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

[Host Walt]

... I do hope that it can be a help as a quick reference for the requirements for different ports when trying to decide on a cruise itinerary. If you see anything that is incorrect or think of something else that would be helpful to add, please let me know!

 

~Caitlin

Caitlin, thanks so much for contributing this to the Service Dog thread.

 

I think I speak for most of the folks when I encourage you to post a photo of your pooch. One lesson I've learned from a lifetime of dog ownership is that dogs don't have the human characteristic of feeling sorry for themselves.

 

 

If any of the participants in this thread can add anything to this listing please post the info to this thread.

[loudsilence99]

Caitlin, thanks so much for contributing this to the Service Dog thread.

 

I think I speak for most of the folks when I encourage you to post a photo of your pooch. One lesson I've learned from a lifetime of dog ownership is that dogs don't have the human characteristic of feeling sorry for themselves.

 

 

If any of the participants in this thread can add anything to this listing please post the info to this thread.

 

Oh there will be lots of adorable doggie pictures when I get them downloaded from my phone. She is a very special girl and gets around almost as well as a dog with four legs. You should see her chase after squirrels in the backyard! We are fairly sure she has a history of abuse at some point in her life based on her initial fear of men (particularly those wearing hoods) and the fact that she will turn tail and run if you have a long cylindrical object in your hand (such as a rolled up magazine). In the past two years that we've had her, though, she has really come out of her shy shell!

[shamr0ck]

Greetings, all!

 

My hubby and I are experienced cruisers, and going on our next in a couple of months. Things that are new - this is our first trip to Alaska, and our first trip with a service dog. I'm kind of terrified. Been reading the boards, trying to educate myself, and I've been in touch with the accessibility office and filled out all of their paperwork. But my guy is newly released from training, and I feel like we still have so much to learn together, I'm very nervous about this trip. It's been planned for a long time, and my options are to take him, or leave him for 2 weeks when we are just getting into the swing of things. Any suggestions from the forum to make this trip less stressful? We are flying into Vancouver from Texas, so we will have to negotiate airlines, customs, and the boarding process for the ship. I've made a fairly comprehensive list of the items I need to pack for him, but feel like there is so much I'm missing. Help!

 

Val

[DUTRAVEL]

Hey Folks - getting ready to fly out to Portugal later today - we are meeting up with our daughter Jill who teaches school in Bangladesh...

Keith

 

Safe travels - I really enjoyed our trip to Portugal.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

 

Obviously, this is not a substitute for consulting with a USDA certified vet but I do hope that it can be a help as a quick reference for the requirements for different ports when trying to decide on a cruise itinerary. If you see anything that is incorrect or think of something else that would be helpful to add, please let me know!

 

~Caitlin

 

Thanks so much for all your hard work on this! The only thing that I would add is that the requirements can change and always double check everything several times before your trip.

 

Your dog sounds like a real sweetheart.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

Greetings, all!

 

My hubby and I are experienced cruisers, and going on our next in a couple of months. Things that are new - this is our first trip to Alaska, and our first trip with a service dog. I'm kind of terrified. Been reading the boards, trying to educate myself, and I've been in touch with the accessibility office and filled out all of their paperwork.

Val

 

We all have been nervous about the first cruise, airline trip, etc. with our service dog. Once you have done it, you will feel like a pro. Alaska/Canada is a great trip to start with because the requirements are so easy and you will be covered by the ADA in the US Ports. British Columbia now has similar laws to the ADA regarding service dogs so access won't be a problem. Going through Customs is easy - in my experience they don't even seem to care about the dog. Just make sure to do your research ahead of time (e.g. - know where the relief area at the airport is located).

 

Dianne

[rpclmc]

We all have been nervous about the first cruise, airline trip, etc. with our service dog. Once you have done it, you will feel like a pro. Alaska/Canada is a great trip to start with because the requirements are so easy and you will be covered by the ADA in the US Ports. British Columbia now has similar laws to the ADA regarding service dogs so access won't be a problem. Going through Customs is easy - in my experience they don't even seem to care about the dog. Just make sure to do your research ahead of time (e.g. - know where the relief area at the airport is located).

 

Dianne

 

I haven't braved a cruise with Halo yet. But I was so nervous about his first flight, he is so well trained, even the flight attendants didn't know he was on the plane until we got off. And he is a BIG boy. He was that good and quiet, so easy.

 

Linda and Halo

[Gr8DanesMom]

Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and I have recently been blessed with a 4 month old Great Dane puppy that is being trained as my service dog. I have Lupus and got a scratch on my left leg back in 1998. The next morning the "scratch" covered most of my lower leg and was excruciatingly painful. That day my life changed forever. I had an extremely aggressive form of necrotizing fasciitis. I also got MRSA from the hospital during one of my 47 surgeries. To make matters worse, the strep infection was resistant to all but two antibiotics, both of which are known to destroy hearing.

 

I am beyond grateful to be alive. I survived toxic shock syndrome from the strep infection and still have reoccurring MRSA outbreaks at least once every 2 years. I also lost 90% of my hearing.

 

My new puppy gives me so much hope! I use forearm crutches to walk, and when my Lupus is in a bad flare, I need a wheelchair. Saxon will be trained as a mobility service dog as well as a hearing alert dog. So far his training is coming along beautifully and he is showing great promise. [emoji4]

 

My family (husband, myself, and our 3 daughters) are going on a cruise this coming January on the Breeze, but I'm not sure if Saxon will be ready by then. He should be ready when we go on our Journeys (Freedom) cruise on 1/19/19 though!

 

I am still trying to catch up on all the posts, but I just wanted to introduce myself and Saxon. I have wanted a service dog for several years and am so excited! We have many months of training but I'm looking forward to every session.

 

 

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[fairbourne]

Hey Folks - getting ready to fly out to Portugal later today - we are meeting up with our daughter Jill who teaches school in Bangladesh...she wanted to spend her summer break in Portugal so her and her mom are going to stay for six weeks! I only get to stay for 10 days but oh well...just gonna be me and my dog Lucy for the summer.

 

Keith

 

Hi Keith

Welcome to our side of that great big pond! Have a wonderful time in Portugal!

[fairbourne]

As Her Majesty Aunty Roz is away, may I, in her absence and as a Scottish Princess ;), extend another huge big warm welcome to Caitlin (brilliant work, thank you), Val and her "new guy" and to Cindy and Saxon! We do have a "Mayor of Lurkerville" who steps into the breach when H.M. is away, but she's sometimes asleep on duty! Ha ha ha! Now I'll be in trouble! :halo:

 

As Host Walt has said we love the photos of the dogs. Cindy thank you for posting the photo of Saxon he is adorable and I imagine will be a huge handsome chap.

[rangeley]

Caitlin, Thanks so much for doing that!! And as Walt said, please post a pic of your dog.

Cindy

 

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[rangeley]

Greetings, all!

 

My hubby and I are experienced cruisers, and going on our next in a couple of months. Things that are new - this is our first trip to Alaska, and our first trip with a service dog. I'm kind of terrified. Been reading the boards, trying to educate myself, and I've been in touch with the accessibility office and filled out all of their paperwork. But my guy is newly released from training, and I feel like we still have so much to learn together, I'm very nervous about this trip. It's been planned for a long time, and my options are to take him, or leave him for 2 weeks when we are just getting into the swing of things. Any suggestions from the forum to make this trip less stressful? We are flying into Vancouver from Texas, so we will have to negotiate airlines, customs, and the boarding process for the ship. I've made a fairly comprehensive list of the items I need to pack for him, but feel like there is so much I'm missing. Help!

 

Val

Val, Welcome! I'm sure you and your new pup will be fine on the cruise. You two are just getting to know each other and it would be a shame to leave the dog for 2 weeks. I'm sure you will have a great time!

Cindy

 

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[rangeley]

Welcome Cindy and Saxon! Saxon is going to be a great help for you. He is very cute and I'm sure he is the size of all our dogs at 4 months! Best of luck with him.

 

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[S.S. Cruisers]

Not sure which Mayor of Lurkerville Ms. Scottish Princess or Pond Princess was talking about. I am one of the "Red headed Step children" that has been around since dirt. I do not have a service dog, but feel like the step-servicedog mommy to all on here.

Welcome to all the newcomers on behave of HM and all the pee-ons (bahahaaha) and the pictures, we always need pictures! Saxon is a cutie pie.

 

 

Sister Cindy (Rangeley) and I have not been on a roll in a long time. Wouldn't want momma HM to miss out on it, though. Will have to wait for her to return.

 

 

Caitlin, you are rockin' it! That should be so much easier for peeps to see at a glance what they need and then they can always look it up to see if any changes. :hearteyes:

 

 

Well, I am off (as most of you know) trundling off to finish chores. Can't rely on Jezzy Lou and Leanne Emily to do it. Lazy furkids! Everyone have a great day and weekend! It is Fryday again and us-ins' in Arizona are going to do just that "FRY" :fever:

[rpclmc]

Welcome Cindy and Saxon. I am partial to great Danes. Saxon is gorgeous. I have a Great Dane/lab, he pretty much looks like a lab, but has the long legs, jowls, tail and laziness of a GD. He is my mobility dog.

 

Linda and Halo

[Insuregal]

Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and I have recently been blessed with a 4 month old Great Dane puppy that is being trained as my service dog. I have Lupus and got a scratch on my left leg back in 1998. The next morning the "scratch" covered most of my lower leg and was excruciatingly painful. That day my life changed forever. I had an extremely aggressive form of necrotizing fasciitis. I also got MRSA from the hospital during one of my 47 surgeries. To make matters worse, the strep infection was resistant to all but two antibiotics, both of which are known to destroy hearing.

 

I am beyond grateful to be alive. I survived toxic shock syndrome from the strep infection and still have reoccurring MRSA outbreaks at least once every 2 years. I also lost 90% of my hearing.

 

My new puppy gives me so much hope! I use forearm crutches to walk, and when my Lupus is in a bad flare, I need a wheelchair. Saxon will be trained as a mobility service dog as well as a hearing alert dog. So far his training is coming along beautifully and he is showing great promise. [emoji4]

 

My family (husband, myself, and our 3 daughters) are going on a cruise this coming January on the Breeze, but I'm not sure if Saxon will be ready by then. He should be ready when we go on our Journeys (Freedom) cruise on 1/19/19 though!

 

I am still trying to catch up on all the posts, but I just wanted to introduce myself and Saxon. I have wanted a service dog for several years and am so excited! We have many months of training but I'm looking forward to every session.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Cindy, as the Mayor of Lurkerville I wholeheartedly welcome you to this forum. As soon as Roz gets back in town she will give you a proper welcome as the original thread starter.

 

You are going to have such a wonderful life with your new eyes, ears, and legs in Great Dane form! The happiest day of my daughter's life was match day when Gibson came to be her service dog. So we share your joy! We have never cruised with Gibson because of mitochondrial disease sapping nearly all of my daughter's energy. No advice on cruising with a service dog from Kansas City. :D There are so many folks on this forum who do have the privilege, they will always share experiences from every angle.

 

At any rate, so glad you have joined the service dog family; and this thread.

 

Thanks,

Beckie

[Host Walt]

"HALO" What a perfect name for a service dog!

[DUTRAVEL]

"HALO" What a perfect name for a service dog!

 

You are right Walt - I always say that our service dogs are angels sent from heaven.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

.

 

I am still trying to catch up on all the posts, but I just wanted to introduce myself and Saxon. I have wanted a service dog for several years and am so excited! We have many months of training but I'm looking forward to every session.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Saxon is a cutie pie. Congratulations on plunging into the world of service dogs. I sometimes wonder why I waited so long, but then I would not have my Henri.

 

Dianne

[loudsilence99]

So after my computer crashed twice, here is the beautiful Yardley:

 

Yardley refusing to look at me while I'm trying to take a picture:

 

Yardley waiting very patiently for her dinner:

 

Yardley trying to convince me to pet her instead of doing school work:

 

I have dozens so I hope you will forgive me for showing off my cute doggie. Also sorry they are all rotated! For some reason when I uploaded them they rotated!

[rpclmc]

"HALO" What a perfect name for a service dog!

 

EXACTLY what the name means, my angel.

 

Linda and Halo

[Gr8DanesMom]

I am so frustrated right now. I am in training with my puppy Saxon. Yes, we are both training, as I'm sure you all know. LOL.

 

I don't know how many times I have had to ask people to either move out of our way (being polite, of course), and especially to not pet Saxon. I understand how cute he is. Trust me. His "I'm the cutest thing in the world" eyes gets me all the time. LOL. But I don't understand why people can't leave him alone. Parents are the worst! They encourage their kids to pet Saxon! He is a puppy and doesn't need any more distractions. He is already a "butterfly" dog at times. LOL

 

Suggestions please? I'm guessing I can't smack them. [emoji6]

 

 

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[Algebralovr]

I am so frustrated right now. I am in training with my puppy Saxon. Yes, we are both training, as I'm sure you all know. LOL.

 

I don't know how many times I have had to ask people to either move out of our way (being polite, of course), and especially to not pet Saxon. I understand how cute he is. Trust me. His "I'm the cutest thing in the world" eyes gets me all the time. LOL. But I don't understand why people can't leave him alone. Parents are the worst! They encourage their kids to pet Saxon! He is a puppy and doesn't need any more distractions. He is already a "butterfly" dog at times. LOL

 

Suggestions please? I'm guessing I can't smack them. [emoji6]

 

 

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Having been there -recently - I have gotten very good at stopping people and saying "No!"

 

I've actually "barked" it quite forcefully at a few people, as they approach, saying "No! Don't touch the dog! "

 

Similar problem. Cute young dog. He is a bit too friendly.

 

People are amazingly stupid. They also mostly don't understand the difference between a service dog and a therapy dog.

 

Having a red vest has helped some.

Then, if they ask to pet him, say, "I'm sorry, he is working right now." In my case, I generally follow it with, "if you distract him, he could miss a signal from me and cause me to fall" I often follow that with a short bit of info to the kids on why you never pet a service dog withou r permission.

 

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[rpclmc]

I am so frustrated right now. I am in training with my puppy Saxon. Yes, we are both training, as I'm sure you all know. LOL.

 

I don't know how many times I have had to ask people to either move out of our way (being polite, of course), and especially to not pet Saxon. I understand how cute he is. Trust me. His "I'm the cutest thing in the world" eyes gets me all the time. LOL. But I don't understand why people can't leave him alone. Parents are the worst! They encourage their kids to pet Saxon! He is a puppy and doesn't need any more distractions. He is already a "butterfly" dog at times. LOL

 

Suggestions please? I'm guessing I can't smack them. [emoji6]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

You can order "do not touch" patches from Amazon. Either put them on the vest or if you can't on the vest (I can't on Halo's vest, it is leather with a hard handle) hem a bandana that the collar can go through and put the patch on that. It doesn't stop the petting, but helps.

 

The biggest problem I have is people trying to be sneaky and petting him on the rear without him seeing them coming. Startles him, seriously the ONLY thing that bothers him, and he is my mobility dog. Some day I am going to land on my a**. Hopefully that idiot that startled Halo will call 911 if I am hurt.

 

Linda and Halo

[wizard-of-roz]

Oh! My! What did you all do, wait until MaMa goes away and then come onboard!!!!! WELCOME! To all of you.

I'm so glad that you've come by and that you're going to try cruising with your dogs.

There's just NO WAY to STOP the people who insist on touching your dog from doing it. The best thing you can do is to stop walking; stay calm; ask them to wait until you've given your dog a proper command and then they may commence with the loving. Then ask them to please stop touching, talking or making eye contact with your dog so that you may resume your walk.

I know that the curiosity factor just overwhelms the public [especially the children] so much that they can't hold back. But, if they would just realize how much they might be putting you and your dog in danger maybe they'd STOP and THINK first! [Although, I highly doubt it! ;p]

We can only teach them, one at a time.

I had an amazing road trip with my Grandchildren [over 2200 miles] and my Granddaughter was so beautiful, I teared-up more than a few times. She's just such a lovely child, with such a promising future.....I wish Morey could have seen the moment when she accepted her diploma.......don't we all live for just these moments! And, my car performed like a gem.........Thank you to all who helped me with that decision!

Horton was his usual professional self and even with all the blasting horns and screams he held himself together. There was a point when I thought for sure he was going to crawl upon my lap, but, he just gave me a "Mommy make them stop" look and down he layed.

The weather in Eugene, Oregon was around 48degrees and rainy. We came home to 98degrees and a sweltering heat wave. Horty did get a bit sick yesterday and I let him just rest in the air conditioned house as long as he wanted. We really went from one extreme to another.

Again, welcome everyone......I love the pictures of Yardley and Saxon.

Val, it is scary going on your first cruise with your Service Dog. Remember, to give yourself lots and lots of time going from one venue to another. People will want to ask lots of questions. Be ready to be a great ambassador for all of us. Go to the Hotel Managers [Purser's] Desk, upon entering the ship to find out where the potty box has been placed. If you have a veranda, ask them to move to there [if you'd like.]

Make sure that you place your dog against a wall or pillar when your dining so that no one steps on him/her [the thing that scares SD's the most is being stepped on], it can make them shy if done too often. When you go into a dark lounge or theatre place yourself in a spot where other passengers won't be walking near your dog [they're not expecting to have a dog laying on the floor.] I find a seat near an end of a row and lay him down against a wall and make sure that no one has to step over him, ever!!!!

If you pre-think where you're going to sit and where your dog is going to lay, it just makes everything so much easier. And, it soon becomes a dance!

If you get into an elevator and someone balks about your dog, ignore them, or, just get off and wait for another elevator. Try NOT to get into any confrontations with anyone about your dog, just walk away. There's really nothing you can do about folks who don't like dogs, or who say they're allergic or who just want to argue.

Enjoy your cruise, your way, and I promise if you keep a smile on your face and keep moving forward.......you'll have a wonderful time!!!!! :D