Yappy little "princess" dog

[CruiseKeeper]

I've been corrected by my boss in the past and he is ALWAYS right :rolleyes: so I feel like I can pass this on. The acronym is HIPAA, not HIPPA.

 

He'd be so pleased if he knew he was responsible for this. :p

 

Regardless, a big old pox on those that take advantage. I wonder if they make pox service dogs. :confused:

[BeachChik]

after reading through this I am seriously considering cancelling our next cruise. If you went to a resort and had a yapping dog next door you could leave but on a cruise you are stuck. :eek: I am not joking, this really concerns me. First the airlines let you fly your animal (and I know that the owner loves their little princess but not everyone loves a barking dog) and now we have to be stuck on a cruise ship with them. I understand the need for service dogs but if the reason you want to bring your pet is that you can't stand to be away from them for a week.... stay home.

 

Please RCCL get your act together and stop turning your ships into a floating dog kennel. The only pets at sea should be the stuffed variety.

 

A floating kennel? Really? As always things are blown out of proportion here. This is a perfect example of another non issue made big on cruise critic. How many people have actually seen a dog on a ship? Or a service animal in a restaurant or building in every day life for that matter. Very rarely.

[Arizona Cruz Chic]

Disagree with you. I met (sounds like the same people) who brought their little dog on. They were in our concierge lounge everynight. After about the 4th night and just sitting, chatting and making friends with their dog I asked them what the criteria in getting their dog on was.

 

They did admit that the dog is not a service dog. They informed me that all you need to provide the cruiseline is a physicians note stating that you need the dog for confort/ anxiety. And of course have all its current vet records.

 

I see lots of little dogs all the time on the ships getting pushed in strollers, never by the same owner. It's very disturbing that someone will "fudge" information just to drag a dog on a ship.

 

I have a retired service dog and would never consider bringing him on a cruise. I don't have a disability (unless drinking) and don't think it would be right for me to lie just to get him aboard.

 

 

 

So the owners admitted it was not a service dog.....stick a fork in it...its done!!!!

 

***

[ryano]

A floating kennel? Really? As always things are blown out of proportion here. This is a perfect example of another non issue made big on cruise critic. How many people have actually seen a dog on a ship? Or a service animal in a restaurant or building in every day life for that matter. Very rarely.

 

Exactly! And yes, you are correct, many here have a natural talent of making a mountain out of an ant hill lol

 

I wouldnt say its a "non issue" for those directly affected as in being next door to this dog but I just cant imagine otherwise, letting a little small dog RUIN my cruise vacation.

 

I certainly wouldnt cancel a cruise on the very small chance a dog may be on board.

[Mac303]

Apparently the issue seems to be this particular dog, several people who were on this cruise wrote that it was constantly yapping, being moved around the ship in a carrige, eating food off the table in the main dineing room etc.

 

After reading the first hand reports of the dog, it appears that a scam was used to get a favorite pet on board.

 

This whole issue isn't about service dogs, it's about people doing whatever they want to get around rules that don't suit them.

[SRQfireman]

I was hoping somebody would have an answer to my question last night (#75) about if you have to tell them ahead of time or can ya just show up.

I guess nobody has had to bring a dog onboard or knows anyone who has.

Next thing ya know somebody will be bringing ole Fluffy along to keep their mind right :)

[reallyitsmema]

I was hoping somebody would have an answer to my question last night (#75) about if you have to tell them ahead of time or can ya just show up.

I guess nobody has had to bring a dog onboard or knows anyone who has.

Next thing ya know somebody will be bringing ole Fluffy along to keep their mind right :)

You were answered in the next post. The poster's DD has a service dog and she said she had to do lots of paperwork.

[SugarNSpice8104]

I was also on this sailing and agree with the OP. It was never with the same person which made me question it being a service dog. It was with a man in the cafe promenade and I asked him how he got it on the ship and he told me it was a service dog. Def don't believe that and the dog did bark ALOT. During check in you could hear it echoing through the building. I have no problems with it being or not being a service dog, but they could have kept it quiet. IMO

[smoosh21]

Just out of pure curiousity...when dogs cruise, how do they handle the "Potty" situation? I have a great respect for service dogs, and love animals in general, but this just aroused my curiousity, as they obviously can't use the toilet, and would not have access to a designated area to do their "duty".

 

 

On the Oasis, there was a potty box along the jogging track that was listed for Service pets. There was a service dog on the cruise I was on, first time I ever saw a service pet on the ship.

 

Now, I am just waiting to hear that somebody brought their helper monkey on the ship.

[pmfan]

I was hoping somebody would have an answer to my question last night (#75) about if you have to tell them ahead of time or can ya just show up.

I guess nobody has had to bring a dog onboard or knows anyone who has.

Next thing ya know somebody will be bringing ole Fluffy along to keep their mind right :)

 

You MUST tell them in advance. When we book we have it noted on the reservation. Then we fill out forms for the special needs department. This is followed by sending them copies of her papers. We send in her photo ID card and her graduation certificate with these. Then the real fun begins with researching each country your ship visits, as you are importing/exporting your agriculture into each county. This is followed by permits (some countires you must apply for a permit for your service animal to enter). At the last minute there is a trip to the vet for an international health certificate. So no you don't just show up.

 

On the Enchantment out of Baltimore we checked in at the terminal, again with more papers, and from that point to actually being allowed on the ship we were stopped four times to show her papers. The last stop they actually had to call management to verify our papers were correct and we were allowed to bring her onboard. Security at this port was very strict on agriculture.

 

Hope this answered your question.

[ssb]

We love and have 4 rescue animals!:D

 

How do you prove it,

if they lie and get the matter fudged.

 

But if the animal is on the ship,

and is yappy,

and is irritating,

and is out of reasonable bounds, :eek:

and it is affecting our trip and others constantly,

we will complain.

 

What is the difference,

if the issue is with a child,

or an immature adult.

They should be dealt with "accordingly" with the circumstances!

 

If it smells fishy, it usually is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Same as observation of a fight between cruisers

about correct trivia answers.

They were off ship at next port.

 

Cruisers are put off ships all the time!!!!!:rolleyes:

 

If it smells fishy, it usually is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

A good attitude is the difference between ordeal and adventure,

but a yappy dog is an ordeal on a cruise vacation!

[xxoocruiser]

So the owners admitted it was not a service dog.....stick a fork in it...its done!!!!

 

***

 

My Condo Bord just had this issue. Though the definition of a "Service Animal" was redefined under ADA law. The new definition that became effective March 15, 2011 states : “Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler´s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal´s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.”

 

 

Additional existing policies that were clarified or formalized also effective March 15, 2011 include the following:

1. Dogs whose sole function is “the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship” are not considered service dogs under the ADA.

2. The use of service dogs for psychiatric and neurological disabilities is explicitly protected under the ADA.

3. “The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence” do not qualify that animal as a service animal and “an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal.”

 

Though under the American's with Disabilities Acts dogs whose sole function is “the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship” are not considered service dogs under the ADA . This change did not seamlessly transfer to the Federal Fair Housing Act which now becomes the legal loophole as the primary purpose of the Fair Housing Law of 1968 is to protect the buyer/renter of a dwelling from seller/landlord discrimination. Its primary prohibition makes it unlawful to refuse to sell, rent to, or negotiate with any person because of that person's inclusion in a protected class.

 

According to our condo attorney, because of this loophole all it takes is a doctors letter and a threatening letter from one's attorney. Saddly until the changes are made to what "protected class" truly means, people get away with this as it's too timely and costly for it to be contested. Though I'm not an attorney , it might be assumed that booking a cruise cabin the passenger is actually a "Renter" for that specific period time and if the cruise originates from a US port than the cruiseline is obligated to abide by the laws of the Federal Fair Housing Act. Those this is just a hypothysis, it does make sense. It's easier for the cruiseline to just allow it than go up against the US Federal Goverment.

[ksuds]

Thanks xxoocruiser, interesting reading.

 

You know the first time a family with a "yappy" dog gets removed from a ship it will be all over the news. Which is a shame, because they remove passengers that don't follow the guest conduct policy. This policy should be revised to include unruley dogs.

[Pichu21]

Looks like I'll be taking my Golden and beloved cat on the next cruise! I promise, he doesn't bite. :p:D

[MOSusan]

A yappy dog can be a real annoyance, but the thought of having a dog at my dinner table is beyong disgusting. I'm not sure how I would handle a situation like that. I have seen many well trained service dogs in restaurants and they lay on the floor - that is their job.

 

I believe that I would immediately request to be moved or have the offending party removed. And I would probably comment to the classless individual who thought it was appropriate to have an animal eat off the table.

 

Don't get me wrong I love animals, I have a Yellow Lab - she's a good dog (doggie voice). But she knows she's a dog and that I'm the Alpha and her place is on the floor.

 

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck!

[MrsFixitCT]

While I have NO issues with "true" service animals, I can't help but wonder how many will try to "game the system" with ideas from this thread. :(

 

What concerns me is the "what's next", and where do they draw the line? My sister, when she was about 4, was in a stroller...and a dog bit her-in the face. As a result, she is, to this day (60 years later), deathly afraid of dogs. Has tried all sorts of therapies to get beyond it, including therapy, all to no avail. As a result she simply avoids situations where dogs may be involved. So, now what? Should she "demand" that RC not allow them? While businesses, restaurants, etc. strive to be "PC"...where does it end? :confused:

 

Sadder still is that the ADA rules and HIPPA rules (much like FMLA) are abused by so many that DON'T require them in order to "benefit" from them, that those that DO, SHOULD or COULD use them don't...

 

JMHO, YMMV

[CaroleSS]

ok, here's a lightly different twist on this - I am allergic to cats....VERY allergic! What if someone was allergic to dogs and there was a dog onboard as a 'service' dog (not a REAL service dog - but a supposed service dog like in the OP)?

 

The airlines made changes in their policies as more and more people became allergic to peanuts. Peanuts are not ADA protected, but if someone brought a cat onto a ship and the next person was allergic to cats, that would be a potential liability on RCCLs side, wouldn't it?

[pmfan]

A yappy dog can be a real annoyance, but the thought of having a dog at my dinner table is beyong disgusting. I'm not sure how I would handle a situation like that. I have seen many well trained service dogs in restaurants and they lay on the floor - that is their job.

 

I believe that I would immediately request to be moved or have the offending party removed. And I would probably comment to the classless individual who thought it was appropriate to have an animal eat off the table.

 

Don't get me wrong I love animals, I have a Yellow Lab - she's a good dog (doggie voice). But she knows she's a dog and that I'm the Alpha and her place is on the floor.

 

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck!

 

Just to clarify....when you said "the thought of having a dog at my dinner table is beyong disgusting" were you referring to a dog sitting in the owners lap and eating off the table, as posted in this thread... OR... did you also mean to include a dog that is laying under the table at the feet of the owner ?

[xxoocruiser]

While I have NO issues with "true" service animals, I can't help but wonder how many will try to "game the system" with ideas from this thread. :(

 

 

Saddly the people who intentionally abuse the laws have been doing so long before this thread ever began. Really don't think this thread will be the reason for a jump in yappy dogs on board as CC represents only a very small portion of the cruising public.

[jmf123]

Sad that there are people out there who can get MDs to write notes about nearly anything so they can have what they want, and not necessarily need, onboard a ship. Must make it even more difficult for pax who are actually in medical need of something.

 

Shame on those pax and shame on their MDs for writing notes for nonsense just because they can.:(

 

SRQfireman, this is from RCI's website for Service Animals: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=service_animals. Guests are to notify the Access Department at time of booking, or no later than 30 days prior to sailing, with regard to the need for a relief station. This info also states that 'Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required.' With regard to Ralphie: if a dog's behavior creates a fundamental alteration, the dog may be denied boarding or removed from the ship along with the owner, atthe owner's expense. Examples include growling, excessive barking, eating from the table...:rolleyes: I guess RCI didn't get 'enough' complaints about the barking to warrant the owner and dog being put off the ship.

 

Next will be the renaming of 'special needs' to special wants... Last summer a friend on the Freedom relayed this story: she and her fiance decided to not go into port, and enjoyed lounge chairs at the pool for a few hours. A man walked by with a service dog who was wearing a bandana and sunglasses. The guy was very talkative and explained his dog sniffed out allergens like smoke and dust for him. Then he plopped the Jack Russell terrier on her lounge and offered to take a photo of her (and her fiance) and the dog. Later they saw the two at a café table on the Promenade and asked if his dog wears a bow tie for formal night, and was told he has a little tuxedo! He also said he can’t leave his iPad unattended because his terrier surfs for doggy porn on the internet.

 

I feel bad for the cruisers within hearing range of Ralphie (my pet peeve is a dog barking for no good reason, and I can't imagine having one yapping throughout a cruise), or dining range of this pampered pooch. I have never heard a service dog bark, and don't believe they do unless their master's special circumstance warrants it. p.s. pmfan, it appears that MOSusan addressed the well trained service dog in restaurants. :)

[praline3001]

Not sure that HIPPA laws apply to foreign flagged vessels. :confused:

 

Well if the cruise ship can't ask for proof of training for the dog or what he is a service dog for due to HIPPA laws and privacy ... they can't ask me about my deathly ill allergy to dogs. Its the same thing:D

 

 

I love dogs. I do foster dogs for a local group. Not long term foster and only 1 at a time. I have 2 large dogs, a lab and a golden. My lab is 13 years old and my Golden is a certified therapy dog. My dogs are a huge part of who I am.

 

Its not yappy dog's fault, its the owner. Bringing any dog on a cruise is extremely stressful for that dog, real service dog or not.

 

People who have real needs for a service dog and use the program correctly need to be careful on cruises with their service dog. It will be disoriented due to the motion of the ship. They will be a bit more nervous and unsure of the surroundings. They also will get no free time the whole week to just be a dog. This builds up the stress in the dog. If they need their service dog on the cruise, that is perfectly fine but they need to spend time working with the dog in more stressful situations before the trip.

 

People who are bringing their untrained pets because they "love" little fito, need to stop and think about the dog. If you care about your dog why put him in a situation that will stress him out?

 

I understand not wanting to put your pet in a cage kennel for a week. My heart always broke when I had to do that!! However I found a great doggie daycare that does board in my area. These are becoming EXTREMELY popular. Its a cage free daycare. The dog's temperament must be tested before hand but if all goes well they spend the entire day with their class... small dogs, old dogs, young hyper dogs, big dogs or anywhere the owner feels the dog will have the most fun. They run, play, sleep and bond with other dogs all week long. This is where your dog would be its happiest... sniffing butts and tackling other dogs. At our doggie daycare they go outside for "recess" 4 times a day. In warmer months they put kiddie pools in the play yard and other enrichment items. The cost is not a huge leap either. Our local caged kennel charges $15 a day for my large Golden. This place charges me $18 just to compare pricing. At night he does stay in a kennel (from 7pm-7am) however he is usually so completely wiped out tired he doesn't move the entire time he is in the kennel HA HA

Our golden is having WAY more fun at his resort then being on a cruise.

 

 

As to my 13 year old lab, we do not board her. She is old and a nervous nellie in her old age. She stops eating when boarded and shakes and is extremely stressed out. She started getting this way when she was about 10. Her eye sight is also not the best though she isn't completely blind. Due to this she stays with my parents when we go on vacation. She is much happier lounging on grandma's couch then in a room of hyper young dogs. My mom has a large hyper lab so when her dog and my Golden get together its a real rodeo!!! When 2 100lbs dogs rough house 24/7 things get broke!! It makes it easier on my old mom if we board Bentley.

[pmfan]

ok, here's a lightly different twist on this - I am allergic to cats....VERY allergic! What if someone was allergic to dogs and there was a dog onboard as a 'service' dog (not a REAL service dog - but a supposed service dog like in the OP)?

 

The airlines made changes in their policies as more and more people became allergic to peanuts. Peanuts are not ADA protected, but if someone brought a cat onto a ship and the next person was allergic to cats, that would be a potential liability on RCCLs side, wouldn't it?

 

Long story....

While on the Freedom we went to a luncheon for D, D+, Pinnacle. The waiter led us to a large table that already had a couple at it. Before we sit down we asked the other couple if it was an issue with them if we joined them as we had a service dog. They graciously said no, please sit down. After we sit down a ship's officer came up and asked if he could join us. We informed him there was a service dog under the table. He had no issues with that and he joined us. We had a lovely luncheon.

After the meal we were still at the table when the lady informed us she was highly allergic to dogs. Oh, my! I felt so bad, but she said it wasn't an issue for her. For it to be an issue she would have had to touch the dog or sit on a couch or something that the dog had been on.

After the meal we went to the Captains Corner. A lady in the audience mentioned there was a dog on board. When the Captain responded to her inquiry, he mentioned that he and the officers had just came from a lovely C&A luncheon. He said the Chief Engineer is highly allergic to dogs. Guess which table he set at.....one with the service dog. He went on to inform the lady that the officer suffered no ill effects from dining at that table.

Just thought I'd pass on an experience we had dining with not one but two who were highly allergic to dogs. What are the chances of that?

[praline3001]

Long story....

 

While on the Freedom we went to a luncheon for D, D+, Pinnacle. The waiter led us to a large table that already had a couple at it. Before we sit down we asked the other couple if it was an issue with them if we joined them as we had a service dog. They graciously said no, please sit down. After we sit down a ship's officer came up and asked if he could join us. We informed him there was a service dog under the table. He had no issues with that and he joined us. We had a lovely luncheon.

 

After the meal we were still at the table when the lady informed us she was highly allergic to dogs. Oh, my! I felt so bad, but she said it wasn't an issue for her. For it to be an issue she would have had to touch the dog or sit on a couch or something that the dog had been on.

 

After the meal we went to the Captains Corner. A lady in the audience mentioned there was a dog on board. When the Captain responded to her inquiry, he mentioned that he and the officers had just came from a lovely C&A luncheon. He said the Chief Engineer is highly allergic to dogs. Guess which table he set at.....one with the service dog. He went on to inform the lady that the officer suffered no ill effects from dining at that table.

 

Just thought I'd pass on an experience we had dining with not one but two who were highly allergic to dogs. What are the chances of that?

 

That shows how well you take care of your service dog and thats great! I too am careful about my golden's grooming as he does visit very sick children as a therapy dog. The problem comes in when people do not worry about dander and other people. The less grooming a dog has the more dander he will drop. The dander is caused by saliva just like a cat. People are actually allergic to the proteins in the saliva and not the hair itself. Less grooming more dander, more dander the more likely the dog will cause an allergic reaction in people.

[Mybearsbaby]

They may not be allowed to ask what the dog is in service for or its service training BUT they can require a certificate of completion in the AKC Good Citizen program. This is a test to show temperament and manners along with basic training. It has nothing to do with disabilities and everything to do with the manners of the dog.

 

In my area more and more apartments and business are asking that they see the AKC Good Citizen certification. They are allowed to ask that any animal in their establishment have this.

 

 

It is a BREEZE for any real service dog to pass and most do go through the program before getting into the more specific training.

 

I have a certified therapy dog. No, not a service dog. We go to hospitals to visit sick kids and he is also involved in the "Reading for Paws" program at the Library. WONDERFUL program as it helps kids with their shyness while learning to read out loud.

 

Would I think of taking my dog WHO is qualified to visit bedsides of sick and dying children onto a cruise? NOT A CHANCE. Of course he is a golden so there is that whole size thing but its just way too much for a dog to handle... physical disabilities service dogs are a different breed then Therapy dogs but much the training is the same.

 

The water, ship motion and everything else is too disorienting for the dog.

Your service dog has to be top notch to not have any issues on the cruise.

 

 

The lunging part of this particular dog is a great concern. If dogs that are lunging are allowed on ship its only a matter of time before guest become bitten. How do you quarantine a biting dog on a ship as is required?

No service or therapy dog would ever lunge at a stranger. That's dog socialization 101.

 

Here is a photo of my therapy dog, Bentley. He was being naughty as he is not allowed on the bed. He is usually an angel in the behavior dept and because of this I thought it was funny and took the photo before I reminded him to move it LOL

 

 

Beautiful dog!

 

On the Oasis, there was a potty box along the jogging track that was listed for Service pets. There was a service dog on the cruise I was on, first time I ever saw a service pet on the ship.

 

Now, I am just waiting to hear that somebody brought their helper monkey on the ship.

Helper Monkey...lol!!

[Mybearsbaby]

I have a yappy little princess dog, a chihuahua, whom I love very much, but out of respect for fellow passengers, I would not bring her onboard...she barks when she hears knocking, and she barks when she sees men...idk why, but she does, lol! I love my little dog, but she can stay with "grandma" until we get back, lol! Im sure she will survive, and so will we.