On select crossings, Cunard Line lets dogs and cats sail in dedicated kennels instead of flying cargo.
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- Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 offers kennels for pets on transatlantic crossings.
- The kennels can accommodate up to 24 pets, primarily dogs and cats, with some size and breed restrictions.
- Booking a kennel is an alternative to flying pets, but demand is high and reservations should be made early.
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When Abigail Morris boarded Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 ship, her luggage wasn’t her only precious cargo.
Morris was moving from the United Kingdom to the Washington, DC, area with her husband in 2024, along with her then-3-year-old Maltipoo, Monty.
Dogs generally aren’t allowed on cruises, but after struggling to find a flight that would allow pets in the cabin, Morris decided to bring Monty across the pond in the storied ocean liner’s kennels – one of the only ways cruise travelers’ furry friends can sail the high seas. It typically takes seven nights to sail instead of eight hours flying, but the comfort doesn’t compare.
When they arrived, the kennel master asked if her dog would like fresh food, like chicken or steak. “Monty loves chicken, but he also loves scrambled eggs, so I said that as well, and every morning (there was) fresh chicken mixed with scrambled eggs for Monty,” recalled Morris, 40, who works in communications. Beats the usual airplane snacks.
Queen Mary 2’s kennels offer pet owners an alternative to flying with their four-legged travel companions, and give dogs and cats an adventure of their own. Here’s what to know.
What are the Cunard Queen Mary 2 kennels like?
Kennels are only available on transatlantic crossings, and can accommodate 24 pets. Guests can book directly through the line or their travel advisor, but Lee Powell, VP, Brand & Product Development at Cunard warned that “demand is exceptionally strong.” The company highly encourages making reservations early.
Health requirements vary depending on which way guests are traveling, “but include rabies certification, microchipping, and veterinary health documentation in line with U.S. and U.K. regulations,” Powell said in an email. Cunard guides guests through those steps prior to departure.
Pets and their owners check in for their cruise in a designated area, and all animals board together. “Our other guests particularly love the parade of pups on embarkation day as they make their way to their dedicated space,” Powell said.
The kennels are air-conditioned, and each pet receives a fleece blanket and a “pet coat” that is theirs to take home.
There are daily visiting hours (usual times can be found here) and a special deck area on board with scheduled exercise sessions, “so pets can enjoy the sun and sea air just as their owners do.” In a nod to both the U.S. and U.K., there is a New York fire hydrant and a Liverpool lamppost, so four-legged guests have choices when they need to do their business.
Outside of walks and exercise time or visiting hours, pets rest in their kennels.
Morris’ dog was not used to being crated, and while the crew will take pets out for walks and outdoor time, she checked in on him frequently (only service animals are permitted in other parts of the ship). That meant she “spent a lot of time with all the other dog owners,” and even became close friends with another couple who was also moving.
What kinds of animals can sail in the Cunard kennels?
Dogs and cats can stay in the kennels, and even some famous animals like Rin Tin Tin have traveled on board.
There are some restrictions, though. Each kennel can fit only dogs that are 27 inches tall or shorter and 34 inches long and under, for example. “If your pet exceeds 34 inches in length, then you will need to book two lower kennels,” the company’s website reads.
Some dog breeds are not permitted for that reason, including Great Danes, Irish setters and bloodhounds (a complete list can be found online). “In addition, dogs prohibited by the U.K. Pet Travel Scheme are not permitted on board,” the website noted.
What do animals eat in the Cunard kennels?
Passengers can bring their own pet food, but the company also offers to supply it “from an approved list of U.K.-based pet food suppliers, included in the price you pay for your kennel booking,” according to Cunard’s website.
Freshly cooked options such as chicken, vegetables and broth are available, as well. “Our guests can feel secure in knowing that our dedicated kennel masters will care for pets as their own, while they enjoy their time aboard the world’s only ocean liner,” Powell said.
How much do the Cunard kennels cost?
Upper kennels go for $1,300 per crossing, while lower kennels cost $1,500. “Larger dogs and cats require two kennels to accommodate their litter box setup,” Powell noted.
Given the restrictions on where animals can go, Morris said that from her perspective, “you’re not on holiday with your dog.”
“But the question isn’t for me, ‘Is the Queen Mary 2 good for dogs?’ It’s ‘What’s the best way to get your dog across the Atlantic?’, (to) which the answer has to be the Queen Mary 2.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
