Moving on the QM2 with pooch

My fiance and I are have started exploring options for moving myself and my dog across the pond.  I'm wondering if anyone has any experience aboard the Queen Mary, or another cruise ship with a dog or cat?  Tips or advice?  It's my understanding that all the same PETS rules apply, and we would arrive at Southampton.  Does anyone have anyone have any experience immigrating through that port?

Thank you all in advance for your help!

The only PETS approved route is on the QM2, like you said to Southampton. Apparently its cheaper for the pet's ticket than flying them, and they have their own kennel on the ship that you can visit as often as you want.

I'm curious about the cruise option too (I just hate the thought of my cat going into the cargo) but I wonder how the tick and tapeworm part of the PETS process works if the journey takes 6 days? Do you think its still 24-48 hours before checking onto the boat, or do you think they are given the treatment on the boat?

To be quite honest, the customer service line for the Cunard (the company that operates the QM2) has been less than helpful in the logistics.  I have asked to speak to the operator of the kennel, or at least someone other than a reservationist, but thus fat have had no luck. 
In addition, i'm working with my vet who simply has no clue about the PETS process.  Oh, did I mention I'm also trying to plan a wedding, prior to our embarking on the ship?!  Very frustrating.

To be quite honest, the customer service line for the Cunard (the company that operates the QM2) has been less than helpful in the logistics.  I have asked to speak to the operator of the kennel, or at least someone other than a reservationist, but thus fat have had no luck.

Hi,

The ship's at sea all the time, so they'd have to give you the phone number to call the ship directly if you wanted to speak with the person that runs the onboard kennel, and I wouldn't bet on them doing that.  I worked on a cruise ship for a few years, and don't recall anyone from outside the company ever calling the ship for anything.

You might have better luck trying to call their corporate office and ask to speak to whoever is in charge of the kennel program, but again I'd bet on them putting you back to a customer service person.

I'm surprised nobody in their customer service section is knowledgeable about the kennel program, seeing as they do a lot of Atlantic crossings, and they seem to be highlighting the fact that they've got a kennel on board.  Maybe call again and let them know you're unhappy with the information you've gotten thus far and try to light a fire under a supervisor.

Sorry I don't have better ideas.

good luck,
Carl

Yeah, I hated the customer service lines for Cunard. I waited for an hour in the phone queue at one point.

I would suggest woking with a travel agent, and there are agents that specialise in pet travel.

Your pet does have to be PETS eligiable to travel on the QM2; you can't bring him or her on a crossing to go into quarrentine.

The QM2 is a great way to cross with or with out a pet. It allows for a lot more baggage than flying. If not for vet mess ups, our cat would have come with us.

Best luck to you both.

We crossed the Atlantic once on the QE2 and, while we did not transport an animal at that time, I do remember the kennel facilities that could be visited and thought it might be an option at some point (if only everyone else in the family didn't get mal de mer!!)

I was horribly seasick, but we had a really bad storm at sea. For most of the crossing, we couldn't even go on deck. Those wrist bands really helped me. It might have been a placebo effect, but everytime I took them off I felt sick again.

I don't know if the new QE will have kennels, but I hope so. The QE2 is either on her last voyage or in Dubai already. At least she won't end up like the first QE.

We all had the anti-sickness shots on the QE2 as they predicted a rough crossing!  DS was only about 7 or 8 at the time but tall for his age and I don't think they gave him an appropriate dose for his size.  He started throwing up before we got out of Southampton harbor!!  Every potted palm was blessed by him.  But I was absolutely fine and was one of the few mobile passengers the day before we arrived in NY and the swells were like what you see in those disaster-at-sea movies -- towering way over the ship it seemed!  Wow!
But I wonder how the poor animals in the kennel cages fare?  Do they get sea sick?

I'm curious about the cruise option too (I just hate the thought of my cat going into the cargo) but I wonder how the tick and tapeworm part of the PETS process works if the journey takes 6 days? Do you think its still 24-48 hours before checking onto the boat, or do you think they are given the treatment on the boat?

I just received confirmation from Cunard that the tick/tapeworm is administerred prior to the ship's departure date (not given on board).