Most cruise lines do not allow pets in passenger cabins, but a few exceptions exist
The short answer is no — nearly all cruise lines prohibit pets in your cabin or anywhere else on the ship. The only pets allowed on most cruises are service animals that perform tasks for people with disabilities, such as guide dogs or psychiatric service dogs. A small number of cruise lines operate pet-friendly sailings or allow pets in kennels, but these are rare and require advance booking.
If you have a service animal, you will need to notify the cruise line when you book and provide documentation. If you have a regular pet, you will need to arrange care at home, at a boarding facility, or with a pet sitter before your departure.
Key Takeaways
- Service animals trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities are the only pets allowed in passenger areas on most cruise ships.
- Cunard Line operates occasional pet-friendly transatlantic crossings where pets travel in kennels, but these sailings are limited and book far in advance.
- If you bring a service animal, you must tell the cruise line at booking and provide proof of the animal's training and your disability-related need.
- Pets left at home should be cared for by a trusted person, a professional pet sitter, or a boarding facility with a good safety record.
Service animals are permitted with advance notice
If you have a service animal — a dog or miniature horse trained to perform a specific task related to your disability — you can bring it on a cruise. Examples include guide dogs for people who are blind, mobility information dogs, and psychiatric service dogs. The animal must be trained to perform work or tasks, not straightforward provide comfort or emotional support.
You must notify the cruise line when you book your ticket. Have your service animal's documentation ready, which typically includes proof of training from a recognized organization. The cruise line will ask for the animal's name, breed, size, and vaccination records. Some lines require a letter from your doctor or the training organization confirming the animal's purpose.
Service animals are allowed in your cabin and in most public areas of the ship, though some venues like the dining room or pool deck may have restrictions. Ask the cruise line about specific areas when you call to register your animal.
Cunard Line offers occasional pet-friendly sailings
Cunard Line is the only major cruise operator that regularly allows pets on certain sailings. These are typically transatlantic crossings aboard the Queen Mary 2, usually between New York and Southampton or Hamburg. Pets travel in kennels on the ship and are not allowed in cabins or public areas.
Pet-friendly sailings fill quickly and must be booked well in advance — sometimes six months to a year ahead. You will pay a fee for your pet's passage, which varies by sailing but typically ranges from several hundred dollars to over a thousand. Your pet will need current vaccinations, including rabies, and a health certificate from a veterinarian dated within a certain timeframe before departure.
Cunard provides basic care in the kennels, but you are responsible for feeding your pet (you bring the food) and visiting during designated hours. Check Cunard's website or call their reservations line to ask about upcoming pet-friendly sailings and current fees.
Other cruise lines do not permit pets in any form
Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises do not allow pets on their ships except for service animals. This applies to dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and other animals. Even small pets or animals in carriers are not permitted in cabins or public spaces.
If you are considering a cruise with one of these lines and have a pet at home, you will need to arrange care before you leave. Do not attempt to sneak a pet aboard — cruise lines conduct security checks, and bringing an undeclared animal can result in removal from the ship at the next port, confiscation of the pet, and potential legal consequences.
Planning pet care before your cruise
If your cruise line does not allow pets, arrange care at least two weeks before your departure. You have three main options: leaving your pet with a trusted friend or family member, hiring a professional pet sitter, or using a boarding facility.
A trusted person should know your pet's routine, feeding schedule, medications, and your veterinarian's contact information. Leave written instructions and your phone number. If you use a pet sitter, hire someone with references and experience. Ask whether they visit once or twice daily, what they charge, and whether they have insurance. A boarding facility should be clean, well-staffed, and allow you to visit beforehand. Check online reviews and ask other pet owners for recommendations.
Before you leave, may support your pet has current identification, including a microchip and collar tag with your phone number. Leave your veterinarian's name and number with whoever is caring for your pet, along with information about any medical conditions or medications.
Flying with pets to your cruise port
If you are flying to your cruise departure city, you may be able to bring your pet on the plane. Most airlines allow pets in the cabin for a fee (usually $100 to $150 each way) if they are small enough to fit under the seat in a carrier. Larger pets travel in the cargo hold, which is more expensive and stressful for the animal.
Check your airline's pet policy when you book your flight. You will need a health certificate from your veterinarian, usually dated within 10 days of travel. Some airlines require advance notice, so call ahead. If you are flying with a pet, arrange ground transportation from the airport to your hotel or cruise terminal, since most ride-sharing services do not allow pets.
If flying with your pet seems complicated, it is often simpler and less stressful to leave your pet at home with a sitter or boarding facility.
International cruises and pet documentation
If you are taking a cruise that visits other countries, your pet's documentation becomes more important. Some countries have strict quarantine rules or require specific vaccinations and health certificates. If you are bringing a service animal on an international cruise, ask the cruise line which countries you will visit and what documentation that country requires.
For Cunard's transatlantic sailings, the United Kingdom and European ports have their own pet import rules. Cunard will provide guidance, but you are responsible for meeting each country's requirements. Start this process at least one month before your sailing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a service animal on a cruise?
A service animal is a dog or miniature horse trained to perform a specific task related to a person's disability — such as guiding someone who is blind, alerting to seizures, or providing mobility information. Emotional support animals, therapy animals, and comfort animals do not count as service animals for cruise purposes. You will need documentation from a recognized training organization.
Can I bring my pet in a carrier or crate?
No. Cruise lines that do not allow pets prohibit them even in carriers or crates. The only exception is Cunard's pet-friendly sailings, where pets stay in ship kennels. If you have a service animal, it travels with you in your cabin and public areas, not in a carrier.
What happens if I try to sneak my pet onto a cruise ship?
Security screening will likely catch an undeclared pet. If discovered, you may be removed from the ship at the next port, your pet may be confiscated, and you could face legal action or be banned from future cruises. The risk is not worth it.
How far in advance do I need to book a Cunard pet-friendly sailing?
Pet-friendly sailings on Cunard typically fill six months to a year in advance. If you want to bring your pet on a cruise, contact Cunard as soon as you know your travel dates and ask about upcoming pet sailings. Availability is limited.
Can I leave my pet alone in my cabin while I go ashore?
No. Pets are not allowed in cabins on any cruise line except service animals. Even if you could sneak a pet aboard, leaving it alone in a cabin for hours is unsafe and inhumane. Always arrange proper care before your cruise.