Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

We will be staying in cabin 1290 on the Celebrity Reflection. Is there anyway to get them to move the potty box closer to our cabin? I'm allergic to smoke and really loud noise makes me skiddish so going through the casino is something that I wouldn't be able to do. Also would we be able to bring grass to put in the box? We don't cruise till Feb 2016 so I'm hoping we'll be able to get them trained well before time to cruise.

 

What do you do when you want to go in the pool and hot tub?

 

How do I find out what documentation we need to get for each port?

 

TIA

On Celebrity Constellation for March 2015 they sent a form to complete for bringing a service dog. It said that they supply cedar mulch but that sod could be available if requested in advance for cruises leaving from and returning to USA.

When we went in 2014 they did not give a choice. It was mulch, but the dog didn't like it so they pulled out some sod they had on hand, but the sod was moldy and the grass in it was brown. The dog still preferred it even with the mold.

Hope this helps.

Last year (Feb 2014) Celebrity put the relief box on deck 4, starboard, forward on the Constellation. This year when we made our reservation they sent a form asking what type of filler we wanted for the box. Last year we didn't have a choice.

Same location when we were on Constellation. When we booked Reflection for next December, I was advised Deck 5 forward for the bigger Solstice class ship on their outdoor promenade.

Again, I will say; don't overthink it. Cruising with your Service Dog is just another mode of transportation. Get the potty box situated and your done!

Be careful when approaching the potty box on Celebrity, they like to wash down the area early in the morning, before most folks are up and this can make the deck slippery to walk on. Nothing can ruin a cruise faster than a fall on deck!!!! :(

Also, remember, the Hotel Manager is the go-to person when you're unhappy with the placement of the box.

Oh Roz, I just love your stories! When I read about the chair incident I almost spit coffee all over my monitor!

For class yesterday, we went to the beach at Ponce Inlet (near Daytona, Florida) I wasn't sure how well I'd be able to move in the sand either walking or with my rollator. So I didn't work with a dog, but took photos.

I got over 400+ photos. I'm editing them and picking out good ones. I'll likely post them later if anyone wants to see them. We all had such fun. :)

We talk here often about fake service dogs and how Canine Companions has been leading the way to stop this type of fraud. (Thank you CCI!)

Getting ready for our next cruise. I really applaud Holland America Line's Access & Compliance Department for their four-page Service Animal Information Form sent when you advise you are bringing your dog. Much more detailed and to the point than Celebrity's was for our first cruise with the dog in December. They ask that you send it back as soon as possible.

HAL clearly states: "Service animals are guide dogs, signal dogs or other dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability...," and then goes on to ask what tasks your dog is trained to do.

They ask if it is certified and require that you provide them a copy in advance of vaccination records (and of course bring them to the pier along with individual countries' requirements.) They ask the name, age, color and breed of the dog as well.

I was so happy to fill it out and send it back with PDFs of my dog's records, and I am sure anyone partnered with a legitimate service dog is very willing to comply.

It probably won't stop people from trying to cruise with their pets, but it's a step in the right direction. Maybe a signal that the lines will begin to take the fakes seriously enough to have documentation they can use to actually eject people who tell lies on the form.

Not my future dog, but Jinx was just so cute!

Okay, posting a bigger version. I'm really working on post-production as I'll be taking the photos for this coming weekend's graduation.

Lucky dog to be on the beach in the sun! :)

Cindra

The Golden Girls:

http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/Hollykins2/media/Dog%20Classes/goldengirls.jpg.html

We were on the Solstice a few years ago. They put the potty box on the promenade deck down a corridor we called the "wind tunnel". Even the dog had trouble walking down to go potty. Just terrible.

Okay, posting a bigger version. I'm really working on post-production as I'll be taking the photos for this coming weekend's graduation.

 

 

 

Love the pics!

Love the pics!

Thanks! I had such fun. (and my prospective dog may be in some of the photos I shot, but I won't know for a little bit) I am working on editing all of them, and I'll post the link to the album on Photobucket. That way if anyone is bored and wants to see a bunch of service dogs at the beach, it'll be there. (and won't hog up space here)

Holly

Chris, we too are going on Hal Sunday. They always put the potty box on the promenade deck port side front. We have a front cabin, so its perfect for us. They seem to be good asking us to fill out paperwork, but I have heard many stories about fake dogs on the ships. I guess anyone can lie on a form. :-(:-(

Oh anothet foot of snow today. :-(:-( They can pile it next to the 29" we got the other day. :-( More snow Thursday and maybe some Sunday. ...not good!!!! Starting to stress!!

Cindy

Oh anothet foot of snow today. :-(:-( They can pile it next to the 29" we got the other day. :-( More snow Thursday and maybe some Sunday. ...not good!!!! Starting to stress!!

 

Cindy

More snow? Wow! Don't stress. Where are you leaving from port-wise?

We talk here often about fake service dogs and how Canine Companions has been leading the way to stop this type of fraud. (Thank you CCI!)

 

Getting ready for our next cruise. I really applaud Holland America Line's Access & Compliance Department for their four-page Service Animal Information Form sent when you advise you are bringing your dog. Much more detailed and to the point than Celebrity's was for our first cruise with the dog in December. They ask that you send it back as soon as possible.

 

HAL clearly states: "Service animals are guide dogs, signal dogs or other dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability...," and then goes on to ask what tasks your dog is trained to do.

 

They ask if it is certified and require that you provide them a copy in advance of vaccination records (and of course bring them to the pier along with individual countries' requirements.) They ask the name, age, color and breed of the dog as well.

 

I was so happy to fill it out and send it back with PDFs of my dog's records, and I am sure anyone partnered with a legitimate service dog is very willing to comply.

 

It probably won't stop people from trying to cruise with their pets, but it's a step in the right direction. Maybe a signal that the lines will begin to take the fakes seriously enough to have documentation they can use to actually eject people who tell lies on the form.

Getting as much information [within ADA guidelines] is exactly what I want to see happen.

I don't mind the cruise lines [or any other public entity] asking as many questions as they deem necessary. If they cross a line, with inappropriate questions, I'll let them know.

Again, if I see a "fake" in the public venue, I WILL CALL THEM OUT!!!!

The Golden Girls:

 

http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/Hollykins2/media/Dog%20Classes/goldengirls.jpg.html

I love the pictures. The Black Labs are so hard to see. They have such beautiful faces......It takes just the right lighting and photo taking to capture their expressions.

Thanks for sharing the great pictures. I love seeing these dogs having so much fun!

Some folks think that we work our dogs too much........they should see them on a daily basis. We get very playful and have a lot of fun in between the working time

Oh anothet foot of snow today. :-(:-( They can pile it next to the 29" we got the other day. :-( More snow Thursday and maybe some Sunday. ...not good!!!! Starting to stress!!

 

Cindy

I bet you're sick of the stuff!!!! :mad:

Chris, we too are going on Hal Sunday. They always put the potty box on the promenade deck port side front. We have a front cabin, so its perfect for us. They seem to be good asking us to fill out paperwork, but I have heard many stories about fake dogs on the ships. I guess anyone can lie on a form. :-(:-(

It was our last trip onboard the HAL Oosterdam that convinced me of where I wanted the box to be placed. The winds were the worst, the long walk to get to the box and the people who insisted on standing around watching.

I knew I wanted the box close to our cabin and on the inside. No more "weather conditions" to deal with.

It's why I've stuck to Princess........they know what I like, how I want the placement of the box, etc., etc. It works for me.

Oh! Sure! Sometimes, I still have to be insistent and request that the bag of filler be left near the box and that the box be ready and filled so that when I arrive onboard Horton can do his circle without the filler being displaced......It does get tiring but after the first few hours and with a meeting with my Steward and sometimes a manager or two.....everything is good!

Some ships [crew] "get it" faster than others.

Also, don't forget that on disembarkation [the morning that you're leaving the ship], remind them; to leave the box in place until you leave the ship. One time, they removed the box very early and we were delayed in departing due to a problem onboard and there was no place for Horton to go potty! It was a nightmare!!!! They made sure that I got off the ship with the very first crowd!!!!

More snow? Wow! Don't stress. Where are you leaving from port-wise?

Leaving from Ft Lauderdale

The Golden Girls:

 

http://s1181.photobucket.com/user/Hollykins2/media/Dog%20Classes/goldengirls.jpg.html

Great photos! Thanks so much for the link. I never get tired of service dog pics. We're at the beach, too, Hunting Island State Park near Beaufort, SC, to spend two nights in our RV by the ocean. Took pictures of my black beauty on the white sand this afternoon.

Chris, we too are going on Hal Sunday. They always put the potty box on the promenade deck port side front. We have a front cabin, so its perfect for us. They seem to be good asking us to fill out paperwork, but I have heard many stories about fake dogs on the ships. I guess anyone can lie on a form. :-(:-(

So glad location will be ideal for you.

Hope on my HAL April cruise it also will be port forward. We're right next to a port side door leading out to the deck about midship...stayed in the exact same stateroom once before and liked it (pre dog.)

Leaving from Ft Lauderdale

Then you must be in an area with snow and have to fly? Are you going the day of the cruise, or a day or so before?

So glad location will be ideal for you.

 

Hope on my HAL April cruise it also will be port forward. We're right next to a port side door leading out to the deck about midship...stayed in the exact same stateroom once before and liked it (pre dog.)

"Pre-Dog"......I don't remember my life before CCI came into it. I do remember that I never had "hair-flurries" in the corner of my kitchen or I could pick up any given object without black hair on or in it. I find myself blowing off the dishes or out the cup before I use it these days [or for the past 12 or so years!]

My clothing comes with dog hair on it. I've relinquished all my light colored pants or skirts or ever setting a table with a white/linen table cloth [perish the thought!] :eek:

Their hair is on my desk, in my computer, in my bed, on my toilet seat and in my shower, seriously.......??!! :rolleyes:

If the above turns you off in any way just think of a being that loves you unconditionally, no matter how you dress, what words come out of your mouth or what you may look like. No matter that you can't use your legs or arms, that your eyes are broken and your hearing gone. No matter that your hair is falling out, your skin has rashes and scars......NO MATTER.....This amazing being will love and adore you through your life together and that will ALWAYS FEEL SO DARN GOOD!!!!

Then you must be in an area with snow and have to fly? Are you going the day of the cruise, or a day or so before?

We are near Boston. Our flight leaves 8am day of the cruise.