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

[thephantomsgirl]

Oh, I am so sorry for your friends who lost Chloe.

 

Yep, going to hug all the dogs.

[Host Walt]

[wizard-of-roz]

 

Oh! My! How beautiful is this........

[cruisingLynn]

My Husband and I have booked our first cruise for December. We will be taking my service dog Buddy. I am beginning the hoop jumping to gather all the paperwork. I am all set with the airlines. I have contacted NCL and I am getting what they need.....but I am confused about what I need for our ports: Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico;

 

Any advice and direction would be greatly appreciated. I have already contacted Buddy's vet. They stated they would fill out the forms, but it was up to me to gather everything I needed and wouldn't provide anymore advice.

 

I have been trying to read through the posts to glean information, but that I would just post instead. Buddy is a 4 pound toy poodle, who will have a ride in a specially design back/front pack for when we are in ports of call. This will help me to keep him safe and it will also keep him close to me and keep me calm and in control of myself. :-)

 

Thank you in advance. I look forward to learning from you

 

CruisingLynn!

[wizard-of-roz]

My Husband and I have booked our first cruise for December. We will be taking my service dog Buddy. I am beginning the hoop jumping to gather all the paperwork. I am all set with the airlines. I have contacted NCL and I am getting what they need.....but I am confused about what I need for our ports: Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico;

 

Any advice and direction would be greatly appreciated. I have already contacted Buddy's vet. They stated they would fill out the forms, but it was up to me to gather everything I needed and wouldn't provide anymore advice.

 

I have been trying to read through the posts to glean information, but that I would just post instead. Buddy is a 4 pound toy poodle, who will have a ride in a specially design back/front pack for when we are in ports of call. This will help me to keep him safe and it will also keep him close to me and keep me calm and in control of myself. :-)

 

Thank you in advance. I look forward to learning from you

 

CruisingLynn!

 

Lynn, welcome. The paperwork is gotten from a USDA Vet. He/she must completely fill out the Certificate. The name of the cert. is an Aphis 7001 form. And is valid for 30 days after the Vet fills it out and signs it. It's a US Dept. of Agriculture Animal and Plan Health Inspection Service - U.S. Interstate and International Cert. of Health Examination for Small Animals. Ask your Vet if he has such a form......if he's a USDA Vet he will most definitely have the form you need.

 

It has ALL the information that the various ports/Immigration officials will need to know about your dog.

 

The officials mainly want to see that your dog is micro chipped and, has had all necessary immunizations including but not limited to Distemper/Parvo. The dates of the above are very important and the Vet will sign the form.

 

You should have copies of all paperwork from the training org.,Permit card [if given], copy of Buddy's last Vet visit, city license, Microchip form, neuter cert., heartworm antigen test [if done.]

 

Make 3 complete packets of everything: One to give to the ship upon registration, one to give to Immigration, one to keep with you along with the originals. It's a good idea to hand a complete packet to anyone who asks. When the officials see how organized and prepared you are to travel with Buddy they won't question you. Your travels will be easier for all of you.

 

Be prepared to answer lots of questions from your fellow passengers. Remember, they had to leave their pets at home and are very curious to know how you got your dog onboard. You know that Buddy is a Service Dog, they do not! You don't have to answer uncomfortable questions, and they will ask them! Just say that he's your Service Dog........You're not required to go into detail with anyone about what service he performs. Allow yourself lots of time to get from one venue to another because people will stop you to pat him. Do allow for some patting.......people who love dogs just can't help themselves. But you do have the right to say, "enough!"

 

Make sure that Buddy is not barking, licking, sniffing or eating in any public area and is acting with respect and professionalism when in the public. When he's in your cabin, he can be as silly as he wants to be.

 

Bring his favorite toys and don't forget his water and food bowls. You'll want to check with the Purser's desk as to where they've placed his potty box and if possible have it moved to a convenient spot for you. They can move it to a crew closet, stairwell or even on your veranda.

 

Have fun! You're lucky that Buddy is small enough to be carried. You won't have to worry about strays and fear that he'll be stepped on!

[SadieN]

The Carnival board is having a minor explosion over service dogs. Also on John Heald's FBK page.

As I understand it a cruise this week had three service dogs. Two were typical well mannered service dogs. There were issues with the third one not acting like a well behaved service dog.

 

Now there's a thread wondering about service dogs on a galley tour.

 

Thoughts?

Edited October 12, 2015 by SadieN

[Caribbean Chris]

Yeah that is what I told Logan...he was only home from school because of the flooding in Columbia otherwise she would have been alone (they use a pet sitter when traveling).

 

Such a blessing for Chloe that he was there...and especially a blessing for Logan and his parents that you could come right away.

[Caribbean Chris]

 

I'll be watching that again..and again. Thanks for posting, Walt.

[wizard-of-roz]

The Carnival board is having a minor explosion over service dogs. Also on John Heald's FBK page.

As I understand it a cruise this week had three service dogs. Two were typical well mannered service dogs. There were issues with the third one not acting like a well behaved service dog.

 

Now there's a thread wondering about service dogs on a galley tour.

 

Thoughts?

Well, Auntie Roz will be visiting that group tomorrow and I'll see what I can add to the fray. Now, I'm going home and resting my back!!!!

 

Honestly, we all know how easy it is to spot a dog whose not been well trained and you know if I see it.......they got some big splaining to do!!!!!!

[cruisingLynn]

Lynn, welcome. The paperwork is gotten from a USDA Vet. He/she must completely fill out the Certificate. The name of the cert. is an Aphis 7001 form. And is valid for 30 days after the Vet fills it out and signs it. It's a US Dept. of Agriculture Animal and Plan Health Inspection Service - U.S. Interstate and International Cert. of Health Examination for Small Animals. Ask your Vet if he has such a form......if he's a USDA Vet he will most definitely have the form you need.

 

It has ALL the information that the various ports/Immigration officials will need to know about your dog.

 

The officials mainly want to see that your dog is micro chipped and, has had all necessary immunizations including but not limited to Distemper/Parvo. The dates of the above are very important and the Vet will sign the form.

 

You should have copies of all paperwork from the training org.,Permit card [if given], copy of Buddy's last Vet visit, city license, Microchip form, neuter cert., heartworm antigen test [if done.]

 

Make 3 complete packets of everything: One to give to the ship upon registration, one to give to Immigration, one to keep with you along with the originals. It's a good idea to hand a complete packet to anyone who asks. When the officials see how organized and prepared you are to travel with Buddy they won't question you. Your travels will be easier for all of you.

 

Be prepared to answer lots of questions from your fellow passengers. Remember, they had to leave their pets at home and are very curious to know how you got your dog onboard. You know that Buddy is a Service Dog, they do not! You don't have to answer uncomfortable questions, and they will ask them! Just say that he's your Service Dog........You're not required to go into detail with anyone about what service he performs. Allow yourself lots of time to get from one venue to another because people will stop you to pat him. Do allow for some patting.......people who love dogs just can't help themselves. But you do have the right to say, "enough!"

 

Make sure that Buddy is not barking, licking, sniffing or eating in any public area and is acting with respect and professionalism when in the public. When he's in your cabin, he can be as silly as he wants to be.

 

Bring his favorite toys and don't forget his water and food bowls. You'll want to check with the Purser's desk as to where they've placed his potty box and if possible have it moved to a convenient spot for you. They can move it to a crew closet, stairwell or even on your veranda.

 

Have fun! You're lucky that Buddy is small enough to be carried. You won't have to worry about strays and fear that he'll be stepped on!

 

Thank you Roz, This is exactly the type of info I was looking for!

 

Buddy is a very well-behaved little guy. I have had him just over a year and have just recently begun to take him with me everywhere. So far the only one who has given me any grief was the nurse at my drs office. I explained that he is a service dog and she said - "I don't care." I told her I would discuss it with the dr.

 

Other than that, no issues. Restaurants have been very good about it...I had expected more issues from them. :-)

 

I know that I will be able to enjoy my trip more with him with me.

 

Lynn

[DUTRAVEL]

Hey everyone - we had an awful experience this weekend. Our best friends were flying to Phoenix and had just left the ground when their son called us in tears. He was at the vet with their boxer Chloe when she went into cardiac arrest in the waiting room and passed away despite the best efforts of her vet. We rushed over to the vet office and found him huddled over her sobbing his eyes out. I sent my friend a text to call me when he landed and then we waited with Logan until his Dad called. They were terribly upset as you can imagine.

 

Then I went home and hugged Lucy. Pretty messed up day for sure.

 

So sorry to hear that - I am sure that we are all giving our dogs an extra hug today.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

Hello everyone!

 

I just love the photos of Henri and Bonnie. Adorable. I need to make an appointment with the dogtor!

 

I have been quiet lately. There has been so much going on and to deal with. As you know I was recovering from a six day hospital stay from food poisoning. Then last weekend I had a bad fall and got rib contusions and a sprained back. They say the contusions are more painful than a break, and I believe them. :eek:

 

On top of that, we tried to introduce my brother's dog to Jagger. The CEO of the organization came out to work with them. All went fine until I took Jagger outside. When I came back in, my brother's dog would not let Jagger back into the house. He charged him.

 

So, it's not going to work out between the two of them. But I need a service dog. So I am making arrangements to find housing. In a way that will be a good thing as I can move nearer the organization as that is where all my friends are.

 

Definitely will put a crimp in my future cruising, but I knew that would happen someday. I changed my Panama Canal cruise to a 4 day out of Port Canaveral in January. With what I had down for the PC cruise it is paid in full. (hence why my question about the Bahamas)

 

Probably better to expose Jagger to a short cruise than immediately take him on a 14 day cruise anyway. :D

 

So sorry to hear your news Holly. Sending you good thoughts and prayers for fast healing and I hope that you find the housing arrangements that you need.

 

That's too bad that you had to cancel your Panama cruise, but happy to hear that you can at least take a shorter cruise.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

Thank you Roz, This is exactly the type of info I was looking for!

 

Buddy is a very well-behaved little guy. I have had him just over a year and have just recently begun to take him with me everywhere. So far the only one who has given me any grief was the nurse at my drs office. I explained that he is a service dog and she said - "I don't care." I told her I would discuss it with the dr.

 

Other than that, no issues. Restaurants have been very good about it...I had expected more issues from them. :-)

 

I know that I will be able to enjoy my trip more with him with me.

 

Lynn

 

Lynn, some folks [like the nurse] are very skeptical of the small Service Dog. They have no idea what the dog does and think of it as ONE BIG ALLERGEN!

 

Stay calm, again make sure that Buddy is acting appropriately and wait to see the Doctor. I once actually called 911 when Brenda and I were refused service at a Souplantation restaurant. I stayed calm waited for the officers, explained my predicament and they spoke with the manager, on my behalf and we promptly took a seat. Of course, by the time I got seated, I had no appetite but I wasn't going to leave without making my point.

 

Don't be tempted when you're in a restaurant and Buddy is lying on the floor or on the seat next to you, to feed him. DON'T START IT! Buddy will get used to the GOOD HABIT of staying where you tell him until you're done, without a treat. And, the public will love you for it!

 

Lots of folks don't like dogs, are afraid of them or are allergic and really don't like the idea of a dog being in a place where food is being served. Sorry to say this; TOO BAD!!!! My Service Dog has as much right to be with me as another person's cane, walker or wheelchair has a right to be with them!!!!!

 

Hold your head high, have fun and go about your life!

[wizard-of-roz]

Okay, I'm off to the Carnival boards to see what the heck is going on with the Service Dog issues........Here I go to save the day.....Mighty Roz is on the way!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

The Carnival board is having a minor explosion over service dogs. Also on John Heald's FBK page.

As I understand it a cruise this week had three service dogs. Two were typical well mannered service dogs. There were issues with the third one not acting like a well behaved service dog.

 

Now there's a thread wondering about service dogs on a galley tour.

 

Thoughts?

 

I tried to find the thread on Service Dog issues [on the Carnival boards], I couldn't find anything. What's the name of the thread?

Edited October 13, 2015 by wizard-of-roz

[DisneyKidsDad]

I tried to find the thread on Service Dog issues [on the Carnival boards], I couldn't find anything. What's the name of the thread?

 

Most likely they heard you were coming and removed every trace of the thread. That's what I would do! :D

[wizard-of-roz]

Most likely they heard you were coming and removed every trace of the thread. That's what I would do! :D

 

Tsk! Tsk! Young man, if I were you I wouldn't be so impertinent!!!! :mad:

[fairbourne]

Hey everyone - we had an awful experience this weekend. Our best friends were flying to Phoenix and had just left the ground when their son called us in tears. He was at the vet with their boxer Chloe when she went into cardiac arrest in the waiting room and passed away despite the best efforts of her vet. We rushed over to the vet office and found him huddled over her sobbing his eyes out. I sent my friend a text to call me when he landed and then we waited with Logan until his Dad called. They were terribly upset as you can imagine.

 

Then I went home and hugged Lucy. Pretty messed up day for sure.

 

I'm so sorry to read this sad news, thank goodness for dear friends like you, your friends must be devastated - I'm typing this with one hand as I cuddle Bonnie under my arm with the 3 biggies at my feet.

[fairbourne]

Host Walt - love the video thanks for the link.

[Caribbean Chris]

I tried to find the thread on Service Dog issues [on the Carnival boards], I couldn't find anything. What's the name of the thread?

 

Perhaps it was deleted by the moderator because some posts may have been reviewed as rude, fighting, etc. against forum guidelines. Title mentioned John Heald's blog, and it doesn't seem to come up on a search.

 

There were comments that the public is allowed in the galley for a tour, so the dog should be allowed to accompany a disabled member of the public ...versus those who "knew" dogs would never be allowed in a kitchen anywhere per the ADA. And the usual: I have allergies, what if the room steward doesn't clean all that leftover dog pee on my carpet, etc. and further descending into a "dogs have no place on ships, and I don't care if that's politically incorrect" comment.

 

I declined to participate.:)

[Peemagg]

I think it was deleted! I did post on that thread and went to find all threads that I posted on and those posts are not there.

[wizard-of-roz]

Perhaps it was deleted by the moderator because some posts may have been reviewed as rude, fighting, etc. against forum guidelines. Title mentioned John Heald's blog, and it doesn't seem to come up on a search.

 

There were comments that the public is allowed in the galley for a tour, so the dog should be allowed to accompany a disabled member of the public ...versus those who "knew" dogs would never be allowed in a kitchen anywhere per the ADA. And the usual: I have allergies, what if the room steward doesn't clean all that leftover dog pee on my carpet, etc. and further descending into a "dogs have no place on ships, and I don't care if that's politically incorrect" comment.

 

I declined to participate.:)

 

When Horton and I leave a hotel room, you would have absolutely no idea that a dog had been in the room. Except for some dog hair that might wind up in the corners of the carpet. I know that the staff must vacuum a bit harder and longer so I do provide an extra tip for them.

 

"Pee" WHAT!!!! Horton and Brenda have NEVER peed on any carpet in any hotel or cruise ship. I make sure that my dogs comfort is taken care of before my own!!!!!

 

Once, I was asked to leave the buffet area by a service worker in that area......And, I told him to mind his own business and kept on walking! I do try to place Horton at a table [tied to the bottom of a chair], I give him the command "stay" and then I go to the food area. Sometimes, this isn't always possible and he MUST walk through with me.

 

I totally understand some folks discomfort with him in the food area but sometimes, it can't be helped!!!! I NEVER allow him to rise above the level of the counters [it's 4-on-the-floor] while using the buffet, at all times!

[wizard-of-roz]

Of course, there are some Service Dogs who assist their handlers in getting "everything" for them. I don't know how this would work in a buffet-type situation. I would think that other folks [employee's] might step forward to assist the handler, allowing the dog to sit at the table and wait.

 

I know if I saw someone struggling at a buffet and they had a Service Animal, I would definitely step forward and assist them.

When I've gone to a buffet with my friend, who is visually impaired, she asks her dog to guide her from one station to the next. The dog NEVER raises itself up on the counters. It just leads her, one step at a time, from place to place. I attempted to help her, she let me get her soup and carry it for her but she insisted on carrying the plate with one hand, while holding the dogs lead with the other. It was the most amazing and beautiful dance to watch. I led the way to our table and she asked her dog to follow me.......there wasn't a dry eye in the restaurant as people watched in awe how she and her dog took care of each other!!!!

 

She is my wonderful friend Cary who writes on these boards, with her amazing retired hero, "Denver." Her new dog is "Dodger." She's a huge Disney fan and I do hope to cruise with her and Dodger one day!

Edited October 13, 2015 by wizard-of-roz

[Host Walt]

I think it was deleted! I did post on that thread and went to find all threads that I posted on and those posts are not there.

Yes, I checked and found that it was deleted last night. Principal reason was violation of this guideline:

 

The posting of blocks of text obtained from anywhere on the Internet, online newspapers, web sites, Facebook and other social media sites, magazines, etc., defeats the purpose of our Cruise Boards. All of this information is available to everyone online, and doesn't add to the idea of sharing firsthand experiences and cruise advice. Also, the majority of information out there is protected by an author's individual copyright. Therefore, we will remove such information from the message boards. However, linking via url to the information is allowed.

[wizard-of-roz]

Yes, I checked and found that it was deleted last night. Principal reason was violation of this guideline:

 

The posting of blocks of text obtained from anywhere on the Internet, online newspapers, web sites, Facebook and other social media sites, magazines, etc., defeats the purpose of our Cruise Boards. All of this information is available to everyone online, and doesn't add to the idea of sharing firsthand experiences and cruise advice. Also, the majority of information out there is protected by an author's individual copyright. Therefore, we will remove such information from the message boards. However, linking via url to the information is allowed.

 

Whew! That's a relief!!!! I thought DKD might be right!!! :eek: