomed on the cruise will be selected. Guests and dogs will be reviewed by the CruiseTails team, and must agree to a few key stipulations to have a chance at setting sail. All dogs much be up to date on any required vaccinations, and need to be able to provide both a health certificate from a veterinarian and submit to a health check while boarding the ship. Owners must also agree to follow on-board rules regarding their furry friends, including keeping them in approved areas. While rooms and nearly all activities will be dog-friendly, spaces like the ship’s three pool decks will remain limited to human travelers only — though there will be doggy splash stations (and dog massages) available elsewhere on board.

Dogs won’t allowed in some areas, like the ship’s three pool decks. Photo: CruiseTails

It’s also advised that pet owners make sure dogs on board have a selection of “costumes and evening wear” — so it’s likely that photo opportunities will be a key part of the experience.

While the dog-friendly cruise is thought to be the first of its kind, Steve Matzke says he hopes it won’t be the last. “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 says. “We are hopeful to see this become an annual event for dog lovers.”

Potential travelers are advised to make sure their dogs have cruise-appropriate wardrobes before setting sail. Photo: Ezzolo/Shutterstock

Applications are expected to open within the next month, and interested travelers can sign up for notifications and updates on the bottom of the CruiseTails trip website.