STI

I know that this is an old conversation but I have a crushed leg and need a service (assistance dog in Europe) to ensure that I don't fall and break the graft holding my leg together. He is well trained, went to school and is my second service dog. Be aware the is no certification standard in the US nor is "certification" required. Before COVID we were on a cruise with a gentleman with a large dog he said was a service dog. I was unconvinced to say the least. He had the dog playing in public places and encouraged the passengers to play with the dog. He said he had to have the dog off leash and playing several hours a day!!!! I was so angry I had to excuse myself and leave the room.

NONE of that meets the standard for the Public Access test or the ADA regulations. People like that make life difficult for those of us who need these dogs. Dogs are still dogs and sometimes bark, dash out a door and do things we wish that they wouldn't. HOWEVER a working Service Dog is a wonder to behold.

I'm sorry.. wrong ship we are booked on the Kingsandam (sp).

we are booked on the Rotterdam leaving from Amsterdam August 26 for 14 days. I don't see anything mentioned for that cruise...or am I confused about how to find it? I appreciate any help. 

I just returned from a 19 day  cruise  with a highly trained mobility dog. Without her I couldn't have handled the walking steps wind ship movement. I wouldn't have been able to go. There were two other dogs on board. One was a guide dog for someone who was obviously blind.  It behaved perfectly  using most of the same commands as my dog. The other was out of control  and off leash with no harness in public places. The person with the dog said he was blind but I am a nurse and I doubt it. We got into a conversation and he said his dog was trained in a European country. What he described  was either false. Or unbelievable to me. It's time we licensed service dogs after a standard test. Then ships ect would have a way to refuse fake animals.

True and even the best trained service dog can get distracted. 

I believe 

..and I hope I am right....that there is something before Congress that would standardize a license and test for service dogs. Like a driver's license. Assistance Dog International has such a test but it is really difficult....takes most dogs 2 years to pass....and that is after puppy school and something like Canine Good Citizen. Trouble is that it is not required and you can't ask. We carry a card with us. It looks like a  driver's license. 

Right. There is a HUGE difference between a comfort dog and a service dog. As far as I know only Service Dogs are allowed on any cruise ships. There is a psychiatric service dog... emotional support  I think it is called. They must have documentation signed a psychiatrist to qualify. Comfort dogs are pets....not allowed 

AWFUL 

Thank you for your nice comments.a few additions to my notes from yesterday.Any "service dog"that bites may immediately be removed from the premises and ADA will no longer apply and their certification should be revoked. re the person who was tripped on the stairs. No real Service dog and partner (the person using the dog) would be running up the stairs especially on an extended leash. I keep Brigid on a traffic control leash if I am afraid she might get distracted. Service dogs don"t use extension leashes. Lastly Holland America excursion people have been wonderful about checking with excursion operators about Brigid before I book the excursion. I have never been refused.

Hope that helps.

Sister Teresa Irene

I have a "Mobility" dog. She is certified after 1 year of puppy school and then over 2 years of Service Dog school. According to the ADA and  other countries I may be asked "what does your dog do for you?" and my answer must be task specific to my needs. I may not be asked "what is wrong with you" as it violates American confidentially laws..... however I am always happy to explain. We have been on 3 HA cruises with Brigid and have never had a problem with her. SHe is trained to lie down under the table while we are eating. HA provides a "potty" place out on a deck so I can't imagine why any "service dog" would have an accident.

She has been beside me at the pool (NOT in it), gone on excursions including churches, restaurants, sailing ships. We have been to Holland, Norway, Spain, Alaska, and Canada. Holland America has been VERY thorough in vetting us and I don't know how the dogs described in these posts ever got though their process. We have to provide Vet records, certification records, paperwork signed and notarized by authorities in the US so we can get back home. What you described makes me furious. These"fake" service dogs are making it very difficult for those of us who are really dependent on our dogs. "Comfort Dogs" don't qualify as Service Dogs. By the way Brigid has to go through the whole certification test yearly to be sure both she and I are staying up to par. Without her I could not travel. I can't do steps without rails, uneven ground, cobblestones, or anything where I could twist a foot, trip, or loose my balance. If I fall and break the large graft in my leg I would likely lose it. I am so sorry that so many of you have experienced untrained dogs masquerading as service dogs. Real Service Dogs are a God Send.

Here is a picture of Brigid taken while we were in Spain on a Pilgrimage.

we are booked on the Prinsendam for its 28 nights repositioning back to the States in October. The itinerary has recently been changed to exclude Egypt which is a bummer, particularly since there are a couple days in Jerusalem which I would consider much more iffy than Egypt (sigh!). However, there's lot of time to add additional changes to the itinerary and who know what will be going on (or not going on) in the middle east by that time

we are booked for October also..... glad to meet you.

thank you so much for your post. We are sailing on the return to Ft. Lauderdale in October. It is wonderful to hear your adventure and dream.

STI

I don't think I am doing this reply thing right. Don't know if it got posted or not. Please forgive my limited computer skills. We just booked the Cruise leaving Athens on Oct. 19th. Never been on the Prinsendam before. It is exciting.

Sister Teresa Irene

we are booked on the Prinsendam for its 28 nights repositioning back to the States in October. The itinerary has recently been changed to exclude Egypt which is a bummer, particularly since there are a couple days in Jerusalem which I would consider much more iffy than Egypt (sigh!). However, there's lot of time to add additional changes to the itinerary and who know what will be going on (or not going on) in the middle east by that time

we just booked the same trip.... First time on the Prinsendam.

Recently returned from a 68 day cruise on Pinsendam. I used the pools daily. The aft pool was always filled with salt water, when it was full. Since the new cabins on deck 8 were added there has been a problem with the pool overflowing in rougher waters and flooding the verandas on deck 8. For this reason the pool was closed as much as open also there is a problem with lots of soot from the stack blowing into the pool. This pool is currently about 4 1/2 ft deep end to end. I believe the aft end of the pool was deeper before they added the deck 8 cabins.

On our cruise the pool was heated., sometimes as warm as the hot tub. The mid ship pool shaped like a keyhole is about 18" deep where you enter and then a ladder take you into the deeper larger pool which is about 4 1/2 feet deep also This pool is very small about the size of an aboveground pool at home, maybe 25' diameter. This pool is fresh water and also heated when necessary There is no cover over this pool like on all the rest of HALs ships

Thank you very much.

Be very careful not to take one of the added cabins on the Promenade deck.

AA200-AB219

Wondering Why? We are considering AA200. Thanks

I am not sure how to ask a question but I will try here. Please paardon me if this is off base. I am considering a 30 day cruise in October on the Prinsendam. Are the pools heated?? I hear there is an enclosure over the aft pool? Wondering if that means they will keep it open when the weather s cool? Is it open in port? I used the hydro therapy pool on the Westerdam and LOVED it. I have a bad leg and the pool made all the difference. Will I be OK on hte Prinsendam? Just wondering. Any help will be much appreciated.