US-based residential cruise company Fabled Voyages has announced a soon-to-launch “Pets Onboard” programme that will allow residents to be able to live with their furry companions.
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The move comes as the cruise company seeks to address a "key barrier" to long-term travel by creating a home at sea that includes pets.
"Pets are family for many of our future residents," said Madison Miller, Founder and CEO of Fabled Voyages. "Our responsibility was to design a programme that respects that bond while maintaining comfort, safety, and harmony on board."
Subject to size, behaviour and health requirements, each residence will be permitted up to two pets – either cats or dogs.
The company’s FV Horizon vessel, which has a capacity of up to 2,400 residents, will create designated open-air walking areas and pet-friendly zones within their ship designs.
Pet owners will also benefit from services, such as onboard vet support, grooming options and enhanced sanitation.
"Our goal is not to build a cruise centred around pets," Miller added. "It is to remove unnecessary limitations that prevent people from embracing long-term exploration."
Fabled Voyages believes families include those with four paws, and that “pets are considered residents of the ship alongside their owners”.
Accepting deposits from 30 March, passengers will have to pay a one-time non-refundable fee of $1,000 (€865.40), which goes towards onboard readiness. There is also a monthly pet fee of $130 (€86.55), which covers cleaning protocols, designated pet areas and operational care considerations for long-term animal residency.
The residential cruise company’s voyages around the globe include Northern Europe and Baltic spanning Copenhagen to St. Petersburg and beyond, as well as Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Southern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, East Africa and Indian Ocean.
Pet owners seeking a life at sea may also consider Villa Vie Residences. The firm’s ship Villa Vie Odyssey will accommodate 650 residents and allow a limited number of cats.
“Villa Vie Odyssey offers pet-friendly accommodations and dedicated facilities to ensure your furry companions can enjoy the journey with you,” their pet policy reads.
From ownership, to rentals, and rent-to-own programmes, the US-based company offers voyages across 147 countries across all seven continents.
Its Golden Passport programme, starting at $99,999 (€86,509) per person, depending on their age and villa type, promises lifetime access to a villa onboard.
“As people retire, one of their biggest fears is outliving their money,” said Mikael Petterson, Founder of Villa Vie Residences. “With the Golden Passport, that uncertainty disappears – one payment secures a lifetime of adventure.”