BoazTheMastiff

Thank you all so very much for all of your help and encouragement! We really enjoyed our recent Carnival cruise to Mexico! 

Boaz was indeed very very well received by crew and guest alike. He was treated like the cruise celebrity everywhere we went. 

Once we reboarded in our last port and we’re relaxing at the hot tub on the serenity deck is when I really began to feel relaxed but overall we enjoyed it all very much. 

We were seated with wonderful people and they all loved him too! 

Boaz even made the wall of fame and won a free 8x10 photo. 

He wasn’t too crazy about the tiny box and less than happy about me taking a photo of him in it.  😂 

Every crew member we encountered was absolutely wonderful and extremely accommodating. 

Thanks you all all so much for all of your help and encouragement!

4 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Whether you disembark the ship or not, you will need the following paperwork:

• You must have an Aphis 7001 form filled out by a licensed Vet attesting to a recent Vet visit showing that Boaz is in good health with no skin lesions , is free of fur and skin diseases,  is on HeartGuard and NexGuard [or other flea and tick abatement medication.]  This form MUST be signed and dated within 30 days of travel.  Your Vet may charge you for filling out this form on top of the normal Vet visit fee.  
• The form will ask for recent immunizations and MUST show that Boaz is current on his Rabies and ALL other Vaccines.  The 3-year Rabies vaccine is good for travel to Mexico.  [Some other world travel spots will require that he be immunized within one year.]  The form will ask for MicroChip information.
• A copy or ID Card from the Org. that trained Boaz is good but not necessary.  His good behavior is proof enough of his training!       
• The more information and/or picture of you and Boaz that you can provide the Cruise line the better.  CCI provides an ID Card to all Service Dog partnerships.  The card has a picture of the handler and the dog as well as an expiration date whereby the team has to attend a re-certification class, to keep the dog sharp and on task.  If Boaz is self-trained you may not have any such ID Card.  That's okay too!  You may be asked questions of what he does for you and/or asked to show a demonstration [I was asked this by an official in Costa Rica.]
• You will be asked to bring Boaz to meet with an Immigration Official, while you're onboard, and before you enter into one of the Ports you will be visiting, usually the first one.  The official will ask to see Boaz's paperwork and may do a minimal or involved inspection of him.

I recommend making 4 copies of ALL your paperwork give one copy to registration when you're boarding [it saves so much time for them to look for a copy machine.]  Have one for the Guest Relations Desk [on board] and have an ORIGINAL copy to give to Immigration upon entering your first port.  Keep one copy for yourself.

 

• Make sure that the Aphis Form is filled out, without using any abbreviations.  Some Immigration officials balk at anything they can't read.  Ask your Vet to please be thorough in filling out this form.  I must tell you that Mexico is a "hit" or a "miss" about what they want.  Sometimes they're extremely fussy and sometimes they don't want anything; not even your paperwork or to meet you or your dog.  Then, there's the Immigration person who took my dog into a separate room and inspected every inch of her body with a rubber glove, including between her toes, inside her ears, etc., etc.  Be prepared, stay calm and most importantly make sure that Boaz is also kept calm.  I told them that my dog and I are NEVER separated and I will accompany her wherever she goes!

 

You will love cruising with your dog.  The paperwork becomes second nature after you've done it a few times - 🚫 NEVER, NEVER, NEVER leave Boaz alone in the cabin without you or someone with him 🚫 - Have fun, allow extra time for fellow passengers and crew to visit with him and ask you lots and lots of questions.  If you're tired of the interruptions just keep walking.  If someone displays fear or anger at you or your dog.....again, just keep walking and remember YOU represent ALL of us when you travel with your dog.  🐾

 

Oh wow! Thank you so much! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much! I’m seriously printing out this post and keeping it with me. 

I’m glad I know now about the immigration visit before our first port and can be prepared for it. 

It all really is overwhelming so far but I so appreciate of all of the support here! I’m not sure if the “second nature” was a clever pun referring to the relief box but well played if so. 👏🏻🤣. 

Speaking of second nature I’m still unsure about that too. He doesn’t mind the pellets. When I brought the bag home and put the litter out, I told him that I needed him to use this as the potty he has every time now since. I’m just concerned about the area not being private enough for him to retain some dignity & privacy. 

We are never separated. 

We have:

 Aphis 7001from the USDA ✅

 Health Certificate to Export Dogs & Cats from the United States to Mexico ✅

His service dog I.D. Card, training, Microchip, Heartguard, flea&tic, rabies, vaccine records ✅

most of all his awesome behavior ✅

Thank you so much!

Boaz & Chip

Stressed out about our upcoming cruise. Need advice on my first cruise with service dog. My vet seems to be confident that we have done everything that needs to be done. He’s done pets to Mexico before but never a service dog for a cruise. Do I need to submit his paperwork to USDA or just carnival? We are not disembarking in Mexico. 

I’m so thankful to you all! So much valuable information! 

I have a soft blanket we use at the movies and long days at the cafe. I’ll definitely keep that with us and his beach towel. 

I’m planning to use bungee cords to roll his bed up the rubberbands wont hold. 

I’ll definitely be using the ziplocks for his food instead of the plastic containers I usually bring with us places. 

Also hoping to make it to Lowe’s for AstroTurf tomorrow. 

1 hour ago, thephantomsgirl said:

Hello again...

 

Regarding Carnival, if you call their Special Access Department they are very helpful.  I note that I like a dining area that is sort of out of the way (without being in a yucky spot)   They've always been helpful.  

 

I do bring a small piece of Astroturf as they use Purina Second Nature pellets.  Jagger hates those.  

 

 

Thank you so much! I’ll reach out to them

tomorrow regarding dinner. I’m hoping to find some pellets and begin training asap. I was also thinking of bringing some grass clippings from home to add a scent of familiarity but I’m unsure if that’s permitted.  I’ll ask Special Access tomorrow also. I can’t thank you all enough! Oh boy I’m going to have to build a checklist of everything I need to do to ensure Boaz gets the best experience possible.  

3 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

What a handsome boy!  Welcome!  Size DOES NOT MATTER!  You will just take up more room than usual and I'm quite sure you're used to that!

 

Elevators, small lounges, seating in the theatre, shopping in the stores and sitting in the dining rooms will present some thoughtfulness and pre-planning on your part.  But, if you use your good senses and ALWAYS think of Boaz first you will be fine.

 

You have to go to every venue remembering that you will be stopped several times to answer lots and lots of curious questions from your fellow passengers.  Remember, they had to leave their fur-babies at home and they're missing them terribly.  They will want to talk to, take pictures of and sit with your fur-baby!  If you can, allow for them to pat him.  It will satisfy their urge to try and sneak a touch behind your back!  Or, you will meet folks who absolutely hate your dog; they want nothing to do with him, they don't want to eat with him or be in an elevator with him.  They may complain very loudly or just give you and him dirty looks when they see either one of you.  It's a mixed bag of reactions.......like that box of chocolates;  you never know what you're going to get!

 

If Boaz likes to sleep in a bed, on a couch, etc....these are things you may want to think about to keep his comfort level good in the cabin.  Horton is a "huge" dog.  He weighs 90lbs, and has long, long legs.  He can be very scary looking to those who don't know him!  He likes to sleep in a bed.  I bring a bed for him, I roll it up and put big rubber bands around it to keep it as small as I can for easy travel.  He loves it!  

 

The floor space in a regular cabin is not the best [this depends on whether you separate or keep the beds together.]  I like the mini-suites on Princess ships; they have more floor space and even a nice couch in a separate sitting area of your cabin.  They are a bit pricier than a regular veranda cabin but not as expensive as a full suite.  I get the cabin on the end, which gives me a nice wrap-around balcony.  These cabins have to be reserved at least one year in advance.

 

If you like Traditional Dining you should go to the Matre d' before dinner time and check out where you're table is located.  You will want a table against a wall, a divider, or under a window where Boaz can lay down without anyone stepping over him.

 

Everything about cruising with your Service Dog can be managed and is doable.  You just need to pre-think - pre-plan and be mindful of those around you and your dog! 

 

Don't be deterred by any comments or supposed problems that you might hear or read.  Try it......You may love it as most of the folks on this thread do!!!!!!    

Thank you so much! This is so helpful! I honestly didn’t even think about all the folks who have to leave them behind. I really appreciate all the information. I’m so nervous yet getting a bit excited too. We currently have an ocean view booked but I’m watching for a last minute upgrade option. 

Do any of you sit in a lounge chair by the poolside with your service dog by your side?

I’m getting confused answers from carnival. One answer was service dogs are not allowed in or around the pool areas. Another answer was just not on the furniture or in the water. Another was each ship is a little different. We are only interested in sitting in the shade for short periods of time at the 21 & up pool area, not the main pools. 

Boaz is an English Mastiff who has traveled the United States, and he doesn’t get on furniture or in the water,  but is preparing for his first cruise. He weighs about 170lbs. I’m full of hesitations on taking him but have ten times more anxiety of going anywhere without him. He’s saved my life many times, I rely on him with each step   and have been for over three years. Here’s a photo on recent Disneyland visit. 

I’m so relieved to find this thread! We’re heading out on our first cruise with our service dog soon and everything I’m reading is so encouraging and helpful. He and I have driven across the USA but haven’t been on a cruise. We’ve been on several types of boats, big & small, including The Maid of the Mist at Niagra Falls with no issues. Just not a cruise.  Does anyone have any experience cruising with a Giant Service Dog?