This post is by Danielle Smith, an agricultural communications student at the University of Arkansas.
As an overprotective pet parent I am always trying to find ways to bring my four-legged “children” with me on vacations or trips. I just hate the thought of leaving my pets in a kennel for a week or worse with a total stranger. Finding a reliable caregiver can be tough.
As a cruise lover I have always known that when I cruise, leaving my pets at home is just part of the package, but maybe it doesn’t always have to be this way.
Have you ever thought about cruising with your pets?
Queen Mary 2 Photo by John Bradley
If yes, than the Cunard Queen Mary 2 may be just the cruise for you. The Queen Mary 2 is the only cruise ship that offers you the option to bring your furry friend aboard and have him travel in luxury and style with you.
A Cunard transatlantic ocean cruise gives you the option to check your dog or cat into their own luxury pet hotel while you both sail the seas.
Cruising the high seas with pets is no small task considering that cruise ships must follow very strict standards for cleanliness while also providing comfort and an enjoyable experience to all guests, even those who don’t like animals.
Although it is not like having your pet stay with you in a landlocked hotel, it may be better than leaving them at home. Your pet will have to stay in the pet portion of the ship and won’t be allowed in your stateroom.
This seems better, however, than leaving your pet at the boarding facility back home and having to kiss him good-bye for a whole week. By bringing you pet on board a Cunard Ocean Cruise you have the option of seeing your pet throughout your vacation during several visiting hours throughout the day.
Not only will you be able to go visit your four-legged friend everyday, but they will also be receiving the luxury vacation and treatment they deserve. Cunard offer spacious pet kennels and a full-time Kennel Master, whose full time job is to make sure your pet is well cared for.
During their cruise your pet will be pampered with:
- Complimentary gift pack full of toys, a personalized name tag, a food dish and scoop, complimentary portrait with pet owners, a cruising certificate, and personalized cruise card
- Extra comfortable pet beds in two sizes
- Healthy gourmet cookies for dogs and cats baked fresh daily and offered at bedtime
- Fleece blankets
- Cat posts and scratchers
- Selection of premium pet foods from top brands
In addition to all of these amenities, your pet will also be given playtime in the indoor playroom several times a day.
Also, dogs are walked outdoors several times daily. If your pet likes the company of others, you can ask that your pet share playtime with other pets. If your pet prefers to play alone, you can ask that your pet be given individual playtime.
The kennel visiting hours are as follows:
- 7:30am – 9:30am
- Ҭ11:00am Р12:00pm
- Ҭ3:30pm Р6:30pm
With prior arrangement it is possible for the attendant to open the cage outside of normal visiting hours.
You can sleep well knowing that there is someone caring for your pets 24 hours a day. Your pets are never left unattended, even overnight.
Is Your Pet Ready for an Ocean Cruise?
Before you book your cruise it is important to consider if your pet is the cruising type. Consider your pet’s temperament, health and personality to make sure your pet is going to be as relaxed as you are.
It’s required that your pet be up-to-date on vaccinations to board the ship, but you should also discuss your pet’s health with your veterinarian to make sure he’s cruise ready. There are no veterinarians aboard the ship, so carefully consider this when planning your trip.
Remember: pets are never allowed in the cabins or outside the kennel area.
There’s a limit of 12 pets per cruise (or less, as big dogs get two kennel spaces) so they book up fast. Kennel fees start at $300.
History of Pets Traveling on Cunard Line
The maiden voyage of the Britannia in 1840 was one of Cunard Line’s first pet-friendly adventures, when three cats were on board. Since then, circus elephants, canaries, a monkey and even a boa constrictor have traveled Cunard.
Famous and celebrity animals that have cruised Cunard include Mr. Ramshaw, Rin-Tin-Tin, and Tom Mix and Tony.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor also traveled with their beloved pet. In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor brought her dogs on board the original Queen Mary and exercised them regularly on the ship’s sports deck.
If you can’t bare the thought of leaving your best friend behind, consider traveling the Queen Mary 2 where you and your pooch can sail the seas in luxury style. Be sure to find a knowledgeable travel agent with expertise in cruises to assist in booking your cruise.
Have you ever taken your pet on a cruise? Would you ever consider cruising with your pet?
A native of Stilwell, Kansas, Danielle plans to return to the Kansas City area upon graduation.
Danielle is currently working as a social media intern with VentureTime Travel. When she isn’t working or in classes, Danielle enjoys traveling the world with her fiancée Will.
Learn more about Danielle here.
To learn more about Cunard and its history, check out these books:
CUNARD: A Photographic History
Cunard’s Queens Revealed: The Evolution of Six Great Passenger Ships
The Cunard Story
Other posts on cruising that you may enjoy reading…..
- How to Get an Onboard Credit For Every Cruise You Take
- The Dim Sum Lunch at Tamarind Onboard Holland America’s Eurodam
- 5 Things that Surprised Me On my First Cruise
- Martini Madness Onboard Holland America’s ms Veendam
- Visiting Alaska by Cruise Ship? Answers to Your 6 Top Questions
- An Evening at Le Cirque onboard the Veendam
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