Meet the MER-makers: Dee & Steve
The High-Tide Hospitality Standard behind Pensacolaās Premier Fleet!
At Frisky Mermaid, we believe a world-class vacation shouldnāt end at the waterās edge. Founders Deandra (Dee) and Steve Holcomb have spent over 30 years mastering the “Gold Standard” of guest services, moving from the executive boardrooms of the nationās top luxury resorts to the helm of the Emerald Coast.
From Five-Star Suites to the Salty Deep
Before launching Frisky Mermaid in 2018, Steve and Dee built a legacy of hospitality excellence on land.
Meet the Commander of the Coastal Crew, Steve Holcomb, CHA, who is a Certified Hotel Administratorāthe highest professional designation in the industry. With nearly three decades as aĀ General Manager for flagship Hilton and Embassy Suites properties, he brings “resort-level” operational precision, disaster preparedness, and a white-glove safety standard to every vessel in our fleet. Ā While he has traded his suit & tie for flip flops, he remains committed to impeccable quality assurance, ensuring our fleet is the safest, cleanest and most reliable. Ā He considers every boat a “floating suite” maintained to 5 star standards.
Meet the Director of Mermazing Experiences: Deandra (Dee) Holcomb. If Steve is the engine, Dee is the “Magic with a little extra sparkle.” As our primary liaison and the voice of the Frisky Mermaid, Dee ensures that every guest interaction feels personal, seamless, and special. She doesnāt just book tours; she curates memories.
And as our Curator of Mer-mazing Memories, with a background in Public Relations & Marketing and a career as a Director of Catering and Sales, she has designed and executed hundreds of high-end eventsāfrom intimate “I Doās” to grand conventions for over 1,000 guests. As a former Chair of the Visit Pensacola Board of Directors, Deeās heart is tied to the hospitality community, and her mission is to ensure every guest feels like “Part of the Pod.” She continues to invest in our community by serving as aĀ Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce Board Member.
š§āāļø Step Aboard with Captain MJ: The Sea-Smart Storyteller
A Legacy of Leadership (with a Splash of Wisdom)
Captain Maryjo āMJā Loucks is the kind of captain who makes wavesĀ and shapes them. As a United States Coast GuardĀ 25-Ton MasterĀ and belovedĀ Training Captain, sheās spent nearly a decade navigating the shimmering stretches of Santa Rosa Soundāwhile mentoring the next generation of captains along the way. From agile center consoles to a stately 75-foot Hatteras, MJās experience runs deep, giving her an intuitive, tide-connected understanding of Northwest Floridaās waters. MJ is CPR/AED certified across all ages, blending safety with a calm, confident presence. She is engaged in a structured random drug testing program to ensure a safe learning environment at sea and keeps current with routine TSA background clearances.
The āTeacher at Seaā MagicĀ šš
Captain MJ doesnāt just guide toursāshe brings the ocean to life. With a background inĀ education, her storytelling turns every cruise into aĀ floating classroomĀ (the fun kind, promise). She has a gift for making marine science feel like pure wonder, especially when diving into the fascinating world ofĀ Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. One guest favorite? Her explanation of how dolphins nap with half their brain at a timeāstaying alert while they rest. (Yes, itās as cool as it sounds.) š¬āØ
Local Love & Ocean AdvocacyĀ š
A local by choice for 28 years, MJ is a passionateĀ protector of the coastal treasuresĀ that make this area so special. She expertly navigatesĀ Pensacola Passāwhere emerald Gulf waters swirl into the bayācreating the perfect stage for sightings of sea turtles, rays, and even the occasional reef shark. Her journeys often highlight the natural beauty ofĀ Gulf Islands National Seashore, along with the importance of protecting delicate sea turtle nesting habitats.
The Vibe Onboard š„ļø
Captain MJās energy is equal parts calm, curious, and quietly captivating. Sheās the kind of captain who makes you feel instantly at ease while opening your eyes to a whole new layer of ocean magic. When sheās not at the helm, youāll find her exploring the world, kayaking hidden waterways, or paddleboarding across the very waters she treasures.
Sail with Captain MJ, and youāre not just along for the rideāyouāre part of a story, a lesson, and a love letter to the sea all in one. ššāØ
š§āāļø Get to Know Captain Steve: The Helm Hero with a Splash of Magic
A Lifetime of Making Waves
Captain Steve Crowder didnāt just find the waterā¦ he followed the tide straight to it and never looked back. With his United States Coast Guard 50-Ton Masterās Credential in hand, heās the real dealāequal parts safety-first captain and smooth-sailing storyteller. Certified in Adult & Infant First Aid/CPR (sailors of all sizes) and backed by top-tier safety standards, he maintains regular TSA background clearances, and participates in a random drug testing consortium, keeping every voyage as secure as it is spectacular. Around here, peace of mind comes standardāright alongside salty breezes and sunshine.
Local Legend Status: Unlocked š
A local by choice (and by heart), Captain Steve has spent nearly a decade fully immersed in these shimmering watersāliterally living aboard his vessel. That kind of 24/7 sea life creates something special: an almost mer-magical connection to Santa Rosa Sound and Pensacola Bay that few can match. The result? Two fin-tastic years of 100% dolphin sightings across hundreds of cruises. If dolphins are out there (and they always are), Captain Steve knows exactly where theyāre playing.
Dolphin Whisperer (with a Dash of Wow) š¬āØ
Step aboard and youāre not just sightseeingāyouāre diving into the secret lives of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Captain Steve brings the pod to life with stories of their matriarchal world, where wise mama dolphins lead and helpful ānanniesā pitch in to raise the next generation. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous pink belly glowāa splashy sign of excitement that turns every encounter into a moment of pure magic.
The Vibe Onboard š„ļø
Captain Steveās style? Think polished professionalism meets laid-back coastal charm. He knows when to keep things shipshape and when to let the good tides roll. Whether itās your first dolphin cruise or your tenth, he crafts each journey to feel like the highlight of your beach escape.
Because when you sail with Captain Steveā¦ youāre not just hopping on a boatāyouāre stepping into a saltwater story, guided by a captain who truly calls the sea home. šāØ
š§š»āāļø Meet Captain Ally: The High-Energy Helm š
Making Waves with Authority & SparkleāØ
Captain Ally Laurent brings bold brilliance and ocean-born confidence to every cruise along Pensacola Beach. As aĀ United States Coast GuardĀ 50-Ton Master,Ā sheās a true trailblazerātheĀ first and only female captain to command a head boat of this scale in the region. She is CPR/AED certified for adults, kiddos, and little mermaids alike, regularly TSA background cleared for smooth, secure sailing and part of a random drug testing programākeeping every adventure safe, sound, and carefree. With over five years of professional navigation across Santa Rosa Sound and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, Ally has mastered everything from 50-foot Glenn Young vessels to custom tritoons. Translation? Youāre in exceptionally capable, safe (and fabulously fun) hands.
Local Soul, Conservationist HeartĀ šš¬
Captain Ally doesnāt just cruise these watersāsheĀ celebratesĀ them. Her tours are equal parts adventure and ocean education, with a special love for the localĀ Atlantic bottlenose dolphinĀ nursery pods. She shares insider fin-facts on calf development, pod dynamics, and the sweet, social lives of our resident dolphins. As you glide past the storied shores ofĀ Fort PickensĀ or catch glimpses ofĀ Naval Air Station Pensacola, Ally weaves together rich coastal history with the vibrant marine world ofĀ Gulf Islands National Seashore. And if youāre lucky? She might even guide you to one of her āsecretā snorkel spots. šāØ
The Vibe Onboard š„ļø
Captain Ally is pure sunshine with a splash of sparkleāan energetic entertainer who turns every trip into a memory-making moment. A South Louisiana native who followed her heart to Pensacola Beach in 2017, sheās found her peace in this salty paradiseāand it shows. When sheās not at the helm, sheās paddleboarding the sound or soaking up beach days with her golden retriever, Jax.
If youāre looking for a captain who matches your excitement wave for wave, shares a treasure trove of local knowledge, and makes every guest feel like part of the crewā¦ Captain Ally is ready to welcome you aboard for a mer-mazing adventure. š¬š
Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce
2026 Business of the Year š
Ten Beach businesses were nominated for Business of the Year. Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Cruises & Pontoon Boat Rentals took home the title!
Source: Island Times Newspaper
March 27. 2026
Our number 1 mermazing crew accepts the Pensacola Beach Business of the Year Award at the Salty Rose in the Pensacola Beach Resort.
Ā (Pictured L to R) Captain MJ, Captain Ally, Board Member Dr. Nisarg Parikh, Captain Steve and Jacie Jacobson. Not Pictured: Owners Dee & Steve Holcomb
Partner in Education
Pensacola Beach Elementary School
We are a proud Ā Partner In Education of the Pensacola Beach Elementary School. The PIE program consists of individuals and businesses that donate to PBES.Ā The school receives limited funding from the state and county.Ā As a result, a “gap” occurs between our operating budget and our funding.Ā PIE donations help close this gap and enable us to improve the financial health of PBES and improving all aspects of the Beach School.Ā Everything from campus maintenance to improved technology, school/studentĀ health and safety, curriculum, and transportation are funded by PIE donations.
Escambia County Sea Turtle Ambassador, conservation advocacy and hooked turtle response.
Sea Turtle Ambassadors: Ambassadors hep engage and educate the public in sea turtle conservation.
Hours and activities are varied, but Ambassadors will spend a majority of their volunteer hours on our
beaches and fishing piers, talking to the public. Ambassadors may also assist with education programs at area schools and organizations and help engage local businesses in sea turtle conservation practices.
Hooked Turtle Response: Our Capt. & Crew assist with hooked, sick or injured turtles.
Leave Only Footprints & Lights Out Initiatives
Leave Only Footprints:
Furniture and other obstructions left on the beach can impact nesting and hatchling turtles. Ambassadors remind visitors to take everything home with them at the end of their stay and help report issues to staff and beach leaders. Enjoying long walks on the beach at sunset is a must!
Lights Out:
Nesting females prefer dark, quiet stretches of beach to lay their eggs. Bright white lights like those found in our phones and flashlights can scare them off, forcing them to waste precious energy. Ambassadors remind guest and visitors to leave the white lights at home and provide alternatives to use while enjoying our beaches after dark.
Dolphin SMART
“We follow the ‘Dolphin SMART’ protocol, ensuring we observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat without disruption. Itās a professional, respectful approach to marine education that our guests appreciate.”
Responsible dolphin viewing practices
š¬Dolphin Fin Fact š¬Ā
š Theyāre Loyal Pod Mates š
Dolphins stick together like a mermaid crewāhelping, protecting, and even babysitting each otherās little ones. Friendship goals of the sea!