The only types of pets allowed on 99.9% of cruise lines are service dogs. There are no restrictions on service dogs as most service dogs are used to warn the owner of a seizure or assist blind or partially blind owners with certain functions. Service dogs must have a current health certificate before boarding. Now, for the other 1 percent – Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 (QM2).
The Queen Mary 2 allows pets on transatlantic crossings only. There are restrictions ranging from size and breed to temperament and availability. QM2 kennels can comfortably accommodate 12 pets. The kennels, located the sun deck and consisting of two levels, feature six small kennels and 6 large kennels measuring 33′ X 33′ X 27 ” (Top level – Small) high and 33″ X 33′ X 39″ high (Floor level – Large). Pets must not exceed the sizes listed here and the ship has a specific list of restricted breeds. These include:
Afghan
Bloodhound
Borzoi
Briard
Bull Mastiff
St. Bernard
Weimeraner
Curly Coated Retriever
Deerhound Doberman
Gordon Setter
Great Dane
Greyhound
Irish Setter
Irish Wolfhound
Malamute
Mastiff
New Foundland
Pyreneese
Saluki
The luxury liner, Queen Mary 2, provides more than kennels for furry guests. Pet owners can expect a number of amenities offered by the liners official Pets on Deck program. These include but arte not limited to your choice of beds and blankets, fresh-baked biscuits before bed, name tag, QM2-logoed coat, food dish and scoop, a crossing certificate, personalized cruise card, and a free photograph of owner and pet.
Kennel visiting hours are daily: 7:30am – 9:30am, 11:00am – 12:00pm, and 3:30pm – 6:30pm. Although visiting hours might make it seem as though your pet will be limited to the kennel for hours on end, this is not the case. Pets are exercised regularly in the protected open-deck area, where you will find accessories such as a fire hydrant and a lamppost.
To cruise aboard the QM2 with your pet, you must have a current health certificate. If you are entering the UK with your pet, your pooch must have clearance prior to arrival through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA): Pets and Quarantine Branch, Area 211
1A Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ.
For more information about cruising aboard the Queen Mary 2 with your pet, visit the official Cunard Line website at www.cunard.com.
Why Cruise Lines Do Not Allow Pets
Many countries have rigid entry and quarantine requirements for pets, including cats, dogs, and others. Cruise lines must also adhere to strict health codes, and the ship must also worry about having the proper accommodations for pets. If a ship does not have special designated areas for pets and improper waste removal methods and equipment, this can have a negative impact on the safety and health of all passengers aboard the ship. Pets must also be monitored at all times by professional kennel workers and the ship must employ a vet in case of an emergency. This additional cost is one that most cruise lines would rather not incur.