Unusual Stowaway: Cat Smuggled Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas

In a surprising turn of events, a passenger managed to smuggle a pet cat aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas, leading to an unexpected quarantine and eventual adoption of the feline. This incident sheds light on the stringent rules regarding what passengers can bring onto cruise ships, specifically highlighting the prohibition of pet cats.

The story, which ended happily, unfolded during a nearly three-week journey from Hawaii to Sydney. The cat’s presence came to light when it was found in a guest’s cabin. The identity of the guest involved remains undisclosed, and it’s still a mystery how the cat managed to evade security checks.

The discovery was made during a standard inspection by New Zealand officials, who were initially searching for banned plants or fruit. Their surprise at finding a cat instead underlines the unusual nature of this incident.

Biosecurity experts were subsequently involved in assessing the situation. Royal Caribbean International took responsibility for the expenses incurred for the cat’s care. It’s important to note that cruise ships typically have strict policies against live animals, pets, and certain other items, with the exception of service animals.

This occurrence is a rare instance of a non-service animal being found on a cruise ship. Earlier this year, Carnival Cruise Line had to clarify its policy regarding service dogs, reflecting the evolving nature of policies on animals aboard cruise ships. The adoption of the cat, as announced by Royal Caribbean’s President and CEO Michael Bayley in a Facebook post, adds a positive ending to this unusual cruise ship tale.