The blunt answer to what are the requirements for bringing my pet on a cruise: sail Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, because it is the only major cruise ship that accepts pets. Cats and dogs travel in dedicated kennels on Deck 12 on transatlantic crossings — every other mainstream line allows service animals only, no pets, no exceptions.
The Queen Mary 2 kennel program
Cunard’s flagship carries just 24 kennels — 12 upper and 12 lower — on transatlantic crossings between Southampton or Hamburg and New York. Dogs and cats are accepted; the kennels sit on Deck 12 with an outdoor exercise area, and a dedicated Kennel Master cares for the animals. Owners visit during set visiting hours.
For 2026, kennel rates run $1,300 for an upper kennel and $1,500 for a lower kennel per crossing — per pet, on top of your own fare. Larger dogs go in lower kennels. With only 24 spots, crossings sell out far ahead: experienced cruisers book up to two years out, especially for summer sailings.
Requirements and paperwork
Your pet needs current vaccinations, a vet health certificate, and — critically — the right import paperwork for the destination country. UK arrivals have strict pet import rules; get the requirements from Cunard well before sailing, because a paperwork miss can mean quarantine or denied boarding.
Cunard requires advance booking of the kennel — you cannot show up with a dog and hope. Confirm size limits, feeding arrangements, and visiting-hour rules when you reserve. This is the complete answer to what are the requirements for bringing my pet on a cruise on the one ship where it is possible.
Start paperwork the day you book — some destinations require vet visits within narrow windows before travel, and missing a window by a day can void the certificate. Your vet needs the destination’s exact requirements, not a guess; Cunard’s documentation pack spells them out. This is the least glamorous part of what are the requirements for bringing my pet on a cruise, and the most important.
Every other cruise line: service animals only
Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, MSC, Disney — none accept pets. Their policies allow service animals as defined by the ADA, and that is it. Emotional support animals do not qualify, and “pet” cabins do not exist. If a blog claims otherwise, it is outdated or wrong.
Service-animal rules still have requirements: advance notice to the cruise line, documentation of the animal’s task training, and port-specific paperwork since some destinations restrict even service animals. Notify the line when you book, not at the gangway.
Planning the trip around the sailing
Most QM2 pet crossings start or end in New York — convenient if you are local. Arrange your pre-cruise hotel and port transfers with the kennel in mind: you will need a vehicle that fits the carrier, and timing that keeps the animal comfortable.
JetBlack covers NYC cruise terminals with flight tracking and luggage help — mention the pet carrier when you book at +1-646-214-4828 so dispatch sends a suitable vehicle. For the rest of your pet travel planning, see pet-friendly car guidance and accessible resort tips for the hotel nights around your sailing.
Build buffer days around the sailing: arrive in New York a day early so a travel delay does not become a missed ship. A relaxed pet boards easier than a stressed one, and you will want a calm embarkation morning. Ask what are the requirements for bringing my pet on a cruise at the pier too — kennel pets check in through a separate process.
