Cruise Company Lifts Ban On Certain Dogs From Sailing

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Cruise Tails has announced a significant update to the rules for its November 2025 inaugural “Tails of the Seas” dog-friendly cruise, expanding the weight limit for participating dogs from 20 pounds to 28 pounds.

French Bulldog in sailor outfit

The decision allows slightly larger dogs to join the voyage, set to sail aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander.

The height restriction of 18 inches remains unchanged, and all dogs must still meet strict vaccination and health certificate requirements to ensure safety and compliance.

No official reason has been provided for the updated weight limit.

Some have speculated that it could be a response to difficulties in filling the cruise’s 250 dog-allocated staterooms.

However, it’s thought that demand is high for the cruise, and so it is equally likely that the logistics of allowing larger dogs has just been explored as planning for the cruise unfolds.

The new threshold now includes many popular dog breeds that were previously excluded, such as the French Bulldog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Beagle.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), French Bulldogs are the most popular dog breed in the United States, with a breed standard weight of up to 28 pounds – precisely the new maximum allowed.

Similarly, Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Beagles fall into similar size categories and may now be eligible to join the fun.

Rules and restrictions

While Cruise Tails has relaxed the weight restriction slightly, it is maintaining other safety and operational measures to ensure the cruise runs smoothly.

  • Limited Dog Spaces: Only 250 staterooms are available for passengers bringing dogs.
  • Human-Only Zones: Restaurants, pools, and the casino remain off-limits to canine companions.
  • Safety First: The strict size and weight limits were initially introduced to alleviate concerns about dogs potentially jumping overboard, and size limits have been retained for that reason.

The cruise line has emphasized that this inaugural voyage serves as a “proof of concept” to demonstrate the viability of dog-friendly cruising.

If successful, future sailings may include more relaxed rules and broader accommodations for travellers and their pets.

Passengers on the 6-night voyage can look forward to a line-up of dog-friendly events, including:

  • Costume contests and parades
  • Grooming workshops
  • Puppy picnics
  • Personalized “pet butlers” for each furry traveler

These activities are designed to make the journey enjoyable for both pets and their owners.

The Tails of the Seas cruise will depart Port Tampa Bay on 18th November 2025, visiting Key West, Florida, and the Mexican ports of Progreso and Cozumel.

The 85,619-gross-ton Margaritaville at Sea Islander has a double occupancy capacity of 2,114 passengers, though only a small fraction of staterooms will host canine guests.

The decision to expand the weight limit highlights Cruise Tails’ commitment to making this inaugural pet-friendly cruise inclusive of a broader range of dogs, especially breeds that are popular among pet owners.

If the voyage proves successful, it could pave the way for more pet-friendly travel options and potentially rewrite the rules of cruising for animal lovers.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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