It’s not something you see every day, but service dogs do sometimes join their owners on cruise ships.
Which leads to the obvious question – when you’re miles out at sea, where does the dog go to the bathroom?
Let’s clear it up…
On most cruise ships, service dogs are welcome if they meet the specific needs of a disabled guest – for example, guide dogs for the blind or alert dogs for the deaf. Emotional support dogs are generally not accepted, and pets are only allowed on certain Cunard sailings.
Read more: How To Take Your Dog On A Cruise
Service Animals on Cruise Ships – What’s Allowed and Where
You won’t often spot dogs on a cruise ship, but guests who require a medical service dog are welcome to bring them on board with all major cruise lines. These dogs can usually access most areas of the ship, with the exception of swimming pools or other wet zones.
To bring a service dog, you’ll need official documentation confirming both your disability and the dog’s certification. Cruise lines are happy to accommodate genuine service animals, but they won’t permit dogs that aren’t medically required.
One exception is on certain Cunard transatlantic crossings, where pets – both cats and dogs – are welcome. Even then, you might not see them unless you’re a pet owner yourself.
Cats and dogs travel in dedicated kennels on the ship, with a nearby exercise area for daily walks and bathroom breaks. Owners can visit at set times each day, but pets aren’t allowed in cabins or other public areas.
Where Service Dogs Do Their Business
Cruise ships will typically have a special relief station for service dogs to go to the bathroom. It is usually in a private space away from busy public areas and may be in a staff-only part of the ship.
Some cruise lines use a pen with mulch, while others use a typical grass area with a dog-poop bin. on the Disney Wish, there’s a fire hydrant and some fake grass.
Here’s a look at a visually-impaired cruise passenger on a Celebrity Cruise, and the bathroom for her service dog:
Obviously, cruise ship guests who don’t travel with a dog don’t want to be relaxing and have the smell of dog poop wafting around nearby, so cruise lines will hide away the bathroom area for dogs to make sure all guests stay comfortable.
It won’t always be in a staff-only area, though, and instead may be somewhere near the walking/running track or another quieter part of the open deck of the ship.
When guests with a service dog board the ship, the crew will show them where the doggy bathroom is, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Service dogs are highly trained animals and are known to only go to the bathroom in suitable places, so other guests don’t have to worry about dogs accidentally going to the toilet on a random deck. They’re so smart!
You may also consider whether dogs go to the bathroom while on a visit to a port of call. This is definitely possible, but it’s important to note that some countries may not accept service dogs, and they (and their owners) may need to stay on the ship.
Typically, though, service dogs will take care of all their bathroom needs on the ship.
Cunard Cruises Pet Toilet Facilities
On a Cunard cruise, dogs are able to go to the bathroom in a relief area near the kennels. This includes a British lamppost and an American fire hydrant for dogs to pee on, so that both British and American dogs feel at home!
The lamppost was even taken from the Cunard building in Liverpool, and the fire hydrant is modelled on a New York City one, so there’s a lot of heritage in those pee stations!
A New Cruise Just for Dogs (and Their Humans)
From 2026, pet owners in the US will have the chance to set sail with their furry friends thanks to a new partnership between Margaritaville at Sea and Cruise Tails. Their ship, Islander, will welcome up to 250 dogs for a special pet-friendly cruise, complete with private doggy bathrooms on balconies, leash-friendly deck strolls, and a packed schedule of canine activities.
Dogs won’t be allowed in dining rooms or pool areas, but they’ll have designated exercise spaces, splash sessions, and even costume contests. Space is extremely limited, and hopeful guests will need to apply for a spot rather than simply booking.
Final Word
Whether you’re a passenger with a service dog or you’re someone who is worried about cruising with dogs and smelling/seeing their mess, don’t worry – there is always a suitable bathroom area provided for service dogs to use.
Guests who have a service dog travelling with them will be looked after by the crew and guided to the spot on the first day, so you can rest easy knowing they’ll have somewhere suitable.
So no, I’m afraid the answer to where dogs go to the bathroom on a cruise ship is not “The Poop Deck”.
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Plus 20% OFF non-dog cabins.
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- Drugs Dogs At Cruise Ports
- Cruise Tails Launches Crowdfunding Campaign To Bring Dog-Friendly Cruise to Life
- 15 Things You Need To Know About The New Dog-Friendly Cruises
We have been on two cruises that had a guide dog on them. As I walked the promenade, there in a darker “corner” under a stairway was a patch of artificial turf. Hubby and I had a nice chat with the owner of the dog asking about his experience. His dog was taught to do his business on command, and was taken out at set “pee break” times. This year we were on a plane with a service dog who has been to many countries. The flight was 9 hours long! She was let off the plane first so the dog could head to the airport potty break. We met up with them again at the luggage drop and she said it was a long walk from our gate to the relief area!! That dog deserved a “good girl” for sure.