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

[wizard-of-roz]

Roz,

Hubby has always said he didn't know how we had time to work! I think we were better organized. You did laundry and cleaned the house on Saturday so that you had Sunday open. Now, tomorrow is always another day! I have found out that if I need to get something important done, I have to do it first thing in the morning. Don't come at me in the afternoon with something that "has" to be done. It sends me into a "tail" spin. :hearteyes:

 

Thanks Nancy for the suggestions......You've always been a source of inspiration and love to all of us cruisers and our dogs.

[DisneyKidsDad]

Boy! This retirement thing is not for Sissie's!!!!!!! I'm exhausted, I've never worked so hard!

 

First, I've been keeping medical appointments, tests that I've been putting off because they didn't fit into my working schedule. Also, been taking care of my car and house, again stuff that was put off and now is getting done.

 

Check, check, check and check writing. It's expensive not to work. I'm slowly getting into a somewhat good and lasting routine. Not easy to realize that I'm going to be spending this time without my Morey and I need to find a good schedule and plan for a meaningful and fulfilling life. Serious stuff! All good suggestions are welcome.

 

First, having this remarkable and stable Service Dog in my life has kept my heart and soul together!!!! Thank you Horton Jeffrey for ALWAYS being there for me!

 

SUGGESTION: I found an amazing vacuum cleaner, Bissell Powerglide Pet......It made my carpets and floors look like new. It was easy to push, not too heavy and really did a good job. My other vacuum was just pushing the hair and dust around and not really picking up the stuff. I emptied the containers 4 times before I was done.

 

Happy weekend everyone!

Become a CCI puppy raiser!! :>)

[Algebralovr]

I'm home! Man, two weeks away was a long time!

Scooter is EXHAUSTED!!!!!

 

Crusing was definitely different with Scooter along. More later.

[Cruisefanatic71]

Welcome, I did a 15 day Carnival Miracle to Hawaii. Carnival provides a metal pre-made potty-box filled with mulch and put the box right on our veranda. I brought along some artificial turf to cover the mulch and Horton was a happy guy. They provided a plastic bag to put the waste bags in and they change the bag everyday. Remember to bring waste bags with you.

 

I was very impressed by the pre-made box. The filler was a bit rough on Horton's paws which is why I always bring some rolled up artificial grass to cover whatever the cruise line might provide.

 

The crew were wonderful and always tried to make us comfortable. They even provided "reserved" signs for our favorite seats in the theatre. We NEVER had to struggle through folks or feet to find our seat. Our Steward always provided extra pool towels for us to cover the couch with, so Horton was always comfortable.

 

I would definitely recommend Carnival if you're thinking about cruising them. You will need to call their Special Needs Dept. to let them know you're bringing a Service Dog and they will provide you with their paper work to sign. 1-800-227-6482.

Please come back and tell us how your cruise went.

Thanks for the insight. We have cruised with Carnival multiple times and we have always enjoyed cruising with them. Hearing about your experience will allow us to make our decision on continuing to cruise with Carnival a little bit easier.

 

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

[Algebralovr]

Scooter did fine on Celebrity Solstice. We had practiced with the box of mulch, so once we got there it was easy. The problem we ran into at first, was there was stuff on top of the box, so that only half was available. He was able to fit in and do his first pee, so we were good. I ran in to the concierge at lunch (love the concierge class lunch in the MDR on Celebrity), and he said he would get it fixed. I see what everyone means about the wind tunnel where the box is!

 

Came back and the stuff on top was gone, but it was still pushed back under a shelf, removing about 10 inches from being accessible. This was the nice pre-formed metal one they had. But, they had another one from wood, and they finally ended up putting it next to the first one, so that we had two together, one wood and one metal, both shoved under the shelf. That worked perfectly. Scooter used one (the metal one) to pee, and the wooden one to poop in. Because he doesn't like to poop where he just peed. In order to get him to use the same box for both, we have to use it, then walk around a couple of minutes, then we can come back and he will poop. Silly pooch!

 

We regularly came to find the wooden one had been moved on top of the metal one, and was only halfway balanced there. I couldn't lift/move it, so when that happened, I went back in, found a staff member, got them to move it, and went on. It happened at least once a day, but that is just how it goes. I had discussed getting a box on my balcony, but two things: 1) the joiner claimed they didn't have enough wood for another box, and there were 2 dogs on board, and 2) my dog is used to a short walk to stimulate him, so the walk from my room to the box was good for him. I'm not sure just stepping outside onto the balcony would have worked for him. Plus, we had a standard sized balcony, so it would have been very tight.

Also, I had requested sod, and it didn't show up. Well, that is what we were told. My husband and I think that the lawn care guys saw the sod and grabbed it, since the lawn was in terrible shape. The one time we were up there, it looked mostly brown and abused. Scooter saw the grass (we were standing back a bit in the glass blowing area, and lunged for it. I could tell he knew what that was, and he WANTED to go there! Because you know, dog. Anyway, I corrected him and took him to his box and we stayed away the rest of the time, but I'm betting the lawn guy grabbed the sod. I can't blame him.

 

On the plus side, Scooter was able to use the relief station in the airport finally. The relief station in the St. Louis airport is NICE. At least, the ones air side are. They have a number of them. The air side ones are actually nicer than the outside ones!

 

Other than that, we had a good time. We gave a couple of staff members a fake name once we realized how excited they were to see him. By the time a couple of hours went by, every stateroom attendant and public area cleaner seemed to know his name and call to him as we went past. A number of the cooks and waiters as well. We found a quiet place a played ball a number of times, and were joined by passing crew who all said they missed their dogs. The chief engineer was also a dog lover, and had to give a tickle and pet a couple of times.

 

A number of snuck pets by people from behind. The most obnoxious thing was when we were sitting in the coffee shop, he was laying on the floor next to me away from the traffic area, and an Asian lady came up, reached over me, and started petting him saying what a pretty dog. That was strange, he was out of the way.

 

We did Pike Place Market on Tuesday, after the cruise, and were at a stall with him in front of me in a down, and a couple of girls came around and bent down. First taking photos, which I'm used to on campus, but then one started petting and making noises at him, so I had to correct her verbally for her actions. The young man at the stall loved how I handled it and complemented me, saying he had never seen someone so disrespectfully reach out like that. What was she thinking?

 

Anyway, we got lots of compliments, including one from a trainer of guide dogs. He gave me a few handling pointers and we had a lovely discussion a couple of times.

 

Scooter is SO glad to be back home and at work, where he can take his naps!

[Algebralovr]

Oh, one more thing!

The check in staff at the pier were mostly new, and it was their first sailing for many. No one told me to look for the Pier Coordinator to check in. Instead, we were directed to the regular line for our status/class of room. When we got to the front of the line, she tried to check us in, and then couldn't find our room cards, and finally went to find out what was going on. We were then sent to the Pier Coordinator to provide the paperwork for Scooter and have our photo taken and receive our cards.

 

Next time we take Scooter, I'll ask right away if I should be in the regular check in line, or go directly to the Pier Coordinator with the paperwork for the dog and to check in.

[wizard-of-roz]

Welcome home Barb. Thank you for sharing your good information and suggestions with us.

 

Having a dog go to the bathroom in a potty box is probably one of the most unique habits that can be trained a dog. Any way that we can get our dogs to do this much needed task successfully is pure genius! I say, CONGRATULATIONS, to all our wonderful dogs who do this well!

Checking in with the registration folks about your dog before you board is a great suggestion. I certainly may save you some aggravation in the long run.

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

[Cuizer2]

We travel with a service dog..she is going to be on her 6th cruise in September and 7th in November.....We've learned a lot and have some suggestions for you....

 

• Don't be hesitant to do it.....it's wonderful! And truly has made our cruising so much more fun!!!!!! :p
  
• We've cruised on Celebrity/NCL/Princess/Carnival and HAL.
  
• The Best (most accomodating-all around) - HAL
  
• The Best set-up (potty-box) - NCL/Princess
  
• The Best crew for dog friendliness HAL/Princess
  
• Passenger friendliness...every ship we've ever been on. We only 1 passenger in all of our cruises who absolutely refused to eat in the Buffet area, with a dog!
  

If you have any questions about the ship requirements/easy way to deal with "special needs" departments/cabins/dining area/potty box/food/exercise/hotel/excursions/airplanes, etc. Ask away......

 

I don't want to bore you with all the details...so, I'll let you lead the way! ;)

 

I just thought you might want to take a look at this thread ...

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2626226

 

... and offer a few comments.

[Caribbean Chris]

Oh, one more thing!

The check in staff at the pier were mostly new, and it was their first sailing for many. No one told me to look for the Pier Coordinator to check in. Instead, we were directed to the regular line for our status/class of room. When we got to the front of the line, she tried to check us in, and then couldn't find our room cards, and finally went to find out what was going on. We were then sent to the Pier Coordinator to provide the paperwork for Scooter and have our photo taken and receive our cards.

 

Next time we take Scooter, I'll ask right away if I should be in the regular check in line, or go directly to the Pier Coordinator with the paperwork for the dog and to check in.

 

That’s a great suggestion, Barb. So often they end up searching for a supervisor anyway and sending you elsewhere, so it’s a waste of time to stand in the alphabetical/whatever lines.

 

I’ve been meaning to mention the following. We sailed on Holland America’s Veendam out of Ft. Lauderdale in April, and the manager at the pier was a real pro and the best I have seen (on our seven cruises with the dog). He sought us out as we entered security and could not have been kinder or more helpful. He took us directly to a specific checkin agent to get our key cards, and soon thereafter personally walked us aboard with the priest, escorting us directly to the ship’s customer service desk (before any passenger boarding had begun) where we provided them with the dog’s paperwork. Done!

 

The box arrangements were good too - grass sod, under cover at the bow end of the promenade, and accessed easily through a door from a regular (although narrow) passenger corridor. It was a rainy cruise, so I was grateful to use that sheltered area (it was still windy at times and very cold, but much more user-friendly than Celebrity’s infamous “wind tunnels.)

[alexspepa]

I just thought you might want to take a look at this thread ...

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2626226

 

... and offer a few comments.

jeez...that thread gave me an ice cream headache!

[wizard-of-roz]

Become a CCI puppy raiser!! :>)

 

I would love to do this. My environs do not lend to a "puppy"....having a fully trained CCI SD and the demands that that entails for me is about all I can handle....right now!

 

I love what you do and am in awe of how many people you have helped along the way! You are a wonderful hero to us!

[GUT2407]

I just thought you might want to take a look at this thread ...

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2626226

 

... and offer a few comments.

Some really strange comments there, many by people who have no idea what they’re talking about.

[wizard-of-roz]

I just thought you might want to take a look at this thread ...

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2626226

 

... and offer a few comments.

 

Thanks for sharing this. It's infuriating when I see folks taking advantage of the system.

 

When I go into the public with my CCI dog I walk with pride as I know he will act his best and behave with restraint. I do put colorful scarves and collars on my dogs but it doesn't take away from their behavior.

 

If I see a dog, in public, that I doubt is a true SD, I will let the handler know that I will be speaking with management about it.

 

CCI is truly working on getting the sale of vests/collars/signs and other SD stuff taken off the internet and they're contacting airlines/cruise lines and other public transportation entities about how to handle fake SD's.

 

We, as the public, can speak-up and let them know that we are "calling them out" too!

[GUT2407]

Thanks for sharing this. It's infuriating when I see folks taking advantage of the system.

 

When I go into the public with my CCI dog I walk with pride as I know he will act his best and behave with restraint. I do put colorful scarves and collars on my dogs but it doesn't take away from their behavior.

 

If I see a dog, in public, that I doubt is a true SD, I will let the handler know that I will be speaking with management about it.

 

CCI is truly working on getting the sale of vests/collars/signs and other SD stuff taken off the internet and they're contacting airlines/cruise lines and other public transportation entities about how to handle fake SD's.

 

We, as the public, can speak-up and let them know that we are "calling them out" too!

 

I too have a problem with people cheating the system, but to be honest have as much of a problem with anyone deciding who is cheating, I’ve been abused for using a handicapped parking permit, because someone thinks I “don’t look” disabled, but I guess unless they have xRay vision they can’t see the fractures.

 

Same as I’ve been abused onboard because “I saw you use a wheelchair to board, now you’re walking around”. Yep because some days are diamonds some days are stones, I do and intend to go on, using the minimum I can, some days that’s a chair, some a walking frame, some day’s sticks, somedays nothing, one great thing about cruising is that there is almost always a rail to hold onto if I need to.

[wizard-of-roz]

TRUE STORY: So, I'm walking to my doctor's office, from the parking lot, with Horton walking beside me. A woman starts patting Horton, making him stop and I keep trying to walk. I give Horton a "correction" and try to advance another step, she keeps stroking him. I stop and ask her to please stop touching him and I then suggest that she continue to walk and we'll follow her. She says, "how rude!" She starts to walk and then abruptly stops, turns at Horton and me and says, in a loud voice, "you keep walking, I'll follow you!" "You shouldn't be here, you don't belong here!" I keep walking with Horton and approach the elevator [where I say a silent prayer to myself, "please don't be going in the same elevator as us!"] She walks into the elevator across from us and I just breathe a sigh of relief.

 

What the heck just happened? Does every outing with Horton have to feel like a day in the combat fields?

 

It's enough to make a person shy of going anywhere with their SD!

Happy weekend everyone!

[wizard-of-roz]

I too have a problem with people cheating the system, but to be honest have as much of a problem with anyone deciding who is cheating, I’ve been abused for using a handicapped parking permit, because someone thinks I “don’t look” disabled, but I guess unless they have xRay vision they can’t see the fractures.

 

Same as I’ve been abused onboard because “I saw you use a wheelchair to board, now you’re walking around”. Yep because some days are diamonds some days are stones, I do and intend to go on, using the minimum I can, some days that’s a chair, some a walking frame, some day’s sticks, somedays nothing, one great thing about cruising is that there is almost always a rail to hold onto if I need to.

 

I know exactly what you're talking about. The presence of a Service Dog in the public venue, where people are not expecting to see a dog, can be too much to bear for a lot of folks.

 

I try to be as teaching as I possibly can be......that is unless they're impeding my ability to get from one place to another. By overly exaggerating gestures to my dog or by asking one question after another or simply by being rude.

 

You have to walk just one day with Horton and me in the public to totally understand what I mean. Those of you who cruise and travel with your dogs know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

"Sunshine", one of our bloggers, who actually cruised with Brenda and me, a few years ago, handled the public and paparazzi for me so that we could get around the ship and excursions without being late to everything because of all the questions and picture taking.

[wizard-of-roz]

Also, if you have to use a wheel chair at some times, a walker for others and then can walk without anything at other times is TOTALLY your business and NOT mine or anyone else's.

 

How dare anyone try to make you feel badly about any of this. Some people have no soul!

[GUT2407]

I know exactly what you're talking about. The presence of a Service Dog in the public venue, where people are not expecting to see a dog, can be too much to bear for a lot of folks.

 

I try to be as teaching as I possibly can be......that is unless they're impeding my ability to get from one place to another. By overly exaggerating gestures to my dog or by asking one question after another or simply by being rude.

 

You have to walk just one day with Horton and me in the public to totally understand what I mean. Those of you who cruise and travel with your dogs know exactly what I'm talking about.

 

"Sunshine", one of our bloggers, who actually cruised with Brenda and me, a few years ago, handled the public and paparazzi for me so that we could get around the ship and excursions without being late to everything because of all the questions and picture taking.

 

 

Maxy is learning to pick things up for me, but I’m not sure I’ll take him on a cruise even when he is fully trained.

[wizard-of-roz]

The only time that I do NOT have a Service Dog with me is when I'm having an MRI done. Otherwise my dog is right by my side; in the car; walking with me; sitting with me and in the room giving me the much needed moral support that he's the very best at doing!

 

No one and I mean NO ONE, can make me feel more comfortable and unafraid of new situations than Horton Jeffrey can.

[wizard-of-roz]

Maxy is learning to pick things up for me, but I’m not sure I’ll take him on a cruise even when he is fully trained.

 

If Maxy were fully trained to assist you and had certification to be able to go into a full elevator and NOT lick, whine, growl or react to the public in any way and to sit quietly under the dinner table or in a darkened theatre without making a sound [except to "alert" the handler if necessary], his purpose would go beyond just picking up objects for you.

 

I can't imagine travel without a Service Dog! The work is so worth it!

[GUT2407]

If Maxy were fully trained to assist you and had certification to be able to go into a full elevator and NOT lick, whine, growl or react to the public in any way and to sit quietly under the dinner table or in a darkened theatre without making a sound [except to "alert" the handler if necessary], his purpose would go beyond just picking up objects for you.

 

I can't imagine travel without a Service Dog! The work is so worth it!

He will do most of that, most of the time, still not perfect. And I’m not sure he’d like be8ng on the ship for three or four weeks.

[GUT2407]

Also, if you have to use a wheel chair at some times, a walker for others and then can walk without anything at other times is TOTALLY your business and NOT mine or anyone else's.

 

How dare anyone try to make you feel badly about any of this. Some people have no soul!

 

 

They seem to think I’ve used it to jump a queue.

 

I wonder how else they think I’m going to get the chair on the ship even if it’s a day I don’t need it, it’s bad enough trying to get all the equipment I need on.

 

That’s one thing Max is having some trouble with. He so badly wants to be close to me that sometimes he get too close to the wheels when I’m in the chair.

[GUT2407]

Here’s my boy

[S.S. Cruisers]

Here’s my boy

Max is adorable. He knows what his job is and he will try to do it as best he can. <3.

I have the same issue that I look fine, but what they don't know is the pain I am in most of the time now. So weird, when I walk (not for any distance) it actually feels better than if I'm just standing still. So yes, sometimes I walk just to try and stretch it out. At times I feel like ripping my shirt up and showing them the 4" + scar up the middle of my back. Then telling them, "No, it didn't fix it and in the process now my left leg and hip hurt, at times that I can't make the pain go away." No, I do not like taking medication every day, but know if I don't I will be in unbearable pain. No, I am not addicted to it, trying every imaginable option to try and get off the meds. Chiropractor, massages, physical therapy, injections (I hate them and they do not work). Okay, so I get it, slowing stepping off my soap box. :D

[Cuizer2]

Some really strange comments there, many by people who have no idea what they’re talking about.

 

Isn't the later a requirement for the former?