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

[Caribbean Chris]

We are going to Mexico and I read we only need the health forms. Did I miss something?

 

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Hi Cindy, I think they did change it. Check it out on the APHIS drop down menu for dogs and cats. Mexico’s version of the health certificate has a box with statements in both Spanish and English AND now has to be endorsed by the regional APHIS office, which is a real pain. I think that’s new. That’s “Option A,”

 

But “Option B” can be a signed statement on your vet’s letterhead with language Mexico provides to be copied and pasted. It does NOT have to be endorsed.

 

So I got the usual Form 7001 and then my vet did the letterhead thing. I’ll be back about January 9 and will let you know what happens on Celebrity. Maybe we’ll have to appear in person, me in my bathrobe, at 7 a.m. for the dog to be inspected, which would be a first for us.

 

So she’s off to the groomer in the morning for a bath and nail trim.

[rangeley]

Hi Cindy, I think they did change it. Check it out on the APHIS drop down menu for dogs and cats. Mexico’s version of the health certificate has a box with statements in both Spanish and English AND now has to be endorsed by the regional APHIS office, which is a real pain. I think that’s new. That’s “Option A,”

 

But “Option B” can be a signed statement on your vet’s letterhead with language Mexico provides to be copied and pasted. It does NOT have to be endorsed.

 

So I got the usual Form 7001 and then my vet did the letterhead thing. I’ll be back about January 9 and will let you know what happens on Celebrity. Maybe we’ll have to appear in person, me in my bathrobe, at 7 a.m. for the dog to be inspected, which would be a first for us.

 

So she’s off to the groomer in the morning for a bath and nail trim.

Please let me know. I'll have to check out the Aphis we site.

Mexico is the only place I've ever had to bring the dog down for inspection, which they barely glanced at him. I think k Roz stated the same.

 

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[alexspepa]

Good Morning Everyone! I'm back.

 

It was a wonderful 15 day Hawaii cruise. Horton was treated like a rock star. His potty box was in place, on the veranda, from day one. The filler was the pellets, which are so hard on dogs with web toes. I brought a roll of artificial turf, laid it on top of the pellets and it stayed there for the complete cruise [i left it behind when he disembarked.] The Steward provided trash bags, which he tied to a lounge chair and I picked up the solids, which were disposed of daily.

 

I'm not really fond of sea days and Hawaii cruises are full of them. So, there were a lot of days filled with playing games, people watching, reading and watching folks ooh! and aah! over Horty. The ship offered hula lessons, singing, spa, reading and just lazing around. It was too cold to lay by the pools [and, the Captain was a real Parnelli Jones], the ship was bobbing and weaving so much that there were puke bags by every elevator. We had left port late so he was making up for the time by driving like a crazy man. I, personally, love the rocking and rolling as does Horton and my daughter. The worst was trying to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

We brought our Ukulele's but never really brought them out. There were no lessons offered. The food was good, not great, but very good. The service was excellent. The show's were minimal because of the rough seas. The magician and comedian onboard were very good. The music in the various was very good. And, having the drink package was the best idea ever. We had bottled water, specialty coffee's and top of the line drinks whenever we wanted them. I will ALWAYS purchase the drink package, no matter what ship I'm on!

 

I prefer port intensive cruises so that almost daily you're in a different place and most folks leave the ship so there are no lines. However, the shops and casino onboard will be closed a lot. Going to Hawaii there's a lot of chances to shop and to gamble.

 

As you all know the paperwork, vet visits and Direct Release Specialist visit by the Maui Humane Society [while onboard] were very expensive. Horton was inspected by by the Specialist who was very impressed by his behavior and the condition of his skin, fur and cleanliness of his ears, paws, etc. Her name was Melissa and her visit was pre-arranged by phone [808-877-3680] and cost $224.00. The first thing she did was run her scanner over Horton to check for his Micro-chip and then she examined all my paperwork which included a copy of his OIE-FAVN Blood test [Rabies antibody], which costs $245.00. These costs do not include the Vet visit and any immunizations which must be brought current. The blood test is good for 3 years, so if you're planning another trip within this time your dogs is all good to go.

 

I've said this before and I'll say it again, please DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN YOUR CABIN WITHOUT SUPERVISION. So much can happen. Most ships won't allow this anyway! If my dog can't go or if I have a questionable port.....I don't go. His life and his well being is way too important to me.

 

I now have something in writing from the HR Director at my new job site asking me to please NOT take Horton into the ladies room, kitchen or employee's lounge. Remember, I've been working for this company for over 20 years and this is the first time anyone has ever made such a request of my dogs [who have worked with me since 2002!] I've already had one employee who won't go into the elevator with me if Horton is in it. Now I enter the elevator and if there are people already in it, I ask, "is anyone afraid of the dog?" I NEVER ask is "anyone allergic?"

 

Thank you all for your good wishes and good suggestions for dealing with my new issues at my new job site.

 

Yay! the Queen and her Prince are back! glad you had a great cruise and I agree - the bev packages are the bomb.

 

Roz - please - I agree with everything everyone else has said - Horty deserves and gets access to every place you do. He is your oxygen machine, your wheelchair, etc. Where you go - he goes...period.

 

Having said that - I also understand you may be trying to get along in a new job environment, with new associates, etc. Only you can decide how to do this - please know that all of us here suport you in what ever decison you make.

 

Keith

[alexspepa]

Thanks for the great report, Roz! I missed you. Really appreciate all the info you posted for us about Hawaii.

 

Hope everyone had a good Christmas.

 

We sail next Tuesday, Caribbean this time, again on Celebrity. We’ll be in a Suite but for just a week (the longer cruise Suite prices have become very scary). They have a lounge (which my husband likes) and dining room for suites, so there’s plenty of room and peace & quiet.

 

Ship goes to Key West, Cayman, and Cozumel. We aren’t taking the dog ashore in Grand Cayman - a few hours on the island are not worth the cost for a blood test, plus $61 US application fee - and we’ve been there three times, pre-Dog anyway.

 

For Mexico this time, we did the “Option B” of a Mexico-supplied bilingual form printed on the vet’s letterhead. Much better than having to get Option A - their bilingual version of 7001 - which must be endorsed. I’ve had too many nail-biters during the holidays in years past waiting for the state APHIS vet to endorse and return anything! Glad to avoid the expense of overnight letters including overnight return envelopes.

 

Will give a report when we return. Happy new year to all.

 

Chris - I wish you and Bob and Raylene a great cruise!...Lucy and I and Dotto just arrived at Topsail Island for their yearly winter month at the beach! Cold but beautiful at the same time!

Got friends coming down for the weekend then I will be heading back to work on the 1st.

 

Keith

[Caribbean Chris]

Happy New Year, Keith!

[wizard-of-roz]

HAPPY NEW YEAR! To all my wonderful and supportive friends here at Cruise Critic. I wish you all the very, very happiest of New Years! I wish you all safe and happy sailings on the high seas, no matter where or when with your loved ones, whether they be two or four footed.

 

We're having 80 degree temps here, I know it's cold and filled with snow back east......stay well, stay warm, I love you all :hearteyes:

[rangeley]

Happy and healthy new year everyone!!

 

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[Algebralovr]

Happy Thursday, everyone. My area of south-central Missouri is still in a deep freeze. We've not seen anything above freezing temperature of water for over a week now. At least it got up to the high teens today. Scooter still prances outside, even in negative temps.

 

The week at the vet, followed by a week of sleeping on the couch while I fought the flu was hard on training. Scooter did great the first two days back to the office, then today he wanted to pull and visit with everyone. Sigh. I keep reminding myself that if he was a program dog, he probably would still be with the trainers, working on proofing. He turned 2 just before Christmas. Of course, that is no different than the students. Two weeks of no routine means everyone breaks. I'll just have him back in shape when I go on the next cruise, for two weeks. I'm still not sure about taking him, so I'm planning to leave my son here house-sitting and Scooter-sitting. I'm sure we'll have plenty of training to do again once we return. He'll likely also be glad to get back to a routine, since son spends a lot of time on campus studying and won't be taking Scooter with him. Poor puppy will be stuck in the house a lot.

 

Roz - how is the week at work going with the SD issue and being told to leave him out of the public spaces? Any updates? I can't believe they would expect you to leave him while you use the restroom and warm up your lunch. That is so much in violation of the ADA! Any updates to share?

 

Hope the rest of you are well.

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy Thursday, everyone. My area of south-central Missouri is still in a deep freeze. We've not seen anything above freezing temperature of water for over a week now. At least it got up to the high teens today. Scooter still prances outside, even in negative temps.

 

The week at the vet, followed by a week of sleeping on the couch while I fought the flu was hard on training. Scooter did great the first two days back to the office, then today he wanted to pull and visit with everyone. Sigh. I keep reminding myself that if he was a program dog, he probably would still be with the trainers, working on proofing. He turned 2 just before Christmas. Of course, that is no different than the students. Two weeks of no routine means everyone breaks. I'll just have him back in shape when I go on the next cruise, for two weeks. I'm still not sure about taking him, so I'm planning to leave my son here house-sitting and Scooter-sitting. I'm sure we'll have plenty of training to do again once we return. He'll likely also be glad to get back to a routine, since son spends a lot of time on campus studying and won't be taking Scooter with him. Poor puppy will be stuck in the house a lot.

 

Roz - how is the week at work going with the SD issue and being told to leave him out of the public spaces? Any updates? I can't believe they would expect you to leave him while you use the restroom and warm up your lunch. That is so much in violation of the ADA! Any updates to share?

 

Hope the rest of you are well.

 

Barb, I hope your life hasn't been turned too upside down with your weather.....not a great start to 2018.

I've learned over the years that our dogs are more resilient and pliable than we think. If you're there, if they have water and food....life is good. They'll adapt to anything and be okay.

Thanks for asking, I am so uncomfortable at my new workplace.....even though I know I have rights and can go wherever "they" go with my Horton it just feels so wrong and, although I've been with the company for more than 20 years, I feel out of place and disjointed. I have a huge health issue that has been nagging at me for the past several months, maybe it's time to get it taken care of.

I'm a firm believer in doing the very best I can do and NEVER give up but it may be time for the "white flag!" Just to save my self respect and moral fortitude!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Hugs Roz and Horty, I get it. Sometimes even if we are right and "win" we don't really "win". If you can, I would just get your health issue taken care of and play it by ear, after that. :hearteyes::*

[rangeley]

Take care of your health issue Roz, and tell work to screw!

Its a balmy 6 degrees with well below zero wind chill. We got 17" of snow. ☹️ 14 more days and we're out of here!! Poor Wex is having his usual cold weather paw issue. Hes fine and all of a sudden a paw voes up in the air and he can barely walk. A few seconds later hes running around. What a wuss! Yesterday is was 2 paws up. I dont even know how he could walk. Im guessing he might be happy to get to Florida.

I dont remember it ever being this cold for this long. Its been rough.

 

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[rangeley]

Sorry doesnt work. Wont let me delete.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TTfm5Of1bjiZYF572

 

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[rpclmc]

Take care of your health issue Roz, and tell work to screw!

Its a balmy 6 degrees with well below zero wind chill. We got 17" of snow. ☹️ 14 more days and we're out of here!! Poor Wex is having his usual cold weather paw issue. Hes fine and all of a sudden a paw voes up in the air and he can barely walk. A few seconds later hes running around. What a wuss! Yesterday is was 2 paws up. I dont even know how he could walk. Im guessing he might be happy to get to Florida.

I dont remember it ever being this cold for this long. Its been rough.

 

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It was 29 in my part of Florida this morning, 1 hour north of Tampa. But it is supposed to be back to normal on Monday.

 

Could Wes be getting ice melt on his paws? The ice melt is really painful to them.

 

Linda and Halo

[rpclmc]

Roz, please take care of yourself. Sounds like it is stressful and that can make health issues worse. Being happy is so much more important than being right, the principle of things and bad health. Everyone here understands that.

 

Linda and Halo

[rangeley]

It was 29 in my part of Florida this morning, 1 hour north of Tampa. But it is supposed to be back to normal on Monday.

 

Could Wes be getting ice melt on his paws? The ice melt is really painful to them.

 

Linda and Halo

I guess its cold everywhere. Its suppose to warm up to 30s this week.

Its not ice melt. We are very careful about that. Its just cold paws i guess. If he has to walk in the snow for more than than a minute he does it. He's so delicate. Lol

 

Cindy

 

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[wizard-of-roz]

Roz, please take care of yourself. Sounds like it is stressful and that can make health issues worse. Being happy is so much more important than being right, the principle of things and bad health. Everyone here understands that.

 

Linda and Halo

 

Linda, wise, wise words. Thank you ♥

[wizard-of-roz]

Take care of your health issue Roz, and tell work to screw!

Its a balmy 6 degrees with well below zero wind chill. We got 17" of snow. ☹️ 14 more days and we're out of here!! Poor Wex is having his usual cold weather paw issue. Hes fine and all of a sudden a paw voes up in the air and he can barely walk. A few seconds later hes running around. What a wuss! Yesterday is was 2 paws up. I dont even know how he could walk. Im guessing he might be happy to get to Florida.

I dont remember it ever being this cold for this long. Its been rough.

 

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Take care Cindy, you are in count-down......one of the best part of cruising!

[wizard-of-roz]

Hugs Roz and Horty, I get it. Sometimes even if we are right and "win" we don't really "win". If you can, I would just get your health issue taken care of and play it by ear, after that. :hearteyes::*

 

Thank you Nancy. You have always been a wonderful source of great advice ♥

[Caribbean Chris]

Please let me know. I'll have to check out the Aphis we site.

Mexico is the only place I've ever had to bring the dog down for inspection, which they barely glanced at him. I think k Roz stated the same.

 

Hi, Cindy. We took the standard APHIS form and also the form my vet copied & pasted onto his letterhead, then filled out and signed, per Mexico’s instructions (required text shown on the APHIS site now as Option B.) I did not need to have either of those endorsed by the state APHIS office.

 

I had to take the dog down before the ship cleared in Cozumel to have her inspected by a nice woman, one of the Mexico officials. She looked at the papers, looked in Raylene’s ears and examined her two front paws. She gave me a copy of the ship’s clearance document (stating one dog) to carry ashore in case I needed it.

[Caribbean Chris]

Hi All, we’re back from a short Celebrity cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. We picked a great week to be gone since it was so cold even in Florida. All went well, except for weather. The ship skipped Key West and it poured rain after we got off in Cozumel. (We didn’t do the paperwork for Cayman on purpose, and we’ve been there several times, so stayed on board. The ship had to anchor away from Georgetown to tender as often happens due to high waves at the port there.)

 

Enjoyed being back on Celebrity Reflection and saw some crew we met previously. It’s my favorite of their ships. We even booked the same cabin from two years ago.

 

I didn’t care about the bad weather since we like being on board and just enjoying relaxing on the ship. And it wasn’t really BAD, cold weather. But I was sorry for other people who wanted more sunshine and hot weather.

 

They placed the garden-mulch-filled box in the usual forward starboard crew area. Box was a little small, definitely not 4’ square, but she managed to fit diagonally! The next day, it was impossible to get to it since All the starboard side doors to the deck were locked or couldn’t open against the wind. A nice crew member came along, helped us get to the box, and suggested he could move the mix to the port side. That location worked out fine.

[Algebralovr]

Hi All, we’re back from a short Celebrity cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. We picked a great week to be gone since it was so cold even in Florida. All went well, except for weather. The ship skipped Key West and it poured rain after we got off in Cozumel. (We didn’t do the paperwork for Cayman on purpose, and we’ve been there several times, so stayed on board. The ship had to anchor away from Georgetown to tender as often happens due to high waves at the port there.)

 

Enjoyed being back on Celebrity Reflection and saw some crew we met previously. It’s my favorite of their ships. We even booked the same cabin from two years ago.

 

I didn’t care about the bad weather since we like being on board and just enjoying relaxing on the ship. And it wasn’t really BAD, cold weather. But I was sorry for other people who wanted more sunshine and hot weather.

 

They placed the garden-mulch-filled box in the usual forward starboard crew area. Box was a little small, definitely not 4’ square, but she managed to fit diagonally! The next day, it was impossible to get to it since All the starboard side doors to the deck were locked or couldn’t open against the wind. A nice crew member came along, helped us get to the box, and suggested he could move the mix to the port side. That location worked out fine.

 

 

Glad Reflection went well for you! We will be on Silhouette in under 6 weeks. Doing western then eastern as B2B. Never been to Key West, so hope we get to.

 

Where is the forward area with the box? What deck? I'm trying to picture. We've done Reflection 3 times, Silhouette 4, Eclipse 2, Solstice 1 and Equinox 2, so we like the S class ships.

 

I'm probably leaving Scooter with son in Feb, but not positive. We are on the way to the airport and fly to San Diego right now. We'll see how he flies this time.

 

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[wizard-of-roz]

Hi, Cindy. We took the standard APHIS form and also the form my vet copied & pasted onto his letterhead, then filled out and signed, per Mexico’s instructions (required text shown on the APHIS site now as Option B.) I did not need to have either of those endorsed by the state APHIS office.

 

I had to take the dog down before the ship cleared in Cozumel to have her inspected by a nice woman, one of the Mexico officials. She looked at the papers, looked in Raylene’s ears and examined her two front paws. She gave me a copy of the ship’s clearance document (stating one dog) to carry ashore in case I needed it.

 

Ears tell it all......If they're red, have dirt in them or smell they can ask that your dog NOT go off the ship. It's a good idea to keep your dogs ears clean!!!!! ;)

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi All, we’re back from a short Celebrity cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. We picked a great week to be gone since it was so cold even in Florida. All went well, except for weather. The ship skipped Key West and it poured rain after we got off in Cozumel. (We didn’t do the paperwork for Cayman on purpose, and we’ve been there several times, so stayed on board. The ship had to anchor away from Georgetown to tender as often happens due to high waves at the port there.)

 

Enjoyed being back on Celebrity Reflection and saw some crew we met previously. It’s my favorite of their ships. We even booked the same cabin from two years ago.

 

I didn’t care about the bad weather since we like being on board and just enjoying relaxing on the ship. And it wasn’t really BAD, cold weather. But I was sorry for other people who wanted more sunshine and hot weather.

 

They placed the garden-mulch-filled box in the usual forward starboard crew area. Box was a little small, definitely not 4’ square, but she managed to fit diagonally! The next day, it was impossible to get to it since All the starboard side doors to the deck were locked or couldn’t open against the wind. A nice crew member came along, helped us get to the box, and suggested he could move the mix to the port side. That location worked out fine.

 

The box should NEVER be placed in an area where the guest or the dog is exposed to the elements or the chance of the door being blocked or locked!!! Every ship has a stairwell.......it's an enclosed area that does NOT interfere with anything or anyone else onboard. And, there's one on every deck!

You're such a positive person, I'm sure you turned the potty box into a good experience for all concerned! ♥

[wizard-of-roz]

Glad Reflection went well for you! We will be on Silhouette in under 6 weeks. Doing western then eastern as B2B. Never been to Key West, so hope we get to.

 

Where is the forward area with the box? What deck? I'm trying to picture. We've done Reflection 3 times, Silhouette 4, Eclipse 2, Solstice 1 and Equinox 2, so we like the S class ships.

 

I'm probably leaving Scooter with son in Feb, but not positive. We are on the way to the airport and fly to San Diego right now. We'll see how he flies this time.

 

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I hope Scooter flies well and that you take him on that long awaited and earned cruise.

I like Celebrity and had a wonderful experience cruising with them. I haven't tried them with Horton yet.

Again, if you have a cabin with a veranda convince them to place the box on it. Although, I have to tell you guys, my daughter was not crazy about having the box on the veranda......she said she thought that it took away from the "veranda experience" and, we had an extended balcony. She really wouldn't have liked it on a "regular" balcony. I don't mind it at all and quite frankly prefer it to be there than anywhere else. it's so convenient to open the door, let Horton step out and go potty. Either there or a stairwell, on my deck.

[DUTRAVEL]

I had to take the dog down before the ship cleared in Cozumel to have her inspected by a nice woman, one of the Mexico officials. She looked at the papers, looked in Raylene’s ears and examined her two front paws. She gave me a copy of the ship’s clearance document (stating one dog) to carry ashore in case I needed it.

 

Isn't it funny how inconsistent they are? Mexico was the one place that did not want to inspect Henri - Guatemala and Costa Rica inspected her and Columbia wanted a fee to inspect her if we were taking her off the ship.

 

Dianne