Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the primary luxury cruise option for traveling with dogs from the UK, offering specialized transatlantic crossings between Southampton and New York with dedicated, serviced kennels. It is the only major cruise line providing this service, featuring 24 kennels, a play area, and an owner’s lounge.
Which luxury cruises are dog friendly from the UK?
Cunard cruise ship Queen Mary 2 offers dog-friendly cruises from the UK – and is the only luxury liner to do so. The famous QM2 will take you and your dog across the ocean between New York and Southampton. Your fur baby will be confined to the onboard kennel, known as the exclusive Deck 12, though.
The most well-known cruise line that allows dogs onboard is Cunard, specifically their Queen Mary 2 ocean liner. Cunard has long maintained a tradition of welcoming pets, and their most iconic ship, the Queen Mary 2, is equipped with a dedicated kennel.
We've welcomed animals on board our ships for close to two centuries, and we continue to do so on our Transatlantic Crossings on board Queen Mary 2. Her air-conditioned kennels can accommodate up to 24 four-legged guests per sailing.
Pack your swimsuits, sunglasses and chew toys: a new pet-friendly cruise will welcome dogs next year. The sailing, a partnership between Cruise Tails and Expedia Cruises of West Orlando, will depart from Tampa, Florida in November 2025 aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander ship.
Royal Caribbean International welcomes service dogs on all ships. * Please note we do not accept pets. A service dog is defined as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." Service dogs are not considered pets.
The litter boxes are generally filled with mulch, sand or sawdust. Depending on the cruise ship, they will either be placed indoors inside a utility room, or outside on a deck. Ours was outside on a deck under a staircase as you can see.
Yes, cats and dogs sailing on our ships will require a pet passport to travel. Don't worry, we'll be in touch with all the necessary paperwork and requirements for your voyage, at least five months ahead of sailing. An AHC Health Certificate in lieu of a passport is also accepted.
While most cruise ships accept specifically trained and certified service dogs to assist passengers with disabilities, they ban boarding of any kind of pets, including therapy or “comfort” animals.
Neither Viking nor Regent is definitively "better"; they offer different luxury experiences: choose Regent for a more truly all-inclusive, opulent, traditional luxury with superior dining and suites, while Viking provides a premium, culturally focused, Scandinavian-designed journey with great value, featuring included excursions, lectures, and a generally younger adult (no kids) crowd, but less included alcohol. Your choice depends on your budget, desired level of inclusion, and atmosphere preference.
Cunard's dog friendly cruises offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your pet, but they do not come cheap! Expect to pay around £750 per pooch – not much less than you'll pay for yourself. Cats cost a little more (closer to £1000) as they require two kennels: one for the litterbox and one for the cat.
If you want to bring a dog, cat or ferret to the Netherlands from another EU country: the animal must be at least 15 weeks old. the animal must be vaccinated at 12 weeks old. after the animal has been vaccinated, you must wait 21 days before bringing it to the Netherlands.
Some of the most common reasons include: Hygiene and cleanliness; International regulations that for each port may be different; Other passengers may be allergic to animals or feel uncomfortable in their presence, so companies may choose to limit or prohibit their presence.
Cunard is the only cruise line that will allow you to transport your dog or cat on the cruise with you for a fee of around $1,000/$1,500 per pet. Cunard has a kennel area onboard the ship which includes a full-time kennel master.
Seabourn only permits service animals on board, defined as those animals that are individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. We do not permit our guests to bring pets, therapy/companion animals, and other animals that do not meet the definition of service animals.
This November 2025, the world's first-ever luxury cruise for dogs sets sail from Port Tampa Bay—offering six nights of Caribbean fun designed just for pups and their humans.
Service dogs are permitted to accompany the person with a disability in all public areas, including dining venues. While in public areas, dogs must be on a leash, harness, or other restraining device.
What does a pineapple on the door of a cruise ship mean?
On a cruise, an upside-down pineapple (often as a sticker, magnet, or on clothing) is a discreet symbol used by couples or individuals to signal they are part of the swinging or partner-swapping community and are open to meeting others for "adult fun". While a regular pineapple signifies hospitality, the inverted version transforms it into an insider code for those in the swinging lifestyle, allowing them to identify each other subtly on any ship, though it's more prevalent on adult-themed cruises.
Cruise ships use secret codes like Code Alpha (medical), Code Bravo (fire), Code Oscar (man overboard), and Code Charlie (security threat) to alert crew to emergencies discreetly, preventing passenger panic while allowing for swift response, with codes like Operation Brightstar (medical), Operation Rising Star (death), PVI (public vomiting), and 3030 (cleanup needed) varying by line but serving similar functions to manage incidents. Passengers should stay calm and out of the way if they hear these, as crew handle the situation.
With the right pet-friendly yacht, your furry companion can stretch out on the sundeck, enjoy cool sea breezes, and be part of every sunset selfie. It's a game-changer for families who see their pets as more than animals, they're cherished travel companions.
Sailor is a Golden Retriever and the official Canine Ambassador of Star of the Seas. She's not just a mascot — she's a full-fledged member of the crew, with her own boarding pass, schedule, and adoring fan base.
You can travel with your pet on all the regular Viking Line voyages. However, we ask you to ensure that your pet does not disturb the travel experience of the other passengers or the ship's crew.
Princess welcomes service animals trained to perform tasks, including those that support visual and hearing impairments or other specific needs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please note that emotional support animals are not allowed on Princess ships.
