A new dog-friendly cruise is offering travelers the opportunity to embark on adventures with their pets.

However, these types of cruises are rare. Generally, most cruise lines do not allow pets on board.

“The majority of cruise lines only permit service animals to come aboard,” explained Sally French, a Travel Expert at NerdWallet, to YSL News. “Emotional support animals are typically not allowed since they don’t fall under the category of service animals as per most laws.”

French advised potential cruisers to check a cruise line’s policy before booking. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line allows only service dogs onboard. They clarify that “a service dog is specifically trained to assist someone with a disability,” according to information on their website.

Travelers are required to provide their dog’s food and must utilize designated relief areas. French mentioned in an email that “it’s common to see rules stating that dogs must be kept on a leash.”

“Service animals usually have to meet certain documentation standards, including proof of training and vaccination,” she continued. “Some cruise lines also restrict the areas where service dogs are allowed.”

On the other hand, some cruise lines, like Cunard Line, are more accommodating to pets. Their Queen Mary 2 ship has kennels that allow dogs and cats on their transatlantic voyages.

“To prevent homesickness, British dogs can play with a lamppost from the Cunard building in Liverpool, while American dogs feel right at home with a New York City fire hydrant!” the company states on its website.

Nonetheless, the upcoming dog-friendly cruise aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander ship is “much more festive,” according to French.

“We’ve never seen a cruise that celebrates dogs in such a unique way with events like dog costume contests and parades,” she noted. “This trend reflects the increasing popularity of traveling with dogs.”