Can You Bring a Pet on a Cruise Ship
For almost every cruise, the answer is no: you cannot bring your pet. Cruise lines are close to unanimous on this, for reasons of hygiene, space and the animal rules in every port the ship visits. There are two narrow exceptions, and neither is a loophole for the family dog.
The general rule
Mainstream, premium and luxury lines do not allow pets on their regular sailings, whether that is a week in the Caribbean, a round trip from Vancouver to Alaska or a Mediterranean cruise. This is industry practice rather than one line's quirk.
Exception one: Cunard's transatlantic kennels
It is a niche option, mainly used by people relocating between North America and the UK or Europe. Canadians would need to reach New York first and meet the UK's pet import rules at the other end. What transatlantic crossings are really like and the transatlantic crossing cost guide help you judge whether the trip suits you.
Exception two: service animals
Trained service animals, which perform specific tasks related to a disability, are accepted by major cruise lines as an accessibility accommodation. Emotional support animals are generally not accepted, even when they are allowed on flights or in housing.
How to sail with a service dog
- Tell the line early. Contact its accessibility team when you book, and well before sailing; lines set their own notice periods and paperwork.
- Check every port. You are responsible for meeting each country's animal entry rules. Some need health certificates, vaccination records or permits arranged weeks ahead. Hawaii, for example, has strict rules for animals arriving from outside the state.
- Plan for days aboard. If a port will not admit your dog, you may need to stay on the ship with it.
- Bring the supplies. Lines typically provide a relief area with a mulch box, but food, bowls, medication and waste bags are up to you.
- Check the rules for coming home. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency sets the requirements for bringing a dog back into Canada, including a valid rabies vaccination certificate for dogs returning from the US.
Accessible cruising and cruising with hearing or vision loss cover the wider support ships provide.
What Canadian pet owners do instead
- Boarding kennels: book early for July, August and Christmas, when they fill up.
- In-home sitters: often easier for older pets or cats, and the house is looked after too.
- Family or friends: cheapest, but leave written care notes, your vet's details and a signed authorization for treatment.
- Drive-and-board: some Albertans driving to a Vancouver sailing board their dog at a kennel near the city, which keeps the trip home simple.
Whichever you choose, leave a copy of your ship's contact details and itinerary, since mobile service at sea can be patchy and expensive.
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Ask a cruise expert →Planning around your pet
If you are hoping to sail with a pet, the realistic options are a Queen Mary 2 crossing or a service animal arrangement agreed with the line in advance. For any regular sailing, plan your pet's care at home with the same lead time as your flights, especially in peak travel seasons.
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Get a quote or book online →Frequently asked questions
Are service animals allowed on cruise ships?
Yes. Trained service animals that perform tasks related to a disability are accepted by major lines, usually with advance notice and documentation. Emotional support animals are generally not accepted, and the owner is responsible for meeting every port's animal entry rules.
Which cruise lines allow pets onboard?
Essentially none on regular itineraries. The best-known exception is Cunard's Queen Mary 2, which has kennels for dogs and cats on its transatlantic crossings between New York and Southampton. Spaces are few, cost extra and sell out far ahead.
Can my service dog go ashore at every port?
Only where the animal meets that country's entry rules, which can include vaccination records, health certificates or permits arranged in advance. If a port will not accept your dog, you may need to stay aboard with it, so check each stop before booking.
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