Guide dogs on cruise ships

Ever wondered which cruise lines allow guide dogs on board? To celebrate International Guide Dog Day, we’ve put together this guide (ha! Get it?) Here you’ll find everything you need to know about service dogs on cruise ships.

Azamara

Azamara gladly welcome guide dogs on board their ships but do not accept pets. They define a guide dog as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability.”

The cruise line provides 4-foot by 4-foot relief areas with cypress mulch, which are shared with other guide dogs on board. They don’t require evidence (such as identification cards or written documentation) that your dog is a guide dog, but it might be helpful to take with you, just in case.

Guide dogs are permitted to accompany you to all public areas, including dining venues. But while in public, Azamara ask that guide dogs are kept on leads or harnesses.

See all featured Azamara cruises

Celebrity Cruises

Guide dogs are welcome aboard Celebrity Cruises fleet of ships but much like Azamara, pets are not accepted. Celebrity’s only request is that you provide them with at least 14 days’ notice if you are bringing your guide dog on board.

See all featured Celebrity cruises

Cunard

Cunard welcome guide dogs on board free of charge, as long as they have been certified by an organisation that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).

They advise all owners to carry their dog’s identification card with them and when not in your cabin, they ask that your dog wears its lead or harness. Cunard’s conditions can be found here.

See all featured Cunard cruises

Holland America Line

Holland America Line allow qualified service animals for guests with disabilities. They advise notifying their Access & Compliance Department prior to departure, so that all health certificate documentation can be provided for relevant ports.

See all featured Holland America Line cruises

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises accepts registered assistance dogs on board that have been specifically trained to assist a person with a disability and has been certified by an organisation that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), the accrediting bodies for assistance dog organisations worldwide.

See all featured P&O cruises

Princess Cruises

Guide dogs are welcomed aboard Princess Cruises’ fleet of ships. But they advise all guests to note entry regulations for service animals as rules vary by port. Passengers are also advised to consult authorities at each port prior to departure for more information.

See all featured Princess cruises

Seabourn

Seabourn only permit service animals. To board their ships, they must have current vaccinations and records of the vaccinations must be provided to their Access & Compliance Department. They advise some itineraries may include ports of call with specific and strict requirements that must be met prior to departure.

See all featured Seabourn cruises

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