Cunard cruises has been welcoming passengers, including pet cats and dogs, aboard for over 180 years. Over the decades, they’ve sailed not just cats and dogs across the Atlantic, but also an elephant, a monkey and a hippopotamus! A hitchhiker sparrow also got more than she bargained for when she boarded the ship at Southampton, only to disembark in New York – she must have known that Cunard is the only pet friendly cruise on the planet, and decided to save her weary wings! The Cunard Queen Mary 2 offers the world’s solitary pet cruise, with 24 kennels, a private owner’s lounge, and a dedicated play area. Registered and certified Service & Assistance Dogs sail for free on the Queen Mary 2, as well as all other Cunard cruise ships. However, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) aren’t recognised as assistance animals, and must travel under the standard Cunard pet travel policy. Transatlantic pet flights aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so for travel between the UK and USA, the Cunard Queen Mary 2 is an excellent alternative for travel with cats and dogs. Check out reviews for Cunard to hear what other pet travellers think, or read the full Cunard pet travel policy 2024.
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Pet Friendly Cunard Routes between the UK & USA
Cunard is the proud owner of the world’s only pet friendly cruise ship, the Queen Mary 2, which offers cat and dog friendly transatlantic crossings between Southampton, England and New York, USA. To make sure dogs have a taste of home, the Queen Mary 2 has a lamppost from Liverpool, and New York City fire hydrant, so that they can mark their territory!
Cats and dogs also receive a welcome aboard gift when they sail on the Queen Mary 2 cruise, a lovely touch for our furry travel companions.
As well as hosting 22 luxury kennels for cats and dogs, the pet friendly Cunard Queen Mary 2 can hold 2,641 passengers, with 1,250 crew on each cruise. The Queen Mary 2 proudly stands at 1,132 feet, with accommodation ranging from standard rooms, to the opulent Queens Grill Grand Duplex apartments. which can host up to eight guests.
Each standard room includes:
- A king-sized bed, lounge area and desk with stationery
- Satellite TV, tea & coffee making facilities and a mini-bar
- An invigorating shower and complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries
- Complimentary robe and slippers for everyone
- Nightly turndown service, including a chocolate on your pillow
- Sparkling wine to welcome you on board
For the more lavish lifestyle on the 7 day transatlantic Cunard pet friendly cruise, the Queens Grill Grand Duplex apartments offer:
- Over 2000 square foot of private living space, spread over two floors
- King-sized bed with sumptuous linens and a seven pillow concierge menu
- Twin marble bathrooms and two dressing areas
- Complimentary Penhaligon’s toiletries, velour robes and slippers
- A lounge area with interactive TV, a selection of books and iPad on request
- Fresh fruit, delivered to your suite daily
- A personal butler
Prior to sailing, all UK guests must provide evidence to Cunard of comprehensive cruise specific travel insurance, that includes medical cover of £2 million minimum. Three days before departure, all passenger are required to complete a Health Questionnaire at my.cunard.com.
Cunard Pet Cruise Accommodation Options
In 2108, the pet friendly Cunard Queen Mary 2 cruise ship underwent an overhaul, which increased the on board cat and dog accommodation from 12 to 22 luxury kennels. Larger dogs will need two pre-booked kennels to ensure they have enough space, as the kennels can be opened up and joined together to create a larger area.
The pet kennels on the Queen Mary 2 are located on Deck 12, with two Cunard Kennel Masters on patrol to tend to your cat or dog’s needs. The Kennel Masters provide your pet with food, water and exercise, and you can notify them of any dietary requirements beforehand.
When booking your pet’s place aboard the Queen Mary 2, you must advise Cunard of your pet’s:
- Breed
- Name
- Height in inches (from floor to top of shoulder)
- Length in inches (from tip of nose to base of tail)
- Weight in pounds
- Age at time of sailing
- Gender
There’s two pet friendly kennel sizes available on the Queen Mary 2:
- 12 lower kennels – 6 (H 36″ D 35.5″ W 30″) and 6 (H 36″ D 35″ W 30″)
- 12 upper kennels – 6 (H 27″ D 35.5″ W 30″) and 6 (H 27″ D 35″ W 30″)
Two kennels may be opened up to accommodate larger dogs up to 60” in length.
Cost of Pet Kennels on Cunard Queen Mary 2
Guests are charged per kennel, and the price depends on the type of kennel required:
Upper kennel $800
Lower kennel $1000
Any dog requiring two lower kennels will be charged double.
Visiting your Pet on the Queen Mary 2
You’ll be advised of the specific visiting hours when you board the ship, these are of course subject to change in case of adverse weather conditions. An estimated pet visiting schedule for the Queen Mary 2 is:
- 0830-0930 hrs
- 1030-1200 hrs
- 1500-1800 hrs
- 2000-2030 hrs
During visiting hours with your dog, you can hang out in one of the two pet lounges, or soak in the fresh sea air in the outdoor pet area.
Emergency Situations
In case of emergency, your furry friend isn’t forgotten, with pet life jackets provided on the pet friendly Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, along with special instructions if a lifeboat is needed.
Tapeworm Treatment for Dogs entering England
You may be aware that all dogs entering the United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland) require a Tapeworm Treatment between 1-5 days of your scheduled arrival on UK shores. However, for the transatlantic pet cruise on the Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton, the Tapeworm Treatment must be administered no more than 5 days prior to embarking the vessel.
Sailing on the Queen Mary 2 with a Service or Assistance Dog
All Assistance & Service Dogs can sail with you free of charge, provided that they are certified by either:
This means that Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) aren’t accepted on the Queen Mary 2 as service dogs, and must travel under the standard Cunard pet friendly policy.
Assistance & Service Dogs must wear a leash and be with you at all times. They can access all areas on the Queen Mary 2 except:
- Designated children’s areas
- Swimming pools or the ‘beach’ area surrounding the pool
- Whirlpool
- Crew areas
- Galley visits
- Kennel facilities
Always remember the two golden rules when travelling to a foreign country with your pet:
- Protect your pet against vector-borne diseases
- And leave a review if you sail on the Cunard Queen Mary 2 transatlantic pet friendly cruise with your cat or dog!
