Dog on ship

Just off the Enchantment, a "service" dog crapped on the carpet in the casino.

Gross!

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Since they have themed cruises, how awesome would it be to have just one cruise a dog friendly cruise?

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The fact that multiple people were carrying the dog is the clue here.

 

Its so frustrating that people have to ruin things for others by taking advantage like this.

Lots of people have big dogs which they miss when they are on a cruise and it is unfair on them when people bring their small dogs on board.

And then there are those of us with dog allergies that can end in an Asthma attack, depending on the type of dog. Whose needs should get preference?

Just off the Enchantment, a "service" dog crapped on the carpet in the casino.

Gross!

 

 

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Unusual for a service dog and unfortunate for people in the casino and probably distressing for the owner.

I just got off the Explorer with a couple who carried around a toy poodle dressed in a full outfit with shoes and a hat. They claimed he was an emotional support animal. That is crap, they just wanted the dog with them.

I think the cruise lines should be able to see proof that an animal is a service dog before allowing animals on the ship.

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And then there are those of us with dog allergies that can end in an Asthma attack, depending on the type of dog. Whose needs should get preference?

Good point.

I just got off the Explorer with a couple who carried around a toy poodle dressed in a full outfit with shoes and a hat. They claimed he was an emotional support animal. That is crap, they just wanted the dog with them.

 

I think the cruise lines should be able to see proof that an animal is a service dog before allowing animals on the ship.

 

 

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I agree.

My niece has a service dog for epilepsy. However, my sister would never take her on a cruise due to her condition.

ETA: you would never know by looking at her

I agree.

After 45 cruises i have only seen 1 guide dog ( service dog) and no comfort dogs so maybe it is predominantly in the US that this occurs.

I have a buddy that has a fox as a pet. If a dog can pass as an 'emotional support' animal, why can't his fox? Or my other friend's bunny? Some folks actually have pigs. Should RCL prevent someone on ship with their pig?

I have a buddy that has a fox as a pet. If a dog can pass as an 'emotional support' animal, why can't his fox? Or my other friend's bunny? Some folks actually have pigs. Should RCL prevent someone on ship with their pig?

We could open a can of worms with this lol.

From Royal Caribbean's website: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=service_animals

To me, this reads as if all a person has to do is say the dog is a service animal. Not sure I think that is right.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Royal Caribbean International welcomes service dogs on all ships.* Please note we do not accept pets.

A service dog is defined as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability." Service dogs are not considered pets.

Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required (such as identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses and/or tags or the credible verbal assurance of the person with a disability using the dog).

We provide 4 feet by 4 feet relief areas with cypress mulch to accommodate service dogs. Sod for sailings from the U.S. can be provided if ordered in advance and is available. Relief areas are provided on a shared basis with other service dogs onboard. Please note that Central Park on OasisSM class ships is not designated as a relief area.

Please notify our Access Department at time of booking but no later than 30 days prior to sailing if a service dog relief area is needed.

Service dogs are permitted to accompany the person with a disability in all public areas, including dining venues. While in public areas, service dogs must be on a leash, harness or other restraining device. Due to health regulations, service dogs are not permitted in pools, whirlpools or spas.

Care and supervision of the service dog is the sole responsibility of the owner. The ships are not required to provide food or care for the dog.

Guests may bring a reasonable quantity of food and bowls for the dog onboard the ship at no additional charge. If refrigerated space is needed, notify our Access Department at time of booking but no later than 30 days prior to sailing.

If the guest chooses to disembark the ship at a port at which the service dog must remain onboard, the guest must make arrangements to ensure that the dog is cared for. Note that the ship's staff is not required to care for the dog, nor can the dog be left in the stateroom unattended.

Guests are responsible for obtaining all required documents for the animal to depart the ship in ports of call and at final destination. For document requirements, visit:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture website at: http://awic.nal.usda.gov/companion-animals/travel-and-transport
  
• Hawaii Department of Agriculture website at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/guide-service-dogs/
  
• UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs website at: https://www.gov.uk/defra
  

A copy of these permits must be carried on the ship, and a copy left with Guest Relations Desk upon boarding the ship.

Please not all documentation and immunization requirements are established by government authorities and not Royal Caribbean International. Please note requirements are subject to change without notice.

Guests are responsible for the behavior or damage caused by their service dog. A cleaning fee may be charged to the guest's shipboard account.

If the service dog's behavior creates a fundamental alteration or a direct threat to safety, the dog may be denied boarding or removed from the ship along with the owner at the guest's expense. Examples include: growling, barking excessively, initiating unsolicited contact, biting other guests and/or crewmembers, failure to use designated relief areas, sitting on furniture, eating from the table, etc.

If you have an animal that does not meet the definition of a service animal (i.e. a dog trained to perform a task) but must accompany you in order to assist you with your disability, please contact our Access Department at least 60 days prior to sailing.

Assistance Dogs to the United Kingdom (UK)

Assistance dogs entering the United Kingdom must meet the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme.

You are responsible for ensuring your assistance dog meets all these rules. Please make sure you have had the procedures carried out in the correct order and your dog's documentation is correctly completed.

We will do our best to assist you in ensuring your assistance dog is checked for compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme at boarding. Please note dogs that fail checks will not be allowed to sail.

If you experience a problem with your documentation upon entry into the United Kingdom, then any related costs for either the quarantine of or re-export of your pet will be entirely your responsiblity.

In general, you will need a pet passport (for guests from UK and EU) or official third country veterinary certificate (for guests from the U.S. and other countries outside the UK and EU) showing the dog has been micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies, and treated against tapeworm not less than 24 hours, and not more than 120 hours before arrival in the UK (not required if travelling from Ireland, Finland, Malta or Norway).

Pet Passport and Third Country Certificates must be signed, dated and stamped by an Official Veterinarian; this may be different than your local veterinarian. This usually takes extra time.

Tapeworm treatment should be arranged at the next to last port of call prior to entry to the UK just in case for any reason the scheduled treatment cannot be done, there is another opportunity to arrange a treatment at the next port of call.

For more information:

• Visit the DEFRA website at: www.gov.uk/defra
  
• Contact the Pet Travel Scheme Helpline: Telephone: +44 (0) 370 241 1710 - Monday to Friday - 8 AM to 6 PM UK time (closed Bank Holidays)E-mail: pettravel@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk - please include your postal address and a day time telephone number
  
• Consult your veterinarian
  

For some reason, American companies are absolutely terrified to challenge anyone who brings an animal with them anywhere. The ADA is broad, but it is not unlimited.

first thing first. there is a big difference between "service animal" and "support animal"

a service animal is a licensed and well trained animal while a "support animal" is a animal that is someone got a certificate saying they need it, most commonly emotional support animal which can be done over the internet for a few hundred dollars. support animals are hugely abused. while searching for a new apartment few years ago, the person working on behalf of the apartment company informed me that if i want a dog to get it certified and by law they cannot even attempt to do anything to stop it even if the property was no pets allowed because they are protected by law. also, the law prohibits anyone from charging more or denying them service because of both support and service animals. so if royal charged more or denied someone or their support dog they would have a lawsuit on their hands.

i know all this cause i got myself a little puggy and i had to travel with him on the plane on a move and refused to abuse the system (wierdly got treated as a second class citizen by some airline staff because he wasnt a support dog, which i paid a ton of money to have him go, paperwork filled with USDA and stayed in his carrier then entire time, didnt bark once, had the best nap of his life :P and trust me if i had a choice i wouldnt put any animal through that situation but it was that or give him up which is not happening!)

For some reason, American companies are absolutely terrified to challenge anyone who brings an animal with them anywhere. The ADA is broad, but it is not unlimited.

IMO guide dogs are essential for blind or partially blind people.

Everybody's dog is a comfort dog to them but that is no justification for bringing them on board.

For some reason, American companies are absolutely terrified to challenge anyone who brings an animal with them anywhere. The ADA is broad, but it is not unlimited.

Exactly. And the attorneys have their claws out all too ready to sue.

Please, please use caution when judging what might or might not be a service animal and who may need it.

 

My son served in Iraq and Afghanistan and has severe PTSD and yes he does have a emotional support dog that is a pit bull but has been trained to help with his anxiety attacks. Unfortunately because of individuals that have trained that breed to be mean he is unable to travel with his dog.

 

Yes there are those who take advantage but you never know what someone has been through.

 

 

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I was thinking of this very thing when I began to read the thread. My Kindergarteners actually raised $ this year to help train service dogs for soldiers. It occurred to me any size dog might be sensitive to the needs of a vet suffering PTSD. I also caution everyone to withhold judgment.

However, I also realize there are people who feel they are above the rules. It irritates me because it can make life harder for those who really need their dog with them.

Once when I was having my nails done prior to a cruise I was telling someone the only negative about cruising was missing my dog. She told me exactly how to get her registered as a comfort dog so I could take her with me! I was shocked and said I just couldn't do that.

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Exactly. And the attorneys have their claws out all too ready to sue.

Barking mad IMO.

We could open a can of worms with this lol.

You can only open it if they are emotional support worms. :D

Here is the key section from the ADA:

Titles II and III of the ADA makes it clear that service animals are allowed in public facilities and accommodations. A service animal must be allowed to accompany the handler to any place in the building or facility where members of the public, program participants, customers, or clients are allowed. Even if the business or public program has a “no pets” policy, it may not deny entry to a person with a service animal. Service animals are not pets. So, although a “no pets” policy is perfectly legal, it does not allow a business to exclude service animals.

When a person with a service animal enters a public facility or place of public accommodation, the person cannot be asked about the nature or extent of his disability. Only two questions may be asked:

1. Is the animal required because of a disability?

2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

These questions should not be asked, however, if the animal’s service tasks are obvious. For example, the questions may not be asked if the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling a person’s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability.

A public accommodation or facility is not allowed to ask for documentation or proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal. Local laws that prohibit specific breeds of dogs do not apply to service animals.

A place of public accommodation or public entity may not ask an individual with a disability to pay a surcharge, even if people accompanied by pets are required to pay fees. Entities cannot require anything of people with service animals that they do not require of individuals in general, with or without pets. If a public accommodation normally charges individuals for the damage they cause, an individual with a disability may be charged for damage caused by his or her service animal.

https://adata.org/publication/service-animals-booklet

https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

Royal Caribbean has made the business decision to not contest persons showing up for a cruise with an "Emotional Support Animal." RCI, as most businesses, go out of their way to avoid major arguments. We have all seen people holding cute little animals and we can probably imagine what would happen if RCI refused to board the animal. Screaming and yelling might be a mild way to explain it.

But keep this in mind because it is important!

The ADA is an American Law and does not apply on a foreign flagged ship nor at any of the ports that are visited!

Almost all ports/countries have restrictions on bringing animals in and most will not allow animals ashore without previous arrangements.

There was a veteran on our last cruise and she had a small dog that was for PTSD therapy

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Train man-2,

You are incorrect about ships under foreign flags are not regulated by ADA. There was a court case against Carnival, registered in the Bahamas, who lost the case because Carnival said because of the foreign flag they don't have to follow ADA and the courts ruled against Carnival because they sail in to American ports.

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There was a veteran on our last cruise and she had a small dog that was for PTSD therapy

 

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Which is perfectly acceptable. Problem is too many of the so called emotional support dogs nowadays are bogus. If I stepped in dog poo in my pricey loafers or worse yet bare feet I would not be happy.

Barking mad IMO.

Yes it is !