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New digs for dogs on 'Queen Mary 2' cruise ship

 
Kennel master Oliver Cruz tends to celebrity dogs, from left, Wally, Ella and Chloe outside the kennel aboard the ocean liner Queen Mary 2, docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in New York on Wednesday. 
Kennel master Oliver Cruz tends to celebrity dogs, from left, Wally, Ella and Chloe outside the kennel aboard the ocean liner Queen Mary 2, docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in New York on Wednesday. 
Published July 6, 2016

NEW YORK

Dogs that sail on the Queen Mary 2 are getting the royal treatment. The ship has just undergone $132 million in renovations that include new accommodations for four-legged — as well as two-legged — passengers.

The QM2, part of the Cunard fleet, is the only long-distance passenger vessel to carry dogs and cats. The ship now has 24 onboard kennels — twice what it had before the upgrades — in addition to room for 2,961 human guests.

Helping to cut the ribbon on the new kennels and pet area Wednesday were some of New York's top Instagram dogs, known to fans as Chloe the Mini Frenchie (133,000 followers), Wally the Welsh Corgi (92,000 followers) and Ella Bean the Dog (40,000 followers).

The event took place in Brooklyn, N.Y., the ship's home port, before a seven-day trans-Atlantic crossing to Southampton, England.

Besides the ship's additional kennels, the new canine quarters include expanded space for dogs to play and walk, an owner's lounge and two items essential for any dog on a walk, even at sea: an authentic New York City fire hydrant and a British lamppost.

Kennel master Oliver Cruz cares for the pets — walking, feeding and playing with them. Owners can visit, but cannot take them to their cabins.

"This is my passion," said Cruz, who has a background as an animal handler and zoo guide in his native Philippines, along with several years of experience working with pets on the QM2. He said the first day at sea is the most challenging, as he memorizes the names of the dogs and their owners, while saying goodbye on "the last day is the saddest part, because we've bonded."

Cunard has a history of accommodating pets on its ships going back decades, including dogs belonging to Elizabeth Taylor and the Duke of Windsor. Wally, the corgi that helped unveil the improvements Wednesday, is the same breed favored by Queen Elizabeth.

The kennels are among the ship's bestselling accommodations: They are booked months in advance and passengers pay $800-$1,000 per kennel.

Hilary Sloan, owner of Ella Bean, a Yorkie mix rescue known for what Sloan calls her "fashion influence," said the canine accommodations are "adorable."