British Expats

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-   -   QM2 With pooch (https://britishexpats.com/forum/canada-56/qm2-pooch-602507/)

supergirly Apr 8th 2009 3:46 am

QM2 With pooch
 
Hey everybody,

Has anyone done the QM2 crossing with their pooch? What was it like? Also what dog documentation did you need for entering New York?

Supergirly

Iain Mc Apr 8th 2009 4:33 am

Re: QM2 With pooch
 
Can't help with the pooch (beyond hearing that the kennel arrangements were good) but the voyage was just great and a really nice way to emigrate (I'm a sucker for the bygone era). No luggage restrictions, either!

Enjoy :)

rufus2000 Apr 8th 2009 5:08 am

Re: QM2 With pooch
 
Hi

How long did journey take? Was it from Southampton to New York?

Helen


Originally Posted by Iain Mc (Post 7463232)
Can't help with the pooch (beyond hearing that the kennel arrangements were good) but the voyage was just great and a really nice way to emigrate (I'm a sucker for the bygone era). No luggage restrictions, either!

Enjoy :)


Iain Mc Apr 8th 2009 10:04 am

Re: QM2 With pooch
 
Hi Helen,

Yes, Southampton to New York.

Six days and no jetlag, if I recall correctly. If you get the early bird prices it can be very reasonable for a week's all inclusive, certainly less than business/first on scheduled air, and you get the added bonus of ending up on the other side of the Atlantic after a relaxing week of lazy days, fine dining and free entertainment.

rufus2000 Apr 8th 2009 10:20 am

Re: QM2 With pooch
 
Excellent. I will look into that. How did you then sort out your PR card etc if you landed in New York?

Helen


Originally Posted by Iain Mc (Post 7464314)
Hi Helen,

Yes, Southampton to New York.

Six days and no jetlag, if I recall correctly. If you get the early bird prices it can be very reasonable for a week's all inclusive, certainly less than business/first on scheduled air, and you get the added bonus of ending up on the other side of the Atlantic after a relaxing week of lazy days, fine dining and free entertainment.


Novocastrian Apr 8th 2009 10:22 am

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Originally Posted by Iain Mc (Post 7464314)
Hi Helen,

Yes, Southampton to New York.

Six days and no jetlag, if I recall correctly. If you get the early bird prices it can be very reasonable for a week's all inclusive, certainly less than business/first on scheduled air, and you get the added bonus of ending up on the other side of the Atlantic after a relaxing week of lazy days, fine dining and free entertainment.

I've never done it, but I'm seriously considering going that way (or rather the opposite way) when I finally return to Europe in a few years.

It's not really much more than flying. (OK it is, but so what? :rofl:)

Iain Mc Apr 8th 2009 6:25 pm

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Excellent. I will look into that. How did you then sort out your PR card etc if you landed in New York?
We'd actually acquired our PR card on an earlier trip, we came back to the UK for a bit to sort out work, sell house, etc. I'm not sure if that'd make things any more complicated with US immigration, you should have your onward transit to Canada booked to demonstrate you're leaving the US (as you're not returning to the UK). Landing in Canada... again, worth checking, I would imagine any primary land crossing or airport should be able to 'process' you.


I've never done it, but I'm seriously considering going that way (or rather the opposite way) when I finally return to Europe in a few years. It's not really much more than flying. (OK it is, but so what? )
Having done it once, if time wasn't a concern I'd go by boat every time now! Regarding the cost differential, if you get in early it's not outrageous when compared to scheduled air and the experience is just chalk and cheese - don't forget you get all your food and entertainment for the best part of a week thrown in!

westend_TO Apr 9th 2009 5:45 am

Re: QM2 With pooch
 
I took the crossing from Southampton to New York back in August. I didn't have a dog but a cat and she was boarded with 8 other dogs! The kennel accommodation is good - there is a seperate room where you can sit with your pet and get some time out from the other pets. Our Kennel Master was Dale and looked after the pets (even braving high winds one day to get to the top deck).

Not sure what dogs need but our cat had rabbie shots and a blood test 12 weeks before travelling. I knew we didn't need to have the EU pet passport but my vet was being funny and wouldn't issue a fit to travel certificate unless we had it even though we had no intention of bringing our cat back to the UK so reluctently went with the EU pet passport.

On arrival at Brooklyn the border agency staff were also friendly and took one look at the cat and the passport and stamped it. Very different attitude compared to the US Airport security staff (perhaps they are warned to be nice to the jolly English folk departing from the QM2)...

I had no return journey booked but I did book an onward flight with Porter (I had no desire to use it but was just to show I was not planning on staying in the States) I told them I am on transit to Canada - no further questions asked and they stamped my passport. We collected our hire car and drove upstate towards Niagara Fall - On arrival at the border the Canadian border agency were very friendly and I was welcomed to Canada with a smile. Completed my landing and that was it.

The Cunard experience is second to none and highly recommended.

supergirly Apr 9th 2009 6:17 am

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Originally Posted by westend_TO (Post 7466892)
I took the crossing from Southampton to New York back in August. I didn't have a dog but a cat and she was boarded with 8 other dogs! The kennel accommodation is good - there is a seperate room where you can sit with your pet and get some time out from the other pets. Our Kennel Master was Dale and looked after the pets (even braving high winds one day to get to the top deck).

Not sure what dogs need but our cat had rabbie shots and a blood test 12 weeks before travelling. I knew we didn't need to have the EU pet passport but my vet was being funny and wouldn't issue a fit to travel certificate unless we had it even though we had no intention of bringing our cat back to the UK so reluctently went with the EU pet passport.

On arrival at Brooklyn the border agency staff were also friendly and took one look at the cat and the passport and stamped it. Very different attitude compared to the US Airport security staff (perhaps they are warned to be nice to the jolly English folk departing from the QM2)...

I had no return journey booked but I did book an onward flight with Porter (I had no desire to use it but was just to show I was not planning on staying in the States) I told them I am on transit to Canada - no further questions asked and they stamped my passport. We collected our hire car and drove upstate towards Niagara Fall - On arrival at the border the Canadian border agency were very friendly and I was welcomed to Canada with a smile. Completed my landing and that was it.

The Cunard experience is second to none and highly recommended.

Wow! It sounds great! Thanks for your response.

blodeuwedd79 Apr 9th 2009 8:24 pm

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Originally Posted by westend_TO (Post 7466892)
I took the crossing from Southampton to New York back in August. I didn't have a dog but a cat and she was boarded with 8 other dogs! The kennel accommodation is good - there is a seperate room where you can sit with your pet and get some time out from the other pets. Our Kennel Master was Dale and looked after the pets (even braving high winds one day to get to the top deck).

Not sure what dogs need but our cat had rabbie shots and a blood test 12 weeks before travelling. I knew we didn't need to have the EU pet passport but my vet was being funny and wouldn't issue a fit to travel certificate unless we had it even though we had no intention of bringing our cat back to the UK so reluctently went with the EU pet passport.

On arrival at Brooklyn the border agency staff were also friendly and took one look at the cat and the passport and stamped it. Very different attitude compared to the US Airport security staff (perhaps they are warned to be nice to the jolly English folk departing from the QM2)...

I had no return journey booked but I did book an onward flight with Porter (I had no desire to use it but was just to show I was not planning on staying in the States) I told them I am on transit to Canada - no further questions asked and they stamped my passport. We collected our hire car and drove upstate towards Niagara Fall - On arrival at the border the Canadian border agency were very friendly and I was welcomed to Canada with a smile. Completed my landing and that was it.

The Cunard experience is second to none and highly recommended.

How long did it take you to drive to Niagara Falls? We have to go by QM2 as we have a pug and no airline will fly her, but my husband is really iffy about the drive to Canada. Was your hire car there ready for you when you got off the boat and what was driving like from New York.
Sorry about all the questions but really trying to reassure my husband that this is do-able!

pinkmcfarquhar Apr 9th 2009 10:50 pm

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Originally Posted by blodeuwedd79 (Post 7468683)
How long did it take you to drive to Niagara Falls? We have to go by QM2 as we have a pug and no airline will fly her, but my husband is really iffy about the drive to Canada. Was your hire car there ready for you when you got off the boat and what was driving like from New York.
Sorry about all the questions but really trying to reassure my husband that this is do-able!

didn't come over by boat, but did go on holiday to new york a few years ago, and drive up to niagra. as i remember, it took us about 2 days, but that was taking a scenic route past other things we wanted to see. driving in new york was a bit scary, but not too bad once you got on to the main road you were taking (north to albany if i remember rightly).

blodeuwedd79 Apr 9th 2009 11:34 pm

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Originally Posted by pinkmcfarquhar (Post 7468918)
didn't come over by boat, but did go on holiday to new york a few years ago, and drive up to niagra. as i remember, it took us about 2 days, but that was taking a scenic route past other things we wanted to see. driving in new york was a bit scary, but not too bad once you got on to the main road you were taking (north to albany if i remember rightly).

Thank you. Hopefully reassure him a bit!

Neillybhoy Apr 9th 2009 11:47 pm

Re: QM2 With pooch
 
Great to read the posts guys, This is what I really want to do, Want to have landed and get everything stamped then when I'm ready to move, do the QM2to NY and make the Journey upto to Canada a holiday stopping off a few places on the way with the dogs, Wasnt really sure it would be possible to do but reading all the posts over the last few days it's looking good :thumbsup:

Just a bit worried the dogs would get used to a turn down service and nightly gourmet biscuit before bed they would get on the QM2.

jerry brewer Apr 10th 2009 5:35 pm

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Originally Posted by supergirly (Post 7463069)
Hey everybody,

Has anyone done the QM2 crossing with their pooch? What was it like? Also what dog documentation did you need for entering New York?

Supergirly

Hi
How many miles and no trees ....:rofl::rofl:
cheers
Jerry

Arris Apr 10th 2009 10:20 pm

Re: QM2 With pooch
 

Originally Posted by Neillybhoy (Post 7469031)
Just a bit worried the dogs would get used to a turn down service and nightly gourmet biscuit before bed they would get on the QM2.

I worked as a kennel maid on the QE2 in the 80's - the outside area for the kennels, 'doggy deck', even had an old fashioned style lamp post & a piece of artificial grass around it for the dogs :D


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