Pet-Friendly Cruises in 2025: Only One Ship Truly Welcomes Dogs and Cats

Pet-friendly cruises in 2025 are still more of a dream than a reality. Despite the surge in demand for pet-friendly travel, nearly all major cruise lines prohibit dogs and cats onboard. The lone exception is Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, which offers a small number of kennel spaces during its transatlantic sailings.

New experiments, like Margaritaville’s upcoming dog-centered cruise, suggest that alternatives may be on the horizon. But for travelers planning to cruise with pets right now, the choices remain extremely limited. This guide looks at the real options, what they involve, and whether they’re worth booking.

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Why Cruise Lines Restrict Pets

Cruise ships operate under stricter rules than hotels or airlines. Pets introduce complications that most operators don’t want to manage:

• Health and Safety: Containing accidents, fur, and potential diseases on a ship with thousands of people is difficult.
• Allergies: Confined cabins and shared air systems make pet dander a liability for other guests.
• Port Regulations: Many countries require quarantine or detailed paperwork for animals, making multi-country itineraries nearly impossible with pets.
• Space Limits: Unlike ferries, cruise ships don’t have large designated pet areas, so adding them would displace passenger amenities.

These factors explain why, even in 2025, pet-friendly cruises are nearly nonexistent. The lone exception—Cunard’s Queen Mary 2—takes a very different approach by isolating pets in a dedicated kennel program.

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Cunard’s Queen Mary 2: The Only True Pet-Friendly Cruise

Among mainstream cruise ships, only Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 offers a program that truly welcomes dogs and cats. The ship runs transatlantic routes between New York, Southampton, and Hamburg, with a dedicated kennel area on Deck 12 that accommodates up to 24 pets per crossing.

Each pet is cared for by kennel staff who handle feeding, walks, and cleaning. Owners can visit during set hours in the kennel lounge, but pets are not allowed to roam the ship. Costs range from $800 to $2,000 per pet, depending on size and kennel type, and space often sells out years in advance. Cats and large dogs require double kennels, further limiting availability.

Booking requires advance paperwork, including rabies certificates, microchip details, and sometimes tapeworm treatment records, depending on the direction of travel. While the program offers peace of mind for travelers unwilling to leave their pets behind, there are tradeoffs: no onboard veterinary care, limited interaction, and high demand that makes securing a kennel challenging.

Pros of Queen Mary 2’s Pet Program

• Only mainstream cruise line that accepts both dogs and cats
• Dedicated staff handle daily care and walks
• Safe kennel area with visiting lounge for owners
• Clear system with decades of operation

Cons of Queen Mary 2’s Pet Program

• Limited kennels (24 max, often sold out years ahead)
• Expensive ($800–$2,000 per crossing)
• No veterinary care onboard
• Pets cannot leave the kennel area

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Margaritaville’s Dog Cruise in 2025

A new experiment in pet-friendly cruising is set to launch in November 2025: a dog-themed voyage aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, organized by Cruise Tails in partnership with Expedia Cruises. Unlike Cunard’s kennel model, this cruise is designed for dogs to stay with their owners throughout the trip.

The sailing is expected to host up to 250 dogs along with their humans. Amenities include grooming services, splash stations, costume contests, parades, and even dedicated “Pet Butlers” to help maintain cabin cleanliness. Balconies will feature small relief stations, and there will be both dog-friendly areas and dog-free zones for balance.

At this stage, the Margaritaville cruise is positioned as a special event rather than a permanent program. If successful, it could shape how other cruise lines consider pet-inclusive offerings in the future. But for now, it remains a single sailing — more festival-at-sea than mainstream travel option.

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Alternatives for Animal Lovers Without Pets

Since most cruises still prohibit companion animals, many travelers turn to alternatives that keep the spirit of pet-friendly travel without actually bringing a dog or cat onboard.

Some niche sailings, like the annual Meow Meow Cruise, bring pet lovers together for themed events and community, though no animals sail with passengers. Others opt for shore excursions that focus on wildlife, such as dog-sledding tours in Alaska, horseback riding in the Caribbean, or snorkeling trips that highlight marine life.

Even small touches—like decorating your stateroom door with photos of your pets, or staying connected via video calls during your trip—help bridge the gap. For now, these creative solutions are the most practical way to enjoy cruising while keeping your bond with your pets intact.

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Service Animals vs Pets

Cruise lines make a sharp distinction between pets, emotional support animals, and trained service dogs.

• Service Animals: Nearly all major cruise lines allow certified service dogs that perform specific medical tasks for their owners. Policies vary, but most require advance notice, documentation, and planning for relief areas.
• Emotional Support Animals: These are not recognized by cruise lines. Even if approved for air travel in some cases, emotional support animals are treated as pets at sea — meaning they are not permitted onboard.
• Pets: With the sole exception of Cunard’s kennel program, pets are banned across mainstream cruise ships.

For passengers traveling with a service dog, it’s essential to contact the cruise line’s accessibility department well in advance. Requirements may include health records, details of the dog’s training, and understanding where relief areas are located. Each port of call may also have its own entry rules, so preparation goes beyond the ship itself.

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Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Cruising With Your Pet?

For most travelers, the answer is no. Pet-friendly cruises in 2025 are so limited that it’s often less stressful—and far cheaper—to leave your dog or cat with trusted care at home. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 provides a safe, well-managed option, but spaces are scarce, costs are high, and interaction with your pet is restricted.

The Margaritaville dog cruise may offer a new kind of shared experience, but for now it’s a one-off event, not a reliable travel choice.If your goal is to avoid separation, Cunard remains the only true option.

But if your priority is comfort, flexibility, and peace of mind, your pet may be better off on land while you sail.

Until the industry evolves further, pet-friendly cruising is a niche experience — not a mainstream reality.