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Cunard accepts registered service and assistance dogs on board for the benefit of our guests, subject to compliance with international travel regulations.

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Cunard accepts registered service and assistance dogs on board for the benefit of our guests, subject to compliance with international travel regulations.
Cunard accepts registered service and assistance dogs on board as long as they have been specifically trained to assist a guest with a disability, either by carrying out tasks on behalf of the owner or performing functions that address their specific needs. This definition accords with the definition of a service and assistance dog set out in the Equality Act.
The dog must be certified by an organisation that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), the accrediting bodies for service and assistance dog organisations worldwide. Alternatively, in the event that the dog is owner-trained, they must have received accreditation from the Assistance Dogs Assessment Association (ADAA) and hold the necessary documentation to verify this accreditation. This is in line with our licence issued by DEFRA.
All service and assistance dogs are carried free of charge. You can notify us that you will be travelling with a service and assistance dog via the On Board Needs Questionnaire, available on My Cunard for you to complete before you sail.
Service and assistance dogs may not be permitted ashore in certain ports of call, in line with current Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regulations, which apply in the UK, or in accordance with local national requirements. If you indicate within your questionnaire that you will be bringing a service and assistance dog on board, we will forward the relevant paperwork for you to complete and return to us, along with any required supplementary information. Please refer to the DEFRA website for the most up-to-date information.
We advise all owners to carry their dog's identification card, or similar documentation, with them at all times in case local authorities require proof. Guests travelling with a service or assistance dog are not required to travel with a companion, provided they are able to undertake day-to-day tasks independently.

Find out more about what information we require before you step on board, to make your holiday as smooth as possible.

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Check our list of provisions for guests with specific impairments, health conditions and dietary requirements, to see what we can do for you.

Check our information on medical and mobility equipment on board, including our wheelchair and scooter policy.

Further information around our on board capabilities, including accessible staterooms, children's facilities, and emergency protocols.

Details on accessible Shore Experiences, transfers, embarkation, and disembarkation.

Once your booking has been made, your paperwork has been verified, and all DEFRA conditions have been met, we will send you a confirmation letter - provided you have completed and signed Cunard’s terms and conditions. This letter confirms that your service and assistance dog has been granted permission to travel. The confirmation letter, along with your dog's paperwork, must be produced at check-in; failure to do so may result in your assistance dog being denied boarding.
Upon embarkation, once you have presented your confirmation letter to our check-in staff, a member of the ship's crew will verify your service or assistance dog’s paperwork and scan their microchip.
For embarkation in New York, the ship's crew will also check the documentation to ensure the required tapeworm treatment has been administered within the necessary timeframe. Provided these checks are satisfactory, you will then be escorted through security to board the ship.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Tapeworm and other treatments</h3>
If you are returning to the UK, your service or assistance dog is required to undergo tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours (1–5 days) prior to arrival in Southampton. This treatment must be carried out by an authorised veterinarian in a relevant port of call that meets the timeframe outlined above. We ask owners to select their itinerary carefully, as ports of call may occasionally be amended, replaced, or cancelled for reasons beyond Cunard’s control.
It is the owner's responsibility to research their itinerary in full and to ensure a local veterinarian can administer the required tapeworm treatment at the appropriate time. We therefore advise you to check your itinerary carefully to ensure the tapeworm treatment can be obtained in more than one port of call, and strictly within DEFRA's timing guidelines for re-entering the UK. Please note that it can be difficult to locate veterinary clinics on weekends and Bank Holidays; we therefore suggest that if your last port of call falls on a weekend, you arrange for treatment to be undertaken at your penultimate port of call (provided this falls within DEFRA’s timing guidelines highlighted above).
Owners are responsible for locating a veterinarian, ensuring the correct treatment has been administered, and verifying that the dog's documentation or pet passport has been updated correctly. Please note that Cunard does not offer a veterinary service on-board. Should the tapeworm treatment not be carried out, or if the documentation is incorrect, your dog may be placed into quarantine upon your return to the UK.
Should your chosen itinerary be two, three, or four nights in duration, the tapeworm treatment can be carried out on the morning of embarkation by an authorised veterinarian, allowing your dog to disembark at EU ports of call. For Transatlantic Crossings on Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton, tapeworm treatment must be administered no more than five days prior to embarkation.
Treatment during the voyage is not required if the ship calls only at ports in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Norway, or Malta.
If travelling to Mexico, dogs must have had an ectoparasite and endoparasite treatment applied no more than 15 days prior to arrival at the port. This information must be included in the dog’s health certificate.
As we do not offer a veterinary service on board any of our ships, our ships’ doctors are unable to assist should your dog fall ill on board. Therefore, it is imperative that you consult your veterinarian for advice prior to your voyage to ensure your dog is fit to travel. We also recommend discussing motion sickness remedies with your veterinarian ahead of your cruise.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Pet passport &amp; Animal Health Certificate</h3>
It is your responsibility to check your service or assistance dog's pet passport, or Official Veterinary Health Certificate, following a tapeworm treatment. Should the paperwork be incorrectly completed or contain missing information, Animal Health may place your dog into quarantine upon your return to the UK. Any costs incurred as a result of quarantine placement will be the owner's responsibility.
Alternatively, if you are travelling on a Transatlantic Crossing on-board Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton and your dog's pet passport, or Official Veterinary Health Certificate, is incorrectly completed or missing information, your dog will be denied embarkation in New York.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Requirements for the United States</h3>
From 1st August 2024, the CDC has issued regulations to control the entry of dogs into the United States from other countries. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning. They also apply whether you are a U.S. citizen, legal U.S. resident, or foreign national.
Please use the link below to determine what rules apply to your dog based on the dates of travel and where your dog is traveling from.
<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html">Bringing a Dog into the United States | Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation | CDC</a> 
 
Requirements for non UK embarkations 
 
For assistance dogs joining and/or disembarking a cruise outside the UK, it is the guest’s responsibility to check the specific entry requirements for that country and to make any necessary arrangements with the airline, if applicable. The dog must still meet the requirements of the UK Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) detailed above, and the guest must provide all necessary documentation prior to boarding the ship.

For fly-cruises it is the guest’s responsibility to contact the airline to gain approval for the animal to travel. This will be at the airline’s discretion and subject to their requirements. This is in addition to proving the information to Cunard.

<h3 style="text-align: left;">Harness/lead</h3>
Your dog must wear its harness, or vest, at all times when not in the stateroom. Due to the nature of cruising, we are unable to provide a safe off-lead area for service and assistance dogs.
We carry small and large canine life jackets on each of our vessels. The relevant life jacket will be placed in your stateroom alongside your own.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Food and bedding</h3>
Please ensure that you bring a suitable supply of all dry dog food and water bowls plus any applicable blankets and bedding. Dogs can only be fed in the stateroom and under no circumstance should your dog be fed ‘titbits' in any public areas.
We do allow service and assistance dogs into our buffet restaurants, however your dog must remain at the table. Should you be travelling alone our crew will be happy to assist you with food selection and carry your tray back to the table.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Dog toileting</h3>
The vessel will provide a wooden 4ft x 4ft box that will be filled with mulch. Your stateroom location will determine exactly where the litter box will be placed and we will endeavour to ensure that this is as close to your stateroom as possible without compromising safety.
On your arrival your stateroom steward will show you to the location of the relief box. Please note litter boxes cannot be placed on stateroom balconies or inside the stateroom itself.
We would ask owners to clean up after their dog and our staff will advise you once you are on board where to dispose of your dog's waste. The box will be emptied and replenished by the staff on board every day.
Service and assistance dog spending areas:
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Queen Elizabeth: Deck 3 forward starboard side (external) / Zone 3 crew, near crew list (internal)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Queen Mary 2: Deck 5 or 6 midship crew stairway (external) / Deck 5 or 6 midship crew stairway (internal)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Queen Victoria: Deck 3 forward starboard side (external) / Deck 1 crew stairway or Deck 5 or 6 aft crew stairway (internal)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Queen Anne: Decks 1 and 2, stairway B, port or starboard side (depending on active gangways)</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Accessible areas of the ship</h3>
Service and assistance dogs are welcome in all areas of the ship apart from:
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Designated children's areas</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Swimming pools or the ‘beach' area surrounding the pool (where water may flow freely in and out of the pool)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Whirlpools</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Crew areas (except for spending area locations, and only with assistance)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Galley visits</li>
</ul>
We do not allow service and assistance dogs to use the kennel facilities on Queen Mary 2.
Owners are required, when using the buffet area, to leave their dog at the table for health and safety reasons. Our staff will assist you with your food selection and carrying this back to your table.
Your service or assistance dog must always remain with you.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Vet on board</h3>
We do not offer the service of a vet on board any of our ships and the ship's doctors are unable to assist should your dog be taken ill on board. Therefore, it is imperative that you consult your vet prior to your voyage for advice to ensure your dog is fit to travel. It may be a good idea to talk to your vet regarding motion sickness.

It is the responsibility of the owner to research each country's individual regulations, including re-entry to the UK if appropriate, in order to go ashore with their service and assistance dog.
Cunard cannot be held responsible should your dog be denied entry upon disembarkation for not following DEFRA or the relevant countries regulations.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Sailings to Mexico</h3>
If traveling to Mexico, dogs must have had an ecto-parasite and endo-parasite treatment applied no more than 15 days prior to arrival to port. This information should be included in their health certificate.
<h3 style="text-align: left;">World Voyages</h3>
You may bring your service or assistance dog on a full world voyage, provided you have researched which countries fall within the DEFRA guidelines, and you have checked the various countries' individual regulations.
We require a minimum of 3 months' notice if you intend to travel with a service and assistance dog. Please contact our Customer Contact Centre or notify us in your <a href="https://my.cunard.com/en-gb/mycruise/onboardNeedsQuestionnaire" title="On board needs questionnaire">on board needs questionnaire</a> as soon as possible after booking.
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">Transatlantic Crossings from Southampton to New York</h3>
Select Transatlantic Crossings on Queen Mary 2 also permit service and assistance dogs on board. Crossings on Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne are not included. Service and assistance dogs are not permitted to use Queen Mary 2's onboard kennel facilities.
It is the responsibility of the owner to research the regulations for entry into the United States of America to disembark the vessel with their service and assistance dog. Cunard requires copies of the pet's passport, or Official Veterinary Health Certificate, verifying all relevant vaccinations and treatments no later than 30 days before sailing.
Once this paperwork has been received and checked, we will issue you with a letter of confirmation which must be produced at check-in. Failure to produce this letter may result in denied boarding.

In order for your service or assistance dog to re-enter the UK you must have completed the following in this order:
<ul>
<li>Have your service and assistance dog microchipped</li>
<li>Have your service and assistance dog vaccinated against rabies after it was microchipped</li>
<li>Obtained an EU pet passport or Official Veterinary Health Certificate</li>
<li>Ensured that 21 days have passed since it was vaccinated</li>
<li>Obtained the tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) treatment 24 – 120 hours (1-5 days) prior to arrival into Southampton (and no more than 5 days prior to embarkation in New York for Transatlantic Crossings).</li>
</ul>
You will be required to send in copies of the relevant pages from the pet's passport or Official Veterinary Health Certificate, once your booking has been made. Cunard will not issue your service or assistance dog permission to travel until this paperwork has been produced and verified. A further check may be conducted by Animal Health on arrival into the UK. or by relevant authorities in the country where you plan to disembark
Once your paperwork has been checked, all DEFRA conditions have been met, and you have completed and signed the terms and conditions, we will send you a confirmation letter. This letter confirms your service or assistance dog has been given permission to travel and must be produced at check-in. Failure to produce this letter may result in your service or assistance dog being denied boarding.

The first places most people think of are Rome and Athens, due to their unique historical and cultural sights. Cunard also visits Spain - Barcelona features amazing Gaudi architecture that's well worth a look - Southern France - famous for its vineyards - and Croatia, where lesser-known but just as impressive historic sites await.

What are the best places to visit in the Mediterranean?

The best weather in this region is from April until November, and Cunard visits the Mediterranean within this window. If you're looking for a tan and don't mind the heat, travel in June or July, but if you prefer milder temperatures book your cruise in the autumn months.

What is the best time of year to cruise the Mediterranean?

Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Croatia, and Greece all use the Euro. Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar Pound, (although Pound Sterling and Euros are unofficially accepted in parts).

What is the currency in the Mediterranean?

The Mediterranean has a changeable climate, depending on the season, but dry, hot and sunny days are to be expected in the peak summer months and often during spring and into autumn. It's not out of the question for temperatures to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in July or August while even September and October can herald warm and pleasant weather. If you're hoping to spend time relaxing on some of the Mediterranean's sandy beaches, it's best to avoid travel during November to March when temperatures are cooler and days can be fresh and rainy.

What is the weather like in the Mediterranean?

A variety of languages are spoken in the Mediterranean. In Spain, where Spanish is the official language, you'll also find regional languages including Catalan, Galician, Basque and Occitan. Spanish is also spoken in Gibraltar, even though the official language of Gibraltar is English. Similarly, in Malta both Maltese and English are spoken.
In France the native language is French, in Italy it's Italian, in Greece it's Greek and in Croatia it's Croatian. French is also the official language of Monaco but you'll encounter Italian spoken by much of the population here too.

What languages are spoken in the Mediterranean?

Depending on the time of year, you'll need cool clothes and comfortable shoes for exploring the exciting ports along your journey. A sunhat and sunscreen are a must in the summer months, and would be wise in the autumn too, as the sun can still be strong in September and October. For evenings on deck bring light jackets for when the temperatures cool.
For more details and suggested packing lists, see our special guide on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/cruise-destinations/mediterranean/mediterranean-cruise-packing-guide">what to pack for Mediterranean cruises</a>.

What should I pack for a Mediterranean cruise?

There are twenty sovereign countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea: Spain, Gibraltar, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
Cunard typically sails to countries on the Southern European Coast; Spain, Gibraltar, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Croatia and Greece. Be sure to check our exciting itineraries for more details.

Which countries are in the Mediterranean?

UK and EU citizens, residents of Schengen countries, plus residents of the US, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan and New Zealand don't currently require a visa to travel to the Mediterranean, provided the duration of stay is less than 90 days.
Some countries within the Mediterranean require a minimum 6-month validity on your passport, so it's advisable to check the local requirements of the countries included in your Mediterranean cruise itinerary.

Will I need a visa for a Mediterranean cruise?

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Service and assistance dogs

Accessibility with Cunard

Before you board

Impairments and conditions

Medical and mobility equipment

Accessibility on board

Accessibility on shore