See inside the only cruise line in the world that offers pet-friendly sailings across the Atlantic

• British cruise line Cunard operates the world's only pet-friendly ship, sailing between New York and England.
• The company's dedicated pet kennel, complete with a play area and attendants, costs owners $800-$1000 per voyage.
• Cunard is an option for people who want to travel overseas with their pets but are hesitant to put them in airline cargo.

Traveling with pets can be stressful, especially when you have to take an international flight. Some animals are small enough to fit under the seat in the cabin, but many are too large and must be placed in cargo.

Source: Insider

Checking your animal as a cargo-passenger may sometimes be your only option, but if you truly hate the idea of putting your pet in the belly of a plane, there is one other way to get your pet safely across the Atlantic.

Read more: See how pets are transported on commercial airlines as animals increasingly accompany customers on vacation

Cunard, a British-based cruise line, is the only passenger vessel worldwide that offers pet-friendly sailings onboard its Queen Mary 2 ship.

Source: Cunard Line

The ocean liner travels between New York and Southhampton, England, and the journey takes a total of seven nights.

Source: Cunard Line

According to Cunard's website, a Britannia inside stateroom for an eastbound trip in July 2023 will cost $1,279 per person.

Source: Cunard Line

For deep-pocket travelers, the ship's most luxurious cabin — the Queens Grill Suite — will cost each passenger about $,5000 for a December 2023 eastbound transatlantic cruise.

Source: Cunard Line

Passengers who want to bring a pet will need to call in the request to Cunard or your travel agent. You'll need to provide dietary restrictions and any health concerns, among other pet information.

Source: Cruise Critic

The company's animal service has been in operation for over 100 years. The pet-friendly policy dates back to 1840 when the Britannia's maiden voyage carried a cow to provide milk for passengers.

Source: Cunard Line

The Britannia was Cunard's first ocean liner. Successor ships like the Queen Mary, the Queen Elizabeth, and the Aquitania joined the fleet throughout the 1900s.

Source: Cunard Line

According to Cunard historian Michael Gallagher, the ships carried many famous pets across the Atlantic, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's dog in the 1950s...

Source: Cunard

…Canadian surgeon Dr. Byson M. Unkary's three Afghan hounds that were valued at over $2,800…

Source: Cunard

…and even actress Elizabeth Taylor's french poodle, Teeny, in 1947. Gallagher told Insider the ships have also welcomed pigeons and eagles that were fed and cared for onboard.

Source: Cunard

Today, the Queen Mary 2 ship operates the transatlantic pet voyage, which is the successor to the first Queen Mary that debuted in 1934. The oceanliner was 137 feet longer than the Titanic.

Source: Queen Mary

The original is now a floating hotel anchored in Long Beach, California, but it was closed due to COVID-19. It is now undergoing $5 million worth of repairs before it can reopen.

Source: Queen Mary, Long Beach Post

The new and improved luxury Queen Mary 2 was first unveiled in 2004 and remastered for $132 million in 2016.

Source: Cunard Line

The multi-million dollar investment not only upgraded the passenger areas of the ship, which can accommodate up to 2,691 people, but also expanded the pet kennels.

Source: Cunard Line

Upgrades include the addition of 12 more kennels — bringing the total to 24 — and the development of an owner's lounge, a new pet playground, and an expanded outdoor area.

Source: Cunard Line

To make the animals feel more at home whether from England or the US, the company added an English lamppost and an American fire hydrant to the space.

Source: Cunard Line

Prior to the pandemic, the kennels were in high demand and had to be booked far in advance, with passengers ponying up $800-$1000 per sailing.

Source: Pet Travel, Cruise Radio

The demand is still a reality post-COVID, especially since the ship only has 24 kennels, and cats and larger dogs require two, costing double. Though, it never hurts to ask — you could get lucky and snag a spot.

Source: Cruise Maven

The cruise employs Oliver Cruz, its dedicated "Kennel Master," and assistants to care for the dogs and cats on board. Cunard told Insider that Cruz is responsible for feeding, walking, and cuddling the pampered pets.

Source: LinkedIn

He is also in charge of cleaning the kennels and disposing of pet waste. According to Cunard, all areas of the kennel are deep-cleaned between each sailing.

Source: The Associated Press

"It is just logic that I can now enjoy the best of both worlds ... working with animals whilst working at sea," Cruz said in an email shared with Insider.

According to Cunard, owners can visit their pets during certain hours of the day, but animals cannot stay in the passenger cabins and are boarded separately from human travelers.

Source: The Road Unleashed

A professional photographer will even do a photoshoot with passengers and their pets during the cruise, complete with a bellhop hat and jacket for the animals.

Source: The Road Unleashed

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