I am seeking one-way passage, via either luxury cruise or freight
cruise, from any US port (Texas, Louisiana, or Florida would be best)
to any Netherlands port for two adults, luggage, and two 40-pound
Border Collies.  Travel needs to take place in December 2005 and
should not exceed 14 days.  The only luxury liner I've found that
takes pets is Cunard on the QM2 or QE2, but they do not have travel
scheduled to this destination in the winter.  Every freight cruise
I've found (i.e., on freighter ships that usually accommodate between
4-12 paying passengers -- see www.freightercruises.com for an example)
does not allow pets.  We have travel crates for the dogs.  Our goal is
to transport ourselves and the dogs to the Netherlands without
subjecting them to being in the baggage hold of an airplane, since
both dogs are older.  Airplane cabin would be fine, of course, but we
can't spend more than $4000 (i.e., can't charter a plane!).  Thanks
for your help.

You might want to rethink this.  We have traveled with our large lab
several times with him in the cargo part of the airplane, and it has
worked out well.  The time spent flying to Amsterdam (from the east
coast, probably no more than six hours) compared to the 10 - 14 days
spent at sea -- ESPECIALLY during December, when it is apt to be rough
-- could make it a lot harder on your dogs.  Dogs definitely get
seasick!

Dear svbluemoose,

Thanks very much for your input!