Questor3000A

They did not want me to go on the stairs down below, because they were not sure if we can handle it. In USMC on security team, i used to sail down them. Jumper handled it well.

Philip, welcome to the thread and thanks for sharing your experiences onboard the Dream with your Service Dog "Jumper!" It sounds like you handled all the challenges really well.

 

We also enjoyed our Carnival cruises with Brenda and I wouldn't hesitate to go back onboard one of their ships. We had some challenges with the pottybox but it didn't take long for the Hotel Manager to correct them and also had some difficulties with some rowdy teenagers but Carnival did their best to meet the challenges and make everyone happy and, as we all know, that's not always an easy thing to do!!!!!

 

Let us know when you cruise again.

My Carnival Dream,

I was completely exhausted from traveling from NYC the day we arrived at the port. We were out of the house at 4:30 AM and in the car by 4:45 to LGA/NYC Airport. Our flight arrived and gated on time and we were met by our driver from Mears. We managed to make a stop at the local 711 to pick up to cases of soda to keep in the room and make the port early. We were pointed toward the VIP line having medical equipment and medication with us. Jumper, my service dog was excited and everyone including the port staff were asking to pet him. Within 15 minutes we were walking to the gangway. On a side note, they asked people to raise their hands who were members of the military or veterans. Being a disabled veteran from the USMC and a 911 rescue worker I raised mine, and port staff applauded us, and even managed to give us hugs. I was taken back by that and that is something I will never forget.

I was told to report the the guest services desk and spoke with the purser who called the head of housekeeping who asked us where we wanted the service dog's litter box. I said not on the balcony and we had it put on the lifeboat deck, away from where people can throw cigarette butts in it and away from crew lounging areas so they did not use it as a giant ashtray. We were told our room was ready, and we were shown around the ship. being TBI, it took awhile to come out of overload, and thank goodness we got to our room pretty quickly. The first thing I did was take a cold shower and called room service for smoked salmon, in NY called a bagel lox and cream cheese sandwich. Within 15 minutes, the hotel staff brought it and I signed the slip. To my chagrin it said, it was costing Zero. I was told that it was a part of the fare. I was so surprised, and happy. He also got ice for the two cases of coke.

We were given the schedule and went to the LIDO deck, we had some great lunch food and had our departure party. We already had our spa services scheduled that night, so we both went for our massages. I was in bliss and slept like a baby that night. Woke up early to catch the son rise at sea. That was something i lived for on watch while in the USMC. Even jumper settled in very quickly and was eating, drinking and loving the cruise.

That morning, we pulled into Nassau/Bahamas. We were scheduled for a para-sailing. I made sure jumpers vaccination and service dog ID were with me in my wallet with the passport. Trying to leave, security told me to go to guest services, I was pissed that they would not let me off, but within two hours port authorities gave jumper his visa. Security wanted to make sure my service dog was not taken from me by port authorities, and that he was cleared. In hindsight, the cruise director Todd Whitmore, the ships XO and port agents busted the rear ends to make sure things happened for us. However, the tour operator in Nassau was pissing me off because he did not want the dog on-board, and US laws such as the ADA does not apply.

The excursions director promised that I would para-sail and he made that happen. In Saint Thomas, they booked the boat for just the two of us. That meant, they had to purchase two extra tickets. I did not have to pay for them. I felt that was unreasonable to carnival and they insisted. I felt bad, but I purposely blew that amount in the casino. So they did not lose it. As all of you know, Saint Thomas is a US possession, and mostly follows most federal laws including the ADA within reason.

Next stop, Saint Marteen. We booked the jeep tour, being seizure free for a year I have my license and drove. Fun....We loved it. It was true paradise. One last excursion, the behind the fund tour, they had some checking to do, but we were allowed on it. Jumper went, but we were waiting outside of the food prep areas, that is understandable. We had a group and individual photo with the old man. Loved it, the logistics of these cruises are amazing. Almost on par with active duty operations of an LST or aircraft carrier. The sheer amount of activity and advance planning/

In retrospect, the crews are respectful and very appreciative of their customers and the Americans as well as international tourists. I even had one of the entertainers who is local to me, come to dinner in the MDR thanks to the CD for making it happen. This was by far the best vacation ever. Despite the rug rats running around, making noise and blowing UP carbon dioxide bags and throwing them at passengers, and the minor spatt in Nassau, which I will never recommend to another person with a disability who uses a service dog, this by far has been even better than staying on-site at WDW. Carnival went above and beyond to make sure we had a good time. Unlike Nassau, we have the ADA in the US, as such access challenges always get answered by me if repeated in a court of law. Therefore, because of peoples ignorance and prejudice I will be going another carnival cruise real soon. And it will be the dream again.

Philip Kirschner

Cabin 8255/ Dream Aug 14, 2010