Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[wizard-of-roz]

OK...let me see if I can get this started. We flew into Puerto Rico on May 22nd. When we got to the airport, we could not get a van with a wheelchair lift for my daughter. We ended up getting a cargo van taxi and put my daughter on a seat and lifted the chair into the back of the van. Trip to the Sheraton Old San Juan was $30 for six people and seven pieces of luggage. The hotel was in a great location to see Old San Juan. The hotel itself, not the best. When we got into our room we found that the safe did not work. They made two attempts at fixing it but no luck. We had a roll-in shower but the hand held shower head would not adjust correctly. But for only two days we survived. There was also an issue with the final bill. I was quoted $239 per night. The final bill came out to around $300 per night with a bunch of extra taxes and fees. It wasn't worth fighting over. Old San Juan was very clean with mostly wide sidewalks. Curb cuts and steep cobblestone streets were somewhat of an issue. We were about four blocks from the main shopping street. They have a free trolly that runs around Old San Juan. It has a wheelchair lift on it but no tie-downs. This seems to be common in the Caribbean. Between the bumpy streets and the hills, it was an adventure holding on to the chair. We were able to see both forts while we were there. The food was amazing!

We also met a local "celebrity". We were walking along the water one night and a guy stopped us and asked if we spoke English. He then started to tell us how him and his father got mugged the night before and his father was in the hospital and could we spare some money. I had read many trip reports about this guy and told him just that. He quickly walked away. On Saturday we boarded The Jewel of The Seas. More on that later. Work is calling my name. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

 

Glad to hear you're home and safe. Thank you for sharing the details of the hotel in San Juan and of RCCL's ship. Where did they set-up the potty box? And, where did Davis stay?

 

I've liked RCCL's food too. And, I'm surprised to hear that you liked them better than Disney, when it came to the MDR.

 

How was the entertainment?

[wizard-of-roz]

Davis is doing great fairbourne. He is just 7 months old and 55.5 pounds.

 

OMG! He's a big boy.

[DisneyKidsDad]

Glad to hear you're home and safe. Thank you for sharing the details of the hotel in San Juan and of RCCL's ship. Where did they set-up the potty box? And, where did Davis stay?

 

I've liked RCCL's food too. And, I'm surprised to hear that you liked them better than Disney, when it came to the MDR.

 

How was the entertainment?

 

Orson did not go on this trip. There was one island that did not allow dog off the ship. Another island that had a mystery fee that you didn't find out about till you docked. So he stayed with puppy raiser friends. Davis stayed with other puppy raiser friends. The MDR food on Disney is too fancy for us.

[wizard-of-roz]

Orson did not go on this trip. There was one island that did not allow dog off the ship. Another island that had a mystery fee that you didn't find out about till you docked. So he stayed with puppy raiser friends. Davis stayed with other puppy raiser friends. The MDR food on Disney is too fancy for us.

 

Those "mystery fees" pretty amazing! You're lucky to have great resources for your dogs.

[DisneyKidsDad]

We pre-booked a shore excursion on St. Martin through RCCL. It was called Easy St. Martin. The driver met us at the dock and wheeled my daughter to the van while we rode in a golf cart. It turned out to be us and our three friends on the tour. Once again, we had a van with a lift and no tie-downs. We did a tour of the island and had a 45 minute stop at an open air market, then an island tour back to the ship. It was about 3 hours long. It was a very nice tour. When we got back we had lunch and went back on the island for more shopping. After seeing one side of the shopping area, we went to see if we could take my daughter on the water taxi to the other shopping area. The guys on the boat said no problem. We do it all time. So after the two guys loaded the boat, they backed my daughter in her chair onto the platform you use to get on the boat before you go down the stairs to the seats.

Again no tie-downs. Are you seeing a pattern here? I sat on a cooler full of beer they were selling and held on to the chair. They cranked up the music and off we went. It was a fun 10 minute ride.

After more shopping we headed back to the ship. We got the same guys to take us back. We got cleaned up for dinner and that was the night we saw the two comedians. They were a riot. Then it was a little time in the casino and bed. Tomorrow...St. Kitts.

[wizard-of-roz]

We pre-booked a shore excursion on St. Martin through RCCL. It was called Easy St. Martin. The driver met us at the dock and wheeled my daughter to the van while we rode in a golf cart. It turned out to be us and our three friends on the tour. Once again, we had a van with a lift and no tie-downs. We did a tour of the island and had a 45 minute stop at an open air market, then an island tour back to the ship. It was about 3 hours long. It was a very nice tour. When we got back we had lunch and went back on the island for more shopping. After seeing one side of the shopping area, we went to see if we could take my daughter on the water taxi to the other shopping area. The guys on the boat said no problem. We do it all time. So after the two guys loaded the boat, they backed my daughter in her chair onto the platform you use to get on the boat before you go down the stairs to the seats.

Again no tie-downs. Are you seeing a pattern here? I sat on a cooler full of beer they were selling and held on to the chair. They cranked up the music and off we went. It was a fun 10 minute ride.

After more shopping we headed back to the ship. We got the same guys to take us back. We got cleaned up for dinner and that was the night we saw the two comedians. They were a riot. Then it was a little time in the casino and bed. Tomorrow...St. Kitts.

 

You're having an adventurous time. Not tying down the chair must have bothered you, thank goodness it's going well! Makes me nervous!

[DisneyKidsDad]

Our second stop was St. Kitts. Not our favorite by a long shot. As soon as you hit the dock a mass of taxi drivers assault you for your business. If you say no to one, the guy right next to him asks you too. And if that isn't bad enough, there are guys on the street with monkeys in makeshift diapers taped on that want money to put the poor monkey on you and take a picture. I would never do that because from what I have read, to get the baby monkeys, they go out and kill the mother and take the babies. When you go into some of the stores you are followed around like a criminal. My wife and daughter like to shop for jewelery. A common theme in the Caribbean seems to be that while the ladies are jewelery shopping, Dad gets offered a nice cold beer on the house. It is a custom that I took advantage of more than once on this trip. It makes going into jewelery stores easier to take. So after shopping for a few hours we got back on the ship. St. Kitts is not a port I look forward to going back to. Next port...Antigua.

[wizard-of-roz]

Our second stop was St. Kitts. Not our favorite by a long shot. As soon as you hit the dock a mass of taxi drivers assault you for your business. If you say no to one, the guy right next to him asks you too. And if that isn't bad enough, there are guys on the street with monkeys in makeshift diapers taped on that want money to put the poor monkey on you and take a picture. I would never do that because from what I have read, to get the baby monkeys, they go out and kill the mother and take the babies. When you go into some of the stores you are followed around like a criminal. My wife and daughter like to shop for jewelery. A common theme in the Caribbean seems to be that while the ladies are jewelery shopping, Dad gets offered a nice cold beer on the house. It is a custom that I took advantage of more than once on this trip. It makes going into jewelery stores easier to take. So after shopping for a few hours we got back on the ship. St. Kitts is not a port I look forward to going back to. Next port...Antigua.

 

Thanks for sharing your trip with us......Hate the monkey story! I would have done exactly the same. If they're not encouraged maybe they'll stop......Although, I don't think so!

[Algebralovr]

I didn't see anyone post this and thought of all of you when I spotted it.

SD in the yearbook.

 

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5460459?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

 

Enjoy!

[wizard-of-roz]

Algebralovr; I love all stories about Service Dogs, thanks for sharing.

 

Have you guys ever heard of me having to correct Brenda for being naughty? NEVER! :mad:

 

Horton is such a character, and, I don't mean that in a good way. He came in this morning from our patio with something in his mouth......I knew he had gone out to go to the bathroom, he did, but, he stopped on his way back in to grab a plant out of a container and bring it into his bed [in the living room.] He tossed it around in the air, shook it and tried to kill it!!!! I walked over to him to see what he was destroying and, when I realized what it was I immediately asked him to "sit" and "give", he did and I took it away. I thanked him for giving it to me, waited a minute, showed it to him and said a BIG "NO!" He looked at me with his "what's your problem blondie" stare. And, then walked to the bedroom to get away from his Mommy Ogre!!!!

 

Seriously, how bored does he have to be to be so dang destructive. He's got a basket filled to the brim with toys. I need to tire this boy out. :p

 

Have you ever met a dog who thinks he's a comedian and enjoys stirring you up and watching everyone laugh and get excited about your reaction to him? It's Horton. :eek:

 

When family and friends catch him doing one of his bad deeds and they laugh, he loves it! You can see it in his reaction, in his eyes, he even smiles!!!!

Edited June 8, 2014 by wizard-of-roz

[MCDW]

Algebralovr; I love all stories about Service Dogs, thanks for sharing.

 

Have you guys ever heard of me having to correct Brenda for being naughty? NEVER! :mad:

 

Horton is such a character, and, I don't mean that in a good way. He came in this morning from our patio with something in his mouth......I knew he had gone out to go to the bathroom, he did, but, he stopped on his way back in to grab a plant out of a container and bring it into his bed [in the living room.] He tossed it around in the air, shook it and tried to kill it!!!! I walked over to him to see what he was destroying and, when I realized what it was I immediately asked him to "sit" and "give", he did and I took it away. I thanked him for giving it to me, waited a minute, showed it to him and said a BIG "NO!" He looked at me with his "what's your problem blondie" stare. And, then walked to the bedroom to get away from his Mommy Ogre!!!!

 

Seriously, how bored does he have to be to be so dang destructive. He's got a basket filled to the brim with toys. I need to tire this boy out. :p

 

Have you ever met a dog who thinks he's a comedian and enjoys stirring you up and watching everyone laugh and get excited about your reaction to him? It's Horton. :eek:

 

When family and friends catch him doing one of his bad deeds and they laugh, he loves it! You can see it in his reaction, in his eyes, he even smiles!!!!

 

I know what you are talking about. My darling retired Oz is 14 years old and a tad slow. The youngster Misty is 23 months old and has endless energy. She loves socks and underwear. My husband was sitting on the top step putting on his socks and Misty grabbed one sock and took off. I had my socks and underwear on one side of the bed and I was sitting on the other side taking off my makeup....all of a sudden, one sock disappeared, the other sock disappeared, the underwear disappeared. She is so fast when she runs, she looks like a blur.

 

Oz loved the car window. He likes me driving at 40 klms an hour, not 50...the wind is too fast on his face.....30 klms an hour is too slow. If I go 30 or 50 klms an hour, he puts his head back in with a look that says "you should know better". Misty hasn't yet shown an interest in the car window.

 

Misty is a licker and Oz never was. Its funny the difference in their personalities.

[wizard-of-roz]

I know what you are talking about. My darling retired Oz is 14 years old and a tad slow. The youngster Misty is 23 months old and has endless energy. She loves socks and underwear. My husband was sitting on the top step putting on his socks and Misty grabbed one sock and took off. I had my socks and underwear on one side of the bed and I was sitting on the other side taking off my makeup....all of a sudden, one sock disappeared, the other sock disappeared, the underwear disappeared. She is so fast when she runs, she looks like a blur.

 

Oz loved the car window. He likes me driving at 40 klms an hour, not 50...the wind is too fast on his face.....30 klms an hour is too slow. If I go 30 or 50 klms an hour, he puts his head back in with a look that says "you should know better". Misty hasn't yet shown an interest in the car window.

 

Misty is a licker and Oz never was. Its funny the difference in their personalities.

 

Love it! What is it about socks & shoes! No one dare remove them in front of Horton......they'll soon belong to him!

 

Thank goodness the second I start moving in the car Brenda and now Horton just honker-down.....Could it be my driving?

 

He's my buddy and I just adore him!

[fairbourne]

Dear Horton

 

How's it going big boy? I have my own big boy here and he's so patient with me even if I try and bite his tail! Mum says I'm naughty to do that as he has a sore hip, but he doesn't seem to mind too much. Poppy is still kinda ignoring me, but she's so beautiful I hope to be like her some day. She has a red ball that she loves more than anything, and I'm not allowed to touch it as it would distract me, whatever that means, when I do my next job, but I'm not sure what that's going to be either. But I have a red kong and I can chew on it, so life's not too bad at all!

 

Oh what an exciting time I've had Horty. Mum took me out in the car to a place far away, well it seemed like we took ages to get there but I think I fell asleep for most of the time in the car. I do like the car and I have my own special place and mum has even put carpet in there for me to lie on, and I've been so good I haven't chewed it - yet! She sings to me to let me know she's still there so I don't worry cos I'm too little to see her through the window in my box, but I can hear her and although she sounds like one of the cats wailing, I think I like it!

 

Now this place we went to, apparently it's called the hairdresser! And she goes there quite a lot according to my dad! So I guess I'll be going there quite a lot too. We met a very nice man and he gave me cuddles and then he did funny things to my mum's head - do you go to this hairdresser place Horty? And they never stopped talking, all the time yapp, yapp, yapp! But I did get my lunch - (when mum had these things in her head that were shiny and rustled and they made her look like an alien) - I had to eat it out of a strange box, but it still tasted the same and mum called it a picnic. Oh well, first time for that Horty. Then I tried to get my nap after my lunch as I always do, but then this man started this wind thing up, and every so often I would feel it blow over my face, but it was quite nice and warm and they stopped yapping as it was noisy, but as I can sleep through Max's snoring, I did manage to get my forty winks. This man then took my photo and put it on his face book - humans are so strange aren't they Horty? Why would he put my photo on his face? Has he got a book on his face? I don't know, it's all a but much for a young pup .... Anyway I didn't have any accidents, as mum calls them, so apparently I was a good girl!

 

And the next exciting thing that happened we went to this big building with lots of people and they all wanted to fuss over me and say hello. I didn't mind but mum says that soon I will have to learn to concentrate on where I'm going and only say hello when she says it's ok. I like all this fuss, especially when they tell me I'm so cute! Anyway, I had no idea where we were going, just off in the car, but dad had lost his watch a few days earlier at some place called an airport. I heard him tell mum that he had had a secondary security screening and then couldn't find it, but had to catch his flight, so didn't have time to look for it. Now you may know what all this means, but I have no idea, only that I would be upset if I lost Piggy. So we went to look for the watch and it was good training for me to walk into this place called an airport as I might have to go there again some day. Mum took great care of me as I was a bit nervous, but she encouraged me and kept me firm on that darn lead - I don't like that lead one little bit and try and bite it, but I get told off, so I think I will just have to get used to it. He got his watch back from a nice lady who gave me a pat and told me I was a good girl.

 

Mum says I will go to lots of interesting places as I grow older, but I really like being at home with Max and Poppy! who are my two best pals in the whole world!

 

Horty, I got weighed this weekend and I'm now 11kilos, so I love my food, eh!!! Mum says I'm going to be a big girl as I have big feet! Really!

 

I try and pinch shoes too, and I get told off something rotten, but it's fun to wind these humans up, but not too much as I get banished to my hoosie with Piggy. I think we have some of those plant things mum tells me you love to steal, she's put them out of my reach, well for now anyway! LOL! And I've perfected that side on cute look, mum never fails to smile when I give her that look, and oh boy, has that got me out of trouble so many times!

 

Lots of puppy kisses to you Horty and Blondie!

Aruba xxx

[fairbourne]

At the airport, waiting patiently.

[DisneyKidsDad]

So the next day was Antigua. We didn't do ant excursions here. We just walked around and did a little shopping. Then back on the ship for more food and relaxing.

St. Lucia was next. We found a taxi with a van big enough to put the wheelchair in the back and we lifted my daughter onto a seat. We were going to take a four hour island tour. We drove around the island for about an hour always climbing up. The driver told us that there were over 350 hairpin turns on the island. Our first stop was a volcano. It was then that we found out that there was an extra charge to see it. We paid it and saw some steam and some boiling pools. At that point in the tour I had a massive headache and my wife had an upset stomach from all the curves. We were supposed to be going to a waterfall and some gardens next. My wife, daughter and I all agreed that we had had enough of the curves and we wanted to go back to the ship. On the way back, the van started to overheat. We had to go back with no A/C and just the windows open. Once we got back to the dock, we met up with our friends and did a little shopping.

Our last port was Barbados. It is a beautiful island. We found a taxi driver who had a van with a wheelchair lift in the back. But you guessed it...no tie-downs. Two other people joined us in the van and off we went. We saw beautiful beaches, very poor neighborhoods and very wealthy ones. The driver told us if we were lucky he would have a surprise for us. He pulled into the entrance of a golf club and stopped. There were a group of monkeys sitting on the ground. Everybody got out of the van and the driver started slicing up a banana for us to feed the monkeys with. They would take the pieces out of your hand. This was the highlight of the whole trip for my wife. He has had a thing for monkeys all her life. Then it was back in the van to complete the tour. Then back to the dock for more rest and food.

Then it was our sea day to get back to Puerto Rico and home. One of the things I didn't like about RCCL was that they didn't seem to have alot of activities planned. There wasn't even much for the sea day. But all in all we had a great time and would sail with RCCL again. In fact we are looking into a 5 day cruise to Bermuda next year. The only thing we are concerned with is if there will be enough to see on the island that will be accessible, and if not will there be enough to do one the ship. Or mayve we will just go back to Disney World for a week. Decisions, decisions.

Well that's it. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.

[fairbourne]

Hello DKD

 

I have loved reading your trip reports, I don't know the Carribean very well except for Antigua, where we got married. It's a beautiful island once you get past the jewellery shops (but like you we also enjoyed an hour or two there one rainy day or should I say "liquid sunshine" day!)

 

I would hate the hairpins too, that's one of the joys, if you can call it that, with doing a private tour, you can just do what you like and head back when you've had enough.

 

I'm in two minds whether I actually really like going off the ship, as for me, the ship is the destination. But I guess we should support the local economy!

 

And I just loved the monkey story - isn't that just fabulous :-)

Edited June 9, 2014 by fairbourne

[fairbourne]

I didn't see anyone post this and thought of all of you when I spotted it.

SD in the yearbook.

 

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5460459?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063

 

Enjoy!

 

I love this story! Thanks for sharing :) and quite right too that he should have his spot in there!

[DisneyKidsDad]

At the airport, waiting patiently.

 

Sounds like you are having a great time being a puppy walker. Aruba sounds like she will be easy to train. See like I said...all these organizations are the same. They give you Mr./Miss perfect first to get you hooked, then you get the one that if you got them first, you would be done. Only kidding!! They are all great in their own "special" way. We are already trying to figure out when to take next years vacation so we can ger pup number three in the summer. Have fun and take lots of pictures.

[fairbourne]

Sounds like you are having a great time being a puppy walker. Aruba sounds like she will be easy to train. See like I said...all these organizations are the same. They give you Mr./Miss perfect first to get you hooked, then you get the one that if you got them first, you would be done. Only kidding!! They are all great in their own "special" way. We are already trying to figure out when to take next years vacation so we can ger pup number three in the summer. Have fun and take lots of pictures.

 

LOL!!! If only we can get past the lead in the mouth as soon as it's anywhere near her collar and then this wanting to pay tug games! I've read the "troubleshooting leaflets" they give you, but when you've got a determined Madame on the end of that lead and you don't want to drag her (or hurt her) and thereby encouraging the "fun" - it's hard to just ignore it in the hope she gets fed up! She's also very good at just suddenly sitting down - "that's it mum, I am going NO further"! And I get the look!

 

We've also to learn to not look at the dog when we are walking them, no eye contact with them, and that's quite difficult to learn to do - look straight ahead, no looking down, so I got some might funny looks at the airport I can tell you as I'm talking and encouraging her all the time, looking straight ahead with no eye contact! Sound familiar? Hopefully I'm a fast learner too! LOL!

 

We were only talking about next years holidays and now we have the same dilemma as you - we have to take puppies into account! that's if and I say IF we have another one! ;):D

[MCDW]

LOL!!! If only we can get past the lead in the mouth as soon as it's anywhere near her collar and then this wanting to pay tug games! I've read the "troubleshooting leaflets" they give you, but when you've got a determined Madame on the end of that lead and you don't want to drag her (or hurt her) and thereby encouraging the "fun" - it's hard to just ignore it in the hope she gets fed up! She's also very good at just suddenly sitting down - "that's it mum, I am going NO further"! And I get the look!

 

We've also to learn to not look at the dog when we are walking them, no eye contact with them, and that's quite difficult to learn to do - look straight ahead, no looking down, so I got some might funny looks at the airport I can tell you as I'm talking and encouraging her all the time, looking straight ahead with no eye contact! Sound familiar? Hopefully I'm a fast learner too! LOL!

 

We were only talking about next years holidays and now we have the same dilemma as you - we have to take puppies into account! that's if and I say IF we have another one! ;):D

 

The whole thing about walking and not looking at the dog...just walk straight ahead, talk to the dog and praise for good behaviour.....A Funny....I was without a guide dog for one month between the retirement of darling Oz and going to school for little Misty.....I Was Talking Out Loud and No Dog Was There!! Darling Oz had walked by my side for 12 years. I am sure I looked funny and caught myself many times.

[S.S. Cruisers]

I want to say a big thank you to all of you for taking me on your journey's. I sit here and read and visualize myself right there with you! :)

[wizard-of-roz]

Dear Horton

 

How's it going big boy? I have my own big boy here and he's so patient with me even if I try and bite his tail! Mum says I'm naughty to do that as he has a sore hip, but he doesn't seem to mind too much. Poppy is still kinda ignoring me, but she's so beautiful I hope to be like her some day. She has a red ball that she loves more than anything, and I'm not allowed to touch it as it would distract me, whatever that means, when I do my next job, but I'm not sure what that's going to be either. But I have a red kong and I can chew on it, so life's not too bad at all!

 

Oh what an exciting time I've had Horty. Mum took me out in the car to a place far away, well it seemed like we took ages to get there but I think I fell asleep for most of the time in the car. I do like the car and I have my own special place and mum has even put carpet in there for me to lie on, and I've been so good I haven't chewed it - yet! She sings to me to let me know she's still there so I don't worry cos I'm too little to see her through the window in my box, but I can hear her and although she sounds like one of the cats wailing, I think I like it!

 

Now this place we went to, apparently it's called the hairdresser! And she goes there quite a lot according to my dad! So I guess I'll be going there quite a lot too. We met a very nice man and he gave me cuddles and then he did funny things to my mum's head - do you go to this hairdresser place Horty? And they never stopped talking, all the time yapp, yapp, yapp! But I did get my lunch - (when mum had these things in her head that were shiny and rustled and they made her look like an alien) - I had to eat it out of a strange box, but it still tasted the same and mum called it a picnic. Oh well, first time for that Horty. Then I tried to get my nap after my lunch as I always do, but then this man started this wind thing up, and every so often I would feel it blow over my face, but it was quite nice and warm and they stopped yapping as it was noisy, but as I can sleep through Max's snoring, I did manage to get my forty winks. This man then took my photo and put it on his face book - humans are so strange aren't they Horty? Why would he put my photo on his face? Has he got a book on his face? I don't know, it's all a but much for a young pup .... Anyway I didn't have any accidents, as mum calls them, so apparently I was a good girl!

 

And the next exciting thing that happened we went to this big building with lots of people and they all wanted to fuss over me and say hello. I didn't mind but mum says that soon I will have to learn to concentrate on where I'm going and only say hello when she says it's ok. I like all this fuss, especially when they tell me I'm so cute! Anyway, I had no idea where we were going, just off in the car, but dad had lost his watch a few days earlier at some place called an airport. I heard him tell mum that he had had a secondary security screening and then couldn't find it, but had to catch his flight, so didn't have time to look for it. Now you may know what all this means, but I have no idea, only that I would be upset if I lost Piggy. So we went to look for the watch and it was good training for me to walk into this place called an airport as I might have to go there again some day. Mum took great care of me as I was a bit nervous, but she encouraged me and kept me firm on that darn lead - I don't like that lead one little bit and try and bite it, but I get told off, so I think I will just have to get used to it. He got his watch back from a nice lady who gave me a pat and told me I was a good girl.

 

Mum says I will go to lots of interesting places as I grow older, but I really like being at home with Max and Poppy! who are my two best pals in the whole world!

 

Horty, I got weighed this weekend and I'm now 11kilos, so I love my food, eh!!! Mum says I'm going to be a big girl as I have big feet! Really!

 

I try and pinch shoes too, and I get told off something rotten, but it's fun to wind these humans up, but not too much as I get banished to my hoosie with Piggy. I think we have some of those plant things mum tells me you love to steal, she's put them out of my reach, well for now anyway! LOL! And I've perfected that side on cute look, mum never fails to smile when I give her that look, and oh boy, has that got me out of trouble so many times!

 

Lots of puppy kisses to you Horty and Blondie!

Aruba xxx

 

Hey Aruba Girl,

It's great hearing from you. I love the story and the picture of you at your Mum's hairdresser. You did really good, I'm proud of you. Then your visit to the airport, you did really good there too, [i'm glad your Dad found his watch, boy, he got really lucky!]

 

Wait till you go to the hairdresser, that's a lot of fun, sometimes!

 

You're walking really good, you'll get used to the leash and walking without being distracted, then one day, hopefully, you'll be the leader and help someone get to where they need to go! You'll be someone's hero and you'll hear, "good girl, good girl" a lot!

 

Look out for the weird plants [my Mom only buys the kind that won't kill me]....they're not worth stealing....I promise you!

 

Keep up the good work, your Mom's really loving you, you're both really lucky to have each other.

 

Take care of "Piggy". When you grow up, your Mom will let you take "Piggy" with you when you get your "forever home", Piggy will remind you of the days when you were just a pup.

 

Give Max, Poppy & your Mum a lick from me.

 

Love & Licks,

Horty

Edited June 11, 2014 by wizard-of-roz

[wizard-of-roz]

So the next day was Antigua. We didn't do ant excursions here. We just walked around and did a little shopping. Then back on the ship for more food and relaxing.

St. Lucia was next. We found a taxi with a van big enough to put the wheelchair in the back and we lifted my daughter onto a seat. We were going to take a four hour island tour. We drove around the island for about an hour always climbing up. The driver told us that there were over 350 hairpin turns on the island. Our first stop was a volcano. It was then that we found out that there was an extra charge to see it. We paid it and saw some steam and some boiling pools. At that point in the tour I had a massive headache and my wife had an upset stomach from all the curves. We were supposed to be going to a waterfall and some gardens next. My wife, daughter and I all agreed that we had had enough of the curves and we wanted to go back to the ship. On the way back, the van started to overheat. We had to go back with no A/C and just the windows open. Once we got back to the dock, we met up with our friends and did a little shopping.

Our last port was Barbados. It is a beautiful island. We found a taxi driver who had a van with a wheelchair lift in the back. But you guessed it...no tie-downs. Two other people joined us in the van and off we went. We saw beautiful beaches, very poor neighborhoods and very wealthy ones. The driver told us if we were lucky he would have a surprise for us. He pulled into the entrance of a golf club and stopped. There were a group of monkeys sitting on the ground. Everybody got out of the van and the driver started slicing up a banana for us to feed the monkeys with. They would take the pieces out of your hand. This was the highlight of the whole trip for my wife. He has had a thing for monkeys all her life. Then it was back in the van to complete the tour. Then back to the dock for more rest and food.

Then it was our sea day to get back to Puerto Rico and home. One of the things I didn't like about RCCL was that they didn't seem to have alot of activities planned. There wasn't even much for the sea day. But all in all we had a great time and would sail with RCCL again. In fact we are looking into a 5 day cruise to Bermuda next year. The only thing we are concerned with is if there will be enough to see on the island that will be accessible, and if not will there be enough to do one the ship. Or mayve we will just go back to Disney World for a week. Decisions, decisions.

Well that's it. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.

 

Thank you for sharing your adventures......the good, the bad and the better!

 

Morey and I shared 10 days onboard an RCCL ship [the Sun Viking] on some of the very same islands, a few years ago. They're memories filled with joy, laughter and love . You brought them back.

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Hello DKD

 

I have loved reading your trip reports, I don't know the Carribean very well except for Antigua, where we got married. It's a beautiful island once you get past the jewellery shops (but like you we also enjoyed an hour or two there one rainy day or should I say "liquid sunshine" day!)

 

I would hate the hairpins too, that's one of the joys, if you can call it that, with doing a private tour, you can just do what you like and head back when you've had enough.

 

I'm in two minds whether I actually really like going off the ship, as for me, the ship is the destination. But I guess we should support the local economy!

 

And I just loved the monkey story - isn't that just fabulous :-)

 

Since I won't travel without my dog.......the ship does become part of my destination when I cruise to countries that have issues with him leaving the ship. No problem! I pick cruise ships that offer programs that might interest me or I bring a really exciting book. On my last Princess cruise, the movies were unbelievably good each day.

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The whole thing about walking and not looking at the dog...just walk straight ahead, talk to the dog and praise for good behaviour.....A Funny....I was without a guide dog for one month between the retirement of darling Oz and going to school for little Misty.....I Was Talking Out Loud and No Dog Was There!! Darling Oz had walked by my side for 12 years. I am sure I looked funny and caught myself many times.

 

OMG! I thought I was the only one who did this. Brenda walked beside me for over 11 years. Then, she retired and I went to work by myself, as I waited on the waiting list for my Successor Dog. I, too, found myself talking to her [when she was home with PaPa] and I would go to get her water at work and I would look for her to take her out to the bathroom.

 

The habits that we form with our dogs are so engrained in us. I love it!