lostspoke

Tommy, I'm finding this more than disturbing. They really should treat everyone the same. I never expected to get any special dispensation because I have a Service Dog but, had I known that they are capable of waiving the expensive fees for some and not others, I would have insisted they waive it for me. They collected the fees over the phone and would not continue to schedule the inspection until the fees were paid. What a racket!!! :mad:

I understand. I coordinated the visit a year ahead and work it all through the Honolulu main office.

Tommy

Of course I coordinated with Hawaii before my cruise. I was in communication with the Animal Quarantine Station who, because Horton is a Service Dog, allowed me to fax all the information instead of the usual waiting time. They have such strict rules about not opening or pre-reviewing documents unless it is a Service Dog.

 

The Quarantine Station sent me a Dog & Cat Import Form [from the Dept. of Agriculture], which had to be filled out by me, notarized, and faxed back along with the Vet signed, Aphis 7001 paperwork and a complete itinerary of our cruise. Because he was NOT being quarantined and coming in by cruise ship there was a "5 days or less" fee of $224.00. Then I had to call and set-up an inspection by the Maui Humane Society, with a "Direct Release Specialist", again, because we were coming in via cruise ship. She came to the ship the day we were in Maui. She checked every orifice of Horton's body. And, Horton NEVER went ashore!!!!

 

There was also the blood draw for the Rabies Titer that cost $245.00, this does not include the current immunizations and Vet visit.

 

Going to Hawaii with a Service Dog is not cheap by any means. I can't imagine flying in with a pet. What a nightmare!

My other children want their turn on a Hawaii cruise. So, I'm booked for 15 days onboard the Emerald Princess on December 4, 2018. We won't have to get the Rabies Titer again because it's good for 3 years. But, we do have to have Direct Release Specialist again and the Vet check.

I am sorry to hear that Roz. AQS waived the "direct release specialist" fees for us and coordinated the inspection onboard the ship and paid them directly. Not sure why they didn't do the same for you. Best of luck for the next trip.

Tommy

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.

Hi Roz,

Did you coordinate with Hawaii prior to arrival? I ask because there should not be any charge for inspection of a SD. We coordinate with the main office months ahead of the trip and Honolulu arranges for the inspection (i.e. not through the owner), that way it is covered. The honolulu office maintains copies of your documentation which is all tied to the chip ID. This is for your reference and others that may bring an SD to Hawaii. Hope it helps for any future/repeat visits.

Just sharing information as I get it. I would think; cashiers check or equivalent mailed to the main office for "neighbor island inspection permit" ($145.00) (maintain receipt). which should be able to be sent prior, anytime. Then any direct support collaboration (e.g. onsite vet support) direct payment to them as "sub-contract" support. This is all a guess on my part, but seems rather logical to me.

Again, once I get a response, I will share. But I think, for the most part, it should be rather straight forward. The "nut" I am cracking is the "sub-contract" support for a Hilo inspection, which is not straight forward. It looks like all else is spelled out (somewhat).

Tommy

Thanks Roz and Dianne,

Looks forward to your experience Roz (guinea pig). I suspect it will all work out fine.

Dianne, yes that is the check list I saw also on the published paperwork. However, HDOA wrote me with what looks like a "cut and paste" informational reply, back in February, whereby there was one paragraph that stated "Fordirect release of a service dog by cruise ship to either Kona or Hilo on theBig Island, Kahului Maui, or Lihue Kauai, the only four places within the statethat currently allows direct release besides Honolulu, the animal mustfirst and foremost be qualified for a direct release and then, you must submitall required paperwork (except the health certificate for travel which youbring when the pet arrives) and full payment for our direct release fee (nopersonal checks) to our main quarantine station a minimum of 30 days beforearrival along with a request for either Hilo, Kona, Kahului or, Lihuerelease. " Note the mention of Hilo? That has my attention because that is our first port of call. I figure worse case scenario, we stay on board that day and the follow day we are in Honolulu and make it then. Still have 4 plus months to work this all out and am trying to be proactive to work it early, as they request we do. I am also waiting on a call back from the Kona Vet office for any information.

Thanks all. I am waiting for a call from the Kona Vet office for information and am hoping for a call back for the main office in Honolulu. I with share any info. I come across.

Tommy

We are making plans for a Hawaii Cruise next year and finished/faxed paperwork to the office(s) there (AQS, Itinerary, Vet Cert., and FAVN report). Some of the information I read through talks about direct release to Kona, Hilo, Kahului, and Lihue. Our first stop (port of entry) would be in Hilo, but for the life of me I can not find any more information as to the location in Hilo. The nearest I find is in Kona and they are not open on Sunday, which happens to be our arrival day. Has anyone arrived in Hilo in the past and coordinated with a Vet office there, in town, for Direct Release?

Thanks in advance

Tommy

Don't worry, just move forward like it is something you always do :-)

If she flys and rides in the car without any issue, then she should be alright (e.g. no sea sick issue). The training facility should have mentioned something also and you may want to ask them for your own peace of mind. Obviously being trained to be a service dog, she will not "mess up" as her social skills for restaurants, stores, and other public interfaces is already drilled into place. Just relax and she will be relaxed too and you can enjoy the cruise with the comfort of knowing she is maintaining your ability to do the same.

Do all service dogs wear a harness, or do some use a leash? I'm used to seeing guide dogs for blind people, and they have the harness with the loop instead of a leash. The dog knows that when the owner holds the harness, it's time to go to work. And most people know that when the dog is on the harness they shouldn't approach or pet it.

 

But, like the dog the OP saw, some alleged service dogs are kept on a long leash. I've seen one in the supermarket I go to, and that dog was acting like any other dog, sniffing around, not paying attention to the woman at the other end of the long leash. So how is that service?

 

The other dodge people use is to say the dog is "in training" to be a service dog. I saw one of those recently in a botanic garden that doesn't allow dogs. I asked a staff member I know about it and was told the dog was "in training." The woman was with a group of kids on a tour and was making NO attempt to control the dog. That isn't good training.

 

 

It's really a shame, because the real service dogs do so much good, But after you see a few cheaters, it does make you think twice about the others you see.

***

We are not very familiar with proper reply/posts procedure but will try. We have a service dog. She is tiny and does her job well. We request no interference by those with "well meaning intentions of saying hello" with her as she is working most, if not all, of the time. Our perspective is that having a small service dog has it own cumbersome problems as many just cant/dont read the vest sign. We don't need a vest but use it as a courtesy to others we use it, yet some will still continue to make some kind of interface (that could be it's own thread) as we try to not be intrusive and as invisible as possible. I have told my wife that we should have had a "fugly" dog and we would have less trouble, but that again is another thread.

As to the long leash, I personally do not understand it. Your service animal should be close at your side and paying attention to you. I remember the cruise with the magician with with two small dogs. We were on the same one with our min-pin. It was interesting as his "potty" time was often coincidental with ours. We made it a point to avoid interference for the two "patchs of grass" which we also requested. And yes, your dog is to poddy on command, be it number 1 or number 2.

I sincerely hope that any abuse of the system does not inhibit those that require the use of the same.

A little anecdote (not funny). On that same cruise with the magician and his wonder dogs we came home to port to disembark and after the "port authorities" came onboard with their inspection dog, there was a deposit made near their location in the jewelry area. Since we were making one of our last exercise walk arounds, we came across it. It was surrounded with chairs and a "spill" or some kind of announcement was made about it. We were flabbergasted as we felt this was an incident to only exasperate possible opposition to service animal use. I was so temped to clean up the "incident" but my wife demanded that I don't as, if witnessed", it would appear that we had the issue to resolve. However the "leavings" of a Beagle are significantly larger than that of a 5 lb minpin. But our none responsible guilt was still felt.

I am a bit rambling, but just sharing some thoughts and historical items.

Tommy

Hi Lost Spoke - I have a great Cruise Critic forum for you to visit:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=585728&page=922

 

10 years and 18,000 posts going it is all about cruising with Service Dogs! Please come share your experiences with us...tell them Keith sent you.

Will do Keith. I booked marked it for future replies/comments. Looks very proactive. Thanks !!

I dont't have any good suggestions on how to "weed out" abuses of Service Dog Animal utilization. It is an extreme shame to read of behavior that is contrary to the requirements of service animal certification practices. These items sited exhibit behavior that would remove any animal from the program. Being a handler of a service animal that cruises, I see these allegations driving those of us that utilize service animals to avoid direct public contact more and more often. On board I always try to avoid direct contact with groups of people. My biggest compliment is when the service animal is under the table and when we leave staff and others around mention that they did not even know she was there. We try to be as invisible as possible and threads like this just makes everything that much more uncomfortable. Our intent when asked questions to be as good ambassadors as possible by example. We were also on the Mexican cruise that was the precursor of the on the one that went on to Hawaii this year that NavyBankerTeacher was scheduled to go on. Anyway, just my two cents as I suspect some of us might meet in the future. This year we still intend to do Alaska and hope to continue to make a positive example of a Service Dog team to provide standard of behavior for public opinion.

The problem with that is, you can't know for sure, unless you actually know the people involved, so it would be very ill-advised to do that just on assumption....

I don't have a comment on this but wanted to say I like your signature "getting there is half the fun!

coming back is the other half!" :D

Smoke is an irritant, not an allergen.

That is true it has not been proven to be an allergen. However it does increase the risk of allergic rhinitis and asthma which is just semantics.

How would you know if a dog has been in the cabin you've booked? Allergy concerns can be an issue for some.

That is a legitimate question/concern. If I had any allergic concerns of any kind, I would discuss those concerns with the cruise line to see how they are, if they are, mitigated during the room preparation. I would also discuss it with the booking agent prior to booking and again on board with the front desk prior to going to the room. I would think this would be a prudent procedure for any travel scenario. A similar concern comes up with smoking. Which is not as prevalent as in the past but I assume there are more smokers on board than service animals.

This is a most interesting thread. We have a service dog that we take with us. She is a small dog (about 5lbs). When boarding and onboard for the first few days we have a jacket on her as notification of her designation. We do this as a loud advertising courtesy to others, not because it is required. After a couple of days, we feel, most are aware of her as the word spreads very quickly. We stop using the cape but leave a service animal card identification attached to her leash again as a courtesy. When she is working which is the majority of the time we never encourage petting. However, we make it a point to be ambassadors, answering questions etc., about service animals.

Going to Hawaii, the islands make it very clear that misrepresenting a service animal is a violation of federal law. Not to mention the amount of paperwork we have to provide for a 5 day in/out release there. Sure there will always be a handful that abuse the system to sail. But, I suspect that is more prevalent in town/city scenarios not on-board ship. Is/will there be abuse, sure. But the probably, in my mind, for shipboard sailing would have to be extremely small to insignificant for any discussion.

Those are my thoughts from an owner/handler of a legitimate very small service dog.