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As pet-friendly travel becomes more and more common we can expect the trend to even move to the cruise lines. A 2005 court ruling requires all cruise lines to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act which opens the door to allow trained service pets to accompany their disabled owners on cruises. This is a start towards more open acceptance of pets on cruises.
Despite this ruling, the number of cruise lines that offer accommodations for pets other than service animals is very limited. In fact only one major cruise line and a handful of smaller carriers provide for pets to join their owners on a cruise. The basic requirements in these cases are that the pet(s) must have a valid license, be current on vaccinations and be on leash while cruising. As always well-behaved and trained pets is a must.
The only major cruise line that provides for pets at the present is Cunard Cruise Line on transatlantic voyages aboard the “Queen Mary II” where dogs and cats are allowed to travel with their owners between New York and Southampton in the United Kingdom. Reservations are necessary because the facilities on the ship only accommodate a dozen pets. In this case the pets are only allowed in the kennel area, but their owners can visit them as often as they like. The on-board kennel master takes charge of feeding, walks, play and clean-up. When the pets arrive on the ship they receive complimentary goodie bags that include name tags, food dishes and toys. Pets are also supplied with beds, blankets, gourmet food (of course), snacks. Either individual or group play time is also available.
The only other cruise groups that allow pets outside of service dogs are all smaller local cruises in the United States. In the northeast in Maine there is Acadian Nature Cruises, which is located in Bar Harbor, Downeast Windjammer Cruises in Cherryfield. Further south in Annapolis, Maryland is Watermark Cruises and Hy-line Cruises near Hyannisport. These cruises are essentially all sight-seeing excursions.
Similarly in the southwest there is BayWatch Dolphin Tours in Galveston, Texas and Dolly Steamboat in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Two opportunities in the southeast are the Potomac Riverboat Company in Alexandria, Virginia and Augustine Scenic Cruises in St.Augustine, Florida.
In the Midwest Great Lakes region there are Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruises in Frankfort, Michigan and Mercury Chicago’s Skyline Cruise in Chicago, Illinois.
In the future we will check out some of these available options and see if we can get Susie and Beau their sea legs. Also it is hopeful that more possibilities will emerge in the future.
April 26, 2023
