Cunard Presents 2017 Westminster Kennel Club "Best in Show" Winner with Transatlantic Crossing on Queen Mary 2

VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard, the only line to carry pets across the Atlantic, presented Rumor, the Westminster Kennel Club's Best in Show winner, with an invitation to sail on a Transatlantic Crossing on Queen Mary 2 today in New York's Times Square. Rumor will have an opportunity to take his place in history among celebrity dogs who have sailed with Cunard including Elizabeth Taylor's pampered pooches and Hollywood film star Rin-Tin-Tin.

Cunard sponsored the 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York CityFebruary 11-14, 2017 and was the only travel company represented at the show. Cunard bellman offered white gloved "doggy" tea service to canine attendees who stopped by Cunard's photo booth at the show, including @WallytheWelshCorgi, one of the top Instagram dogs in New York. Dogs (and humans) took photos in front of an oversized backdrop of Queen Mary 2 and posted to #CunardatWKC.

As the only cruise line to offer dogs and cats passage on the company's famed Transatlantic Crossings, Cunard has a long history of sailing pets -- its pet-friendly policy dates back 176 years to the maiden voyage of the Britannia in 1840. Since then, the company has transported a surprising number of notable pets: Rin-Tin-Tin, Elizabeth Taylor's pampered pooches, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor's beloved pup and Pudsey, winner of Britain's Got Talent 2012. It was at the Duke's behest that Cunard originally installed a lamppost beside the kennels on Cunard's former flagship Queen Elizabeth 2.

Pet travel continues to soar in the United States and due to increased demand, Cunard doubled the size of its kennels on Queen Mary 2 during the flagship's $132 million renovation last year. In addition, the ship expanded the kennel area, adding an owner's lounge and a new pet playground. Guests can enjoy an extended outdoor area for dog walking featuring a lamppost from Liverpool and fire hydrant from New York so dogs from both sides of the pond will feel at home. Overall, Queen Mary 2's enhanced pet service offers a kinder, gentler alternative to pet transportation.

To ensure that pet passengers are as glamorous as their human counterparts, Cunard partnered with the British sportswear brand Barbour in 2016 to offer smart accessories onboard such as jackets, collars and leashes.

For more information about Queen Mary 2 and to book a voyage, contact your Travel Agent, call Cunard toll-free at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.

Cunard
Defining true excellence at sea with over 176 years of legendary voyages, Cunard is the operator of luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2^®, Queen Victoria^® and Queen Elizabeth^®. Renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment, all three Queens offer luxury on a grand scale in Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill and Queens Grill accommodation. Cunard is the only line to offer regularly scheduled Transatlantic service and continues the legacy of world cruising which it began in 1922.

Awarded '#1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line' by Travel + Leisure's 2016 World's Best Awards and 'Best World Cruise Itineraries' and 'Best Trans-Atlantic Itineraries' by Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2016 Readers Choice Awards, Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines, a part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the largest cruise vacation company in the world. Together Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK) operate 102 ships visiting over 700 ports around the world and totaling 226,000 lower berths.

About The Westminster Kennel Club
About The Westminster Kennel Club – The Westminster Kennel Club is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. Established in 1877, Westminster's influence has been felt for more than a century through its famous all-breed, benched dog show held every year at New York City'sMadison Square Garden. Today, America's dog show has expanded into Westminster Week which includes the Masters Agility Championship at Westminster and the Masters Obedience Championship at Westminster, both held at Piers 92/94. More than 3,000 dogs from the US and abroad makes Westminster Week like no other. Westminster. There's only one. Visit us at: www.westminsterkennelclub.org or follow @WKCDOGS.

Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline  
YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard  
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunardline

Media Assets
Cunard photography is available online at www.cunard3queens.com.

For additional information about Cunard, contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard, 661-753-1035, jchase@cunard.com
Maria Andriano, MGA Media Group, 212-251-1015, maria@mgamediagroup.com  

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SOURCE Cunard Line