Ahh, the problem with pets, I know it well. We have a dog and a cat, they are family pets and although my husband loves them, I am the main person, the one who has to find the pet sitters when we go away. I would never even consider going on a cruise. On most of our holidays, we take the dog along. Though now I have a lovely lady, who will take the dog (for a fee) and let him sleep in her bed and all the rest. The cat is more of a problem, I don´t want to give the keys to my house to just anybody and moving a cat is very difficult. For my recent 60th I booked a restaurant for all the family and friends, it wasn´t all that expensive and we were home in time to walk the dog.