Miki_moto

The line was for table changes - the wait made longer by a woman who got a last minute “deal” and was arguing about not getting a table for 2 at the window, no less!  She was still arguing, with a different staff person, when the line moved about eight people and we were helped.  She held up that line for over 20 minutes before they realized she thought she could wear them down so they had someone else deal with her.  We saw her in the Lido; she said they wouldn’t give her a table for 2 so she refused to eat in the dining room.  🙄

We booked as soon as the cruise went on sale, early January 2018, and we weren’t placed near the window!  Some people are just entitled, I guess.

Our box was initially placed on deck 5.  My cabin was on deck 8.  A visit to the Purser’s sorted that out.

I queued up in a long line to get my table sorted; what a waste of time!  Next time I’ll just go for dinner and sort it out then.  

I should add that I’ve had to do that when I cruised without my dog; using a power wheelchair makes most table locations undoable.  Those that are doable seem purpose built for cruising with a dog.

41 minutes ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

He is a Silver Lab.  

Oh my goodness, he’s so cute!  How old?

Unfortunately by the time I got a call back from my TA that stateroom was no longer available.

The search continues.

Wondering if anyone knows the width of the doorway on Cunard’s Queen Many 2 stateroom 10003?

10003 is listed as a non-adapted cabin, meaning the bathroom isn’t roll in but I think I read somewhere that some of the non-adapted cabins had had the doorways widened from the narrow 25.6”.  I think this was an effort of creating a second level of accessibility, especially in light of Cunard’s scooter policy.

Any insight would be appreciated since my TA is out of the office today.

Thanks!

Have you tried Downey Wrinkle Release?  It’s quite effective.

We had a wonderful cruise.  Cunard originally placed the toilet box on deck five; we were on deck eight.  I went to the Purser’s office and requested it be placed on deck eight, close to our cabin.  They took care of it immediately and had someone come to the cabin to show us where it was.  

The box was 4’ x 4’ with wood shavings.  I had brought along a fake grass pad to put inside but Nico went into the box and took care of business before I had a chance!  It was like he’d always went in a box like that and I never did use the fake grass.  The shavings were replenished daily and the wet spots were removed.  We picked up the ‘solids.’

Onboard we booked an additional two cruises; another ten day Alaska and an eighteen day transatlantic.  We couldn’t get a wheelchair accessible balcony cabin on the transatlantic - Queen Mary 2 only has three that aren’t Grill Suite! - so we booked ocean view but canceled it after checking the deck plans.  A shocking number of accessible cabins on the Queen Mary 2 are regular sized cabins that have had the doors widened and the bathrooms made accessible, which leaves precious little room to use a wheelchair in the cabin!

We are looking forward to our booked cruise next summer and hope to be able to book a similar transatlantic cruise in 2021!  

Things couldn’t be going better!  It’s like he’s always gone in a box.  Our fellow passengers are wonderful and are respecting the no petting rule.  Back in a week...

Tomorrow’s the day!  Packed and in our dockside hotel - I couldn’t be happier!

I’ll check in as time and WiFi permit, otherwise I’ll be back in ten days.

I always pack at least three extra days of dog food, on the off chance I may extend my travels.  It’s great knowing I have that option.  I take advantage of it more often than I like to admit.

“It's 50 at night and 60 days.“

It sounds like long underwear weather to me.  🙂   I’m almost always cold and air conditioning feels even worse!  🥶  

Thanks for letting me know.  Seriously, checking is a good idea.  Are you using a weather app or getting actual temps?  

I’m packing 10 days worth of food for a 70lb. dog.  It IS a lot!

It’s Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.  

I honestly have have no idea what to pack for Alaska.  Before today I was going around in hooded sweatshirts and wearing socks because it was so cold!   I guess I’ll pack all my long underwear.  

We went to the beach last night to see our ship pass by.  Next week it will be our turn!!!

So much stuff, so little luggage! 😉

58 minutes ago, Algebralovr said:

 

Actually, A different country can still require a quarantine of any animal, even a service dog.  Their country, their law.  

Then there’s Hawaii.

But there’s no such thing as a ‘certified service dog’ in the US.

15 minutes ago, Plant said:

Sorry, its Woodford the Service Golden, not Dog.

Found them, thanks!

Before our move to the island, we lived in a neighborhood in the downtown core of Vancouver.  I loved city living and sometimes think having a service dog in the city is easier than having one in the country!  The one thing I always laughed at was the apparent shyness of my dogs when toileting.  If at all possible they faced away from the street and any foot traffic.  They will go on any surface but it’s great when they have grass.  

Nico used the pet toilet area in SeaTac without an issue, even though it was filthy and we could smell it from a few hundred yards away.  We’re less than three weeks away from our cruise so I’ll be moving the box into the garage so Nico gets used to toileting inside.

A 16” x 16” box?   That wouldn’t do at all!  

1 hour ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Remember, my dogs ONLY use a potty box on my patio.

 

Our dogs learn to go potty wherever we train them to.  Horton loves to spin when he's going potty......in his box, he can't.  He MUST walk onto the box and release!

Good advice, if that’s the only game in town and/or you aren’t out and about a LOT with your dog, or you’ve got the timing down better than we do.  Living across from a forest (it’s small but it’s still got a forest designation) where you walk every day make insisting on pooping in the box problematic.  Timing again?

if I’ve been on the ferry with Nico and drive directly from the ferry home, no problem.  If I stop - and toilet Nico - bombs away!  

Cunard round trip Vancouver / Alaska has many stops, a few of which are tendered so aren’t doable for some in a power wheelchair.   I’m confident that if there’s no other choice, Nico will perform as expected.  Or at least close!  (No, I DON’T want the box on my balcony - no matter how convenient it is.)

32 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

“...he has managed to drop solid waste over the side on 3 occasions during the 8 years that he's been with me.”

Not for nothing, but I’d be happy with solid waste disposal anywhere close to the box!  Nico is NOT a fan.  😞   Liquid - not a problem.  Solid - yeah, no, don’t want to go there.  “What are my options?” - question asked by Nico, who may actually think there’s an option!

Edited to add - Nico is an ADI school trained dog who toilets on command.  He’s made solid ‘deposits’ in our training box but really isn’t keen on doing the deed in anything that seems ‘permanent’.  

I’m not sure I blame him.  Just sayin’.

9 minutes ago, Plant said:

Roz, just curious, is this 4 feet x 4 feet?  I'm following a SD (Woodford) on FB.  They're on a Carnival ship and he can only fit his back end in the box, from the pictures.  It just seems awfully small (or maybe I'm just not seeing the whole thing?).

I’d love to check them out but I need more info to find them!  

Help!

Updated January 4, 2019 - 

On January 1, 2019, a new Hawaii law went into effect that makes it illegal to knowingly misrepresent an animal as a service animal. Violators may be subject to civil penalties.

• “Prior to arrival the dog must have passed one OIE-FAVN test after 12 months of age, with a level of 0.5 I.U. rabies antibody or greater.  The laboratory will not perform the tests unless the microchip number accompanies the test request form. A passing test result is valid for three (3) years.”

Valid for three years - is this new?  For some reason I thought it was one year.

https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-information-page/guide-service-dogs-entering-hawaii/

25 minutes ago, rangeley said:

we have success!!! 

I’m so happy for you!  I’ve been following your posts and hoping for a breakthrough.  😍❤️😍

 Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

As mentioned, Sitka now has a dock but the ship I’m sailing on - Cunard Queen Elizabeth - is tendering there.  You can check the dock schedules to be sure.  

2 hours ago, rangeley said:

We took Oakland a few weeks ago. His eyes are good. The last time we took Wex, they found a tumor in his eye. One dr said they'd have to remove is eye. We got a second opinion and she said it was just a cyst. It never bothered him. 

Yikes!  Thank heaven for second opinions!

Nico is my second service dog to take advantage of the ACVO exams.  When we had our yearly public access test in April, the trainer casually mentioned that his eyes looked a ‘little cloudy’ but it may only be the light.  I was very relieved that he got a clean bill of health from the ACVO vet.

We sail in exactly four weeks - not that I’m counting!!!  I’ve been advised that the ship has doggie life jackets in all sizes and Nico’s pirate collar is ready.  Now if I can figure out how to alter his bow tie, we’ll be good to go!

6 minutes ago, rangeley said:

The only documentation we got is the service dog form to fill out. No mention of it on our reservation. 

Thanks for your reply.

I guess I’m ahead of the curve since I have an actual letter that says “Your Service Animal has been approved to sail and we look forward to welcoming you aboard.”   There was also what I would call a letter of indemnity for me to sign.