Take Sparky on the nautical adventure of a lifetime this summer aboard a local canine cruise. Your furry friend can meet other like-minded pooches that also enjoy lapping up the scenery, romping around and smelling the sweet sea breeze. In order for your pup to participate in such a dog-tastic opportunity, the canine cruise companies explicitly express that he must have a handler, be well-behaved, sociable and on a leash throughout the trip. So pamper your pets this summer by taking them on a dog-cation they will never forget.
Lake Accotink Park
7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield
Take Sparky and up to nine of his furry friends out on a half-hour or hourlong wildlife adventure on the serene, sparkling waters of Lake Accotink. Since it is a private cruise, trips must be booked in advance. A half-hour cruise, the recommended time slot, is $50, and the full hour is $100. In order to give the pups enough space to play and explore, there can only be 10 dogs and 10 humans maximum aboard the 32-foot pontoon boat. So sit back, relax on the comfortable bench seating and enjoy a relaxing ride around the lake.
Canine Cruises on the Potomac
3 Cameron St., Alexandria
There will be no salty pooches on this trip around the Alexandria Seaport this summer. Canine Cruises on the Potomac offers a 60-minute trip free for pets, $10 for children ages 2 to 11 and $16 for adults. Tickets must be purchased online. Launches are on July 16, Aug. 13 and Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. On Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., celebrate Bark or Treat with your costumed canine aboard the Halloween cruise. There will be Halloween music, treats and a photographer to capture the fun.
Canine Cruises on the Bay
Cruises depart from Baltimore and Annapolis (locations vary based on boat selection)
Treat your biscuit-loving buddy to a canine cruise across the Chesapeake Bay in either Annapolis or Baltimore. Watermark’s Canine Cruises on the Bay offers a wide variety of boats. The Harbor Queen is the largest and most popular vessel to ride, offering a 40-minute cruise with a spacious top deck where dog lovers and their pooches can enjoy the refreshing wind. Pups ride free, humans ages 3 to 11 ride for $6, and adults ride for $16; from there, the price increases based on boat selection. Later this summer, keep an ear cocked for the announcement of Watermark and SPCA of Anne Arundel County’s Annapolis Dog Days of Summer Fundraiser Cruise.
Queen Mary II of Cunard Cruises
If you’re looking to take your pup with you on a full-fledged luxury cruise, check out The Queen Mary II of Cunard Cruises. It is the only luxury cruise liner to allow animals. It comes with luxurious kennels, a kennel master, accessibility for owners and pampering for even the most stressed of pets.
