Cunard Teams Up With MSC Cruises and More as Pet-Friendly Cruises Enter a New Era

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Pet-friendly cruises are entering a new era as Cunard teams up with the wider cruise industry conversation around travelling with pets. Cunard and MSC Cruises are drawing attention to changing cruise expectations, while more cruises explore ways to serve different traveller needs. Meanwhile, pet-friendly cruises are becoming an increasingly important topic for travellers seeking comfort, convenience and memorable journeys. As Cunard teams up with major cruise names and MSC Cruises continues shaping modern cruise experiences, the demand for flexible travel is gaining momentum. Travel And Tour World examines this evolving cruise trend, the pet-friendly options available, and what travellers should know before planning their next cruise.

Queen Mary 2 Refurbishment: Detailed Pet-Friendly Cruise Guide, Global Cruise Growth, Competitor Facilities and Traveller Planning Data

The Queen Mary 2 refurbishment is arriving at a particularly strong moment for the global cruise industry. Cruise passenger volumes have recovered dramatically since the pandemic, while longer, experience-led and luxury voyages are gaining attention. The 2026 CLIA industry report records 37.2 million ocean-going cruise passengers globally in 2025, compared with 34.6 million in 2024 and 31.1 million in 2023. CLIA expects the market to reach approximately 42.1 million passengers by 2029.

For travellers, Queen Mary 2 is especially distinctive because its pet programme is fundamentally different from the policies of most major ocean cruise lines. While many competitors accept only recognised service or assistance animals, Queen Mary 2 provides dedicated accommodation for ordinary cats and dogs travelling with their owners.

Queen Mary 2 refurbishment: the key numbers travellers need

Cunard’s current information identifies Queen Mary 2 as a 2,759-guest ship with 1,173 crew, measuring 1,132 feet and capable of approximately 28 knots. The ship has 10 restaurants and 13 bars and lounges.

The 2027 refurbishment is planned at Damen Shiprepair Brest in France, with the ship scheduled to enter dry dock on March 31, 2027, and return to passenger service in May. The project adds 31 staterooms, consisting of 16 Princess Grill Suites and 15 Britannia staterooms.

Queen Mary 2 refurbishment data table

Cunard’s 2027 programme also includes Transatlantic Crossings, Europe, Caribbean itineraries and northern European voyages. The ship is scheduled to visit Charlottetown, Canada, for the first time in 2027, while other announced highlights include overnight calls in Tromsø and Quebec and a Boston visit around the United States’ Independence Day.

Why Queen Mary 2 is different for pet-owning travellers

The most important distinction is that Queen Mary 2 does not simply permit assistance animals. It operates dedicated cat and dog kennels designed specifically for pets travelling across the Atlantic.

Cunard describes the facilities as including a private outdoor sun deck, personal escort arrangements and a photographer experience. The programme is therefore considerably more specialised than the standard service-animal arrangements offered by most large cruise companies.

The refurbishment is expected to improve this proposition further through redesigned kennels, a refreshed owners’ lounge and a larger outdoor walking area.

Pet-friendly cruise comparison

MSC says animals are not permitted onboard apart from recognised assistance dogs, subject to company approval. Royal Caribbean similarly states that service animals are accepted across its ships, while Carnival explicitly says ordinary pets and service dogs in training are not permitted. Princess allows certain necessary service animals but excludes pets generally. Fred. Olsen welcomes guide and assistance dogs but requires advance documentation, including vaccination and training information. Azamara welcomes service dogs but does not accept pets.

Cunard Queen Mary 2: the standout pet-cruise option

For an ordinary pet owner, Queen Mary 2 is the clearest option among the major lines researched. The experience is centred on a dedicated kennel operation rather than simply allowing a service animal to accompany a passenger. The ship’s principal pet-friendly journey is the New York–Southampton Transatlantic Crossing, making it particularly useful for travellers relocating between the United States and United Kingdom. The UK government officially lists New York to Southampton on Queen Mary 2 among approved sea routes for bringing dogs, cats and ferrets into Great Britain. The route is especially valuable because travellers can combine an ocean crossing with their pet rather than arranging separate air transportation. However, kennel availability is limited and should be confirmed before committing to flights, hotels or connecting travel.

MSC Cruises: assistance animals rather than conventional pet cruising

MSC Cruises takes a substantially different approach. Its published onboard guidance states that animals are not allowed, with the exception of recognised assistance dogs, and even those journeys require company approval. This means MSC is not a direct alternative to Queen Mary 2 for travellers wanting to take an ordinary dog or cat on holiday. MSC’s network is extensive, however, covering major Mediterranean ports and numerous international destinations. The distinction matters for travellers because a cruise can appear pet-friendly when searching broadly for animal access, yet the actual policy may apply only to disability-related assistance animals. Travellers should therefore distinguish between pet-friendly cruising and service-animal access before booking.

Royal Caribbean: service-animal access across a global network

Royal Caribbean accepts service animals on its ships, but its published accessibility information does not represent the same dedicated pet-kennel proposition offered by Queen Mary 2. For travellers using service animals, the advantage is the company’s broad international itinerary network. Depending on the ship and season, passengers can reach destinations across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Europe and other major cruise regions. The key planning issue is destination access. Even when a service animal is accepted onboard, individual ports can impose additional entry requirements. Therefore, a passenger should assess the complete itinerary rather than only the embarkation port.

Carnival Cruise Line: working service dogs only

Carnival’s rules are particularly explicit. The company states that the only dogs permitted are individually trained working service dogs that perform disability-related tasks. Pets, service dogs in training and emotional-support dogs are not permitted. Carnival nevertheless provides practical arrangements at certain destinations. Its published information indicates that certified service dogs may come ashore at destinations including Celebration Key, subject to requirements and designated relief arrangements. For ordinary pet owners, however, Carnival should not be considered a substitute for Queen Mary 2. Its model is accessibility-focused rather than leisure pet travel.

Princess Cruises: assistance animals with port restrictions

Princess Cruises permits certain necessary service animals with advance written notification and approval. Its contractual conditions state that ordinary pets are not allowed. The cruise line also warns that entry rules for service animals vary by port and that animals may not be permitted ashore at every destination. This makes itinerary research particularly important. A service-animal traveller should check embarkation requirements, every planned port and any private-island rules before departure. Princess operates extensive itineraries, including Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe and Asia, giving accessible-travel passengers a broad geographical choice, but not the ordinary-pet kennel experience found on Queen Mary 2.

Fred. Olsen: assistance dogs and paperwork-led planning

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines welcomes guide and assistance dogs across its fleet, but passengers must complete an assistance-dog travel application. The company requests documentation including pet identification, microchip information, rabies vaccination and an appropriate training certificate. Its terms also make clear that assistance-dog travel depends on applicable law, itinerary requirements and DEFRA rules. The line is particularly relevant for travellers interested in Northern Europe, including Norwegian fjord itineraries. Its published Norwegian programme highlights destinations and landscapes including Geirangerfjord, Nordfjord and Maurangerfjord.

Five-year global cruise passenger comparison

The strongest way to understand the Queen Mary 2 opportunity is to view it against the wider recovery of cruise tourism.

CLIA’s latest historical series records 5.8 million ocean-going passengers in 2021, rising to 20.4 million in 2022, 31.1 million in 2023, 34.6 million in 2024 and 37.2 million in 2025.

The percentage calculations above are derived from CLIA’s published passenger totals. CLIA forecasts approximately 42.1 million passengers in 2029, demonstrating continued growth even after the exceptional post-pandemic rebound.

Where cruise travellers are going

The Caribbean remains the dominant cruise destination region. CLIA’s 2026 report says 44% of global cruise passengers sailed to the Caribbean in 2025, while approximately one in six passengers sailed in the Mediterranean.

This geography gives Queen Mary 2 a useful positioning advantage. Although the ship is famous for the Atlantic crossing, Cunard’s programme also extends into Europe, the Caribbean, Canada and northern Europe.

Five-year Europe cruise recovery

Europe has also experienced a dramatic rebound. CLIA Europe reports 1.75 million European cruise passengers in 2021, rising to around 5.8 million in 2022, representing an increase of approximately 228%. Mediterranean itineraries represented 38.4% of European cruise activity in 2022, followed by Northern Europe at 29% and the Caribbean at 10.6%.

More recent CLIA data show European source markets generated 8.4 million cruise passengers in 2024, up from 8.2 million in 2023.

The 2025 figure refers to European source markets rather than total visitors physically arriving at European ports, so these measurements should not be treated as identical.

North America is crucial for Queen Mary 2

North America remains the world’s largest cruise source region. CLIA reports 22.1 million North American source passengers in 2025, up 7.5% from 20.5 million in 2024. The United States alone generated more than 20.5 million cruise guests in 2025.

This is particularly relevant to Queen Mary 2 because its signature itinerary connects New York and Southampton.

The route therefore links two major international travel markets while also providing one of the few mainstream opportunities to travel between the United States and Britain with an ordinary pet.

Cruise port visitor statistics show the wider economic opportunity

Cruise tourism creates substantial passenger traffic at individual destinations. In 2024, Vancouver recorded approximately 1.3 million passenger visits, with almost all being turnaround passengers. Juneau recorded nearly 1.7 million passenger visits and approximately 279,000 crew visits. Sitka received around 614,000 cruise passengers.

CLIA’s port research found that Juneau generated $590 million in total economic impact from cruise-related passenger, crew and cruise-line spending in 2024, with average passenger expenditure of approximately $203. Sitka generated approximately $156 million in total impact. Vancouver’s combined direct passenger and cruise-line spending reached about CAD802 million, producing approximately CAD1.4 billion after indirect and induced impacts.

Detailed traveller plan for a Queen Mary 2 pet crossing

Before booking

Travellers should first determine whether their preferred crossing has kennel availability. A normal passenger reservation does not automatically secure pet accommodation.

The next step should be checking the latest UK government requirements. Great Britain requires dogs, cats and ferrets arriving from most countries to use approved routes and authorised carriers. The government specifically warns that approved routes can change.

Four to six months before departure

Travellers should verify the pet’s microchip, rabies vaccination and required travel documentation. Depending on the origin and circumstances, additional documentation or treatments may apply.

UK government guidance identifies microchipping, rabies vaccination and an appropriate pet-travel document among the key requirements. Dogs may also require tapeworm treatment depending on the circumstances.

One to three months before departure

Confirm the kennel reservation, passenger documents, port arrival arrangements and onward transportation.

New York and Southampton should be treated as separate logistics points. Travellers should allow sufficient time between the ship’s arrival and onward rail, hotel or flight arrangements.

Embarkation in New York

Passengers should arrive according to Cunard’s instructions and complete all required pet procedures. The pet remains under the cruise line’s kennel arrangements rather than travelling freely throughout passenger areas.

Seven-day Transatlantic experience

The traditional Transatlantic Crossing is the central experience. Instead of spending the journey moving between airports, travellers have multiple sea days for dining, entertainment, lectures, wellness and outdoor activities.

Cunard’s onboard programme includes guest speakers, classes, fitness activities, sporting opportunities and its library.

Southampton arrival

After the crossing, travellers should complete the applicable UK pet-entry process and continue to their final destination.

Because government requirements can change, passengers should recheck official UK guidance shortly before travelling rather than relying solely on information received when booking.

What the 2027 refurbishment means for travellers

The Queen Mary 2 refurbishment arrives as cruise tourism reaches record global passenger volumes.

The combination of 31 additional staterooms, expanded pet facilities, refreshed premium accommodation, improved wellness areas, additional outdoor space and an upgraded planetarium gives travellers several reasons to consider a post-refurbishment voyage.

For ordinary pet owners, however, the most important distinction remains the dedicated kennel programme.

Most major cruise companies researched restrict animal access to recognised service or assistance animals. Queen Mary 2 instead provides a purpose-built option for cats and dogs travelling with their owners.

That makes the ship particularly relevant to travellers who want the journey itself to become part of the holiday, rather than treating the Atlantic crossing simply as transportation.

Conclusion

Pet-friendly cruises are entering an exciting new phase as travellers look for more flexible ways to explore the world with their companions. Cunard remains a notable name in this space, while MSC Cruises and other major cruise lines continue shaping different approaches to travelling with animals. For global travellers, understanding each cruise line’s pet and assistance-animal policies is essential before booking. As cruise experiences continue to evolve, pet-friendly travel could become an even stronger consideration for future holidays. Travel And Tour World encourages travellers to compare policies, routes, facilities and requirements carefully before choosing the cruise that best matches their journey.