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Emotional Support Animals No Longer Allowed on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships


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In order to bring a service dog, it will require certification. There are limited numbers of professional organizations accredited to issue certification. Any one could go online and buy a bogus "support dog" certificate. This new policy will slam the door on the bogus fur baby certificate. So glad!!!!

adding: Just spoke to our dog trainer ( stubborn great Dane puppy), she is a service dog trainer and thinks this decision is outstanding.

 

It doesn't say that at all, since it is illegal to require any certification or documentation for a service animal under the ADA. It says "Guests are responsible for obtaining all required documents for the animal to depart the ship in ports of call and at final destination." This is health and vaccination documentation, not any service animal certification.

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That's exactly my point. Many of those that bring fluffy onboard are top cruisers. The reason they can sail so often is because their pets are allowed. They admit that they don't want pay kennel fees.

 

Will RCI have the guts to tell them that their pooch is no longer allowed? We'll have to wait and see. Hopefully they'll stand their ground no matter who it is. I'm totally for it.

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If the cruise line isn't allowed to ask much or ask for certification, how could they possibly tell the difference and enforce this with any consistency?

 

I'm all for putting "fluffy" on the beach while happily allowing the legitimate ones aboard.

 

So glad Royal is going to cut down on the scammers. It's way past time.

 

If a dog is in a stroller, dressed up (I don't think true service animals are dressed by their owners), being fed from the table, crapping wherever they are, barking, etc. then there's a good chance that they aren't a true service animal.

 

As for the possibility that Royal won't want to say anything to the top cruisers, I'm sure it will be brought up to the crew that the pet isn't acting like a trained service animal by other passengers. :D

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Woman on another cruise page just posted that they got off Adventure where an emotional support CAT was being hauled around in a mesh carrier and was seated at the table next to them. Said her son was allergic to cats. Seriously...people have taken this emotional support thing too far.

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Well, I am Pinnacle and don't know of any other Pinnacles that bring their dogs onboard.

 

Not that there are none, but the only people I have seen with dogs onboard are also not in the Concierge or suite lounge, so who knows how high a status they have, However, I have seen a number of folks walking around with their dogs dressed up with bows in their hair and being pushed in strollers. Last week on Harmony there was a woman sitting near us at Chops who had her dog in a carrier and it was on the floor beside her table. Later on that night she was at a slot machine in the casino, while the dog was beside her in the carrier on the floor. Should I have asked if she was a top cruiser? I think you are painting with a broad brush.

 

 

 

Maybe because they can’t share Status with doggie??

 

 

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Edited by Milwaukee Eight
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I am very allergic to cats, like trip to the hospital allergic. So, I am thrilled about this. Went to a pet friendly hotel once and the room was filled with dander from the cat of the previous occupant. Needless to say, my vacation was ruined and I ended up in the ER for treatment when my airway began to close. I remember reading on here about someone wanting to bring an emotional support cat... seriously??

Thank you RCCL for doing this!

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Woman on another cruise page just posted that they got off Adventure where an emotional support CAT was being hauled around in a mesh carrier and was seated at the table next to them. Said her son was allergic to cats. Seriously...people have taken this emotional support thing too far.

 

 

 

Can confirm this. That cat in its carrier was in a front row seat in the theater during the “meet the cast” gathering. Saw its litter box on one of the upper decks.

I don’t get it.

 

 

 

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These dog threads seem to get a lot of attention and lots of posts with people feeling very strongly about it. I know I haven't been on as many cruises as most here (10 on RCI) but I've only seen a couple of dogs and they have never affected me in the least. I could be wrong but out of the 2 to 6 thousand people on a ship how many dogs are people encountering? It seems like it shouldn't be such a big deal to see a dog even if its in a stroller. I would be more bothered by a guy in a tank top and swim suite than a dog as long as the dog is quiet. I don't think a cruise ship is a good place for a dog and would never think of bringing my dog. I love my dog but it wouldn't be fair to her anyway.

Last cruise I was on dog was left in room during Day, Woof Woof every time I walked by the cabin on Port Day's. Didn't bother to find out whole situation. Multiple cruises watched lap dogs being fed off plates. Last 10 cruises would say 9 had at east one dog on them. Keep the fakes off but I'm ok with the real Assistance Dogs...

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I saw this and came to Cruise Critic to see what was being posted. I can't believe it isn't being discussed so I will start the discussion and say finally, it's about time and I hope it is enforced.

 

https://cruisefever.net/royal-caribbean-banning-emotional-support-animals-from-their-cruise-ships/

 

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Meh.. I couldn't have cared less that they were on board. I cannot be bothered by what other people are doing on vacation (provided they are not harming other people or animals) as I am too busy enjoying my time on the ship.

 

My opinion on all animals that work for humans, is not something most people would like... so I will keep that one to myself. ;)

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Glad they have done this. I from time to time see service dogs in casinos!! I feel so bad for them.

 

Ok - amending my previous remark, or maybe this falls under harming animals.. this would bother me considering all the smoke, and the animal does not have the choice to leave.

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It's a huge problem for the entire travel industry.

 

 

 

This Emotional support animal crap is a slap in the face to the deserving people who truly need service animals.

 

Oh,

Let me add to that list.

Its a problem for:

 

Landlords

Restaurants

Hotels

Movie theaters

Grocery stores

Malls

Amusement parks

 

 

 

 

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i saw this and came to cruise critic to see what was being posted. I can't believe it isn't being discussed so i will start the discussion and say finally, it's about time and i hope it is enforced.

 

https://cruisefever.net/royal-caribbean-banning-emotional-support-animals-from-their-cruise-ships/

 

sent from my sm-g965u using tapatalk

 

 

amen!!!!!!!

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So glad RCI is banning emotional support dogs and other animals. I hope they really enforce the new policy.

 

I have posted my opposition to people being able to bring "Little Fluffy" dress it up in outfits, feed it from table and put it in a stroller. And especially the dogs that leave a deposit in public areas with the owner walking away and letting the staff clean up this mess.

 

Unsanitary and bad for folks with allergies.

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I have a service dog. I think I can honestly speak for people that have legitimate, highly trained service dogs, we love our dogs and the service they provide for us, but we have to have a disability to have one. Most, if not all of us, would be happy to not have the disability and leave our beloved dog at home while we vacationed.

 

 

Yes, these ESA's and fake service dogs make it so hard for us. I know I am and most of the people I know that have real service dogs are VERY respectful of other disabilities like allergies to dogs or (not a disability) fear or dislike of dogs and will try our best to keep our distance.

 

 

It is not easy to train a dog for a cruise. Service dogs are highly trained dogs and part of that training is to not go inside. Now we ask our dogs to go in a litter box. I know my dog, gets so confused.

 

 

And there is a ton of paperwork even to get on the ship, let alone off in any ports. Other countries are not under the ADA and have their own requirements. I have no idea how anyone is getting away with all this, I wouldn't even try to bring a dog/animal in public if it wasn't highly trained, very well groomed, completely vaccinated (documentation is required) and I wasn't disabled. The ship (at least Carnival) does required documentation (not explanation of the disability) of the disability; I have a very general note from my doctor and a handicapped parking placard. However, I do keep more documentation on me in case it is every asked for. According to ADA no one can ask for it, but I will gladly submit it. I think that those of us that are legit are willing to provide what is needed.

 

 

 

My dog, a great dane/lab, is barely noticeable on planes or in restaurant. People notice him when he is walking, but when put in his "spot" either on a plane or under a table, he disappears. Even servers and flight attendants have said they didn't even know he was there. That is a service dog. Also, my service dog trainer has told me, any service dog, no matter the size, should follow the rule of "four on the floor".

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I've seen true PTSD Support Dogs that are clearly marked as such and they are never being pushed around in a stroller. These wonderful dogs wouldn't bother me at all no matter where I saw them. (Even on a ship) But those little pretend "support" dogs just make their owners look ridiculous. And now I'm seeing them grocery shopping, etc. :rolleyes:

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