Most cruise lines do not allow pets, with rare exceptions for service animals
The short answer is no — most cruise lines will not let you bring a pet on board. The major carriers (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian, and Princess) all prohibit animals except certified service dogs and, in some cases, emotional support animals with proper documentation. The ship's closed environment, limited space, and international waters create liability and health concerns that cruise lines treat as non-negotiable.
If you have a service animal trained to perform a specific task for a disability — guiding someone who is blind, alerting to seizures, or retrieving items — that animal travels with you at no extra charge. Emotional support animals (ESAs) have less clear standing and vary by cruise line; some accept them with a letter from a mental health professional, others do not. You must contact your cruise line before booking to confirm what documentation they require and whether your animal will be allowed.
The one exception to the pet ban is Cunard Line, which allows a small number of pets on transatlantic crossings aboard the Queen Mary 2. Even then, the animal must stay in your cabin, cannot use public areas, and requires advance booking in a pet-friendly stateroom. This option exists because the voyage is long enough (five to seven days) that the restriction feels less punitive, and Cunard has built the infrastructure to handle it.
Key Takeaways
- Certified service animals are allowed on all major cruise lines at no extra cost, but you must provide proof of training and disability before boarding.
- Emotional support animals have inconsistent policies across cruise lines and require a letter from a licensed mental health professional; contact your cruise line in writing before you book.
- Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 is the only major cruise ship that accepts pets on regular sailings, limited to small animals in designated cabins at an additional fee.
- If you cannot bring your pet, boarding facilities, pet sitters, and friends or family are your main options for the duration of your cruise.
Service animals versus emotional support animals
Cruise lines distinguish between a service animal and an emotional support animal (ESA) because the law does too. A service animal is a dog (or in rare cases a miniature horse) trained to perform a specific task tied to your disability — opening doors, alerting to blood sugar changes, or interrupting a panic attack. The animal is a working tool, not a companion. Cruise lines accept service animals because federal law requires them to under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
An emotional support animal is any animal whose presence calms you or reduces anxiety, but it has no specific training. The distinction matters because ESAs have weaker legal protection in public spaces. Some cruise lines (Carnival and Royal Caribbean among them) will accept an ESA with a letter from a licensed therapist or psychiatrist stating that the animal is necessary for your mental health. Others, including Disney Cruise Line, do not accept ESAs at all. Norwegian Cruise Line accepts them on a case-by-case basis. You must call ahead and provide the letter in writing; do not assume your ESA will be allowed.
If you have a service animal, bring your documentation — a letter from the organization that trained the animal, or a statement from your healthcare provider describing the task the animal performs. Cruise lines will ask for this before boarding. Do not misrepresent a pet as a service animal; cruise lines verify claims and will deny boarding if they find you have lied.
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 pet policy
Cunard Line operates the Queen Mary 2, a transatlantic liner that crosses between New York and Southampton (England) or Hamburg (Germany) on voyages lasting five to seven days. This ship allows a small number of pets — typically dogs, cats, and rabbits — in designated pet-friendly cabins. The animal must remain in your cabin at all times and cannot enter restaurants, theaters, or public deck areas. You pay a pet fee (typically $800 to $1,000 for a transatlantic crossing) in addition to your ticket.
Booking a pet cabin requires advance notice; Cunard limits the number of pets per sailing and fills these cabins quickly. You must contact Cunard directly to reserve a pet-friendly stateroom and provide proof of vaccinations (rabies and other required shots depending on your departure port). The pet cannot be left unattended in the cabin for extended periods, so you will spend significant time in your room if you bring an animal.
This option works for people who need to transport a pet across the Atlantic and have the time and budget for a longer voyage. For a typical Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise, it is not available.
What to do with your pet while you cruise
Since most cruises do not allow pets, you need a plan for where your animal will stay. The most common option is a boarding facility — a kennel or cattery that houses animals overnight. Prices vary widely depending on location and the facility's amenities, but expect $25 to $75 per day for a dog and $15 to $50 per day for a cat. Book well in advance, especially during peak cruise season (December, spring break, and summer). Ask the facility whether they require proof of vaccinations and what their cancellation policy is if your cruise is delayed or rescheduled.
A pet sitter who visits your home once or twice daily is another option and often costs $20 to $50 per visit depending on your area. This keeps your pet in familiar surroundings and may reduce stress, particularly for anxious animals. Use a sitter you trust or hire through a vetted service like Rover or Care.com. Always leave detailed instructions about feeding, medication, and emergency contact information.
Asking a friend or family member to stay at your home or visit daily is free and often the best option if someone you trust is available. Make sure they know your pet's routine, any medical needs, and your veterinarian's contact information in case of emergency.
Booking a cruise when you have a service animal
If you have a certified service animal, contact your cruise line's disability services department before you book. Most cruise lines have a dedicated phone line or email for these requests. Provide your service animal's name, breed, size, and a description of the task it performs. Ask whether the animal can stay in your cabin, whether there are any breed or size restrictions, and what documentation you need to bring at check-in.
Service animals do not require a separate ticket or cabin, and there is no pet fee. However, you may be asked to sign a liability waiver stating that you understand the animal is your responsibility and that the cruise line is not liable for any incidents. This is standard and does not mean the animal will be refused — it is a legal formality.
Bring your service animal's vaccination records and any medical documentation to the port. The animal will go through security screening like any passenger. Once on board, keep your animal with you at all times and follow the cruise line's rules about where the animal can go. Most allow service animals in cabins and public areas but not in dining rooms during meal service or in the galley.
International travel and pet quarantine
If your cruise visits ports outside the United States, your pet would face quarantine requirements in some countries — another reason cruise lines do not allow animals. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have strict quarantine laws to prevent the introduction of diseases. Even if a cruise line allowed pets, taking an animal through these ports would require advance paperwork, health certificates, and potentially weeks of quarantine in that country before the animal could return to the ship. This is impractical for a cruise passenger.
Service animals have some exemptions in certain countries, but the rules are complex and vary by destination. If you are traveling with a service animal on a cruise that visits international ports, contact your cruise line and the countries you will visit to understand what documentation and procedures explore. Plan for this well in advance — some countries require paperwork to be submitted 30 to 60 days before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my emotional support dog on a cruise if I have a letter from my therapist?
It depends on the cruise line. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian accept ESAs with a letter from a licensed mental health professional. Disney Cruise Line does not accept ESAs under any circumstances. Contact your specific cruise line in writing with your letter before you book, because policies can change and vary by sailing.
What happens if I try to sneak my pet onto a cruise?
You will be caught at security screening or when boarding. Cruise lines have strict policies and will refuse you entry if an undeclared animal is found. You will lose your ticket price and may be banned from future cruises with that line. Do not attempt this.
Are there any cruise lines other than Cunard that allow pets?
No major cruise line besides Cunard allows pets on regular sailings. Some river cruise operators in Europe may have different policies, but ocean-going cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity) do not. Check directly with any smaller or specialty cruise line before booking if you think they might differ.
Do I have to pay extra for my service animal on a cruise?
No. Service animals travel at no additional cost and do not require a separate ticket or cabin. There is no pet fee. You may be asked to sign a liability waiver, but this does not result in a charge.
Can my pet stay in the cabin while I go to dinner or activities?
If you are on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 with a pet, your animal must stay in your cabin. You cannot leave it unattended for long periods. For service animals on other cruise lines, the animal travels with you — it does not stay behind in the cabin.