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
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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.
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