Miki_moto

Transferred my January 2021 Panama Canal Cruise to the same in 2022.

Roz,

I’m so sorry Horton is unwell.  It’s heartbreaking when they’re ill during normal times and these times are far from normal.

I hope there is an answer and a treatment for him.  I’ll keep you both I’m my thoughts and prayers.

18 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

I love cruising the Canal.  I especially liked doing it L.A./L.A. [very rare!]

 

I hope that you get to do your Vancouver cruise.  We don't get to see Vancouver or Victoria on our Alaska cruise in July, 2021.  I was looking forward to returning to Vancouver but it looks like I'm going to have to be happy with Prince Rupert.

I lived in Vancouver for years (mostly Yaletown in an amazing warehouse conversion that I still miss!) and now we’re on Vancouver Island.  Both places are very visit worthy!

We’re looking into the June 2021 Vancouver/Vancouver cruise.  They do cruises from Victoria - which would eliminate a ferry ride - but only starting in July.  I’d rather be ahead of the summer school closures even though Cunard isn’t usually the first choice for people with children!

I’m booked for a Panama Canal cruise (Southampton to San Francisco) in early January but I think we’re going to change it to the same cruise in 2022.

Our Vancouver/Vancouver to Alaska in June was cancelled and I’m hesitant to rebook for 2021.

On 3/1/2020 at 10:50 PM, travelbug11 said:

 

Alaska is part of the United States and is therefore very accessible.

 

I have not had any problems and have found everyone to be very helpful.

On 3/1/2020 at 10:50 PM, travelbug11 said:

 

Alaska is part of the United States and is therefore very accessible.

 

I have not had any problems and have found everyone to be very helpful.

This is true but private tours don’t necessarily have to be accessible.  It also depends on someone’s personal level of disability.  If you have a manual wheelchair or scooter and can walk a little / climb some steps, you have a better chance at scoring a tour (if your equipment fits under a bus or in a trunk) than someone who uses a rehab power wheelchair and can’t leave their chair. 
 

2 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Thank you.  When I watch the groomer use a dremel it looks so easy.  I will check out Amazon.

High value treats are helpful!  
 

Pick a time the dog is relaxed.  I started out by holding the flat end of the Dremel (without the chuck for tools) and just touching it to the pads of the feet.  It wasn’t on or anything.  Do that and treat with every foot and call it a day.  After some time doing that, turn it on low, and touch the flat end on the paws.  Treat and quit.  Then touch it to their claws, flat end, treat and quit.  You get the drill - and they will too.  
 

Short sessions with treating.  I still treat - carrots works for Nico.  You’ll probably need a professional nail trim or two in the beginning but otherwise you’ll be doing it on your own.

I also use Dremel.   Black claws and poor hand strength make it a must.  My school gets them started young with it so it’s no big deal.  Lots of YouTube videos - and only use the sandpaper rings... Not any of the metal attachments.
 

Note - I tried the “pet” version during training with Nico but I didn’t like it.  There’s a plastic ring around the sleeve where you insert the nail.  Sounds good, but unless your perfectly lined up it’s really annoying.  The regular tool is fine.  Get the cordless one!  I’ve had the original tool for around 15 years - I got it for my first SD - and I’ve had to replace the battery once.  All in all WAY cheaper than vet visits for a trim!

Edited to add - Amazon must have them.

9 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

That would be up to Prime Minister Trudeau and if he opens the border by then.  I hope you're cruise is a go for you too!

It’s not looking good.  At this point I’ll be happy if our Panama Canal cruise (January 10, 2021) goes!

My 10 day Alaskan trip - round trip from Vancouver, BC - on Cunard is set to go on June 22.  Hope we’re on it!

6 hours ago, Mavis and Me said:

Is this new?  I travel to BC several times a year with my service dog and I've never been asked about registration or paperwork of any kind.  I know that they have an optional registration for service dogs, but if you don't have a dog from ADI it costs $200 to have the dog tested.  When I was in contact with the agency they told me that I didn't HAVE to have my dog registered, but that it was available if I wanted to have some sort of PROOF so that I didn't get harassed when trying to gain access to places.  She made it clear that it wasn't at all required and technically I shouldn't have problems moving about the province without it.  For $200, it's worth a heated discussion with a business owner or a change of plans for dinner!

There has been a Guide and SD Act in BC for a very long time but in it’s current format probably since 2016.  
 

Without certification, a business can refuse you access/service.

37 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Thank you for this information.  Since I am a graduate of CCI I do have an I.D. card but a lot of folks don't have I.D. cards [referring to their Service Dogs], since this is not something required by the DOJ or ADA in the U.S.  For this reason it's always best to take a copy of your dogs Aphis 7001 form with you when you go into any port.  It may be all that shops and tourist spots need for you and your dog to enter. 

Having an Aphis 7001 form won’t help and an ID from CCI -  even though it’s an ADI member school - probably won’t either.  A dog needs to be registered with the BC government to insure access.  You could ask CCI if they would submit an application for you.  Registration is good for two years.

Business is the way to go, especially on such a long flight.  I typically fly from the west coast to Europe on British Airlines.  The storage is a drawer under the seat.  You might look at the individual airline web site or try seat guru.com for cabin photos.

1 hour ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Also, although Alaska is in the U.S. You will be visiting Vancouver B.C. and some of their touristy areas are not Service Dog friendly.  Be aware of where you're going and inquire either from the ship or from the private tourist company whether or not you'll need to pre-inform the place you'll be visiting so that you won't come up against some unfriendly stares or requests to leave the area.

 

When we visited Vancouver and wanted to go to the gardens, we were asked to leave and then when we went into some of the shops, we were asked to leave.  I will ALWAYS ask the tour guide to pre-ask for me in the future.

British Columbia is service dog friendly - if you have a BC registered guide or service dog.  Business are allowed - even encouraged - to ask to see your ID.  Without ID they are allowed to refuse admittance. 

For the record, it isn’t the ADA that’s in play when you fly; it’s the Air Carrier’s Access Act.  As noted, info found on CC isn’t always correct. 😉

https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/traveling-disability

4 hours ago, 1980dory said:

 I've been educated.  Thank you for your info.  Apparently some Cunard reps are not familiar with that policy.  See my post #7.

No problem.  It’s confusing when they will allow a folding wheelchair in a non-accessible cabin but not a scooter that comes apart.  

It’s also my understanding that Cunard will not allow scooters in regular cabins.  I’m a wheelchair user and Cunard will allow  a wheelchair in a non-accessible cabin if it will fold up so it fits through the cabin door; not so with scooters:

https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/accessibility/wheelchairs-mobility-scooters

Mobility scooters.

Mobility scooters will only be permitted on board if guests have booked an accessible stateroom, or selected suite.  A list of suitable staterooms can be found in the accessible stateroom section. The policy applies to all scooter makes and models to ensure a consistent approach. Mobility scooters must be declared at the time of booking, or as soon as the need is known, otherwise your scooter may be denied boarding. 

I’d love to hear if they don’t follow this policy!

2016 - Seattle airport - NO fast track line.

Cunard also prohibits this practice.  
 

On 1/29/2020 at 8:20 PM, mlbcruiser said:

Thank you for touching on the subject. It was already on my mind, especially today because we are very close to going ahead and purchasing a folding travel scooter. While I understand the one we are considering is allowed to be stored in the cabin of the aircraft, I bet the airline crew will still put it in the cargo hold. I do worry about it getting damaged.

In all my years of flying, both with manual and power wheelchairs, I’ve only been able to get my chair stored in the cabin once - and then it was a huge hassle getting them to do it.  I never want to go through that again so now I just strip the chair and let them stow it in cargo.

I see no one commented on damage caused by airlines so thought I’d jump in.

I use a power wheelchair but I imagine the issues are the same.  I have had my chair totally trashed once and damaged on several other occasions.  I’ve found the safest thing to do is remove any and all parts possible and store them in the cabin with you.  Once I’m in my seat, I have the seat and back, the joystick, the foot rests and the battery taken off.  I’ve only experienced cosmetic damage since doing that.

I’m not able to do that amount of dismantling with my current chair because of additional functionality.  Because of that, I’ve decided to take my old chair on my next cruise and leave my $31,000 chair at home.  I hate to have to make that decision but I figure I’m better off with a working wheelchair rather than be stranded with an unusable chair!  
 

Update on the reply from Jamaica regarding their import requirements if you plan to stay onboard -

You DO NOT require a permit or need to meet the requirements for import.

They Do require basic information on yourself and your dog, which is needed in order to prepare an In-transit Letter.

- Your name

- Address

-Name of animal, Breed, age, sex, colour

-Microchip #

-Rabies Vaccination Date

- Information on the vessel, date and time of arrival, departure

- Any other documents you can provide for your dog

All this information is needed in order to inform the Port Animal Health Technician to monitor and ensure that the animal remains on board.

Hope this helps anyone else who will be stopping in Jamaica and is finding their requirements to disembark too onerous or too expensive (rabies titre test = $$$) or if you’re concerned about over medicating your dog.

And yeah, if there’s an emergency I guess we’re screwed!  At least the dog can tread water; I’ll sink like a stone!

FYI - The so called ‘pet passports’ you can purchase in the US are not the UK/EU Pet Passports used in Europe and are not acceptable as a travel document for your dog when traveling in those countries.

Hope that helps.

I’m also a power wheelchair user and I’ve cruised on all three Cunard ships.  Queen Victoria is my favorite - I’m booked on her for a 27 night Panama Canal cruise next January - and Queen Elizabeth this summer to Alaska.
 

Like everything, some cabins are more accessible than others.  Are you looking at certain cabins and have you checked availability?  I typically book as soon as the cruise becomes available.  
 

The dress code for the main and specialty dining rooms is pretty strict but there’s always the buffet.  
 

Hope that helps!

3 hours ago, rangeley said:

 

I never do the paperwork if we are not getting off the ship. The guest services chick on this cruise was clueless and tried to get us fill out 5 pages of paperwork for Grand Turk. We told her the paperwork she gave us was to be filled out by the vet and she asked us to fill it out anyway. We tried to explain but she just wasnt getting it. Anyway we did not fill it out. 

Thanks for your reply!  All those tests when we’re not getting off the ship - 🙁.  I don’t mind going through the expense for the ports where we plan to disembark.  I’ll try phoning the Veterinary Services Division in Kingston, Jamaica during the week and see what they say.

Looks like you had a great time!!!

9 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Even though you say you are not getting off the ship, it is still required that you have all the necessary paperwork for your dog. 

 

If there were an emergency and everyone were asked to disembark in any given port, and that port required a titre test to be done........they will expect that you had all required paperwork in order to board the ship.

 

 

So I’ll need the titre test?  Darn!