Miki_moto

I’m doing a 27 night Panama Canal Cruise (January, 2021) leaving from Southampton and stopping in Hamilton and Montego Bay.  The paperwork, especially for Jamaica, is intense!

I’m not planning on getting off the ship at either port so can anyone tell me how that works?  Do I still need the titre test and all the rest?  I live in Canada, anyone know if there’s anything other than the Canadian International Health Certificate I should look into?  Nico has his UK/EU Pet Passport I’m good to go for the UK.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

19 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

If she's talking about the pet passport that they have in the EU, I believe that you have to have a local address to get one. It does make traveling easier because you do not need to get a health certificate to travel between EU countries (but it has nothing to do with service dog documentation)

I have a UK/EU pet passport for my dog.  You don’t need a UK address but it looks like all bets will be off after Brexit!

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

I live in BC and love the fact we have certification!  Nico’s school does the paperwork with the government so it’s seamless for the handler.  I have been asked for my ID on several occasions, especially when checking into hotels.  Sadly, I don’t think certification helps with the taxi situation.  Many drivers won’t stop if you have a dog, even if it is certified.  There are huge penalties for doing so - drivers can be banned from the airport run for a month - but it still happens way too frequently.

VEHCS?   I wonder if Canada has anything similar?

What are the requirements if you don’t live in the US?

Our cruise is 27 nights and with adding days at both ends we’re looking at 45/50 days.  That’s an awful lot of canned pumpkin and dog food to be carrying around.

Our thought was to pick up the packages ourselves rather than have it delivered to the ship.  Worst case scenario is the packages aren’t there so it would be Uber or a taxi to Petsmart or similar.  Since we’ll be getting off the ship anyway we could make it work...  But at this stage it’s still in the planning.

Our  Panama Canal itinerary:

Any advice will be appreciated!

I’m not too concerned about staying onboard; Cunard’s excursions don’t seem to extend to wheelchair accessible transport.

I’m already worried about getting my power chair over to England.  I’ve had too much experience with airlines damaging my chairs.  😞

Southampton 

Hamilton Bermuda 

Port Canaveral

Fort Lauderdale 

Montego Bay - 

Limon

Panama Canal 

Puerto Quetzal

Cabo San Lucas - tendered - stay on ship!

San Francisco
 

Jamaica seems especially difficult:

https://www.micaf.gov.jm/content/guidelines-importation-dogs-and-cats-jamaica-animals-diseases-importation-control-amendment

They seem to have check lists for their checklists.  I will be arriving from England (we hold a valid EU/UK Pet Passport) but that doesn't appear to help.  

3 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Get it if you can because if you had to leave the ship in an emergency, it might create extra problems.

 

Some ports like St. Kitts & Nevis have very stringent paperwork (TWO $$$$ blood titer tests) that make it very difficult or costly to get a permit. Barbados, Jamaica, and several others are problematic. In those cases, I have advised the ship in writing with my paperwork when I boarded that I did not plan to take the dog off the ship.

 

They enter it into the documentation. If you decide to get off there, your key card will make a noise and you will be stopped to talk to the nearest ship’s officer who makes sure there’s not a dog at your side.

Watching this with interest.  Our Panama Canal Cruise stops in many places but Jamaica seems to require the most prep.  

Question - should I do all the required testing if I’m not getting off the ship?

8 hours ago, Wendsong said:

When you say "they", to whom are you referring? I will be leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, end of March 2020, Island Princess.

Crew Mail Services - https://www.crewmailservices.com

They are in both Ft. Lauderdale and Southampton.  I’m sure there are other businesses that offer similar services.  FedEx and UPS might be worth looking into.  

2 hours ago, Wendsong said:

I'd like more information about this, too. Where did you find this? The luggage delivery takes stuff from your home and back, so you have to pack everything ahead of time.  Does this mail drop deliver directly from the web site to the mail drop and then to the ship? My boy only eats dry food, but it might be good to have water and non-caffeine drinks ordered and delivered as well. 

They deliver items from Amazon or any other mail order store.  What port are you looking at for a delivery such as this?  

And yes, I'm wondering if I can get a liquor store to deliver a crate of wine to the ship!  ;-)

9 hours ago, rangeley said:

We bring one too. Our cabin steward offered us a doggie life jacket. 

I’m wondering if I can possibly squeeze one into my luggage - Cunard’s was pretty awful! 

Travel from our home port of Vancouver isn’t a problem but other ports are more challenging.

6 hours ago, Wendsong said:

Has anyone tried the shipping service for luggage? I am also flying across country and will need at least 10+ pounds of dry food, plus everything else for 2 weeks and wonder if it would be easier to ship it ahead so I won't have to haul it through the airports to the hotel, then to the ship.

I’m doing a 27 night Panama Canal Cruise originating in Southampton in early 2021 and I’m thinking of ordering dog food and canned pumpkin on line and have it delivered to Fort Lauderdale, ten days into the cruise.  There’s a mail drop that specializes in cruise ships and will deliver packages directly to the ship - for a small fee.  

I’d be interested in hearing if anyone has done it.

I’ve used the same seatbelt since 2007!  This thing never quits.  I will check on the brand later today if you’d like.

18 hours ago, Pennbank said:

 

Perhaps not such a sign of goodwill, just the obc you should have received, if you have booked a balcony. For UK customers the terms are here.

https://ask.completecruisesolution.com/help/ext/cunard/before-you-sail/FCD

 

 

Apparently I was supposed to get a 3% discount which would have been less than $600, so I’m happy for the $600!

I’ve made 7 round trips from Seattle to London Heathrow without mishap.   Because I’m the first on/last off, that was usually 10 hours on a plane.

I limit water for six to eight hours before takeoff but I encourage maximum intake immediately prior by adding a probiotic powder.  My dog/s love that stuff and drink every drop.  I offer a limited amount of ice on the plane.

I also feed feed a normal meal about ten hours before takeoff.  Try to get a good, long walk in before check-in.

I brought a small roll up bed and a seat belt, both requirements of British Airways.  We fly business and, except for one time, the dog/s had a seat for themselves.  Of course, they weren’t allowed on the seat but they needed the floor space.

9 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Bolding is mine.  

 

Really?  What certification ? - you can go on line and tick yes and get a certification.  Look here - https://www.servicedogscanada.org/certification/

 

You don’t think people lie? Of course what do I know?  I’m just live here in Canada 😉 and am a past board member of the N.B. SPCA and president of the local SPCA’s.

 

 

 

FYI - There is no Canada wide certification for service dogs.  British Columbia does a have a provincial certification.  The link you mentioned does not provide acceptable certification for a service dog anywhere in Canada!

Thanks for the replies, I finally got it sorted.

We’re booked on a 27 night cruise and, even though I used my Future Cruise Deposit/Credit, there was no indication of any type of discount.  On advice from this thread - thank you! - my TA contacted Cunard.  First we were offered a 3% discount but we’re then offered $300PP as a sign of ‘good will’.  

Things worked out out for us but it’s a bit off-putting that no discount was given when booking with FCDs!

Where on my booking would OBC show up when using Future Cruise Credits?  The modest OBC credit provided by my TA is there as is the notation that gratuities are included.  Do the OBC show up on the booking at all or will they show up on my onboard statement?

I’m sure this has been answered in the past but I can’t find the information so apologies in advance.

10 minutes ago, knittinggirl said:

I would think the dogs would be charged a full fare like passengers.  But I guess they could get in under the kids cruise free promotions.  But then they're not kids . . .

Service dogs are considered medical equipment and I depend on my dog as much as I depend on my wheelchair, and I don’t expect to pay to bring that along.

It it would be easier if service dogs were universally certified like they are in British Columbia, Canada.  I know the arguments why they aren’t but it makes things so straightforward.  If anyone questions me I just provide my ID.

1 hour ago, midwest 852 said:

Its high in fiber will help a dog that has runny stool.

 

It’s also good for constipation!

If your dog has diarrhea, the soluble fiber in canned pumpkin will help absorb the excess water, resulting in firmer stool. For a pet that is constipated, the high water and fiber content in the pumpkin will help add bulk and soften the stool, acting as a natural laxative and making the stool easier to pass. - 1800petmeds.com

Feeding your dog a little bit of pumpkin with his food is a great way to prevent and cure constipation. Pumpkin is high in water content and a great source of fiber. You can either puree fresh pumpkinor use canned pureed pumpkin.  - dogtime.com

22 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

If the Amazon thing doesn't work out, there's a large supermarket (Publix) a short taxi/Uber away from the port. You could send DH with a shopping list. (There's a good wine store nearby, too)

Great advice!  I’ll make a note of it.  🙂

4 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

The man who advised against it must not have been taking a service dog. When you NEED your dog (as opposed to wanting it), you'll go through the hassles. 

 

Here's a hassle nobody has mentioned. Food. Cruise lines don't provide dog food (I know that Cunard doesn't). Several posters here have large dogs. They eat a lot, and that has to be brought on. Does the dog sleep in its own dog bed? Another thing to bring along. So the service dog will have luggage, too. It isn't easy. Worth it if you need the dog, but there's a lot more to it than just strolling or rolling onto the ship holding a leash.

 

Yup, food is huge - pun intended - and just the tip of the iceberg.

We carried 12 days worth of kibble with us on our recent Alaska cruise.  For our 27 night Panama Canal Cruise from Southampton, I’ve looked into having Amazon deliver a shipment to a Fort Lauderdale mail drop company that specializes in cruise ship deliveries.

We also carry

1) roll up dog bed

2) canned pumpkin

3) canned prescription dodgy tummy food for just-in-case

4) dog toothbrush and toothpaste

5) artificial grass for potty area

6) medication/flea treatment/heart worm

7) travel water and food bowls

8) extra service dog vest/backpack 

9) Nylabones

10), 11) and 12) things I can’t think of off hand!

It takes a great deal of preparation and energy to travel with a service dog.  When you add disability specific equipment it’s quite the undertaking!  We travel with two extra suitcases, one for the dog stuff, one for the medical equipment.  And while it isn’t counted as part of our luggage allowance, someone (DH!) has to move it from Point A to Point B.

Happy birthday, Roz!

We’re on Cunard, Roz.  

As for the Agriculture Canada vet, I’ll have to wait and see.  Before the UK relaxed their rabies requirements, once the titer test was done it was simple to go there.  With the relaxed requirements, my experience was the vet didn’t know how to fill out the paperwork.  Fortunately, I had emails from my contact at DEFRA spelling everything out.  

We don’t see the government vet until a few days before we go - requirements of travel - so they won’y Be much help with forms.  We’re good for England and I’ll deal with our itinerary when it’s closer to the day.

We’re doing a 27 night Southampton to San Francisco Panama Canal Cruise in January, 2021.

I don’t live in the States so don’t do Ahpis 7001 but I’ve got no idea what we do instead.  I guess I’ll figure it out; we have to see an Agriculture Canada vet before we fly to England.  England itself is no problem, my guy has his UK/EU official Pet Passport.  Of course, it’s anyone’s guess how that will shake out with Brexit!  Time will tell and we’ll figure it out.