As you may know, I have a pet dog, Rolo. He is a rescue dog that was born on the streets of Romania. Although I love to cruise, I have never considered taking him along with me!
Last year, there was a lot of media coverage about a new dog-friendly cruise. It is a new idea designed for cruisers who want to take their dogs along to enjoy the experience.
The maiden voyage aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander (a collaboration between Cruise Tails, Expedia Cruises of West Orlando and Margaritaville at Sea) was supposed to take up to 250 dogs on its first voyage.
According to Cruise Tails, over 5,000 applications had been received. Cabins suitable for dogs and their owners were expected to book up quickly.
There is a waitlist system in place for those who want to book onto the cruise when it becomes available.
When Will The Cruises Begin?
The first cruise was scheduled for November 2025. This didn’t go ahead, and there is no confirmed date for the rescheduled voyage.
About The Ship
Margaritaville at Sea Islander is 85,619 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of 2,650. Only a small fraction of staterooms will be dedicated to pets and dog owners.
She has 12 decks and a top speed of 22 knots.
The ship was built in Helsinki in 2000 and originally sailed as Costa Atlantica for Costa Cruises. She entered service with Margaritaville at Sea in June 2024.
She undertook a four-month refit starting in January 2024 at the famous Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast before being named the Margaritaville at Sea “Islander”.
How Much Will The Cruises Cost?
Advertised prices for the November 25 cruise ranged from $1,325 per person for an inside cabin to $3,550 per person for a Premium Extended Balcony cabin. Wi-Fi and gratuities were to be included in the fare.
This cruise didn’t go ahead, and the Cruise Tails website now says:
We will be publishing the price sheet when details on the cruise specifics are released. There will be a dog fee to help defray the costs of extra staff we are bringing, the hardware (such as all of the relief stations as one example of many) and fees we will pay the cruise line any the additional work.
Which Rules Were Changed?
Weight and Size Restrictions were altered to allow for heavier dogs to sail on the inaugural cruise.
- Weight Limit: Increased from 20 to 28 Pounds
- This allows for popular medium-sized breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, Corgis and Beagles.
- It aligns with the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard weights for these breeds.
- For Example, French Bulldogs are the most popular breed in the U.S. They have a maximum expected weight of 28 pounds.
What Stayed the Same?
- The 18-inch height restriction still applies.
- This is to “maintain safety standards”.
- It appears that the cruise line thinks smaller dogs have less safety implications.
- Vaccination and Health Requirements are unchanged.
- There are no changes to the health certificate and vaccination policies required by the cruise line.
- The cruise line needs to follow international travel regulations regarding dogs.
- There are no changes to the health certificate and vaccination policies required by the cruise line.
We wish every paw-some dog we’ve heard from could join us, but the ship just isn’t big enough. We totally understand your frustration – it’s a bit like keeping a pup on a leash when all they want to do is run free! Right now, we’re playing it extra safe with our “proof of concept” inaugural voyage, and our rules reflect that cautious approach.
Margaritaville at Sea
But don’t worry, after this first cruise, we expect to loosen the leash a bit. We’re working hard to break through the industry’s strict no-pet-dogs rule, so we can open the way for more flexibility in the future. Thanks for your patience as we try to pave the way for more tail-wagging possibilities!
Reasons for the Changes
Cruise Tails has not officially commented on the reasons for the change in the weight limit, but it seems they may have received a lot of demand from dog owners whose dogs were too heavy to travel.
As this is a new concept, there must be a certain amount of “trial and error” involved. Once they have successfully run a few cruises, they should be able to tweak their rules and regulations until they have a proven formula that works.
Onboard Rules and Restrictions Onboard
- Limited Dog Spaces onboard.
- Only 250 of the 2,114 staterooms are allocated for guests travelling with dogs, so dog owners will be in the minority. You would need to be a dog lover to book this cruise, though, otherwise it could be a nightmare….
- Designated Human-Only Zones
- There will be areas onboard that you can escape to if you have had enough of people with dogs.
- Restaurants, pools, and casinos will remain off-limits to pets.
- Safety Considerations
- Size and weight limits aim to reduce the risk of dogs jumping overboard.
- Large dogs or dogs of certain breeds may be considered a greater risk.
- The first cruise will be somewhat of a “tester” cruise.
- The cruise line has hinted that it may relax some rules in the future.
Dog-Friendly Events and Activities Onboard
The cruise line are offering:
- Costume contests and parades.
- Grooming workshops for owners and their pets.
- Puppy picnics with gourmet pet treats.
- Personalised “pet butlers” for every canine guest.
Activities are designed to make the cruise a memorable experience for all onboard. It should be a unique and enjoyable experience for pets and owners alike.
When Will The First Cruise Now Sail?
No date is being given for the first sailing to take place.
When will the cruise sail?
Cruise Tails
Cruise Tails is exploring alternate dates for the Inaugural Pet Dog Cruise. Details will be updated as soon as final arrangements are confirmed. For the Inaugural charter sailors with reserved cabins, your spots onboard are secure for a future sailing, and we remain dedicated to exceeding your expectations while planning a fun and safe journey for you and your beloved pets. We can’t wait to set sail together soon—and will keep you updated as we wade through planning our next adventure! To ensure an exceptional experience (and to keep tails wagging at every port), we are analyzing pet dog debarking options at many locations.
Why Was The November Cruise Cancelled?
The organisers, Cruise Tails, have not officially confirmed the reasons for the cancellation.
Several factors may have contributed to the delay:
- As the first-ever concept of its kind, the organisers encountered logistical challenges typical of new ventures.
- For instance, they had already begun adjusting rules, such as changing dog weight limits, due to higher-than-expected demand for larger pets than the ship was initially prepared to accommodate.
- Logistical Complexity: Managing 250 dogs alongside nearly 3,000 humans required complex arrangements, including “Pet Butlers,” private balcony relief stations, and strict “human-only” zones.
- Some passengers on community boards expressed concerns regarding hygiene and allergies, highlighting the operational difficulty of such a niche sailing
Cruise Tails website only says:
This cruise is what is known as “Proof of Concept.”
Cruise Tails
Which means everyone thought it was impossible, and we are proving it can be done.
While there may be some bumps and changes on the seas,
we are committed to you and our mutual dream of changing the way pet dogs travel.
Cruisers, YOUR ACTIONS are a huge part of that responsibility.
Each person chosen is an Ambassador for every future dog cruise.
You’ll Need to Sign A Media Waiver
They expect significant publicity, particularly on the first cruise, when it happens. All guests will be asked to sign a “Media Waiver” confirming their consent to being photographed, filmed, or posted on social media.
This is a truly game-changing cruise. It’s been an impossible dream of millions of dog lovers, many who’ve never been able to cruise or enjoy reunions at sea. Some of these dog parents are Instagram influencers; some are movie stars (out of love, a few created health-based dog products); and some are your neighbors, who if lucky enough to win a veritable lottery, will be excited to share these unprecedented new experiences online (queue up hundreds of adorable photos)! We literally have no way to offer anyone a guaranteed right of privacy. An ongoing joke in the office is this will not be a good idea if you are in witness protection!
Cruise Tails & Margaritaville at Sea
What the Rule Changes Mean for the Future of Dog-Friendly Cruising
The change in weight limits will allow more owners of popular dog breeds to book a cruise on Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander.
If it is successful, it could pave the way for more pet-friendly sailings in the future.
Cruise Tails has said that rules may be relaxed or changed for future sailings. Until the first cruises have taken place, they won’t know if they have a formula that works.
Before You Go
Find out about things that used to be allowed on cruise ships, but are no longer:
6 Things Once Allowed on Cruise Ships But Are Now Banned (For Good Reason!)
Find out about the poor cat who was smuggled onto a cruise ship – and left there – here:
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