Emotional Support Animals No Longer Allowed on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships

[Robo1098]

These dog threads seem to get a lot of attention and lots of posts with people feeling very strongly about it. I know I haven't been on as many cruises as most here (10 on RCI) but I've only seen a couple of dogs and they have never affected me in the least. I could be wrong but out of the 2 to 6 thousand people on a ship how many dogs are people encountering? It seems like it shouldn't be such a big deal to see a dog even if its in a stroller. I would be more bothered by a guy in a tank top and swim suite than a dog as long as the dog is quiet. I don't think a cruise ship is a good place for a dog and would never think of bringing my dog. I love my dog but it wouldn't be fair to her anyway.

[ryano]

As an owner of a legit service dog, this is the best news Ive read in a long long time. People that bring their ill mannered, untrained PETS onboard under the disguise of a "emotional support animal" give us all a bad name. Kudos Royal Caribbean. Now ENFORCE it!

[renata102]

I was very happy to see this on the news today. It will cut out the dogs in strollers on ships.

 

:o I sure have missed a lot since my last cruise

[Don'tNeedAName]

However, it is important to remember two things: not all disabilities are VISIBLE, and the ADA does recognize psychiatric service animals. So this policy will hopefully help discourage people without legitimate disabilities from bringing emotional service animals on board, but please remember not to judge anyone who has an animal and looks 'normal' or 'typical' because you do not know what disability they may have.

 

YES! Although I don't have personal experience with service animals, one of my closest friends was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and had numerous painful surgeries, steroid treatments, time in wheelchairs, etc. prior to even hitting high school. He had (potentially still has, I don't actually know right now) a disabled parking permit, but would rarely use it. However, on more than one occasion back when we were in high school, if he was driving us around and he parked in a disabled spot, some self-righteous jerk would come over demanding that he move or otherwise chastising him. All they saw was a few high school aged kids getting out of a car, and couldn't comprehend with their limited brainpower that (unlike themselves) disabilities do not discriminate. They had no idea what he had been through.

 

So the people that are actually abusing the system really make me angry not because I don't want to be around their dogs (I have two big dogs and love spending time around just about any dog), but because it fosters distrust for those in legitimate need. And often that distrust turns into people acting out and making things more difficult for people who are just trying to live their lives, and may need a little help (parking permit, service animal, etc.) in doing so.

[steveru621]

The big difference is that the cruise line is only governed by the ADA which specifically excludes ESA's, while the airlines are governed by the ACAA (Air Carrier's Accessibility Act), which specifically allows ESA's.

 

Wow everything is more complicated then it seems from one perspective.

 

How does ACAA coexist with Delta's new policies? Seems like there is some leeway.

 

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-delta-pit-bulls-20180622-story.html

[robntawn]

As an owner of a legit service dog, this is the best news Ive read in a long long time. People that bring their ill mannered, untrained PETS onboard under the disguise of a "emotional support animal" give us all a bad name. Kudos Royal Caribbean. Now ENFORCE it!

 

 

 

This^^

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[RocketMan275]

Always wanted to bring my 190 pound Emotional Support Great Dane. She would have absolutely loved the Windjammer.

[SarcasmSpasm]

These dog threads seem to get a lot of attention and lots of posts with people feeling very strongly about it. I know I haven't been on as many cruises as most here (10 on RCI) but I've only seen a couple of dogs and they have never affected me in the least. I could be wrong but out of the 2 to 6 thousand people on a ship how many dogs are people encountering? It seems like it shouldn't be such a big deal to see a dog even if its in a stroller. I would be more bothered by a guy in a tank top and swim suite than a dog as long as the dog is quiet. I don't think a cruise ship is a good place for a dog and would never think of bringing my dog. I love my dog but it wouldn't be fair to her anyway.

 

For me anyway, it’s more about the self-righteousness of people trying to scam the system. I’m a HUGE dog lover (and have a loveable pug). But I abide by the rules and I suck it up and pay a fortune to board him when I’m going on vacation. It’s just something I have to account for when I budget for a trip. It annoys me that others don’t want to leave/pay to board their animal so they make up a justification.

 

I’m really happy to see this change from royal!

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

I am happy to hear this, but I don't have much faith that they will enforce the new policy or challenge anyone. They can't even control the chair hogs at the pool. Only one time was I discussed by a dog and his owner, and that was in CHOPS. The dog was on this lady's lap and she was hand feeding her little Yorkie and giving it kisses on the mouth at the table next to us, and talking to it like it was her little baby. Her poor husband just sat there quietly and ate his dinner, and she never said one word to him the entire meal.

 

I have seen several service dogs on different ships, and they all had on a vest with "Please Don't pet me, I'm working" and they all just sat under the table or quietly beside the person they are helping, well behaved and not phased by their surroundings (True service/working dogs).

[Retired LEO]

I disagree. I saw a beautiful scene unfold this summer at a national park lodge in Montana. A man attempted to check in with his "service dog." The manager informed him that they do not allow emotional support animals and only true service animals could stay there. After stating he was allowed to stay at Yellowstone and still being denied he became very belligerent and asked for a higher up. The manager explained he was as high up as there was and the dog was not staying. Never underestimate the power of management that has the guts to take a stand.

That's exactly my point. Many of those that bring fluffy onboard are top cruisers. The reason they can sail so often is because their pets are allowed. They admit that they don't want pay kennel fees.

 

Will RCI have the guts to tell them that their pooch is no longer allowed? We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully they'll stand their ground no matter who it is. I'm totally for it.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

[chengkp75]

Wow everything is more complicated then it seems from one perspective.

 

How does ACAA coexist with Delta's new policies? Seems like there is some leeway.

 

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-delta-pit-bulls-20180622-story.html

 

ACAA, while recognizing that ESA's can fly uncrated in an airline cabin, does not protect the owner to the same degree that the ADA does, in other words, there are no restrictions on what questions the airlines can ask about the dog, its behavior, and its training. Under the ACAA, the airline is specifically allowed to ask for documentation for ESA's. Also, the airlines are allowed to disallow ESA's that "pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others". ACAA rules are much more flexible than the ADA rules.

[pmfan]

As an owner of a legit service dog, this is the best news Ive read in a long long time. People that bring their ill mannered, untrained PETS onboard under the disguise of a "emotional support animal" give us all a bad name. Kudos Royal Caribbean. Now ENFORCE it!

 

Well said! :)

[negc]

That's exactly my point. Many of those that bring fluffy onboard are top cruisers. The reason they can sail so often is because their pets are allowed. They admit that they don't want pay kennel fees.

 

Will RCI have the guts to tell them that their pooch is no longer allowed? We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully they'll stand their ground no matter who it is. I'm totally for it.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

 

Well, I am Pinnacle and don't know of any other Pinnacles that bring their dogs onboard.

Not that there are none, but the only people I have seen with dogs onboard are also not in the Concierge or suite lounge, so who knows how high a status they have, However, I have seen a number of folks walking around with their dogs dressed up with bows in their hair and being pushed in strollers. Last week on Harmony there was a woman sitting near us at Chops who had her dog in a carrier and it was on the floor beside her table. Later on that night she was at a slot machine in the casino, while the dog was beside her in the carrier on the floor. Should I have asked if she was a top cruiser? I think you are painting with a broad brush.

[reallyitsmema]

That's exactly my point. Many of those that bring fluffy onboard are top cruisers. The reason they can sail so often is because their pets are allowed. They admit that they don't want pay kennel fees.

 

Will RCI have the guts to tell them that their pooch is no longer allowed? We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully they'll stand their ground no matter who it is. I'm totally for it.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app

 

There is a Pinnacle dog on Anthem, pretty sure it is the one that left a deposit at Guest Services. Hopefully, this will be the end of this dog on Anthem. Poor dog is going to miss its behind the scenes tours though, he was in a bag during the theater tour last time we took it.

[creel5857]

We have a relative who is completely blind due to auto accident and has traveled with his trained service dog on vacation without issues. BUT that being said we also have seen wild blizzar animals that are ridiculous such as a peacock in Atlanta airport, a large tiger looking cat animal on the last cruise ship and a small pig in a restaurant in virginia with a label around neck “support animal”........glad someone is putting their foot down as it has gotten ridiculous

[swoopy2110]

Fantastic news.

 

 

It's about time this rediculous practise was put the bed over the entire industry

[Beachin2]

If the cruise line isn't allowed to ask much or ask for certification, how could they possibly tell the difference and enforce this with any consistency?

 

 

I'm all for putting "fluffy" on the beach while happily allowing the legitimate ones aboard.

[Ilikeboats]

Glad they have done this. I from time to time see service dogs in casinos!! I feel so bad for them.

[c-boy]

I don’t know the answer to that question. I know people that have paid for he certificate and the Vest for their dog though, and they claim that the dog is a service animal. So I guess the form looks official enough.

wow this will be interesting to watch how this unfolds

[LauraS]

Check out the latest Royal Caribbean News from Cruise Critic:

 

Emotional Support Animals No Longer Allowed on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships

[taglovestocruise]

about time. 90 % probably fake need.

[maryjaden]

I am glad to see this new policy. As far as enforcement goes, we shall see. However, as the ADA does not issue certificates, someone trying to board with a certificate (mostly likely purchased off the internet ) should raise a flag....

[LMaxwell]

Good no more drunks shoving their yappy snappy untrained unsafe pets in my kids face.

[TEXASMUNK]

In order to bring a service dog, it will require certification. There are limited numbers of professional organizations accredited to issue certification. Any one could go online and buy a bogus "support dog" certificate. This new policy will slam the door on the bogus fur baby certificate. So glad!!!!

adding: Just spoke to our dog trainer ( stubborn great Dane puppy), she is a service dog trainer and thinks this decision is outstanding.

[CrossBluePerchance]

My support giraffe and I will be on decks 6, 7 & 8. Simultaneously.