Help Choosing My Next Cruise

[SFskies]

I have been cruising on Royal Caribbean, and have no serious complaints.

 

I am looking for another cruise, possibly on a different cruise line.

 

Here are a few issues I'm considering:

- I have a service dog. Royal Caribbean has been fantastic about accommodating dogs, offering assistance, and essentially treating the whole group as VIPs. I've heard a horrible experience on Holland America, so will not consider them. Are other cruise lines experienced with service dogs and their needs?

 

- I am incredibly sensitive to tobacco smoke. If you do an integral of intensity vs. time, at some point I will require oxygen. (What that means is that the asthmatic attack will occur faster if you blow smoke in my face, and more slowly for particles clinging to fabric.) Is it possible to avoid tobacco smoke on other cruise lines?

 

- I cannot always find a companion, so I'd love to find a cruise with a low single supplement. Ideas?

 

- I do not drink or "party," so prefer a ship with an enrichment program. (Is that the right word?) I always have my iPad with me, so WiFi would be great! Ideas?

 

Dates: December 2015 through February 2016.

Minimum cruise length: 7 days, preferably longer

Cost as low as possible.

 

There may not be an actual solution, given the constraints. ;-)

 

If you know of a cruise that fits those requirements and desireds, please mention it!

 

Thank you!

[NMLady]

Take a look at Celebrity.

[Essiesmom]

Regardless of the bad story you heard about HAL, they should be your last choice because they still allow smoking on balconies. I would also avoid Princess because they although they do not allow smoking on balconies, they do allow smoking in the casino most nights, and the miasma can be smelled when you pass by customer services in the atrium. Are you aware that there is a Disabled Cruise Travel board here at CC, under Special Interest Cruises, and there is a lengthy thread about Cruising with a Service Dog...? EM

Edited August 8, 2015 by Essiesmom

[SFskies]

I was not aware of the Princess Cruises policy of allowing smoking in their casino. I've been on RC ships when they allowed smoking in the casino, and you're right that it seeps into the customer service area.

 

I will look at Celebrity, if only because they are part of RC. ;-)

 

I've scanned the more recent posts on the Disabled Travelers forum. I looked specifically for recent experience on cruise lines other than RC. Nothing.

From what I can see, I know more about service dogs than almost everyone else who posted on the older threads. In fact, the most recent reply on one of the threads regarding service dogs was from me correcting misinformation and offering information from direct experience and with the U.S. Federal law.

[CruisingSince2012]

Your dog would have to wear a work vest that identifies it as a service dog, not a regular pet. Otherwise it will be like be a regular pet on the ship and have a bad week.

Edited August 8, 2015 by CruisingSince2012

[Scrapnana]

 

Here are a few issues I'm considering:

- I have a service dog. Royal Caribbean has been fantastic about accommodating dogs, offering assistance, and essentially treating the whole group as VIPs. I've heard a horrible experience on Holland America, so will not consider them. Are other cruise lines experienced with service dogs and their needs?

 

Thank you!

 

I think the experiences you have heard about on HAL have been about emotional support dogs being passed off as service dogs.

 

The only place I had trouble with smoke on HAL was in the casino. If you are trying to go inexpensively you likely would not pay the 200% solo supplement for a balcony (so neighbors smoking would not be an issue).

 

From your description, Cunard sounds like it would meet many of your wants. Unfortunately, Cunard ships have limited itineraries around the US. There are two options available for 2016 on Queen Victoria. There is a 14 day Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles and 16 day Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco.

 

http://www.cunard.com/cruise-search/book-a-cruise/cruises/qv/1328-v603-fll1-lax1/

 

http://www.cunard.com/cruise-search/book-a-cruise/cruises/qv/1330-v603-fll1-sfo2/

 

Cunard does not allow smoking except in one area of deck 10 and in the Cigar Bar. There are excellent lecturers on Cunard with two or three speaking every sea day. Another bonus of this cruise is a full transit of the Panama Canal. Cunard usually charges 175% solo supplement for insides, ocean views and balconies.

 

One caution - the Super Bowl will be played in the Bay Area on the day QV arrives.

[SadieN]

The best place on CC to find out about service dog issues is the Service Dog thread on the Disabled Cruising board.

 

Carnival HI cruises are definitely not party cruises and have onboard lectures. Last October we met Oscar onboard. His human had nothing but praise for Carnival.

[SPacificbound]

If you are happy with RCCL, you know the "ropes", they did well with you and your service dog, I can't see a reason to change. However, if you are sure you want to, then consider Celebrity.

[SuiteTraveler]

Disney cruise line severely restricts smoking on all their ships, it is not allowed indoors anywhere nor on balconies and they welcome service dogs.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/my-cruise-plans/faqs/health-safety/smoking/

If you have a verandah cabin, they place a wading pool out there with astro turf for your dog's relief station.

 

Celebrity also welcomes service dogs:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/cruise-service-animals?subtab=true

Celebrity allows smoking in designated outdoor areas only.

[dorisis]

If you choose Celebrity your RC status will be transferred, so you will start with a higher status and reap the benefits.

[Bonnie J.]

I have seen service dogs, Seeing Eye, on Carnival. We had, for 12 years an adoptable Seeing Eye dog who came trained and we LOVED her!

 

WE love Carnival's Sunshine. Carnival spent $155 million re doing the old Destiny and they did. They have a 3 deck Serenity deck where there is no smoking, electrictron cigs too, and no children and they mean that. There is no smoking in cabins or on balconies. There is some smoking in the casino and only in the disco inside. Outside its on the right side of the lido deck by the pool. Carnival has Serenity decks on all their ships but the Sunshine is the only ship with 3 Serenity decks, all going from one side of the ship to the other.

 

Carnival has A1 cabins, Inside with one twin bed and a bunk. I don't know if the Sunshine has them but probably do. These are the lowest costing cabins.