I have a dream...

[ClawhammerBanjo]

I have had a crazy dream for several years now. We live in the UK and we want to spend three months of each year in the US... with our dogs.

 

We have flown with our dogs TA before and it was incredibly stressful. We had to drop them off at the cargo terminal in DEN to strangers and the plane had a very hard landing at LHR. They were fine, we weren't!.

 

So, crossing twice a year on the QM2 looks like the best option, but kennels are booked 12 - 18 months in advance.

 

What I am trying to understand is the schedule or pattern that Cunard uses to make TA crossings available, so that I can book as soon as they are opened.

 

For example we need to go westwards in Sep/Oct and eastwards in Dec/Jan. When do Sep/Oct crossings go on sale? Is there a predictable pattern or some way of getting Cunard to tell me the day they are available?

 

Any general advice, thoughts, pitfalls, strategies?

 

Thanks!

[majortom10]

Crossings across the Atlantic for 2018 go on sale from 20th September 2016 they are available to view and pre register on Cunard's website.

[ClawhammerBanjo]

Thanks!

 

Does that mean crossings for 2019 will go on sale in September 2017?

[Host Hattie]

This is the first year they have been available so early, it used to be around April of the previous year. It's probably too early to say whether this is a permanent change or an experiment.

Dec/Jan TAs are less frequent because of Christmas cruises and the the world cruise.

[northcoastcat]

I am taking my cat on the QM2 next May. We reserved in March '16 during the pre-registration period. Because we did it before the new dates were available to the public, all the new dates were available and we were able to book a kennel for the crossing date we wanted.

 

My cat will be staying in the UK, but we hope to make additional trips with Cunard!

[northcoastcat]

Robert Roughton is the contact for the kennels and responds quickly to inquiries. You can reach him at kennels@cunard.com.

[Cancun01]

Your dream is a good one to have!!! The kennels on the QM2 are IMO the best way to transport pets overseas. Our son is involved in sports in the uk and every fall we bring his dog to him ( he flies). I didn't sleep the first year when the dog had to travel in cargo under the plane. Last year the dog was in the wonderful care of Oliver, the kennel master, and we are booked again for next month. He is small so he can be in the cabin when flying back to North America in the spring. Trust me, you will feel better knowing your dogs are not in the cargo of a plane and in the care of Oliver or JoJo on the QM2.

 

As suggested in a previous thread "Robert" is the person to contact at Cunard. He is helpful with questions about booking and will provide you with all the necessary paperwork.

Edited September 15, 2016 by Cancun01

[ClawhammerBanjo]

Thanks for the helpful replies! I hope I can make this happen. Next step is to measure my dogs!

[BeakyBeer24]

We were able to book Nov 2016 in February 2016. There was still some kennel availability for Nov as of early August. So it is worth speaking with Robert.

 

 

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