Meet the MER-makers: Dee & Steve
The High-Tide Hospitality Standard behind Pensacolaâs Premier Fleet!
At Frisky Mermaid, we believe a world-class vacation shouldnât end at the waterâs 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 nationâs 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 Administratorâthe highest professional designation in the industry. With nearly three decades as a 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.  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.  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 doesnât 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 eventsâfrom intimate “I Doâs” to grand conventions for over 1,000 guests. As a former Chair of the Visit Pensacola Board of Directors, Deeâs 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 a Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce Board Member.
đ§ââď¸ Step Aboard with Captain MJ: The Sea-Smart Storyteller
A Legacy of Leadership (with a Splash of Wisdom)
Captain Maryjo âMJâ Loucks is the kind of captain who makes waves and shapes them. As a United States Coast Guard 25-Ton Master and beloved Training Captain, sheâs spent nearly a decade navigating the shimmering stretches of Santa Rosa Soundâwhile mentoring the next generation of captains along the way. From agile center consoles to a stately 75-foot Hatteras, MJâs experience runs deep, giving her an intuitive, tide-connected understanding of Northwest Floridaâs 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 âTeacher at Seaâ Magic đđ
Captain MJ doesnât just guide toursâshe brings the ocean to life. With a background in education, her storytelling turns every cruise into a floating classroom (the fun kind, promise). She has a gift for making marine science feel like pure wonder, especially when diving into the fascinating world of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. One guest favorite? Her explanation of how dolphins nap with half their brain at a timeâstaying alert while they rest. (Yes, itâs as cool as it sounds.) đŹâ¨
Local Love & Ocean Advocacy đ
A local by choice for 28 years, MJ is a passionate protector of the coastal treasures that make this area so special. She expertly navigates Pensacola Passâwhere emerald Gulf waters swirl into the bayâcreating the perfect stage for sightings of sea turtles, rays, and even the occasional reef shark. Her journeys often highlight the natural beauty of Gulf Islands National Seashore, along with the importance of protecting delicate sea turtle nesting habitats.
The Vibe Onboard đĽď¸
Captain MJâs energy is equal parts calm, curious, and quietly captivating. Sheâs the kind of captain who makes you feel instantly at ease while opening your eyes to a whole new layer of ocean magic. When sheâs not at the helm, youâll find her exploring the world, kayaking hidden waterways, or paddleboarding across the very waters she treasures.
Sail with Captain MJ, and youâre not just along for the rideâyouâre part of a story, a lesson, and a love letter to the sea all in one. đđâ¨
đ§ââď¸ Get to Know Captain Steve: The Helm Hero with a Splash of Magic
A Lifetime of Making Waves
Captain Steve Crowder didnât just find the water⌠he followed the tide straight to it and never looked back. With his United States Coast Guard 50-Ton Masterâs Credential in hand, heâs the real dealâequal 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 standardâright alongside salty breezes and sunshine.
Local Legend Status: Unlocked đ
A local by choice (and by heart), Captain Steve has spent nearly a decade fully immersed in these shimmering watersâliterally 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 theyâre playing.
Dolphin Whisperer (with a Dash of Wow) đŹâ¨
Step aboard and youâre not just sightseeingâyouâre 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 ânanniesâ pitch in to raise the next generation. Keep your eyes peeled for the famous pink belly glowâa splashy sign of excitement that turns every encounter into a moment of pure magic.
The Vibe Onboard đĽď¸
Captain Steveâs 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 itâs 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 Steve⌠youâre not just hopping on a boatâyouâre stepping into a saltwater story, guided by a captain who truly calls the sea home. đâ¨
đ§đťââď¸ Meet Captain Ally: The High-Energy Helm đ
Making Waves with Authority & Sparkleâ¨
Captain Ally Laurent brings bold brilliance and ocean-born confidence to every cruise along Pensacola Beach. As a United States Coast Guard 50-Ton Master, sheâs a true trailblazerâthe 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 programâkeeping 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? Youâre in exceptionally capable, safe (and fabulously fun) hands.
Local Soul, Conservationist Heart đđŹ
Captain Ally doesnât just cruise these watersâshe celebrates them. Her tours are equal parts adventure and ocean education, with a special love for the local Atlantic bottlenose dolphin 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 of Fort Pickens or catch glimpses of Naval Air Station Pensacola, Ally weaves together rich coastal history with the vibrant marine world of Gulf Islands National Seashore. And if youâre lucky? She might even guide you to one of her âsecretâ snorkel spots. đâ¨
The Vibe Onboard đĽď¸
Captain Ally is pure sunshine with a splash of sparkleâan energetic entertainer who turns every trip into a memory-making moment. A South Louisiana native who followed her heart to Pensacola Beach in 2017, sheâs found her peace in this salty paradiseâand it shows. When sheâs not at the helm, sheâs paddleboarding the sound or soaking up beach days with her golden retriever, Jax.
If youâre 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 crew⌠Captain Ally is ready to welcome you aboard for a mer-mazing adventure. đŹđ
Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce
2026 Business of the Year đ
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.
 (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  Partner In Education of the Pensacola Beach Elementary School. The PIE program consists of individuals and businesses that donate to PBES. The school receives limited funding from the state and county. As a result, a “gap” occurs between our operating budget and our funding. PIE donations help close this gap and enable us to improve the financial health of PBES and improving all aspects of the Beach School. Everything from campus maintenance to improved technology, school/student 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. Itâs a professional, respectful approach to marine education that our guests appreciate.”
Responsible dolphin viewing practices
đŹDolphin Fin Fact đŹÂ
đ Theyâre Loyal Pod Mates đ
Dolphins stick together like a mermaid crewâhelping, protecting, and even babysitting each otherâs little ones. Friendship goals of the sea!