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

[DUTRAVEL]

We went to CCI's Huate Dog Fashion Show - Horton Jeffrey won for the "Silliest Costume", he was Elvis [wig and all!] We won a $50 Gift Card and the most authentic looking Gold Medal [short of the Olympics] that I've ever seen [really cool!] I wasn't expecting to win anything, it was a really neat surprise, Horton's such a winner!

 

There were so many dogs.....from little "foo-foo's" in their bedazzled tu-tu's to huge dogs in lion costumes. There was a rescued Greyhound named "Clyde" who was so sweet and a gigantic St. Bernard named "Wellington" who had to leave early because he had just had surgery and couldn't stand too long.

 

There were lots of CCI dogs and the Grand Prize went to a beautiful Yellow Lab named "Nutella" who was dressed as a Peacock, so pretty!

 

There were about 14 of us in total from all parts of Calif. Best of all Marcia "Dobiemom", my son Lee and my friend Leah came to watch Horton win! Thank you guys for your amazing support! I love you all!

 

I would have loved to see that - congratulations to Horton. I bet he made a great Elvis.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

I would have loved to see that - congratulations to Horton. I bet he made a great Elvis.

 

Dianne

 

The "King" would have loved Horton's rendition of him!!!!!

[Quampapetet]

Ah, well I don't need to book an accessible room, so don't need to book early for that. My last two cruises, I got the rooms I wanted (aft wraps on Carnival, only I think six per ship that has them). (My first cruise, I just did a guarantee balcony.) I think I booked about nine months or so in advance.

 

 

Roz, you BETTER post a photo of Horton as Elvis!!!! :) (And I have to say, autocorrect kept correcting your name to Rozzano! LOL!)

 

 

I loved those guide puppy photos!

[fairbourne]

The "King" would have loved Horton's rendition of him!!!!!

 

He certainly would:

 

 

Horton Jeffrey Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog,

But he was The King of the Whole Wide World

With his Jailhouse Rock and Blue Suede Shoes

Stealing the show at the BH (HeartBreak) Hotel

How Great Thou Art thought his Mama Roz

She's Stuck on You, you big Teddy Bear

And we all can't help Falling In Love With You

 

But he was All Shook Up and wore his wig

All in the name of a good fashion gig

Thank goodness he wasn't In the Ghetto

Or a Devil In Disguise like some others there

They should have been at Las Vegas!

Horton you are Amazing Grace WOO HOO!

Giving us all Memories that's The Wonder of You!

 

 

:D:rolleyes::p:eek:;):D

[wizard-of-roz]

Ah, well I don't need to book an accessible room, so don't need to book early for that. My last two cruises, I got the rooms I wanted (aft wraps on Carnival, only I think six per ship that has them). (My first cruise, I just did a guarantee balcony.) I think I booked about nine months or so in advance.

 

 

Roz, you BETTER post a photo of Horton as Elvis!!!! :) (And I have to say, autocorrect kept correcting your name to Rozzano! LOL!)

 

 

I loved those guide puppy photos!

 

That's so funny......My friends at work call me Rozarella!!! Honestly, I think it was one of those days when they thought I was acting like a "Bridezilla!"♥

[wizard-of-roz]

He certainly would:

 

 

Horton Jeffrey Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog,

But he was The King of the Whole Wide World

With his Jailhouse Rock and Blue Suede Shoes

Stealing the show at the BH (HeartBreak) Hotel

How Great Thou Art thought his Mama Roz

She's Stuck on You, you big Teddy Bear

And we all can't help Falling In Love With You

 

But he was All Shook Up and wore his wig

All in the name of a good fashion gig

Thank goodness he wasn't In the Ghetto

Or a Devil In Disguise like some others there

They should have been at Las Vegas!

Horton you are Amazing Grace WOO HOO!

Giving us all Memories that's The Wonder of You!

 

 

:D:rolleyes::p:eek:;):D

 

Very clever, my dear!!!!

[Caribbean Chris]

He certainly would:

 

 

Horton Jeffrey Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog,

But he was The King of the Whole Wide World

With his Jailhouse Rock and Blue Suede Shoes

Stealing the show at the BH (HeartBreak) Hotel

How Great Thou Art thought his Mama Roz

She's Stuck on You, you big Teddy Bear

And we all can't help Falling In Love With You

 

But he was All Shook Up and wore his wig

All in the name of a good fashion gig

Thank goodness he wasn't In the Ghetto

Or a Devil In Disguise like some others there

They should have been at Las Vegas!

Horton you are Amazing Grace WOO HOO!

Giving us all Memories that's The Wonder of You!

 

 

:D:rolleyes::p:eek:;):D

 

Now THAT'S funny! Loved the latest photos of the pups, Fairbourne!

 

Roz, what a hoot that event must have been! Big slurp of congratulations from Raylene to Horty. I'm sure he looked quite dashing as The King.

[wizard-of-roz]

Now THAT'S funny! Loved the latest photos of the pups, Fairbourne!

 

Roz, what a hoot that event must have been! Big slurp of congratulations from Raylene to Horty. I'm sure he looked quite dashing as The King.

 

Being the big, bold, handsome [male version] of Raylene, you can just imagine how striking he was as Elvis......As soon as I get some picture I promise to publish them so you can all see how amazing he was! Elvis would have been very proud!!!! ;)

[rangeley]

Roz, we need a pic of Horty!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

Roz, we need a pic of Horty!!!

 

Cindy, I don't have any pictures. CCI took many, many pictures. They promised to forward them to us. As soon as they do I promise to post some.

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Quampapetet]

I saw some photos from the costume contest on Instagram, but none of Horton were there - boo! I hope CCI sends you those photos soon.

[wizard-of-roz]

Trudy, I hope all is well with you. It's been so long since we've heard from you. I hope you're enjoying your time with your new pooch!

 

Marcia, It was good to see you. Did you have fun at the Doggie Fashion Show? Were you able to get any pictures of Horton and can you post them?

 

I'm so sorry I missed the CCI Workshop this year. I promising myself that I will go next year. It's always good to take refresher courses on working with our dogs!

[dobiemom]

Trudy, I hope all is well with you. It's been so long since we've heard from you. I hope you're enjoying your time with your new pooch!

 

Marcia, It was good to see you. Did you have fun at the Doggie Fashion Show? Were you able to get any pictures of Horton and can you post them?

 

I'm so sorry I missed the CCI Workshop this year. I promising myself that I will go next year. It's always good to take refresher courses on working with our dogs!

I took pics (and a video) of Horton, but have not had a chance to look at them. Work has been so crazy I've just been brain-dead by the time I get home. I'll try to get to them this week.

[wizard-of-roz]

I took pics (and a video) of Horton, but have not had a chance to look at them. Work has been so crazy I've just been brain-dead by the time I get home. I'll try to get to them this week.

 

Now, there's a condition that I can thoroughly relate to....."Brain dead!" I totally understand. Thanks Marcia ♥

[Tee & Chilli]

I located a great last minute cruise. I leave in 19 days. I have an international health certificate from last year (Dec 2013). Can I use this for entry into St. Maarten this year?

 

St. Thomas will not be a problem because they are covered under the ADA.

 

Thanks.

[Caribbean Chris]

I located a great last minute cruise. I leave in 19 days. I have an international health certificate from last year (Dec 2013). Can I use this for entry into St. Maarten this year?

 

St. Thomas will not be a problem because they are covered under the ADA.

 

Thanks.

 

I'll be interested in any replies because we are going in December on a cruise. I have read Jet Blue and other info which says the certificate has to be issued within 14 days of arrival.

 

I'm going to get one, but since St. Maarten is late into our 9 day cruise, it will be almost impossible to get one issued, sent to our state office for validating and returned to me during the time limit (and then we drive to Florida, a few days more.) if I don't take the dog ashore, no biggie. I'll spend the planned lunch money on the ship instead.:)

 

Meanwhile, I've seen notes on St. Thomas, USVI that says the rabies needs to be within a year. My dog had a three-year vaccine so doesn't qualify. We're going to St. Croix/USVI on our cruise and lived there for many years. No one ever cared about any documentation whatsoever at the airport arriving. We'll find out if the cruise port gets sticky about a three-year, but I think a current Health Certificate will be useful (I do not plan to re-vaccinate her.).

 

By the way, yes - the USVI is under the ADA, but trust me when I say you should not assume they handle any official business the same way you expect or are accustomed to in the mainland US. It may not be third world, but it is an area (which we love) that is more aligned with Caribbean ways sometimes.

 

Here's a small bit of advice. If you are ever speaking with anyone in authority in the Caribbean, begin by politely saying "Good morning" or afternoon, versus launching into any conversation. Then wait for their response. This is a tradition that marks you as a polite person worth speaking to. No one in the USVI would ever enter a room (such as a doctor's office waiting area) without saying a "Good Morning" to the group.

 

(And an aside - anyone who goes to Hawaii with a service dog on a cruise or otherwise needs to do research and prepare with required testing because it is NOT automatic. We met a very angry service dog partner who was not allowed to take her dog ashore from a Hawaii cruise last year. But it was her own fault for assuming.)

Edited October 28, 2014 by Caribbean Chris

[wizard-of-roz]

I located a great last minute cruise. I leave in 19 days. I have an international health certificate from last year (Dec 2013). Can I use this for entry into St. Maarten this year?

 

St. Thomas will not be a problem because they are covered under the ADA.

 

Thanks.

 

Tee, I really suggest that you visit your Vet's office and get a new IHC . The one you have is almost a year old [a lot can happen to a dog in one year!] You have 19 days, let the Vet's office know that you're on a deadline and need to update your IHC.

 

You would absolutely hate yourself for not making the effort and being told that your dog can not board the ship, and even if they let you board to find out that he/she can't get off in any ports!!!

 

I have NEVER seen a cruise ship that allowed a Service Dog to board with such an outdated form. What cruise line will you be on?

 

I wish you a wonderful cruise, please let us know how it goes!

[Tee & Chilli]

Hi Roz,

 

I'm sailing on Norwegian. After the USDA didn't have info on St. Maarten, I contacted a vet there on the island. If anyone is interested in the forms please send me your email address.

[wizard-of-roz]

I'll be interested in any replies because we are going in December on a cruise. I have read Jet Blue and other info which says the certificate has to be issued within 14 days of arrival.

 

I'm going to get one, but since St. Maarten is late into our 9 day cruise, it will be almost impossible to get one issued, sent to our state office for validating and returned to me during the time limit (and then we drive to Florida, a few days more.) if I don't take the dog ashore, no biggie. I'll spend the planned lunch money on the ship instead.:)

 

Meanwhile, I've seen notes on St. Thomas, USVI that says the rabies needs to be within a year. My dog had a three-year vaccine so doesn't qualify. We're going to St. Croix/USVI on our cruise and lived there for many years. No one ever cared about any documentation whatsoever at the airport arriving. We'll find out if the cruise port gets sticky about a three-year, but I think a current Health Certificate will be useful (I do not plan to re-vaccinate her.).

 

By the way, yes - the USVI is under the ADA, but trust me when I say you should not assume they handle any official business the same way you expect or are accustomed to in the mainland US. It may not be third world, but it is an area (which we love) that is more aligned with Caribbean ways sometimes.

 

Here's a small bit of advice. If you are ever speaking with anyone in authority in the Caribbean, begin by politely saying "Good morning" or afternoon, versus launching into any conversation. Then wait for their response. This is a tradition that marks you as a polite person worth speaking to. No one in the USVI would ever enter a room (such as a doctor's office waiting area) without saying a "Good Morning" to the group.

 

(And an aside - anyone who goes to Hawaii with a service dog on a cruise or otherwise needs to do research and prepare with required testing because it is NOT automatic. We met a very angry service dog partner who was not allowed to take her dog ashore from a Hawaii cruise last year. But it was her own fault for assuming.)

 

Chris, thank you for the great advice. It's always good to know the proper decorum in any given environment.

 

Your information about the USVI is invaluable for us travelers. And, the woman or anyone else who assumes they can bypass the rules for Hawaii and cruise travel with their SD is in for a rude awakening.

 

It's always best to follow ALL the mandated rules governed by any given port. If you have doubts as to what is expected in the port you will be visiting contact the cruise line direct; the country or port you'll be visiting; or ask your

Vet's office [sometimes they'll assist you in getting the information you need for travel.]

 

Also, Hawaii insists that the IHC be no more than 30 days old. And, that all immunizations, blood titers, microchips and paperwork be done by a USDA Accredited Vet. They remain tough on anyone bringing their dog [service Dogs onboard cruise ships included] into Hawaii.

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi Roz,

 

I'm sailing on Norwegian. After the USDA didn't have info on St. Maarten, I contacted a vet there on the island. If anyone is interested in the forms please send me your email address.

 

Tee, double and triple-check with NCL about boarding with your SD and the form that you have. Make sure that it's acceptable.

 

Again, I wish you a wonderful cruise.

 

NCL was amazing to Brenda. They had the best potty box [i've ever had on any cruise line] in a crew closet, right down the hall from our stateroom.

 

I haven't sailed on them in a few years but if they had the right itinerary and left out of San Pedro I might board them again.

[Quampapetet]

I located a great last minute cruise. I leave in 19 days. I have an international health certificate from last year (Dec 2013). Can I use this for entry into St. Maarten this year?

 

St. Thomas will not be a problem because they are covered under the ADA.

 

Thanks.

 

No, you cannot use an expired health certificate. They are only valid for ten days (as you will find written on the certificate itself). Some countries require certificates that were issued even more recent than that, such as the Bahamas who wants them within 48 hours of your trip.

 

The ADA has nothing to do with health certificates or dog import requirements. The ADA only refers to you being allowed everywhere everyone else is allowed even though you are accompanied by your service dog.

 

Even if you don't get off at any ports, you will still need a health certificate to get your dog off the ship at the end of the cruise.

[Quampapetet]

I'm going to get one, but since St. Maarten is late into our 9 day cruise, it will be almost impossible to get one issued, sent to our state office for validating and returned to me during the time limit (and then we drive to Florida, a few days more.) if I don't take the dog ashore, no biggie. I'll spend the planned lunch money on the ship instead.:)

 

Since you're on a cruise, the countries typically look at your cruise depart date as the date to go by for deadlines of health certificates. You can get endorsements done in person at your local USDA office (which may or may not be within driving distance to you - I drive about two hours to mine, I believe - you can see if the FL one is near where you will be, as well). Typically, if you do mail it in, you use overnight mail service and include the return envelope with pre-paid postage for overnight service. You could always get it sent to your FL hotel, too. St. Maarten is my least favorite island, but I think I would still get off the ship if I did another cruise that goes there. (When looking at cruises for next year, I did purposely stay away from ones that went there - and I won't even have dog paperwork to deal with due to being in between dogs at that time.)

 

(And an aside - anyone who goes to Hawaii with a service dog on a cruise or otherwise needs to do research and prepare with required testing because it is NOT automatic. We met a very angry service dog partner who was not allowed to take her dog ashore from a Hawaii cruise last year. But it was her own fault for assuming.)

 

Definitely her own fault! I was once on a plane where they put another "service dog" team (she was a faker) next to me and when I told the handler what the requirements for Hawaii were (she had said she wanted to go there), she cried discrimination (LOL!) and said she would not do any of that and just take her dog, LOL! Yeah, good luck with that, lady!!! :rolleyes:

[Quampapetet]

Hi Roz,

 

I'm sailing on Norwegian. After the USDA didn't have info on St. Maarten, I contacted a vet there on the island. If anyone is interested in the forms please send me your email address.

 

Even better, so you don't have to be bothered, people can download them from here: http://www.sxmvetclinic.com/exporting-importing.pml :)

[wizard-of-roz]

I was once on a plane where they put another "service dog" team (she was a faker) next to me and when I told the handler what the requirements for Hawaii were (she had said she wanted to go there), she cried discrimination (LOL!) and said she would not do any of that and just take her dog, LOL! Yeah, good luck with that, lady!!! :rolleyes:

 

You know she's NEVER stared down the nose of an Immigration Official in Hawaii.

 

They are so intense and so very clear about the law and the rules of entry into Hawaii by plane or boat, with a dog......Service Dog or not!!!! I would love to be the fly on the wall when that woman comes through with "Fi-Fi!" :rolleyes:

[Caribbean Chris]

Hi Roz,

 

I'm sailing on Norwegian. After the USDA didn't have info on St. Maarten, I contacted a vet there on the island. If anyone is interested in the forms please send me your email address.

 

Tee, thank you for offering. I've now picked up the info from Quam's post above, but appreciate your offer.

Edited October 28, 2014 by Caribbean Chris