Service Animals

Hi all, We are planning on possibly booking a Disney cruise. My son has a medical alert dog that is a certified service animal. I am seeing very mixed reviews about having a service animal on board..Also, is it true that your animal has to be taken to a vet as soon as you reach the Bahamas, even if you have certified vet records from here? Any suggestions/info would be very much appreciated.

Hi all, We are planning on possibly booking a Disney cruise. My son has a medical alert dog that is a certified service animal. I am seeing very mixed reviews about having a service animal on board..Also, is it true that your animal has to be taken to a vet as soon as you reach the Bahamas, even if you have certified vet records from here? Any suggestions/info would be very much appreciated.

I found this article (it seems very informative & helpful):

https://theboatgalley.com/getting-a-bahamas-pet-permit/

There are several long threads about service dogs. We've been on several DCL cruises with one or more individuals with service dogs. Basically, if you have a balcony cabin, the "pet relief" facility will be installed on your balcony. If you do not have a balcony cabin, it will be provided in a public, but not very busy, area. They will do as you request with either grass or the cat litter sort of stuff. CMs will clean it at least twice a day.

DCl follows the ADA guidelines. The rules at each port are those of the country you are visiting. If you don't get off the ship in a given port, you don't have to complete their paperwork. If you contact the "special needs" desk at DCL, they can walk you thru everything. Per our friend who travels extensively with her service dog, it is a lot of work in advance but well worth it. Rather than getting second hand info here or reading articles that may not be current or apply to DCL, I'd recommend that you contact DCL directly and get accurate info.

In the US there is no such thing as a "certified service dog". That being said, DCL does allow service dogs. I just finished a Wonder 4 day cruise a few weeks ago where my service dog went.

No, you do not have to see a vet in the Bahamas. What you do have to do (for the Bahamas anyway) is take your dog to a USDA accredited vet to fill out the paperwork. First, you must obtain a Bahamian Import Certificate. You send away for that. For a service dog, there is no fee. You must write in big letters at the top, "Service Dog". It can take several months.

Then before your cruise, usually about 48 hours before... Your USDA certified vet will fill out their part of the Bahamian Import certificate, and also will complete the Aphis 7001 form. In the Bahamas that is sufficient. Other countries require that form to ALSO be stamped by the USDA office. Make sure the dog is current on all vaccines. The vet will also do an internal parasite exam.

You will also need to contact DCL's special services department well before your cruise date. Just before the cruise they will ask you to fax the completed forms to them. It is in your best interest to take the originals, AND make about three copies to take with you.

In my recent case, I faxed the forms. I was escorted to Guest Services where they took another copy. A few hours later I got a call and was asked to come back and drop off the originals.

Also Special Services will ask what kind of filler you want for the Service Dog Relief area. I asked for sod, but it was artificial and my guy didn't like it. So now I ask for mulch.

There is a thread on here in the Disabilities Forum, a VERY long thread with lots of useful information on cruising with a service dog.

DCL is very good to cruise with having a service dog.

Holly

In the US there is no such thing as a "certified service dog". That being said, DCL does allow service dogs. I just finished a Wonder 4 day cruise a few weeks ago where my service dog went.

 

No, you do not have to see a vet in the Bahamas. What you do have to do (for the Bahamas anyway) is take your dog to a USDA accredited vet to fill out the paperwork. First, you must obtain a Bahamian Import Certificate. You send away for that. For a service dog, there is no fee. You must write in big letters at the top, "Service Dog". It can take several months.

 

Then before your cruise, usually about 48 hours before... Your USDA certified vet will fill out their part of the Bahamian Import certificate, and also will complete the Aphis 7001 form. In the Bahamas that is sufficient. Other countries require that form to ALSO be stamped by the USDA office. Make sure the dog is current on all vaccines. The vet will also do an internal parasite exam.

 

You will also need to contact DCL's special services department well before your cruise date. Just before the cruise they will ask you to fax the completed forms to them. It is in your best interest to take the originals, AND make about three copies to take with you.

 

In my recent case, I faxed the forms. I was escorted to Guest Services where they took another copy. A few hours later I got a call and was asked to come back and drop off the originals.

 

Also Special Services will ask what kind of filler you want for the Service Dog Relief area. I asked for sod, but it was artificial and my guy didn't like it. So now I ask for mulch.

 

There is a thread on here in the Disabilities Forum, a VERY long thread with lots of useful information on cruising with a service dog.

 

DCL is very good to cruise with having a service dog.

 

Holly

Was your dog invited to playtime with Pluto? I've heard that happens from time to time.

Was your dog invited to playtime with Pluto? I've heard that happens from time to time.

There is a great video of Pluto playing with a service dog. Really cute.

No but he got to spend some fun time with Anna and Elsa!

Here are some photos from Jagger's vacation:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Mr.Jaggertoyou/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1870650279878267

There is a great video of Pluto playing with a service dog. Really cute.

I have been on cruises with Mark and his service dog Bingo twice.