Have you have been asking yourself whether dogs are allowed on cruise ships, you have come to the right place.
Nowadays, most cruise lines are dedicated to providing their customers with absolutely everything they need, whether it is a more flexible dining policy, a strong WiFi to browse and contact those at home, or the facilities for taking service dogs onboard.
We all love dogs, and traveling with them can be very exciting. However, traveling with your pet can sometimes be challenging.
Since it has become harder to travel with your pet by pet, you might want to try other ways to travel with your furry friend. Many dog lovers opt for road trips, while others go for Amtrak.
We will discuss everything you need to know about taking your service dog onboard every cruise line and every cruise ship. Read on to find out more.
Azamara
Azamara Cruises allow service dogs on all ships. However, they ask their guests to note that they do not allow emotional support dogs. Evidence that your dog is a service dog may be helpful, although it is not required.
This may include identification cards, written documentation, the presence of tags or harnesses, or the credible verbal assurance of someone with a disability using the service dog.
They usually ask their passengers planning to travel with a dog to inform the Access Department at booking.
This should not be later than 30 days before sailing if a service pet relief area is needed. They provide relief areas on a shared basis with other service pets onboard.
Service dogs can accompany their owners in all public areas, such as dining venues. While in these areas, they must be on a leash, harness, or any other restraining device.
They are not allowed in whirlpools, spas, and pools because of the health regulations. You will be required to supervise and take care of your dog as the ship will not provide food or any other care.
Carnival
Carnival allows dogs that are legally defined and trained to perform tasks for individuals with disabilities. Such tasks may include:
- Alerting a deaf person.
- Alerting and protecting someone with a seizure.
- Pulling wheelchairs.
- Guiding a blind person.
- Performing other special tasks.
They won travelers with service dogs that most of their ports of call have strict entry requirements for pets. Therefore they need to consult the service animal’s vet before traveling.
This will help determine policy regarding the admission of service pets in each destination country. They also ask guests to come with all the necessary documents, including the dog’s current vaccination records. They will ask for the records once onboard.
The attendants will not ask for any documentation proving that your dog is a service dog. However, they may ask you the type of task your dog has been trained to perform. You will also be required to supervise and care for your furry friend.
Celebrity
Service dogs are welcome on board all Celebrity Cruises. However, they do not allow emotional support animals. They ask travelers to give advance notice of at least 14 days if they plan to bring a service dog onboard.
They allow dogs in all public areas like dining venues. You will be required to make sure that your dog is on a short leash throughout and under your control. Besides, they will require you to care for your dog as they do not provide food for dogs onboard.
Costa Cruises
Pets are strictly not allowed onboard Costa ships. However, the only exception is for individuals with a disability who requires the assistance of a service dog. They will require you to produce relevant documentation, including proof of current vaccination.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises normally understands a service pet to be any dog that has been trained to perform tasks or to do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. This may include a sensory, physical, intellectual, psychiatric, or any other mental disability.
Dogs that have not been trained to perform tasks or to do work for a person with a disability are considered service animals.
Therefore, they will not be allowed on the ship. While onboard, you will need to ensure that your canine friend is on a short leash throughout.
Your dog should also not interfere or cause disturbance on the ship. Crystal Cruises does not provide food for dogs onboard.
Therefore, you will have to carry food for your dogs and even clean after it. In addition, you will be required to supervise your service and ensure it is under your command.
Cunard
Cunard welcomes service dogs that have been specifically trained to perform tasks or work for people with disabilities.
They should also be certified by an organization that they are full members of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) or Assistance Dogs International (ADI), which are accrediting bodies for assistance dog organizations worldwide.
They do not allow emotional support dogs on board. Service dogs on Cunard are transported free of charge.
They welcome service registered service dogs on all of their vessels and hold a DEFRA on transatlantic crossings on Queen Mary 2 and Southampton to Southampton cruises.
You should understand the conditions that your dog travels under. They also advise dog owners to come with the identification cards of their dogs or any other similar documentation in case the local authorities require proof.
Just make sure that your dog is well-behaved while onboard and does not cause any disturbance. Also, you will have to carry food for your dog.
Disney
Trained service dogs are welcome in most places onboard Disney Cruise ships. However, they must remain on a leash throughout and under the control of their handlers.
The cruise line will also not be responsible for the care and feeding of your furry friend. You will be responsible for that, and you can help your pet by carrying some dog food.
Service dogs are not allowed in the pools or other wet play areas onboard the ships. Dogs should also be supervised by their owners and never be left unattended.
They also state that service dogs may not be allowed because of the nature of some Port Adventures excursions.
Holland America
Animals or pets are not allowed on Holland America ships. However, they allow service dogs trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities.
They usually advise those planning to bring their service dogs onboard to call their Access and Compliance Department to notify them before traveling.
Holland America will require you to produce health certificate documentation for the dog at the port.
They stress to their guests that some itineraries may include ports of call with strict requirements.
This means that your service dog may not be permitted off the ship until certain requirements have been met.
The line also asks all passengers with guide dogs to note that all immunization and documentation requirements are established by government authorities and not by themselves.
NCL
The Norwegian Cruise Line welcomes service dogs that have been trained to perform specific tasks.
All guests traveling with their service dogs will be required to book at least two weeks in advance to allow enough time to check with every port of call and provide them with all required documentation.
You will be required to provide copies of the vaccination records for your dog, showing all shots are up-to-date, and an International Health certificate or a USDA.
You will also have to make sure that you are responsible for bringing medication, food, and a life jacket for your dog. They do not accept emotional support dogs.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises allows registered service dogs. The dog must be specifically trained to perform tasks or work for people with disabilities and must be certified by an organization member of an accrediting body for service dog organizations worldwide.
If you intend to travel with your service dog, you will have to notify the cruise line in advance, at least 48 hours before departure.
They do not allow emotional support dogs or other pets and advise dog owners to come with dog identification cards or similar documentation if local authorities require proof.
Once onboard, your furry friend must remain with you for the entire journey. The dog must wear its harness when not in the cabin.
Because of the nature of cruising, they do not provide a safe off-leash area for service dogs.
They also state that dog owners should come with enough dog food for their pets as well as water and food bowls.
The following areas of the ship are the only locations not accessible for service dogs:
- Swimming pools
- Designated children’s areas
- Jacuzzis
- Galley visits
- Crew areas
Conclusion
You are now answered if you have been asking yourself whether dogs are allowed on cruise ships. Most cruise ships will allow service dogs onboard. However, they have their own rules and regulations that you must adhere to if you are traveling with your dog.