Most cruise lines do not allow dogs on board, with one major exception
The short answer is no — almost all cruise lines ban pets from passenger cabins and public areas. The single exception is Cunard Line, which allows dogs and cats on transatlantic crossings aboard the Queen Mary 2. Even then, your dog travels in a kennel, not your cabin, and you pay a fee for the service.
If you are sailing on any other cruise line — Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian, Princess, or Celebrity — your dog cannot travel with you. Service animals that perform tasks for people with disabilities follow different rules and are covered separately below.
The reason is practical: ships are confined spaces with thousands of passengers, limited ventilation in some areas, and no way to let a pet outside during days at sea. Most lines decided the liability and logistics outweigh the demand.
Key Takeaways
- Only Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 allows pets on transatlantic voyages; your dog stays in a paid kennel, not your cabin.
- Service dogs trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities are permitted on all major cruise lines and can stay in your cabin.
- Emotional support animals and therapy dogs are not the same as service animals and are not permitted on cruises.
- If you cannot leave your dog at home, you will need to arrange boarding, a pet sitter, or a trusted friend to care for it during your voyage.
How Cunard's pet policy works on the Queen Mary 2
Cunard allows dogs and cats on the Queen Mary 2 during its transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton, England. Your pet stays in a climate-controlled kennel on the ship, not in your cabin. You can visit your dog during designated hours, usually twice a day for about 15 minutes each time.
The fee is roughly $800 to $1,000 for the crossing, depending on the animal's size and the voyage length. You must book the kennel space when you reserve your cruise ticket, not after. Cunard requires proof of vaccinations, including rabies, and a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of departure.
Your dog will have access to a small outdoor relief area on deck, but you cannot take it to restaurants, theaters, or other public spaces. If you are considering this option, contact Cunard directly before booking to confirm current policies, as rules can shift.
Service animals are treated differently from pets
A service animal is a dog (or in some cases a miniature horse) trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. These tasks might include guiding someone who is blind, alerting someone to a seizure, retrieving items, or providing mobility information. Service animals are not pets and are not subject to the pet ban.
All major cruise lines permit service animals in passenger cabins and in most public areas of the ship. You will need documentation from your healthcare provider or the organization that trained your service animal. The cruise line may ask for proof, but they cannot charge an extra fee for the animal's presence.
Emotional support animals and therapy dogs are not service animals under this definition, even if they provide comfort. They are treated as pets and are not permitted on cruises (except Cunard's kennel program). The distinction matters: a service animal performs a trained task; an emotional support animal provides comfort by its presence alone.
What to do with your dog while you cruise
If your cruise line does not allow pets and you do not have a service animal, you have three main options: boarding facilities, a pet sitter, or a trusted friend or family member.
Boarding kennels and facilities range from basic cages to luxury resorts with play areas and webcams. Prices vary widely — expect $30 to $100 per day depending on your area and the facility's amenities. Book several weeks ahead, especially during peak cruise season. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations or search local reviews.
Pet sitters visit your home once or twice daily to feed, walk, and spend time with your dog. This option costs $25 to $75 per visit and keeps your dog in familiar surroundings. Websites like Rover and Care.com connect you with sitters in your area; read reviews and meet the person before you leave.
Friends or family are often the least expensive option if someone you trust can stay at your home or visit daily. Provide written instructions about feeding, medication, exercise, and your veterinarian's contact information.
Preparing your dog for your absence
Dogs do not understand that you are coming back. A sudden change in routine can cause stress, anxiety, or behavioral problems. If you are leaving your dog for a week or longer, start preparing weeks in advance.
If you are using a boarding facility, visit it with your dog beforehand so the environment is not completely foreign. Leave an item with your scent — a worn shirt or blanket — to comfort your dog. If you are using a sitter, have the sitter visit a few times before you leave so your dog recognizes them.
Leave detailed written instructions: feeding amounts and times, any medications, behavioral quirks, your veterinarian's phone number, and an emergency contact. Take a recent photo of your dog in case it gets lost. If your dog has anxiety, ask your veterinarian whether medication or calming supplements might help during your absence.
International cruises and pet import rules
If you were somehow able to bring a dog on a cruise to another country, that country's import rules would explore. The United Kingdom, for example, requires a pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination, and a blood test done at a specific time before arrival. Australia and New Zealand have strict quarantine rules. These requirements exist to prevent disease and are enforced at the port.
This is mostly theoretical for cruise passengers, since you cannot bring a pet on a cruise in the first place. But if you are considering a Cunard transatlantic crossing with your dog, understand that the UK has its own entry requirements. Cunard will provide guidance, but the responsibility to meet those rules falls on you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my emotional support animal on a cruise?
No. Emotional support animals are not service animals and are not permitted on cruises. A service animal must be trained to perform a specific task related to a disability. Comfort alone does not may have access to. If your animal is not trained to perform a task, it will be treated as a pet and cannot travel with you.
What if I have a small dog that stays in my cabin?
Cruise lines enforce pet bans in cabins. Staff conduct room inspections, and if a pet is found, you may be asked to disembark at the next port or face additional charges. The only exception is a legitimate service animal or Cunard's kennel program. Hiding a pet is not worth the risk.
Can I bring my dog on a river cruise instead of an ocean cruise?
River cruise lines have their own policies. Some smaller river cruise operators may allow pets, but most major lines follow the same rules as ocean cruises. Contact the specific river cruise company before booking. Cunard's pet policy applies only to the Queen Mary 2 transatlantic voyages, not to river cruises.
How much does it cost to board my dog while I cruise?
Boarding facility costs range from $30 to $100 per day depending on your location and the facility's level of care. A pet sitter typically charges $25 to $75 per visit. If a friend or family member cares for your dog, there is no cost. Budget for the full length of your cruise plus a day or two on each end for drop-off and pickup.
What if my dog has separation anxiety?
Talk to your veterinarian before your cruise. They may recommend anti-anxiety medication, calming supplements, or behavioral strategies. Choose a boarding facility or sitter your dog has met before. Leave familiar items with your scent. Some dogs do better with a sitter visiting daily at home than in a kennel environment. Plan ahead rather than waiting until the week before you leave.