Dogs On Ships

Hi...just been reading on another thread about Service dogs being allowed on ships. It is certainly not something I had given a thought and probably thought they would not be allowed but they are.

So my question is...are service dogs allowed on P&O cruise ships?

So I looked on the P and O help pages and this is what I found

P&O Cruises welcome certified Assistance Dogs on each of their ships; guests travelling with an assistance dog must notify us in advance of their intention by completing a medical and mobility questionnaire.

Assistance dogs may not be permitted ashore in certain ports of call, in line with current DEFRA regulations which apply in the UK.

To requests a questionnaire please call our Customer Contact Centre on 0843 374 0111 (Calls cost 3p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge) or email disability@carnivlukgroup.com.

So yes, it looks as though they are. I wonder how they deal with natures call?

Yes, service dogs are allowed on ship. They have large litter trays, for want of a better description. However, here in he UK, we are talking "proper" service dogs.

Not wishing to be insensitive, or upset anybody, but so called service dogs of the small handbag variety, seem to be becoming a problem on some cruises sailing from the US. Where owners are sailing with their pets, by calling them service dogs.

 

So yes, it looks as though they are. I wonder how they deal with natures call?

I believe that guide dogs' training includes toileting. Not sure how it works but this problem is covered. They might well have a kitty litter system in the cabin; as previously mentioned, I have no idea. I have only encountered dogs on board three cruises on Princess Cruises and in each case absolutely no trouble at all.

Regards John

thank you for quick reply.

First of all I have no problem with genuine service dogs being allowed if they are kept under strict control but people being people "stretch the rules" to accommodate their own way of doing and interpretation.

If I saw a dog on someone's lap at a table in MDR ...with clothes and a nappy on being fed from table it would turn my stomach. If they are allowed to do that what do they get up to in the privacy of their cabins. On that thread it was mentioned that a dog was running free in a promenade cafe going round licking people :eek:....charming....

Once a " door is opened an inch" it very soon becomes thrown wide open.

We tend to think that a service dog would be a seeing eye dog but no it can encompass a much wider range so where is the line drawn and what constitutes a service dog?

Below is a quote from that thread

The lines are terrified to tell someone there dog isn't a service dog, and to a degree I understand why.

It's actually not hard to train dogs to "go" on command.

It's actually not hard to train dogs to "go" on command.

Go where?

I'm all in favour of guide dogs for the blind but those claiming their pets are "comfort/emotional support" dogs are taking the mickey.

Next we'll see talking parrots on peoples shoulders in the MDR because they provide needed "support"!

I believe I read somewhere that they also make a small area available with a litter tray out on deck where passengers don't go. This was a long time ago. I'm sure the dog doesn't "go" in the cabin. Our dog goes when I tell her, so I'm sure a guide dog would. I think it's nice that it is allowed for genuine cases.

I hope ADUK don't mind me posting this. It seems to clear up the matter as far as the UK and Europe are concerned.

Are emotional support dogs recognised as assistance dogs?

No, emotional support dogs are not required to undergo any specialised training and are not recognised in any region of the world as being assistance dogs. The worldwide body representing assistance dog programmes, ADI, does not classify emotional support dogs as assistance dogs. As a result, the owners of emotional support dogs are not entitled to claim their dogs have public access rights in the UK under the grounds of ‘reasonable adjustments’ that apply to assistance dogs. This includes airline travel.

At times confusion can arise as a result of laws in the United States. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not recognise emotional support dogs as assistance dogs, but it does grant them some rights, including the right of disabled owners of emotional support dogs to reside in housing that has a “No Pets” policy. In addition, The US Department of Transport’s Air Carrier Access Act allows those with proof of a disability to be accompanied by an emotional support dog in the cabin of a plane. In the United States, pets can be registered as emotional support dogs if the owner obtains a letter from a licensed mental health professional that prescribes an emotional support dog. This does not apply in the UK.

There was a very interesting article on this a while a go but I can't think of the life of me where it was. :o

I was in ore of the ability of control and obedience of these dogs having encountered one on board the Aurora on our cruise some years ago. To them it's just another working day and behave no differently on-board ship as they do at home.

I think they are totally wonderful. On duty when their harness is on, off duty and able to play when it's off. I always notice when in France that dogs are allowed in restaurants there. The French obviously don't think they are going to contaminate the area!!

I thought there may be a lot of comments about this subject and as I pointed out before I have no problem with genuine service dogs. But the problems arise as to what constitutes a service dog. Is it acceptable to have dogs in the MDR sat on someone's lap being fed from the table. Is it acceptable for dogs to be free roaming in a food area licking people. Not everyone loves dogs...some have a fear of dogs...some have allergies to fur. Yes they may be accepted in restaurants in France but you have a choice to choose another restaurant or not to eat out at all but on a cruise ship you are a "captive market".

Thanks for the info!

Well you won't be bothered by a service dog wherever you are. I would imagine it is only on UK ships if it is a guide dog.

I think I read a thread years ago on one of the American boards about this, and it was amazing what some people had posted as their pet being a service animal.

Reading other posts on this thread I would guess on P and O you would only find what we consider proper service dogs...not pets.

JOKE ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS

A guy wants to emigrate to the United States and sorts all the house out and everything. Then he thinks "What about my Irish Wolfhound?". Eventually he decides to buy it a harness and high visibility jacket and books a transatlantic cruise ticket to the US. He turns up at the cruise terminal to check in wearing sunglasses. The woman behind the counter says "What's that dog doing here?" The guy replies; "That's my guide dog, I need him". The woman says; "Ohh no, guide dogs are Labradors and sometimes German Shepherd Dogs". So the guy gives the dog a friendly stroke and rubs its fur and says "What sort have they given me?"

Regards John

There was a very interesting article on this a while a go but I can't think of the life of me where it was. :o

 

You may have read it on a Cunard thread started by me entitled 'Assistance Dog' on 29th April 2015 at 0231pm.

 

The replies about emotional support dogs being of a calming influence to providing diabetic alert. There is reference to phoney certification being available on the internet which some use to get their dog on board; also, what do the cruise lines do if someone turns up with a designer dog and a doctor's letter to say they are necessary for the passenger's well being.

 

It seems a jungle to me!

There was a very interesting article on this a while a go but I can't think of the life of me where it was. :o

 

You may have read it on a Cunard thread started by me entitled 'Assistance Dog' on 29th April 2015 at 0231pm.

 

The replies about emotional support dogs being of a calming influence to providing diabetic alert. There is reference to phoney certification being available on the internet which some use to get their dog on board; also, what do the cruise lines do if someone turns up with a designer dog and a doctor's letter to say they are necessary for the passenger's well being.

 

It seems a jungle to me!

 

Well I guess if we were talking P and O, and they just turned up with aforesaid mutt, they would be refused boarding.

It states with P and O that they must be notified in advance with medical paperwork to back up. Without which no getting on board.

Are all the Americans who seem to do it on their ships all single cruisers. Surely ones partner/travelling companion should be providing the calming influence and providing a diabetic alert.

There was a very interesting article on this a while a go but I can't think of the life of me where it was. :o

 

I was in ore of the ability of control and obedience of these dogs having encountered one on board the Aurora on our cruise some years ago. To them it's just another working day and behave no differently on-board ship as they do at home.

I saw the same article but can't remember where. It said something to the effect that UK lines only allow dogs that have been properly trained by a recognised organisation whereas US lines seem to allow dogs which are declared as assistance dogs by their owner

 

Well I guess if we were talking P and O, and they just turned up with aforesaid mutt, they would be refused boarding.

It states with P and O that they must be notified in advance with medical paperwork to back up. Without which no getting on board.

Are all the Americans who seem to do it on their ships all single cruisers. Surely ones partner/travelling companion should be providing the calming influence and providing a diabetic alert.

 

I don't know about "calming influences", but I've heard it from too many sources to disbelieve that dogs can do diabeitc alerts or other illnesses. I doubt they do it by a sixth sense, more that some of their other five senses (especially smell) are so much more developed than humans'.

 

I don't know about "calming influences", but I've heard it from too many sources to disbelieve that dogs can do diabeitc alerts or other illnesses. I doubt they do it by a sixth sense, more that some of their other five senses (especially smell) are so much more developed than humans'.

 

I know dogs can do many wonderful things (smelling out cancer etc) however I still think I will go with P and O 's definition of an assistance dog, rather than the American definition of family pet who I have to travel with.

Below is part of an article that I have just picked up on...is this the start of a door being opened an inch only to be thrown wide open later on?

Queen Mary 2 (QM2)

The Queen Mary 2 operated by Cunard Lines is an approved carrier in connection with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) on Transatlantic Crossings. Passage in the kennels is subject to size restrictions, availability and the requirements of the Pet Scheme. Pets are accepted on all Transatlantic crossings, except the first and last crossings of the year.

Cunard's "Pets on Deck" program, includes adding a range of pet-friendly services and amenities such as fresh-baked biscuits at turn-down, a choice of beds and blankets, and even a coat with a QM2 logo. As part of the enhanced program, traveling dogs and cats also receive a complimentary gift pack featuring a frisbee, name tag, food dish and scoop, a complimentary portrait with pet owners, a crossing certificate and personalized cruise card.

Below is part of an article that I have just picked up on...is this the start of a door being opened an inch only to be thrown wide open later on?

 

 

Queen Mary 2 (QM2)

The Queen Mary 2 operated by Cunard Lines is an approved carrier in connection with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) on Transatlantic Crossings. Passage in the kennels is subject to size restrictions, availability and the requirements of the Pet Scheme. Pets are accepted on all Transatlantic crossings, except the first and last crossings of the year.

 

Cunard's "Pets on Deck" program, includes adding a range of pet-friendly services and amenities such as fresh-baked biscuits at turn-down, a choice of beds and blankets, and even a coat with a QM2 logo. As part of the enhanced program, traveling dogs and cats also receive a complimentary gift pack featuring a frisbee, name tag, food dish and scoop, a complimentary portrait with pet owners, a crossing certificate and personalized cruise card.

No, I dont think so. Cunard's QM2 has taken dogs on transatlantic crossings (not cruises) ever since she came into service. This was originally to accomodate people emigrating either way, and allowing their dogs to come with them. There is only a limited number of spaces and I understand they get booked up quickly. They have separate kennels and an exercise area for the dogs.

No, I dont think so. Cunard's QM2 has taken dogs on transatlantic crossings (not cruises) ever since she came into service. This was originally to accomodate people emigrating either way, and allowing their dogs to come with them. There is only a limited number of spaces and I understand they get booked up quickly. They have separate kennels and an exercise area for the dogs.

thank you Mysticalmother for your answer ...was thinking it could be the start of something especially what I have read concerning dogs on American lines