Cruise Line Service Animal Policies

If you’ve cruised several times, you’ve likely encountered at least one service animal onboard your sailing. While many cruisers wish they could bring their furry friends on vacation, cruise lines have strict policies on service and therapy animals. If you are preparing to cruise with a service animal, there are many policies and procedures to follow prior to boarding. 

Cruise lines have specific requirements as to what they classify as a service animal. There are also may be regulations from the port destinations that the cruise visits which will need to be taken into account as well. If you travel with a service animal, you will likely need specific documentation or other protocols to complete well in advance of sailing to ensure you can travel with ease. 

Following is a round-up by cruise line of everything you need to know about traveling with a service animal including each cruise line’s policy, pre-cruise procedures, port entry regulations, and other helpful details. 

Carnival Cruise Line

Policy: Carnival permits working service dogs on ships, which are legally defined and individually trained to meet disability-related needs by performing tasks (such as guiding a blind person, alerting a deaf person, pulling wheelchairs, alerting/protecting a person having a seizure, or performing other special tasks). Pets, or service dogs in training, are not allowed aboard. Emotional support dogs are not permitted on Carnival Cruise Line ships.

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Guests traveling with working service dogs must visit the Department of Agriculture website or their service animal’s veterinarian, to determine each destination’s policy regarding the admission of working service dogs. Carnival is not responsible for limitations imposed on working service dogs by entities or shore excursion providers in ports of call. Carnival notes that many ports will only accept the animal’s annual rabies vaccinations and do not recognize three-year rabies vaccinations.

Pre-Cruise Communications: Please contact Carnival’s Guest Access Department at access@carnival.com, or call 1-800-438-6744 when booking to sail with a working service dog. 

Learn more about Carnival’s service animal policy here. 

Celebrity Cruises

Policy: Celebrity Cruises welcomes service dogs on all ships. The cruise line does not allow for emotional support dogs or pets. Celebrity defines a service dog as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." 

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Guests are responsible for obtaining all required documents for their service dog to depart the ship in ports of call and at their final cruise destination, documentation may differ by country. 

Pre-Cruise Communications: Celebrity Cruises does not require advance notice for bringing a service dog onboard unless a dog relief area is required. In this instance, Celebrity requires at least 30 days advance notice. 

Learn more about Celebrity Cruises’ service animal policy here. 

Cunard

Policy: Cunard accepts registered assistance dogs, subject to compliance with international travel regulations. Cunard accepts registered assistance dogs that have been specifically trained to assist a person with a disability and have been certified by an organization that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International or the International Guide Dog Federation. Cunard will only accept assistance dogs that are fully trained, which excludes emotional support dogs. All assistance dogs are carried free of charge. Cunard only accepts assistance dogs on Southampton to Southampton cruises or on Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossings between Southampton and New York.

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Assistance dogs may not be permitted ashore in certain ports of call, in line with current Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regulations which apply in the UK. If a guest indicates to Cunard that they will be taking an assistance dog on board, the line will forward the relevant paperwork for the guest to complete and return with any supplementary information that is required for the destination. Cunard advises all owners to carry the dog's identification card (or similar) with them at all times in case local authorities require proof. 

Pre-Cruise Communications: Guests should notify Cunard they will be bringing an assistance dog in the onboard needs questionnaire (available on My Cunard) to be completed before the guest sails. 

Learn more about Cunard’s service animal policy here. 

Disney Cruise Line

Policy: Trained service animals are welcome in most locations on board Disney Cruise Line ships. 

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Guests are responsible for obtaining import permits for service animals from all countries that require those special documents and must have those original documents available at all times. Specific information may be obtained by contacting the United States Department of Agriculture, the applicable United States consulate, or the embassy of each country to determine the policies and obtain the permits needed for each port of call. Disney Cruise Line notes that obtaining those permits can take weeks or months, and some countries may not allow animals to enter. Copies of completed permits for each port of call must be sent to Disney Cruise Line Special Services before the sail date. Due to the nature of some Port Adventures excursions, service animals may not be permitted.

Pre-Cruise Communications: Guests traveling with a service animal should submit requests by filling out Disney’s Special Services Information Form so the cruise line can assist you with any special arrangements. Guests must notify Disney Cruise Line 30 days before their sail date.

More Details: All service animals must remain on a leash and under the guest’s control (or that of someone in the travel party) at all times. Guests will be responsible for the care and feeding of their animal. Service animals are not permitted in the pools or wet play areas onboard the ships, and may not be left unattended inside a stateroom. Disney Cruise Line Crew Members are not permitted to take control of a service animal.

Learn more on Disney Cruise Line’s service animal policy here. 

Holland America Line 

Policy: Holland America Line only permits service animals on board, defined as those animals which are individually trained to assist an individual with a disability. The cruise line does not permit guests to bring pets, therapy/companion animals, and other animals that do not meet the definition of service animals. If a guest has questions about whether the animal they wish to bring on board is a service animal, contact the Guest Accessibility Department.

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: To board the ship, the service animal must have current vaccinations. Records confirming the vaccination status should be provided to the Guest Accessibility Department before the guest’s departure. Holland America recommends that guests carry immunization records with them in case they are required at any port of call.

Holland America flags that the Australian quarantine authorities have changed their approach regarding service dogs onboard cruise ships, making it difficult for the line to accept service animals on domestic or roundtrip cruises from Australia. The Department of Agriculture now considers these cruises to be akin to an international voyage and therefore under ‘biosecurity control’. According to Holland America, “We are incredibly disappointed with the Department’s new approach, and we have written to the Federal Minister to ask for a return to their previous way of doing things.” At this time guests will not be able to travel with service animals on Holland America voyages that end in Australia or call upon a port in Australia after visiting a foreign country.

Pre-Cruise Communications: Guests should contact the Guest Accessibility Department (GuestAccessibility@HollandAmerica.com) immediately upon booking to make arrangements to bring a service animal. 

More Details: Service animals may travel with their owner in all public areas on the ship. 

Learn more about Holland America’s service animal policy here. 

MSC Cruises

Policy: Properly trained and certified guide dogs are allowed on board MSC Cruises ships, provided they are in good health and have all documents required for entering the countries visited during the cruise. 

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: For cruises that include any port in the USA or which embark or disembark in the USA, service animals must comply with the US Department of Transportation requirements for health and safety including documentation of the animal’s up-to-date vaccination records. 

Service dogs are welcome onboard throughout the world with MSC Cruises, however they must comply with all regulations of the Department of Agriculture websites for each destination within the itinerary (transit via UK in progress). It is the guest's responsibility to have all permits for the dog to be allowed ashore, however MSC Cruises’ Immigration Purser shall assist through agent if possible. Before selling any destination experience, ship personnel will double-check it can fully fit the service dog. If the guest chooses to disembark the ship without the service dog, the guest must make arrangements to ensure that the dog is cared for. Ship personnel are not required/allowed to care for the dog, nor can the dog be left in the cabin unattended.

Pre-Cruise Communications: Guests are required to notify their intent to bring a service dog, during the booking process. Requests get directed to the Group Accessible Department at specialneeds@msccruises.com.

More Details: Guests are personally responsible for the care and feeding of the animal. Relief areas are set in public areas away from passage, as close as possible to their owner cabins. If a balcony is present, they can also be set within their balcony as assisted in cleaning ops.

Learn more on MSC Cruises' service animal policy here. 

Norwegian Cruise Line

Policy: Norwegian Cruise Line accepts service dogs trained to perform a specific task. A service dog may be needed for many different conditions, which would be acceptable under the American with Disabilities Act guidelines. In accordance with the ADA, Norwegian Cruise Line does not accept “Emotional Support” dogs as service dogs, they cannot sail.

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Guests must provide Norwegian Cruise Line copies of the dog’s current vaccination records that show all shots are up-to-date (including Rabies), as well as a USDA or International Health certificate. Guests are responsible for checking with all ports of call for any special requirements. 

Pre-Cruise Communications: Guests traveling with service animals must book at least two weeks in advance to allow enough time to check with each port of call and provide Norwegian Cruise Line with all required documentation. To get more information or request accessibility assistance on your upcoming cruise, fill out NCL’s Accessibility & Medical Questionnaire or call 866-584-9756. 

More Details: Guests are responsible for bringing all food, medication, and a life jacket for their service dog. A relief sandbox will be provided by the cruise line. 

Learn more about Norwegian Cruise Line’s service animal policy here. 

Oceania Cruises

Policy: Service animal requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must comply with ADA requirements. Oceania Cruises does not accept emotional support animals, only fully registered service animals. 

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Limitations apply to different regions. Service animals are allowed on itineraries that embark, disembark, or stop at United States ports. 

Pre-Cruise Communications: Guests wishing to bring a service animal on board an Oceania vessel must notify the cruise line at the time of booking their cruise, and must receive the line’s written approval before moving forward. 

More Details: Any animals allowed onboard must be looked after entirely by the guest. 

Learn more on Oceania Cruises’ service animal policy here. 

Princess Cruises

Policy: Princess Cruises welcomes service animals that are trained to perform tasks including the support of vision, hearing, or other specific needs as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Note, emotional support animals are not permitted on Princess Cruises’ ships.

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Entry regulations for service animals vary by port. The regulations concerning the entry of service animals to the ports the guests visit vary and there are some ports where animals may not be allowed ashore. Guests must check with each country visited and obtain the necessary documents to travel. These may include vaccination records, medical certificates, and other travel documents.

Pre-Cruise Communications: To begin a request to bring a service animal on a Princess Cruises sailing, contact accessofficeprincess@princesscruises.com with your booking number, ship, sailing date, a brief description of the service animal, including the specific work or task the animal has been trained to provide.

More Details: Guests must bring the service animal’s food, equipment, and supplies. Princess provides a relief area with material onboard. The types of litter material are limited and may vary by ship.

Learn more about Princess Cruises’ service animal policy here. 

Royal Caribbean

Policy: Royal Caribbean welcomes service dogs on all ships. The cruise line defines a service dog as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required (such as ID cards, the presence of harnesses and/or tags, or the credible verbal assurance of the person with a disability using the dog). Note, Royal Caribbean does not accept pets.

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Guests are responsible for obtaining all required documents for the animal to depart the ship in ports of call and at the final destination. A copy of these permits must be carried if the guest chooses to disembark the ship at a port at which the service dog must remain onboard, and the guest must make arrangements to ensure that the dog is cared for. Ship staff is not required to care for the dog, nor can the dog be left in the stateroom unattended. 

Pre-Cruise Communications: Notify Royal Caribbean’s Access Department when booking, but no later than 30 days before sailing, if a service dog relief area is needed.

More Details: Service dogs are permitted to accompany the person with a disability in all public areas, including dining venues. While in public areas, service dogs must be on a leash/harness. Due to health regulations, service dogs are not permitted in pools, whirlpools, or spas.

Learn more on Royal Caribbean’s service animal policy here. 

Seabourn

Policy: Seabourn only permits service animals on board, defined as “those animals that are individually trained to assist an individual with a disability”. The cruise line does not permit our guests to bring pets, therapy/companion animals, and other animals that do not meet the definition of service animals. If a guest has any questions about whether the animal they wish to bring on board is a service animal contact Seabourn’s Guest Accessibility at Access@Seabourn.com. 

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: A guest's itinerary with Seabourn may include ports of call that have requirements that need to be met before the guest’s service animal is allowed off of the ship. The cruise line recommends guests understand the requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call, and that guests obtain the specific information on required documentation and immunizations for service animals via the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website, local customs offices, or from the guest’s service animal's veterinarian. All documentation and immunization requirements are established by government authorities and not by Seabourn. 

To board the ship, the service animal must have current vaccinations. Seabourn recommends that the guests carry immunization records with them in case they are required at any port of call. If a guest does not have the proper documentation and proof of vaccinations for a service animal required at a port of call, or if there are local quarantine requirements, the service animal will be denied the right to leave the ship. If the service animal is denied the right to leave the ship, Seaborn staff and crew will work with the guest to determine what actions may be possible to allow the guest to visit the port without the service animal. The guest will need to provide for the care and supervision of their service animal in their absence. Guests may not leave a service animal unattended on the vessel or in one’s suite at any time.

Per Seabourn, the Australian quarantine authorities have changed their approach regarding service dogs on-board cruise ships. Their new approach makes it “practically impossible for us to accept service animals on domestic or roundtrip cruises from Australia. The Department of Agriculture now considers these cruises to be akin to an international voyage and therefore under ‘biosecurity control’. As a company, we are incredibly disappointed with the Department’s new approach, and we have written to the Federal Minister to ask for a return to their previous way of doing things.” Guests will not be able to travel with service animals on voyages that end in Australia or call upon a port in Australia after visiting a foreign country. Guests sailing on voyages that begin in Australia will be able to sail with their service animal provided the voyage does not return to Australia after visiting a foreign port. 

Pre-Cruise Requirements: Records confirming the animal’s vaccination status should be provided to Seabourn’s Guest Accessibility before departure. 

Learn more about Seabourn’s service animal policy here. 

Viking Cruises

Policy: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar laws in destinations where the cruise line operates, Viking Cruises allows service animals. Guests who request a service animal must provide appropriate documentation to support the request. All service animals are reviewed according to ADA or applicable regulations, and only service animals that have the appropriate documentation for admittance into the countries on an itinerary are permitted on board Viking’s ships. Requests for pets or emotional support animals will be denied.

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Viking’s policy for service animals applies to all sailings and regions.

Pre-Cruise Communications: Viking requests that guests bringing a service animal notify the line at least 60 days before the cruise and submit a Service Animal Request form which should be completed and submitted to accessibilityservices@vikingcruises.com.

More Details: Service Animals are permitted in all public areas of Viking’s ships except for the galley (and other food preparation areas). Service Animals are not permitted to swim in the pools, whirlpools, and spas, due to health regulations.

Learn more about Viking’s service animal policy here. 

Virgin Voyages

Policy: Service animals are permitted on board. Virgin Voyages do not allow service dogs in training, therapy dogs, or emotional support animals. 

Requirements & Port Entry Regulations: Virgin Voyages requires documentation for service animals to board its ladyships. The documentation required can vary depending on what countries the voyage embarks from, and some countries may require additional paperwork for service animals to access those ports of call. 

Pre-Cruise Communications: Sailors should notify Virgin Voyages of their intent to bring their service animal at least 14 days in advance with documentation to avoid any potential complications with their travel beyond Virgin Voyages' control.

More Details: Service Animals can access all areas of the ship that their sailor does, except for the pools, whirlpools, or spas. The cruise line also provides a service dog relief area at the forward on Deck 7. 

Learn more on Virgin Voyages' service animal policy here.  

Final Notes

If you are traveling (or planning on traveling) with a service animal, we strongly recommend you contact your cruise line directly to confirm you meet all requirements and have all questions answered before your cruise. Here is the best way to contact your cruise line. 

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