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

[rangeley]

14 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Dramatic end to our vacation cruise on Sunday. Bob opened the front door around 5 p.m. after I fed the dog, and this is what greeted him! A trapper eventually came a few hours later, a neighbor told us today, and carried the gator off to release him in an undeveloped area.

Nope! 

[mmarq1992]

I'm very behind, but I loved seeing everyone's pictures! A beautiful group of dogs on this thread! Hope everyone is having a great week!

[mmarq1992]

I'm very behind, but I loved seeing everyone's pictures! A beautiful group of dogs on this thread! Hope everyone is having a great week!

[DUTRAVEL]

On 4/17/2019 at 8:24 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

Box filler was very unsatisfactory, unusually so for HAL, which in the past has provided a full box of fresh green sod. The two 4’ square plywood boxes contained only small, dry, withered sod patches, which the dogs were reluctant to use. The rest of the box had leftover dirt from previous sod, so when the dogs peed, the liquid ran off into the dirt and turned into mud under their paws. So of course they tracked it onto the deck. Very messy, unsanitary, and disappointing, and my numerous requests never resulted in any improvement. None of this was typical of HAL in my past experience.

 

 

 

That relief box is almost comical! One has to wonder if the people who set these things up have any common sense. You don't even need to have a dog to know that those two small pieces of dead sod are unacceptable. The Department of Transportation has said that they will address animal relief areas in their next rulemaking phase concerning accessibility standards on cruise ships (however, that was in 2010 and no progress has been made). 

 

I am glad that you and Raylene had a good time in spite of it. Our dogs are pretty good about adapting when they need to.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

1 hour ago, DUTRAVEL said:

 

That relief box is almost comical! One has to wonder if the people who set these things up have any common sense. You don't even need to have a dog to know that those two small pieces of dead sod are unacceptable. The Department of Transportation has said that they will address animal relief areas in their next rulemaking phase concerning accessibility standards on cruise ships (however, that was in 2010 and no progress has been made). 

 

I am glad that you and Raylene had a good time in spite of it. Our dogs are pretty good about adapting when they need to.

 

Dianne

Beyond ridiculous!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

You all know that I don't leave the Passenger Services Desk unless I have a satisfactory resolution to my dog's potty box filler and placement. 

 

I pay a lot of money for my cruises and, although I know that some of the crew are more accommodating than others, I will bug the crap out of them until I'm happy.  And, sometimes it takes the entire embarkation day until I'm appeased but I'll be darned if they think I'm just going to walk away........They have the capability of making it right......I won't leave them alone until they do!!!!!!  I remain calm, pleasant and insistent. 

 

I pack extra large piddle pads and artificial turf.  I will lay down the pads and place the turf on top, on my veranda until they make me happy!  Horton easily uses this and then uses the final box placement, as well.  I also bring a large garbage bag and clean up the pads and place the turf over the filler/box when all is good.  I leave the turf when I disembark.  I also bring my own potty bags, pick up the solid waste and place it in the receptacle they provide.  I call it the "Potty Dance",  I'm so used to it that when a ship has the box set-up and in place, I'm absolutely shocked.  Very, very happy but shocked!!!!!  Again, Carnival does this best.  Not my favorite cruise line but they and NCL know exactly what to do and have the box/filler and placement down pat!

 

Horton deserves to be treated well and they have the means to do just that!!!!!  It would be so nice if Princess would "get it" before I'm too old to cruise!

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy Holiday Weekend Everyone! 💝

[DUTRAVEL]

21 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

You all know that I don't leave the Passenger Services Desk unless I have a satisfactory resolution to my dog's potty box filler and placement. 

 

I pay a lot of money for my cruises and, although I know that some of the crew are more accommodating than others, I will bug the crap out of them until I'm happy.  And, sometimes it takes the entire embarkation day until I'm appeased but I'll be darned if they think I'm just going to walk away........They have the capability of making it right......I won't leave them alone until they do!!!!!!  I remain calm, pleasant and insistent. 

 

I do the same thing Roz! Its so annoying because this could all be taken care of ahead of time. A simple inquiry as to your preferred location and filler for the relief box before you even board. We could be like everyone else and be enjoying a foo-foo drink poolside on the first day. Its stressful enough to travel with a disability without having to spend your first day worrying over where your service dog is going to be able to relieve himself/herself.

 

Have a nice weekend - we are finally getting some warm sunny weather in Northern California.

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

40 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

 

I do the same thing Roz! Its so annoying because this could all be taken care of ahead of time. A simple inquiry as to your preferred location and filler for the relief box before you even board. We could be like everyone else and be enjoying a foo-foo drink poolside on the first day. Its stressful enough to travel with a disability without having to spend your first day worrying over where your service dog is going to be able to relieve himself/herself.

 

Have a nice weekend - we are finally getting some warm sunny weather in Northern California.

 

Dianne

Thank you Dianne.  It helps to know that I'm no alone!  A HUGE minority but not alone!  💖

[Miki_moto]

A question about potty boxes - do they have some sort of bottom or something other than bark or chips to absorb the ‘liquid waste’?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Edited April 22, 2019 by Miki_moto

[DUTRAVEL]

4 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

A question about potty boxes - do they have some sort of bottom or something other than bark or chips to absorb the ‘liquid waste’?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

The boxes we have used had a plywood bottom with just the mulch, bark or sod with the exception of our last cruise. On that cruise, they had a large piece of plastic between the bark and the bottom of the box.

 

Dianne

 

 

[Caribbean Chris]

4 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

A question about potty boxes - do they have some sort of bottom or something other than bark or chips to absorb the ‘liquid waste’?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

We’ve been on Holland America bad Celebrity about equally for my dog’s ten cruises. I hope others will add what they’ve found.

 

I’ve seen plywood boxes with either a layer of sod (grass up, dirt on the bottom) or a thick layer of garden-type mulch chips. Nothing underneath, but they both somewhat absorb and hold the liquid when the box is filled properly. 

 

Twice on celebrity, the filler was a sawdust & shavings mixture that had hamsters and rabbits pictured on the wrapper of the extra stock nearby, so clearly was sold for their cages. Nothing beneath that either, and all the lightweight stuff blew around in the wind.

[mmarq1992]

5 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

A question about potty boxes - do they have some sort of bottom or something other than bark or chips to absorb the ‘liquid waste’?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

On the Disney Dream, it was a large plastic box lined with absorbent potty pads and sod on top

[Miki_moto]

Wow, thanks for the replies!

 

I’m noticing that the box/pool setup I’ve been using for training purposes is pretty stinky, even though it’s still outside and it’s dumped after every use and we keep changing the location!  I can’t help but wonder what it will be like after ten days.  

 

We encountered a service dog on one of our Transatlantic crossings.  I spoke to the handler about the box and he said it was placed in a stairwell close to his stateroom.  He was vague as to what fill was being used and I meant to check it out but never got to.

 

So I’m wondering if I can manage the door to the stairwell without help.  I’m guessing those doors can be pretty heavy.  Has anyone dealt with the space restrictions of a narrow corridor, a power wheelchair and a heavy door?  

 

[wizard-of-roz]

5 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

A question about potty boxes - do they have some sort of bottom or something other than bark or chips to absorb the ‘liquid waste’?

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

The boxes are lined with heavy duty plastic and then it's up to the ship as to what they fill the box with.  I have requested cedar mulch [easy to buy from a garden shop, by the bag], but there's not a guarantee that that's what the ship will use.   

 

They may use pellets, bark, chips, mulch, sod or wood shavings.  The easiest for them would be wood shavings from their very own woodworking dept. [every ship has one.]  The bark, chips and pellets can be very hurtful on their paws and make they shy of using the box.  

 

I don't care what they use, I bring a rolled up 4x5 piece of green patio cover [I cut drainage holes in it] and I cover the crap they use and Horton doesn't mind walking on it and he uses it like a champ!  

[wizard-of-roz]

14 minutes ago, Miki_moto said:

Wow, thanks for the replies!

 

I’m noticing that the box/pool setup I’ve been using for training purposes is pretty stinky, even though it’s still outside and it’s dumped after every use and we keep changing the location!  I can’t help but wonder what it will be like after ten days.  

 

We encountered a service dog on one of our Transatlantic crossings.  I spoke to the handler about the box and he said it was placed in a stairwell close to his stateroom.  He was vague as to what fill was being used and I meant to check it out but never got to.

 

So I’m wondering if I can manage the door to the stairwell without help.  I’m guessing those doors can be pretty heavy.  Has anyone dealt with the space restrictions of a narrow corridor, a power wheelchair and a heavy door?  

 

There is no odor, even after a 21 day cruise.  Again, I place the green patio piece over the filler, I cut drainage holes in it and Horton is a 85 pound big body reliever kind of dog [if you know what I mean.]  The fake grass is great for Horton to walk on easily, no matter what filler they use.  The best way to keep the odor down is to pick up the solid waste immediately and place into a closed receptacle.   I also bring a deodorizing spray and squirt it a few times after each use.  You can place another kind of air deodorant in the area.  My favorite lavender/vanilla.  

 

The stairwell door is extremely heavy and has a lip to step up or down.  If you're in a chair it would be difficult to maneuver.   If you have someone with you to assist in helping with the opening and closing it would be better.  You can time your dog's potty usage to the time that the Stewards are making up the cabins, and get their help in opening and closing the heavy door.

 

 

[DUTRAVEL]

2 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

Wow, thanks for the replies!

 

I’m noticing that the box/pool setup I’ve been using for training purposes is pretty stinky, even though it’s still outside and it’s dumped after every use and we keep changing the location!  I can’t help but wonder what it will be like after ten days.  

 

We encountered a service dog on one of our Transatlantic crossings.  I spoke to the handler about the box and he said it was placed in a stairwell close to his stateroom.  He was vague as to what fill was being used and I meant to check it out but never got to.

 

So I’m wondering if I can manage the door to the stairwell without help.  I’m guessing those doors can be pretty heavy.  Has anyone dealt with the space restrictions of a narrow corridor, a power wheelchair and a heavy door?  

 

On our November cruise, the box was located mid-ship in a crew stairway area. This was the first time we have had it located inside (due to high winds on our Atlantic crossing - they were even tying down the furniture on the balconies and so we were unable to have it there).  The area had automatic door so there was no problem accessing the box by myself in a manual wheelchair.  We have also had the box located outside down a narrow corridor (the aptly named wind tunnel) with heavy manual doors and difficult thresholds. On those occasions, I was unable to access the box myself and insisted that it be moved. It might be a little easier with a power wheelchair since at least you would have one free hand, but it would still be difficult.

 

Dianne

[Miki_moto]

2 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

There is no odor, even after a 21 day cruise.  Again, I place the green patio piece over the filler, I cut drainage holes in it and Horton is a 85 pound big body reliever kind of dog [if you know what I mean.]  The fake grass is great for Horton to walk on easily, no matter what filler they use.  The best way to keep the odor down is to pick up the solid waste immediately and place into a closed receptacle.   I also bring a deodorizing spray and squirt it a few times after each use.  You can place another kind of air deodorant in the area.  My favorite lavender/vanilla.  

 

The stairwell door is extremely heavy and has a lip to step up or down.  If you're in a chair it would be difficult to maneuver.   If you have someone with you to assist in helping with the opening and closing it would be better.  You can time your dog's potty usage to the time that the Stewards are making up the cabins, and get their help in opening and closing the heavy door.

 

 

 

I bag the solids when they are deposited.  The odor is from urine.  This guy has the stinkiest pee of any dog I’ve ever met!  We can’t toilet him near the house because of it.  This is the reason I’m happy not to have the box on the balcony.

 

I got a piece of the replacement fake grass made for dog potty stations.  He has no problem going on it and I plan to get a fresh piece to bring with us.  He doesn’t seem bothered about going on on any surfaces; he’ll go on anything.  

 

Maybe I’ll have to pass over the potty duty to someone else!  ;-)

 

 

[Miki_moto]

44 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

On our November cruise, the box was located mid-ship in a crew stairway area. This was the first time we have had it located inside (due to high winds on our Atlantic crossing - they were even tying down the furniture on the balconies and so we were unable to have it there).  The area had automatic door so there was no problem accessing the box by myself in a manual wheelchair.  We have also had the box located outside down a narrow corridor (the aptly named wind tunnel) with heavy manual doors and difficult thresholds. On those occasions, I was unable to access the box myself and insisted that it be moved. It might be a little easier with a power wheelchair since at least you would have one free hand, but it would still be difficult.

 

Dianne

 

I’m not willing to put myself out to make things easy for the cruise line so I’ll have to see where they put the box.  It isn’t as if Cunard doesn’t have decades of experience dealing with dogs onboard - at least on the Queen Mary 2!

 

The balcony would be a handy place for the box but if I can get something manageable near our stateroom I think that would be the best option.

[wizard-of-roz]

2 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

 

I’m not willing to put myself out to make things easy for the cruise line so I’ll have to see where they put the box.  It isn’t as if Cunard doesn’t have decades of experience dealing with dogs onboard - at least on the Queen Mary 2!

 

The balcony would be a handy place for the box but if I can get something manageable near our stateroom I think that would be the best option.

I so agree with all you've said!

[wizard-of-roz]

Carnival uses a metal 4x4 box filled with bark [placed on your veranda]  - HAL uses a 4x3 wooden box filled with sod [usually on an outside deck, forward [Once they placed it on our veranda] -  Princess uses a cardboard-like 4x5 box filled with wood shavings [placed in a stairwell near my cabin [Once it was placed on my veranda.] - Celebeity uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with some sort of mulch [placed on a forward deck.]  - NCL uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with cyprus mulch [placed in a crew closet down the hall from our cabin.]  Oceana uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with mulch [placed on our veranda.]  Costa uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with mulch [placed on our veranda.]  I have not taken Disney or RCL with my Service Dog, maybe someone else can attest to their potty box care!

 

One day, this will be consistent.  The cruiselines will treat our canine partners as well as they treat us.  There will be a priority placed on the appropriate placement of the potty box, the filler and our dogs treatment in general.

 

To the cruise staff and officers who have treated me and my Service Dogs with the deserved respect and dignity, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.  You are the reason that I continue to cruise and enjoy my days at sea with my service partner.

Edited April 23, 2019 by wizard-of-roz

[Miki_moto]

8 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Carnival uses a metal 4x4 box filled with bark [placed on your veranda]  - HAL uses a 4x3 wooden box filled with sod [usually on an outside deck, forward [Once they placed it on our veranda] -  Princess uses a cardboard-like 4x5 box filled with wood shavings [placed in a stairwell near my cabin [Once it was placed on my veranda.] - Celebeity uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with some sort of mulch [placed on a forward deck.]  - NCL uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with cyprus mulch [placed in a crew closet down the hall from our cabin.]  Oceana uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with mulch [placed on our veranda.]  Costa uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with mulch [placed on our veranda.]  I have not taken Disney or RCL with my Service Dog, maybe someone else can attest to their potty box care!

 

One day, this will be consistent.  The cruiselines will treat our canine partners as well as they treat us.  There will be a priority placed on the appropriate placement of the potty box, the filler and our dogs treatment in general.

 

To the cruise staff and officers who have treated me and my Service Dogs with the deserved respect and dignity, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart.  You are the reason that I continue to cruise and enjoy my days at sea with my service partner.

 

I agree Roz, it would be nice to know what to expect ahead of time!  

 

I’ve decided to take a wait-and-see attitude.  If by some miracle the box is on my balcony (it’s their policy NOT to put it there according to the form letter they emailed me) AND there’s still room for us to sit out there, I’ll thank them kindly.  But if it gets stinky, I’ll have to get them to move it.  If I can’t get out on the balcony I’ll have to ask them to move the box.

 

If it’s close to our cabin but in an area I can’t manage, I’ll discuss options with the crew.  At that point I think it’s better off closer

inside then a long trek outside - or my DH thinks so and he’s the one who would be doing ‘potty patrol’ at that point!

 

Thanks for all your replies.  

 

[allies_daphne]

17 hours ago, mmarq1992 said:

 

On the Disney Dream, it was a large plastic box lined with absorbent potty pads and sod on top

We had the same on the Dream, and the potty pads were changed out daily, but not the sod.  We only did a 4 day, so probably not necessary.  We picked up our own solid waste and brought it back to our cabin verandah since there was no trash receptacle for it at the potty station.  Our stateroom host discarded it multiple times a day from the verandah.  We have a 'walking pooper' so he struggled with that in the potty box.  We have been working on this with him at home the last few months, and he's getting better, but till 'misses' the box at times because of this. We will have extra potty pads we will place around the box on our next cruise so the decking around the box does not get contaminated in any way.  We are doing a 14 night in November, so hopefully he is much  more comfortable with using the box.  Going to take a piece of turf as Roz has suggested, and cut the drainage holes in it and use it in case there are any ports where they can't get fresh sod.  Special Services says this can sometimes be an issue on longer cruises, but that they should have enough on board from San Diego to take us all the way through.

[allies_daphne]

On 2/9/2019 at 6:08 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

 

I’ve been thinking the same thing - May try to use the titer more than once after the Hawaii cruise. My late brother had a house on the beach in Grand Cayman which we haven’t visited since getting my dog. His widow is always trying to get us to go again, and it’s just an hour’s flight for us.

 

Good work by prevailing with sod instead of kitty litter! We had that once - on a 16-hour overnight ferry to Newfoundland last year - and Raylene refused it, just like  Henri did. Long night.

 

It’s like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates - you never know what you’re going to get.

Chris,

I know you've posted before about having a port in GC and not getting off, and having the vet write on the health certificate that you were not disembarking, but I can't find the actual post.  When you did this, did you still need to go to the APHIS office in Gainesville to get that certificate signed, or was that waived since you weren't disembarking?  We are doing the same, but GC comes as the next to the last stop on our 14 day cruise, and we are leaving from San Diego, so need some travel time on the front end.  I know we don't have to get the titer in this case, but still have the Prazaquantil administered.  We were just hoping if we didn't have to get it signed in Gainesville, we could leave out a day earlier than planned to San Diego.  Colombia is the only  other port that requires an APHIS signed certificate, but they allow it to be done electronically, so that one is not an issue.  I have the template for Mexico for the vet to fill out/sign, so that completes all our port stops.  Unfortunately, Special Services on DCL has been sub-par with information, basically telling me they will follow whatever GC's Dept of Ag states is the guideline.  

 

Any help/info would be appreciated :).

Denise

[mmarq1992]

48 minutes ago, allies_daphne said:

We had the same on the Dream, and the potty pads were changed out daily, but not the sod.  We only did a 4 day, so probably not necessary.  We picked up our own solid waste and brought it back to our cabin verandah since there was no trash receptacle for it at the potty station.  Our stateroom host discarded it multiple times a day from the verandah.  We have a 'walking pooper' so he struggled with that in the potty box.  We have been working on this with him at home the last few months, and he's getting better, but till 'misses' the box at times because of this. We will have extra potty pads we will place around the box on our next cruise so the decking around the box does not get contaminated in any way.  We are doing a 14 night in November, so hopefully he is much  more comfortable with using the box.  Going to take a piece of turf as Roz has suggested, and cut the drainage holes in it and use it in case there are any ports where they can't get fresh sod.  Special Services says this can sometimes be an issue on longer cruises, but that they should have enough on board from San Diego to take us all the way through.

 

They’ve changed a bit since you sailed! There is a garbage can, with poop bags stored above in the potty area, you can see part of it on the left of this picture!