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

[rangeley]

6 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Holy cow, Princess has me going to Australia, the California Coast and Mexico.......Talk about a world traveler.......I dare any of you to keep up with Horty and me!!!!  I can't even keep up!!!!!  🤔

Omg  lol   

[Kaik9s]

MurphySD and I went with Hubby and our friends on Carnival Imagination couple years ago. It was our first cruise together. He loved it, acted like he’d been cruising his whole life!  We are booked for our first trip to Alaska on NCL next year. It’s been on my Bucket List and Hubby is taking us! Has anyone recently been on NCL with their SD? It’s been several years since we’ve been on NCL and that was before I needed an SD.  I’m trying to find information on the potty box situation and any other information on Service Dogs on their ships. I filled out the forms from the Access Dept but their reply’s to emails and phone calls are not only unhelpful, as in I’ve been told to ask the access person at the dock, which is too late as far as I’m concerned!  The same  man That didn’t know the answers to my emails was the same man that answered the phone and behaved as if I was bothering him! I’m NOT impressed with NCL Access treatment of customers with disabilities, at the very least the person they employ should be pleasant and have some knowledge about SD on the ship not just request information from us but provide the information we need. Hopefully the ship crew is nicer and more welcoming. We’ve booked an excursion direct from the direct from the company in Juneau, they have been so kind in their reply’s to MurphySD being with us. Thanks for any information. 

[Caribbean Chris]

6 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Well, guess what, I got a phone call from Princess Access Dept.  They claim that they have NOT received any information from me or my TA in reference to Horton boarding on Saturday.  My TA suggested that I FAX all my paperwork directly to them and he will be in contact with them directly.  The agent on the phone told my TA that I may have a problem boarding with Horton.........Really!  

 

Oh, Roz!!! Like travel isn’t stressful enough already!?

 

I may have told you that when we checked in to sail Celebrity Edge in January, they said they had no record of my bringing a dog. (Needless to say, I had copies of confirmation emails from their accessibility dept.) After the agent left us standing at the counter and went up to the ship with Raylene’s papers, he finally returned and said the officer he spoke to had reviewed the situation and “decided to allow the dog to board.” I guess for a while there, he considered leaving us on the pier to watch the ship sail away into the sunset.

 

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, Kaik9s said:

MurphySD and I went with Hubby and our friends on Carnival Imagination couple years ago. It was our first cruise together. He loved it, acted like he’d been cruising his whole life!  We are booked for our first trip to Alaska on NCL next year. It’s been on my Bucket List and Hubby is taking us! Has anyone recently been on NCL with their SD? It’s been several years since we’ve been on NCL and that was before I needed an SD.  I’m trying to find information on the potty box situation and any other information on Service Dogs on their ships. I filled out the forms from the Access Dept but their reply’s to emails and phone calls are not only unhelpful, as in I’ve been told to ask the access person at the dock, which is too late as far as I’m concerned!  The same  man That didn’t know the answers to my emails was the same man that answered the phone and behaved as if I was bothering him! I’m NOT impressed with NCL Access treatment of customers with disabilities, at the very least the person they employ should be pleasant and have some knowledge about SD on the ship not just request information from us but provide the information we need. Hopefully the ship crew is nicer and more welcoming. We’ve booked an excursion direct from the direct from the company in Juneau, they have been so kind in their reply’s to MurphySD being with us. Thanks for any information. 

NCL had the best potty box.  It was 5x5 set-up in a crew working closet, down the hall from our cabin.  It had the best mulch for filler andwas made of real wood.  I felt we were treated really well on NCL.  

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Oh, Roz!!! Like travel isn’t stressful enough already!?

 

I may have told you that when we checked in to sail Celebrity Edge in January, they said they had no record of my bringing a dog. (Needless to say, I had copies of confirmation emails from their accessibility dept.) After the agent left us standing at the counter and went up to the ship with Raylene’s papers, he finally returned and said the officer he spoke to had reviewed the situation and “decided to allow the dog to board.” I guess for a while there, he considered leaving us on the pier to watch the ship sail away into the sunset.

 

You must have felt your blood boiling!  

[wizard-of-roz]

Finally, I feel like I'm on track again.  I have a hair appt. tomorrow, Horton has a groomer appt. on Friday and I'm pretty much done with most of my packing, except for my clothes.  I'm starting to put stuff in the car.....it's so warm here in L.A. I don't want to put Horton's kibble and treats in the car yet....it's too warm.  Where I live it's 10 degrees warmer than the dock area.

 

Cindy and John, I know you're getting ready for your long flight and stay in a hotel on Friday.  Don't dress too warmly, we're having a heat wave.  It will be cooler down by the dock but still on the warm side.  At least you won't have to worry about getting around in the rain.  We rarely get that stuff here!  

 

Have a safe trip, happy travels! 

 

See you at the dock....... ✈️  🛥️

[Mavis and Me]

13 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

I think short and simple is best. Here is my application form, I will arrive in the Bahamas on X date on X cruise ship,  my dog is a service dog so I respectfully request a fee waiver, and please fax my permit to this number: xxx.

Thank you! I used your template - we'll see what happens.  Has anyone ever had the fax number do NOTHING when you called it?  I finally found a fax place in town that has legal size paper, and when they tried to fax it through nothing happened.  We're hoping that it was because the Bahamas turns their fax machine off at night....  They are going to try again in the morning.  Hopefully it works!  Found out today that my vet friend is backing out of helping me.  She didn't realize how involved it would be and she's got too much going on in her life.  Bummer.  Now, on top of everything else, I have to find a new vet!!  Urgh! 

[Caribbean Chris]

3 hours ago, Mavis and Me said:

Thank you! I used your template - we'll see what happens.  Has anyone ever had the fax number do NOTHING when you called it?  I finally found a fax place in town that has legal size paper, and when they tried to fax it through nothing happened.  We're hoping that it was because the Bahamas turns their fax machine off at night....  They are going to try again in the morning.  Hopefully it works!  Found out today that my vet friend is backing out of helping me.  She didn't realize how involved it would be and she's got too much going on in her life.  Bummer.  Now, on top of everything else, I have to find a new vet!!  Urgh! 

 

Try emailing Dr. Delaney-Milford 8n the Bahamas if the fax doesn’t go through today. The Bahamas had so much devastation from the hurricane that things may still be disrupted. But people have had issues faxing in the past, too.

 

For a new vet, you could try to find one that is USDA-accredited near you, which could make future international travels easier. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/find-a-vet

[Caribbean Chris]

22 hours ago, kymmyk13 said:

Thank you so much for your help!!!!!

 

This may be something you already have done, but just in case..., be sure to notify the cruise line that your daughter will be accompanied by her service dog on the Alaska cruise. Some companies have an online form you fill out to request accessibility arrangements (such as the dog’s relief box).They will send another form for you to either send back or bring to the pier for check-in.

 

We always ask the access department (and through the travel agent) for a dining room table by a wall or in a corner if possible. It keeps the dog’s tail and legs safe to be out of traffic. 

 

Alaska cruises are extra enjoyable! ADA laws apply to shore excursions, restaurants, etc. It’s a good idea to let the cruiseline access department know which excursions you have booked so they can notify the tour operator of your special needs.

[rangeley]

10 hours ago, Kaik9s said:

MurphySD and I went with Hubby and our friends on Carnival Imagination couple years ago. It was our first cruise together. He loved it, acted like he’d been cruising his whole life!  We are booked for our first trip to Alaska on NCL next year. It’s been on my Bucket List and Hubby is taking us! Has anyone recently been on NCL with their SD? It’s been several years since we’ve been on NCL and that was before I needed an SD.  I’m trying to find information on the potty box situation and any other information on Service Dogs on their ships. I filled out the forms from the Access Dept but their reply’s to emails and phone calls are not only unhelpful, as in I’ve been told to ask the access person at the dock, which is too late as far as I’m concerned!  The same  man That didn’t know the answers to my emails was the same man that answered the phone and behaved as if I was bothering him! I’m NOT impressed with NCL Access treatment of customers with disabilities, at the very least the person they employ should be pleasant and have some knowledge about SD on the ship not just request information from us but provide the information we need. Hopefully the ship crew is nicer and more welcoming. We’ve booked an excursion direct from the direct from the company in Juneau, they have been so kind in their reply’s to MurphySD being with us. Thanks for any information. 

We have done 4 NCL  in the past few years. Their access dept is horrible. They try to put the box in a crew area where the door is so heavy I  can barely open it. My hubby in a wheelchair could not open it at all. We ended up fighting to have it on our balcony every time. They do not want it there and said its a law but the hotel manager said that wasn't true and we finally got it put out there. The box was good all but one cruise. They literally gave is a small tupperware container, like the size for a sheet cake. Hopefully you will have better luck. 

[rangeley]

6 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Finally, I feel like I'm on track again.  I have a hair appt. tomorrow, Horton has a groomer appt. on Friday and I'm pretty much done with most of my packing, except for my clothes.  I'm starting to put stuff in the car.....it's so warm here in L.A. I don't want to put Horton's kibble and treats in the car yet....it's too warm.  Where I live it's 10 degrees warmer than the dock area.

 

Cindy and John, I know you're getting ready for your long flight and stay in a hotel on Friday.  Don't dress too warmly, we're having a heat wave.  It will be cooler down by the dock but still on the warm side.  At least you won't have to worry about getting around in the rain.  We rarely get that stuff here!  

 

Have a safe trip, happy travels! 

 

See you at the dock....... ✈️  🛥️

You're on track? Princess has you going to Fiji! 

 

Heat wave? Oh I'm thrilled. 😕  

I have a pedi and a load of laundry to do and thats it. I might have to weed out some clothing, I don't want to exceed the 50lb limit and have to move clothes around at the airport. 

[Kaik9s]

1 hour ago, rangeley said:

We have done 4 NCL  in the past few years. Their access dept is horrible. They try to put the box in a crew area where the door is so heavy I  can barely open it. My hubby in a wheelchair could not open it at all. We ended up fighting to have it on our balcony every time. They do not want it there and said its a law but the hotel manager said that wasn't true and we finally got it put out there. The box was good all but one cruise. They literally gave is a small tupperware container, like the size for a sheet cake. Hopefully you will have better luck. 

Thanks for your reply and information! At 110lbs that Tupperware container wouldn’t work for us! (he could demonstrate that for them but someone would have a huge mess to clean lol) We booked the family balcony for little extra space just in case, but my concern is when it rains in Alaska the absorption materials in potty box would be unusable for MurphySD? I could bring plastic sheeting/tarp to cover when not in use? I’ve been told by access desk no one knows what absorbing material is used in potty boxes, it could be anything from newspapers to sand or anything else. Carnival had 4x4 metal box filled with absorbing pellets like farms or ranches use for animals in barns, located on pool deck outside a door behind a bar, where you could walk the whole ship but it was fairly quiet since it was away from the action and other frequently used areas. It was his first time using one and took few hours to convince him there was no where else to potty, once he tried it he was comfortable using it! (Smart but stubborn sometimes lol. )   It worked great the 3 days of the short cruise but wouldn’t last on much longer cruises without being cleaned and refilled. I immediately cleared poop out but urine  wasnt getting absorbed as well after 3 days use, which could be a problem on long cruises.  Plus the crew closet won’t work for me as enclosed places trigger my PTSD and even with MurphySD I couldn’t go inside! This is part of my concern, that I’m not being listened to and on 11 day cruise I NEED to know my SD HAS a comfortable place to do his business! I’m going to call the NCL customer service and try to get better service than the access dept has given. We’re having to drive from Nevada to Seattle Washington to go on this cruise because I can’t fly, due to PTSD triggers, so far the hotels we’re staying in have been nice when informed about MurphySD. 

[rangeley]

12 minutes ago, Kaik9s said:

Thanks for your reply and information! At 110lbs that Tupperware container wouldn’t work for us! (he could demonstrate that for them but someone would have a huge mess to clean lol) We booked the family balcony for little extra space just in case, but my concern is when it rains in Alaska the absorption materials in potty box would be unusable for MurphySD? I could bring plastic sheeting/tarp to cover when not in use? I’ve been told by access desk no one knows what absorbing material is used in potty boxes, it could be anything from newspapers to sand or anything else. Carnival had 4x4 metal box filled with absorbing pellets like farms or ranches use for animals in barns, located on pool deck outside a door behind a bar, where you could walk the whole ship but it was fairly quiet since it was away from the action and other frequently used areas. It was his first time using one and took few hours to convince him there was no where else to potty, once he tried it he was comfortable using it! (Smart but stubborn sometimes lol. )   It worked great the 3 days of the short cruise but wouldn’t last on much longer cruises without being cleaned and refilled. I immediately cleared poop out but urine  wasnt getting absorbed as well after 3 days use, which could be a problem on long cruises.  Plus the crew closet won’t work for me as enclosed places trigger my PTSD and even with MurphySD I couldn’t go inside! This is part of my concern, that I’m not being listened to and on 11 day cruise I NEED to know my SD HAS a comfortable place to do his business! I’m going to call the NCL customer service and try to get better service than the access dept has given. We’re having to drive from Nevada to Seattle Washington to go on this cruise because I can’t fly, due to PTSD triggers, so far the hotels we’re staying in have been nice when informed about MurphySD. 

Our first cruise on NCL we had an inside cabin so really had no choice about where the box was. After that we had balconies and each time we had the box on our balcony. Believe me, it was a fight to get it there but eventually they gave in. If they had put it in an accessible place we probably wouldn't have complained. But my husband couldn't take the dog to potty because of the heavy door. Try calling access and get the hotel managers email. They used some kind of bedding for the box one time. Which was fine. We always requested grass because our other sd prefered it. 

[Kaik9s]

Just spoke with different person at NCL Access Dept. She said that the potty boxes are different sizes up to 48x48 inches with wood chips. I’m going to bring some absorption pellets or artificial turf just in case my SD doesn’t like the wood chips. She also told me there is no one from access dept meeting us at dock like I’d been told by other access dept employee,( I KNEW I was being given false information in prior emails and phone call! ) He was telling me to wait till I got to ship for answers! Plus this very helpful Access dept woman said none of the prior information I’d submitted had been recorded in our file, nothing about SD or his tasks!  Needless to say I’ll be contacting NCL couple months prior to sailing to make sure they have received ALL our information and again few weeks prior! With technology today THIS type of disregard for customer service should not be happening! Thank goodness I’m proactive in getting to the bottom of things when planning trips. 

[Caribbean Chris]

That sheet cake-size Tupperware container is cracking me up!

 

Once we boarded a ship and the box was about that size. All I could do was laugh. They did change it fast.

 

Another time on Holland America for a Panama Canal cruise we had a nice big box of sod (with the dog’s name on it even), and nearby was a little metal sheet pan also with grass sod. It turned out to belong to the magician’s pomeranian. 

[rangeley]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

That sheet cake-size Tupperware container is cracking me up!

 

Once we boarded a ship and the box was about that size. All I could do was laugh. They did change it fast.

 

Another time on Holland America for a Panama Canal cruise we had a nice big box of sod (with the dog’s name on it even), and nearby was a little metal sheet pan also with grass sod. It turned out to belong to the magician’s pomeranian. 

 

Chris, it was literally a plastic tupperware. For a 70lb dog. Oak laid in the grass we had on Ncl so we're going with whatever they have on Princess. 

 

Holland America always has a nice box. Once they put velvet ropes around it and had a laminated sign that said service dog relief area. 😂

[Mavis and Me]

18 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Try emailing Dr. Delaney-Milford 8n the Bahamas if the fax doesn’t go through today. The Bahamas had so much devastation from the hurricane that things may still be disrupted. But people have had issues faxing in the past, too.

 

For a new vet, you could try to find one that is USDA-accredited near you, which could make future international travels easier. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/find-a-vet

I did send an email to the Bahamas a couple of days ago with no response.  The fax went through this morning, but for some reason, my rabies cert didn't go through with it.  I got a call from someone in the Bahamas this morning telling me that.  So, I went to town and had the print store resend the whole thing again.  Same thing happened - the fax didn't pick up - so I assume that the folks in the Bahamas turn it off when they leave for the day.  Hopefully it will go out tomorrow morning without any hiccups!!  Do you know if I have to have an accredited vet do my international health certificate for the Bahamas, the VI, or Puerto Rico?  Will I need to have it endorsed too?  And I only need 1 health certificate for all three destinations, right?

[Mavis and Me]

Anyone travel with their service dogs to the Virgin Islands and/or Puerto Rico?  What do I need in order to cruise there from Florida?  I've been so focused on the Import Permit for the Bahamas, that I'm not sure I've got my ducks in a row for the VI and PR!  My service dog is up to date on her rabies, but it was a 3-year vaccine given in 2017.  Is that good enough, or do I have to get her a booster shot?  Everywhere I turn I'm reading conflicting things - one will say "up to date on rabies" and another will say "within the last 6 months".  I assume my 7001 health certificate will be adequate?  Does it need to be endorsed?  Is that all I'll need:  The health certificate, proof of current rabies vaccine, and???  I love to cruise, but now that I have a service dog this ordeal of hunting down information that doesn't match and isn't very clear ... I don't think I'll be able to go through this again!  My husband wants to do another European cruise, but I can't imagine trying to organize all of this with the dog.  

[Caribbean Chris]

The USDA service centers are the best source of information if you are not able to work with a knowledgeable USDA-accredited vet this time. As they state on their website, they will not endorse paperwork when it is not required. Have your vet give them a call.

 

We can only tell you our past experiences, and no one can ever assure you that requirements will stay the same. As answered previously, my Bahamas paperwork stated that I needed a licensed vet to inspect the dog 48 hours before departure and sign a form they faxed with the permit. It did not state “USDA accredited vet.”  It had no place for endorsement on it. I did not have it endorsed, and had no problem.

 

If I were on that itinerary, I would bring five things to the pier checkin - one vet-issued Form 7001, the Bahamas permit, the Bahamas 48-hour form signed by my vet, the dog’s current rabies certificate, and the cruise line’s form which they sent me to sign. I always give them a copy of the ID card from my service dog training organization.

 

For the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, I have had no problem in either place with a three-year rabies certificate and the same vet-issued Form 7001. I have not had it endorsed.

 

Edited November 8, 2019 by Caribbean Chris

[Algebralovr]

On 11/5/2019 at 3:26 PM, notentirelynormal said:

I'm really new to this.  Really new.  I am trying to get my dog registered as a Service Dog but for the life of me can't figure out how to do it.  All I can find are third party websites that tell me to fill in the blanks on a generic form, pay my money, buy a vest and viola!  She's a service dog.  Am I missing something?  Even my doctors don't seem to know the procedure.

 

I know I need forms from the airlines.  Okay. 

 

I’m still waiting on Princess to tell me what I need to do with them.

 

 

We are doing a 26 day Tahiti/South Pacific cruise on the Pacific Princess.  We leave out of LA and the cruise starts in Papeete, French Polynesia.  We also stop in Rangiroa, Huahine, Raiatea, back to Tahiti and then Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

 

 

 

After that we go to Nuku’alofa, Tonga; Dravuni Island, Fiji; Bay of Islands and Auckland, New Zealand then end in Sydney, Australia. 

 

 

 

Flights home are going to be direct (hopefully) or with a stopover in New Zealand.  At worst we will stop in Hawaii.

 

 

 

I have no idea how to figure out the requirements for entering each port or if I will need to leave her on the ship.

 

 

 

I see I need the APHIS Form 7001 and her normal vaccinations will of course be up to date.  USDA Accredited.

 

Any wisdom will be appreciated.

 

 

I didn't see your questions answered, and sorry you felt attacked.  I've been offline for a couple of days.  I totally understand the confusion, since I appear completely healthy, although if you watch me walk, you'll soon see that I don't walk quite right (I do a good job of faking it), and the chronic migraines are a real beast.

 

You don't register your dog with anyone.  If your dog is trained to the standards of ADI, Assistance Dogs International, to their standards on their site, and your dog provides assistance to you based on your individual needs for your individual disabilities, you have a service dog.  Your dog needs to behave well (really well) in public.  Including ignoring other people, not barking, lunging, etc.  Of course, they can still be surprised - and at times even the best trained dog will act unexpectedly.  Mine has.

 

For the paperwork - some of the places you are going do not recognize service dogs that were not trained by ADI members.  While ADI does some great work, there are some limitations to their allowed members, including that they don't allow "for-profit" members.  So those of us who needed something other than what some of the ADI members had, or who wanted a dog sooner than some members would produce, or who live in an area where the only ADI members only assists certain groups - well, I hired a private trainer to train my dog.  It worked well, and I'd do it again, but it does cause issues if you want to take your dog to some places outside the US.  I believe NZ and AUS are two of those places.  Not sure about the others.  

 

You need an import permit for every single country you are visiting.  So, you will need to work with the USDA vet to get that.  You may be out of time if the trip is soon, since some of those places require a Rabies Titer, which takes quite a while to get.  You can see on the USDA site what the various requirements are.   It states pets, because the requirments are the same.   

 

If you are taking your dog to places that do not recognize SDs, or that do not recognize SDs not trained by ADI members, then you'll be restricted from entering any place not pet-dog friendly.  This may or may not be an issue to you.  You can't leave the dog on board alone, so someone would need to stay on board with the dog.  

 

I assume you have a vest for your dog to wear?  Does your dog wear a vest when you are out in public here in the US?  Since I hired a private trainer, I bought my own vest.  There are a number of places online you can buy them.  My trainer recommended a line of them at petjoyonline and the one we have has worked out well.  

[Algebralovr]

On 11/6/2019 at 12:55 PM, DUTRAVEL said:

We are enjoying the Edge, it’s a bit quirky and the infinite veranda is okay (Henri and I both prefer a “real” balcony). I’ll do a full report when we return, but the box was in the usual spot on deck five. When we had 85mph winds on night two and part of the ceiling fell down on the outside deck, they moved the smokers indoors but not the relief box! We able to get the box moved the next morning, but it was quite scary going outside in that wind. 

 

Now that is just horrible.  They moved the smokers indoors?  What are they thinking??????  On Celebrity???????  Smoking inside? There isn't anywhere to put them that won't contaminate the inside air, which is part of why we sail them!  I'd have been having an absolute cow!

In Alaska in 2017, they had closed Deck 5 on Solstice going outside, but there we were going to the relief box even though the doors had a sign saying "closed for wind".  Just amazing.  Honestly, it is a major reason why I'm lothe to take Scooter on another cruise.  I love the product, but the fight we had over the box was amazing.

[Caribbean Chris]

Bon Voyage to Roz, John & Cindy! Take pictures.

[rangeley]

8 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Bon Voyage to Roz, John & Cindy! Take pictures.

On our way.... I'll be taking pics and posting!! 

[wizard-of-roz]

3 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Bon Voyage to Roz, John & Cindy! Take pictures.

 

Thank you so much.  I can't wait to have fun with Cindy, John and Oakland!. 

 

Have a good 2 weeks everyone.  I'll talk to you again when I return on the 23rd.  😎

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[notentirelynormal]

On 11/8/2019 at 1:40 PM, Algebralovr said:

I didn't see your questions answered, and sorry you felt attacked.  I've been offline for a couple of days.  I totally understand the confusion, since I appear completely healthy, although if you watch me walk, you'll soon see that I don't walk quite right (I do a good job of faking it), and the chronic migraines are a real beast.

 

You don't register your dog with anyone.  If your dog is trained to the standards of ADI, Assistance Dogs International, to their standards on their site, and your dog provides assistance to you based on your individual needs for your individual disabilities, you have a service dog.  Your dog needs to behave well (really well) in public.  Including ignoring other people, not barking, lunging, etc.  Of course, they can still be surprised - and at times even the best trained dog will act unexpectedly.  Mine has.

 

For the paperwork - some of the places you are going do not recognize service dogs that were not trained by ADI members.  While ADI does some great work, there are some limitations to their allowed members, including that they don't allow "for-profit" members.  So those of us who needed something other than what some of the ADI members had, or who wanted a dog sooner than some members would produce, or who live in an area where the only ADI members only assists certain groups - well, I hired a private trainer to train my dog.  It worked well, and I'd do it again, but it does cause issues if you want to take your dog to some places outside the US.  I believe NZ and AUS are two of those places.  Not sure about the others.  

 

You need an import permit for every single country you are visiting.  So, you will need to work with the USDA vet to get that.  You may be out of time if the trip is soon, since some of those places require a Rabies Titer, which takes quite a while to get.  You can see on the USDA site what the various requirements are.   It states pets, because the requirments are the same.   

 

If you are taking your dog to places that do not recognize SDs, or that do not recognize SDs not trained by ADI members, then you'll be restricted from entering any place not pet-dog friendly.  This may or may not be an issue to you.  You can't leave the dog on board alone, so someone would need to stay on board with the dog.  

 

I assume you have a vest for your dog to wear?  Does your dog wear a vest when you are out in public here in the US?  Since I hired a private trainer, I bought my own vest.  There are a number of places online you can buy them.  My trainer recommended a line of them at petjoyonline and the one we have has worked out well.  

 

Thank you SO MUCH.  This is exactly what I was looking for.  Now I have some place to start.  My pain management doctor said he "might" know someone and will ask for my next visit.

 

Unfortunately, I am ending the cruise in New Zealand and final Australia.  Princess has stated that I can not take my dog to Australia.  Period. They gave me a bunch of other info but that was the one and only important information that counted for this cruise anyway.  I really appreciate you answering the question and giving me the information that you did.  I don't understand why people automatically assume the worse from people.  If I wanted to cheat I would just buy the vest and the letter etc.