Real dog on board cruise ship

[golf43]

While on the Sensation a few weeks ago we were docked in Nassau. Another cruise ship pulled in next to us. I was sitting on my balcony and saw this lady walking a dog around that ship. I could not believe it. A real dog. I never thought anyone could bring a dog on board. Anyone ever saw or heard of anyone bringing a dog on a cruise ship? I went in and got my family to see it. I'm sure they thought I was crazy until they saw it too.

[golf43]

Maybe since it was a small dog they were allowed to bring it on with them.

[mingo]

We were on a cruise once and someone had a service dog with them. It got to go on shore excursions too....wonder if he had to pay?

[big_duck]

Service dogs are allowed.

 

Cunard ships actually have kennels.

[Caliber1]

Service animals are allowed on board, as far as I know.

[golf43]

yeah I wonder that too. Wonder also if he had a hard time finding a chair at the pool. LOL

[golf43]

This did not look like a service animal. It was small and going for a walk around the deck with its owner.

[AdmiralJohnson]

This did not look like a service animal. It was small and going for a walk around the deck with its owner.

 

not all "service animals" are large and for the blind, some are small and are used for alerting deaf people of someone knocking on door or of alarms etc...

[buddyjo143]

This did not look like a service animal. It was small and going for a walk around the deck with its owner.

 

All service dogs are not German shepherds or retrievers. Smaller service dogs could be hearing dogs or dogs that sense seizure disorders. Don't be biased against the size of the dog. It could have a very big job.:)

[cruiselubbers]

Cunard does have kennels...perhaps it was one of their ships that you seen!

 

Be blessed, be a blessing! :p

[CalgonCruiser]

On the Conquest (2004) there were 2 blind people on board, they both had service dogs. I had to ask..... "where do these animals go to the bathroom?"

Apparently, there is a grassy area in the anchor area in front of the ship.

 

Happy Cruising, Sea YA !!

[Valentine's Mom]

I travel with my service dog and she is a 10 pound ball of white fur. I get questioned every day as to her really being a service dog. Yes she is. She wears her working vest proudly (although not always on vacations due to the heat) The size of the dog doesn't matter so much for certain disabilities such as hearing impaired, seizure disorders, panic attack, and some are trained to detect problems with diabetes or the heart. To look at my dog you would think that I was getting away with something being able to bring a dog on board ( and believe me I get accused of this every time we cruise) but it is really hard to get a dog on board. Not only do you have to go through hoops for the cruise line but with each port of call also. You would not believe the paperwork.:eek: So next time I see a dog on board I will assume that is a service dog even if it doesn't look like one, until proven otherwise.;)

[mzloolue]

On the Conquest (2004) there were 2 blind people on board, they both had service dogs. I had to ask..... "where do these animals go to the bathroom?"

Apparently, there is a grassy area in the anchor area in front of the ship.

 

Ick...

that is where I have seen the crew sunbathing....

[AZlabs]

When we cruised on the Oosterdam, in October 2005, we were lucky enough to have several service dogs on board. These were in training and there must have been 10 of them. They had a grass area set up at the back of the ship for them to do their duty. The only bad part was it made us miss our three that we had to leave at home. I must admit they were a lot better behaved that one child on the ship!;)

[briter]

I was on the Dream in February and a woman had a little pug dog with her. She said it was a service dog to help her with her Bi-polarness:confused: It wore the cutest little diapers and the cruisers loved playing with it.

[Name game]

I also have have seen a service dog onboard a Carnival ship. It was on the Destiny in 2004. The owners companion was the one that walked the dog so many people didn't realize it was a service dog. To many people their service dog is their life line. They should be allowed everywhere.

[golf43]

I just looked on the internet about dogs and found what we saw. It was a Yorkshire Terrier. Cute little dog.

[sea_u_onboard]

I was reading something the other day - I believe it was about the QE2 (could be way off) but it talked about how they have kennels and anyone can bring their pet along (for a price). They used them mainly for transatlantic cruises and if I remember correctly they had certain areas they were allowed.

[tbrown]

I had often wondered about the "potty" situation with these cute critters while on a cruise ship. (didn't want to step any surprises) But I agree dogs are WONDERFUL therapy. I suffer from depression and my dog is wonderful during it and as soon as I learn to listen to her actions I will know when I am getting ready to go into an "episode" My husband as already picked up on this from her.

 

He works 24 hour shifts (just going back to this after working 12 hour shifts for a year) and this did cause me to take a back flip mentally thank God for my rotty

[golf43]

I have a friend who has a service dog. I will have to let him know that he can go on a cruise and take her. He will be thrilled to know this. I never knew this. Thanks all for setting me straight on this one.

[derf5585]

I had often wondered about the "potty" situation with these cute critters while on a cruise ship.

 

On our Miracle cruise we went with another couple. The husband being blind they brought their seeing eye dog. They had to get paperwork done so they could take the dog ashore in foreign ports. We were on the Miracle and I saw they had a "Gatbys Garden" well it was not a garden. The dog didn't go to the bathroom for a couple of days and finally crapped out in the casino. The crew was helpful and made a litter box on the balcony which the dog finally got used to. We also think the dog got seasick in the theater. The crew wanted to pet him because they left their pets at home.

[qprrules]

While on the Sensation a few weeks ago we were docked in Nassau. Another cruise ship pulled in next to us. I was sitting on my balcony and saw this lady walking a dog around that ship. I could not believe it. A real dog. I never thought anyone could bring a dog on board. Anyone ever saw or heard of anyone bringing a dog on a cruise ship? I went in and got my family to see it. I'm sure they thought I was crazy until they saw it too.

 

No Photos?:(

[PelicanBill]

We had a "fluffball" on our cruise on the Glory 2 years ago and a lot of people were talking wondering if it was a service dog or a VIP.

 

Wouldn't it be a good idea to have a specially marked collar or leash that helped identify service animals? I am sure the people with them get that lack of understanding all the time.

 

In this case, the passenger was in an upper deck cabin at the very front, so they could setup a "yard" on one of the forward overlooks.

[hstrybuf]

I have a friend who has a service dog. I will have to let him know that he can go on a cruise and take her. He will be thrilled to know this. I never knew this. Thanks all for setting me straight on this one.

 

Your friend will probably be excited to find another option for traveling open up to them. Just be sure you read Valentine's Mom's post above. There are a lot of requirements, arrangements and paperwork necessary before the dog will be cleared to cruise or disembark at a port. We've also had a security dog cruising with us once. I would imagine the paperwork is just as necessary for that type of dog as well.