Your pet can travel like Rin Tin Tin

Let's say you need to take your pet to Europe and you don't want him or her to fly in the hold of an airplane. What to do? Cross the Atlantic like Rin Tin Tin did--on a luxury cruise line!

Cunard, operator of the Queen Mary 2, has been taking care of pets since 1840, when three cats vacationed on the Britannia's maiden voyage. Since then, Cunard has welcomed animal guests including Rin Tin Tin and Tom Mix's horse, as well as circus elephants, canaries, monkeys, even a boa constrictor. The duke and duchess of Windsor's beloved pup even had a lamppost beside the kennels especially installed for it.

And when your pet cruises on the QM2, we're not just talking a cage in some dark corner of the ship. Oh no--they go first class: fresh-baked biscuits, a choice of beds, fleece blankets, toys and premium-brand food! A full-time kennel master oversees the program, taking charge of daily pet care responsibilities such as feeding, walking and cleaning the ship's 12 spacious kennels.

Depending on cruise length, it'll cost between $300 and $400 to take your pet along for the cruise, but just think of the stories your pet will have to tell when he or she comes home and hangs out with the other pets in the neighborhood:

Pet #1: "What did you do this Summer?"

Pet #2: "I got put in a kennel while my humans went on a two-week
trip to Europe. What did you do this summer?"

Pet #1: "I lounged on the Queen Mary 2 with a
personal assistant attending to my every need including fresh-baked treats,
daily walks on the deck, and daily rests in the fresh ocean air!"

You can read more about Cunard's pet services on Courant.com.