Dog-friendly cruises: can you take a dog on a cruise?

Dog friendly cruises open up lots of doors for many pet owners who want to travel without leaving their pooch behind. 

While most major cruise lines welcome service and assistance pets, there is really only one dog friendly cruise ship that welcomes four-legged guests of all descriptions with open arms: Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. 

The luxe ocean liner is fully equipped to house dogs (and cats) on thrilling journeys across the Atlantic from Southampton to New York, and vice-versa. Oh, what we’d give to see the Statue of Liberty through a dog’s eyes.

There are also a number of smaller cruise lines which offer dog friendly cruises across the rivers and seas of Europe.

So, if you’re wondering ‘Can you take a dog on a cruise’, the answer is yes! Here’s what to expect. 

Dog friendly cruises

When it comes to dog-friendly cruises, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is the only major dog cruise that allows you to bring your own pet onboard with you. 

The ship, which can carry a cool 2,691 passengers, has just 24 exclusive spaces for pets in a plush 12th-deck kennel. Here, dedicated members of crew, or ‘kennel masters’, tend to your dog’s every need – with walks, playtimes, meals, and countless treats and toys. They’ll even clean up after them! 

Pet owners can join in the fun and enjoy designated visiting hours up on deck 12. Sounds like our kind of pawty!

To keep any potential pet home-sickness at bay, Cunard have installed a lamppost for British hounds, while American dogs will be comforted by the presence of a New York City fire hydrant. 

If you’re keen to sail the seas with your furball then you’ll need to plan ahead and book well in advance. Cunard recommends booking a minimum of 12 months before you travel, to ensure your pet’s accommodation is secure. 

– READ MORE: A guide to Cunard’s newest ship: Queen Anne –

Cunard’s dog friendly cruises offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your pet, but they do not come cheap! Expect to pay around £750 per pooch – not much less than you’ll pay for yourself. 

Cats cost a little more (closer to £1000) as they require two kennels: one for the litterbox and one for the cat.

Dog friendly river cruises

While Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 might be the only large ship that allows guests to bring their own dog on a cruise, that’s not to say there aren’t other dog friendly cruises available.

Dog-friendly cruises with 1A Vista Reisen 

German river cruise line 1A Vista Reisen offers several such itineraries on its ships MS Normandie and MS Dutch Grace. All spanning seven days, you’ll cruise along the Rhein, stopping off in destinations including Rotterdam, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and the cultural hub of Bonn. 

Unlike Cunard, owners can cosy up with their pup in the same cabin. A dog trainer is always on hand to help out, plus the ‘dog meadow’ (a converted section of the sundeck) is covered in plants and grass so that dogs may have a comfortable journey. 

Canine friends are welcome across the ship’s restaurant, reception and even salon! Though the salon services are strictly for humans only.

Prices start at around £900 per person, with itineraries available across 2025.

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Dog-friendly cruises with Tallink Silja Line 

This Finnish cruise line offers ideal taster cruises for dog owners, with its mini-cruises around the Baltic Sea. Regular sailings go from Stockholm to Helsinki and Tallinn, and vice versa. 

Both kennels and dog-friendly cabins are available, depending on your preference. Pet-friendly cabins come at a slightly higher price than regular options, plus there is a flat fee of £32 per dog on each cruise. But can you really ever put a price on your pooch?

Expect to sip a drink on the upper deck with your dog by your side, gazing out to clusters of Scandanavian Islands passing by, or take them for a run around with furry friends in the designated open-air exercise area.

To sail on a one-night roundtrip cruise across the Baltic Sea from Helsinki-Tallinn, prices begin at £160. 

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Dog friendly cruises from UK

If Cunard’s cruise to New York City from Southampton sounds a bit intense for you and your dog’s first cruise together, then it might be worth considering shorter dog-friendly cruises UK options. 

DFDS run regular mini-cruises on their ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, which includes five hours in Amsterdam and a coach from the cruise terminal. If you’re looking for a bit more of a holiday with your hound, there’s also the option to add a hotel booking in Amsterdam for a couple of extra nights.

DFDS’s pet-friendly cabins are good and spacious, with up to two dogs welcome in each cabin, plus beds for four people. There are also kennel spaces if this sounds a little too snug.  

Sadly dogs are not allowed out in public areas and are required to stay put in the cabins throughout the journey, except for when they need to relieve themselves in the dog loo area.

– READ MORE: Cruises from the UK –

Are dogs allowed on Royal Caribbean cruises?

Royal Caribbean’s mega-ship Icon of the Seas is home to Rover, the resident ‘Chief Dog Officer’. 

The one-year-old Golden retriever can be found patrolling around all decks of the ship making sure all guests and crew are having a great time. If there’s a contest for most popular crew member among guests, I think we know who our money’s on…

And the good news keeps coming! A recent announcement from Royal Caribbean revealed that canine crew members would be expanding, with the addition of a second Golden Retriever ‘Sailor’ onboard Star of the Seas, once she launches in August 2025. 

– READ MORE: What can you expect on Icon of the Seas? –

Are P&O Cruises dog friendly?

Similarly to Royal Caribbean, P&O Cruises has a strict no pets policy. They do, however, warmly welcome fully-trained service dogs of any kind on round-trip cruises from Southampton, making it a great option for accessible cruises. 

It is worth noting that it is not possible to bring assistance dogs if you opt for a fly-cruise or world cruise. 

Assistance dogs are allowed in almost all public areas across P&O Cruises’ ships, except for crew areas, jacuzzis, swimming pools and any child-designated areas. They must be with their owners at all times.

 – READ MORE: What is the food like on P&O Cruises? – 

Are service dogs allowed on cruise ships?

Though emotional support dogs aren’t allowed on any cruise ships, fully-trained service dogs that help passengers with disabilities and are classed legally as service dogs are allowed on almost all major cruise lines.

If you’re wondering what the difference is, while Emotional Support Dogs (ESAs) might be trained for a specific owner, they are not trained for set tasks or duties to help someone with a disability – whereas a Service Dog is. They are regarded as animals for companionship: alleviating conditions such as depression, anxiety, loneliness and certain phobias. 

Each line has its own service and guide dogs policy, with certain cruise lines requiring permits, pet passports and selected vaccines. 

While a lot of cruise lines have broadly similar policies, some vary hugely. For example, P&O Cruises requires 48 hours’ notice if you are bringing a guide dog onboard, whereas Cunard requires 3 months’ notice. So be sure to read the fine print! 

– READ MORE: Best cruises for accessibility –

Norwegian Cruise Line dog policy 

One of the most accessible cruise lines in operation, Norwegian Cruise Line welcomes all registered service dogs across its 19 ships. Vaccination records must be provided, along with food, medication, a dog life jacket and International Health Certificate. A sand box is provided by NCL for your dog’s comfort. 

You must provide two weeks’ notice if you wish to bring your service dog onboard. 

MSC Cruises dog policy 

Service dogs are allowed on all 23 of MSC Cruises’ ships, providing they are in a “good state of health” as specified by the cruise line. Owners must carry all necessary documents for entering the countries visited during the cruise, along with dog bowls, food and a dog life jacket. 

Princess Cruises dog policy

Princess Cruises permits service dogs on all ships in its fleet. Though a specific timeframe is not specified, the cruise line emphasise that they must be notified well in advance if you wish to bring a trained assistance dog onboard.

As is standard, Princess Cruises state that all owners must bring food, bedding et all for their service dog. 

Carnival Cruises dog policy

Healthy service dogs that are above six months old and recognised by the US Department of Justice are welcome on Carnival cruises. They are required to wear their ‘uniforms’ at all times while in public areas, and owners must provide all equipment for the dog’s needs. 

Celebrity Cruises dog policy

Celebrity Cruises requires a notice of 14 days if you wish to bring your service dog onboard. While pets are strictly prohibited, guide and service dogs are heartily welcomed across all areas of the ship, except swimming or spa areas.

Evidence that the dog is a certified service dog is “hepful but not required”.

Azamara dog policy

Azamara cruises are a great option for those travellng with guide dogs, as they are allowed in all public areas save the pool, whirlpool and spa spaces. The cruise line emphasises however that owners have sole responsibility for the care of their service dog, as the ships do not provide food or supervision for hem.

Disney Cruises dog policy

Most public spaces are service dog friendly on Disney Cruises ships, so long as they are kept on a lead. Service dogs are not to be left unattended in cabins and the animals are the sole responsibility of the owner. 

Disney Cruises require guests to fill out a ‘Special Services Information Form’ a minimum of 30 days prior to your cruise. 

Marella Cruises dog policy

Marella Cruises state that guests wishing to bring service dogs must provide a full description of the dog, proof of all medical records, proof of specialised training and proof of up-to-date vaccinations 30 days prior to the sail date. 

Owners are forbidden to leave their service dogs alone in their cabin for more than four hours and must take full responsibility for their supervision. 

Are other pets allowed on cruises?

Unfortunately, the answer is generally no, however there are a few exceptions. Cats are welcome on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 providing you book two kennels, and a few ferries allow small pets such as hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and ferrets onboard. These include Stena Line’s crossings from Fishguard, UK to Rosslare, France and Holyhead, UK to Dublin, Ireland. Brittany Ferries also allow almost all small animals on its journeys to France and Spain, and that includes snakes…! 

All cruise and ferry lines require the necessary pet-passport or documentation prior to boarding.