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Ep. 636 - DCL Fan Takes Cunard's Queen Mary 2 — With Her Dog — Across the Atlantic

DCL Duo
DCL Duo
🥉Knowledgeable
👁️ 28 views📅 2 months ago⏱️ 1:08:23
What This Creator Said
Creator Had Mixed FeelingsFull Ship Review🥉Knowledgeable CreatorSponsored
❤️ Best for CoupleTransatlantic · Winter · 8 nightsFrom SouthamptonVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

Would I necessarily choose Kunard over Disney personally? No.

For a sailing of pure enjoyment, I just think that I am not the right demographic that they are aiming at.

It was surprisingly easy to bring a dog from the UK to the US actually to the point where I was convinced that I had missed something.

The level of service that Disney provide, we love and that that friendliness and that personability makes such a difference.

Creator's Tips & Advice

Book kennel spaces on Queen Mary 2 as early as possible, as they fill up quickly.
Use open dining on Cunard to better manage a schedule with pet care.
Remove automatic gratuities and tip specific staff members in cash for better service recognition.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Dog seasicknessBe prepared for potential dog seasickness; some dogs required a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice.
Quarantine rules for petsResearch pet travel requirements; the process from UK to US was simpler than expected, but ensure all vaccinations are up to date.

Questions This Creator Answers

QHow to transport an Old English Bulldog from the UK to the US via cruise ship?
QWhat is the process for clearing a dog for travel on Cunard's Queen Mary 2?
QHow does Cunard compare to Disney Cruise Line in terms of service, amenities, and demographic?

Topics Covered

Service Crew2 Sad BaconDining Main1 Sad BaconCabin Interior1½ Sad BaconKids Family2½ Happy BaconValue PricingMehSpa Fitness3 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Long Beach2½ Happy Bacon
Los Angeles2½ Happy Bacon
Top: Tours of the Queen Mary
New York
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

When Laura Beck booked a transatlantic crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2, she wasn't chasing luxury — she was solving a very specific problem: how do you move an Old English Bulldog from the UK to the United States when cargo flights won't take her breed? The answer: the Queen Mary 2's on-board kennel facility, 20 kennels on Deck 12, and eight days at sea. In this episode: • How Laura navigated the surprisingly simple (but nerve-wracking) process of getting Ruby cleared for US entry — CDC forms, vet checks, and the rabies vaccination that's technically optional but really isn't • What daily life in the kennels actually looks like — visiting hours, outdoor deck time, doggy seasickness, and the kennel masters who made it work • The Queen Mary 2 vs. Disney Cruise Line: a frank comparison covering ship size, dining, dress codes, service levels, and the auto-gratuity Laura removed for the first time in her cruising life • The $125 behind-the-scenes ship tour — bridge, engine room, 700-portion Beef Wellington kitchen prep, and a fascinating conversation with the ship's doctor about transatlantic medical emergencies • What it's like to be in your early 30s on a ship where the average passenger age is 65–70 (bridge lessons help) • Laura's honest bottom line: she'd choose Cunard again for Ruby — but for a vacation sailing? Disney wins, and she now knows exactly why. "I have underestimated that... that friendliness and that personability makes such a difference." — Laura Beck Support the Show: • Book your next Disney Cruise vacation with My Path Unwinding Travel (https://mypathunwinding.com/dclduo) • Subscribe to DCL Magazine (https://dcl-magazine.com/) and use promo code DCLDUO for 10% off! Stay Connected with the DCL Duo: Website (https://dclduo.com/) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dcl_duo/) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DCLDuo) | Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/dclduo) We're Ranked as a Top Podcast by Feedspot: Top 30 Disney Cruise Line Podcasts (#1) | Top 20 Cruise Podcasts (#2) | Top Disney Podcasts (#4) | Top 20 Disney Cruise Line Influencers (#12) The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not reflect the views of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line or any other travel provider discussed or mentioned.