I can spend a fair amount of money on this. Are there any websites where I can connect with ships, sailors, or other potentially helpful organizations / individuals (private or commercial) who might provide this service?
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
A charter flight would be your best bet. NYC to Paris will run you about $60-70k, that can accomodate about a dozen passengers so the cost goes down dramatically if you can find some people to share the flight (and the cost). Take a train to your final destination. If you bring friends or family with you, they can help with the luggage at this point. Bring as many pets or suitcases as you like - just inform the airline in advance. It'll be a very memorable experience too!
Many airlines allow small-medium pets on board, but unfortunately at 23kg (= 50 lbs) your dog is likely too big for that.
You could try searching for how people afraid of flying travel. May have some creative solutions.
1. Pet breeders know how to transport animals via air. And will have all the details at hand. Sometimes they also act as pet moving agents. Animals are precious cargo to them.
2. Rescue groups. I am familiar with a local hound rescue group and they often get rescued race hounds from all over the world that travel alone. My friend was mostly into Saluki hound rescue and they are often 50ish pounds. So approach rescue groups and ask them for guidance.
Best of luck.
If money is no object, private jet charter.
If flying is the problem, I think the cruise to Europe is probably the best. Designed for comfort, impervious to icebergs, probably not as slow as passage on a cargo ship.
Read the rules about international movement of dogs though.
I went with airlines and I can recommend Lufthansa myself fwiw.
I also recommend calling when booking the flight, since not all planes will take pets. You’ll need to pay extra for that.
Can't speak for southern europe but it was also nice cause we took our dogs everywhere, on the train, on the bus, etc. Hope that helps
I picked Air France because there was no layover and we’d all arrive and land at the same time. I wanted to be in the same flight with them at all times. They let me spend some time with them at CDG during the few hours stop.
I chose not to sedate my pets. I do not recommend it. But I speak for cats. Check with your vet. The pet cabin in the cargo belly is set up in terms of temperature and pressure for the pets comfort. You need to get airlines approved crates. Ours were comfortable enough for them to walk around and sleep. I did not feed them either. Because I did not want them to pee or throw up in the crate. But I left water. And I checked on them at CDG.
One thing tho’..and maybe this has changed now… I was asked to microchip them twice. Because the American format is different from the European standard. I also had to vaccinate them again closer to the date of departure.
You likely won’t have to jump as many hurdles as I had to because moving them from India required a lot more hoops. Between two western courtries should be fine as they’d likely accept each other’s pet passports.
If there were no other pets being flown, I could have possibly had them with me in the cabin. But my pets are vocal and everyone would have had a miserable time. Depending on your dog’s personality you could possibly book a seat or four for yourself but it won’t be pleasant for the dog. You’d probably be asked to muzzle your dog.
Having said that..chartered flight and possibly splitting costs with friends/family seems to be the better option. Good luck. Best wishes for a safe journey.