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

[cruise-a-holic]

WOW I didnt realize this subject has been around so long. 

 

My wife and I are  planning a cruise with our son and his new guide dog on Regent Splendor. My wife and I sailed on the Splendor on its Maiden Voyage and loved it and wanted to share the "Splendor" experience with our son. However I heard from our TA that Regent supplies a "litter box" with dog litter?? and a small piece of carpet for the dogs feet. The "litter box" would be kept on our balcony. We don't find this too desirable.

 

We have been on approximately eight cruises on various cruise lines with his prior guide dogs and have never had this type of relief area. In the past the cruise lines would set up a relief area on an obsolete deck (such as a rope deck) where passangers are not allowed. One time Holland America set up a relief area in a remote area of a public deck. They went all out. There were two potted palms and sod. They had those red velvet ropes with pictures of fire hydrents and a sign saying "Service Animal" relief area. Mary Jo felt like royalty. Typically the cruise line would ask what type of relief area we would like sod, Astro Turff, mulch etc. 

 

I would like to hear if other guide dog users have sailed on Regent and their experiences. Also has any one used litter boxes on their balconies, how their dogs fared with a litter box, how cean up and sanitation was handled. 

[DUTRAVEL]

6 minutes ago, cruise-a-holic said:

WOW I didnt realize this subject has been around so long. 

 

My wife and I are  planning a cruise with our son and his new guide dog on Regent Splendor. My wife and I sailed on the Splendor on its Maiden Voyage and loved it and wanted to share the "Splendor" experience with our son. However I heard from our TA that Regent supplies a "litter box" with dog litter?? and a small piece of carpet for the dogs feet. The "litter box" would be kept on our balcony. We don't find this too desirable.

 

We have been on approximately eight cruises on various cruise lines with his prior guide dogs and have never had this type of relief area. In the past the cruise lines would set up a relief area on an obsolete deck (such as a rope deck) where passangers are not allowed. One time Holland America set up a relief area in a remote area of a public deck. They went all out. There were two potted palms and sod. They had those red velvet ropes with pictures of fire hydrents and a sign saying "Service Animal" relief area. Mary Jo felt like royalty. Typically the cruise line would ask what type of relief area we would like sod, Astro Turff, mulch etc. 

 

I would like to hear if other guide dog users have sailed on Regent and their experiences. Also has any one used litter boxes on their balconies, how their dogs fared with a litter box, how cean up and sanitation was handled. 

I haven't sailed on Regent so I can't help with that. I have had my service dog's relief box on our balcony several times (with either mulch or sod). We didn't have any problem with a mess except the one time the light weight mulch was flying around in the wind. Our cabin steward wet it down slightly and that solved the problem. I could see how dog litter could be an issue, but your cabin steward should take care of keeping the balcony cleaned up for you and changing the litter when necessary. You will be in charge of keeping the solid waste picked up.

[cruise-a-holic]

I see your buddy is a Black Lab so is Daisie. So your box was big enough for the dog and there was also plenty of room on your balcony? We were on a cruise many years ago and they had two fairly small steel pans attached to each other. I would describe them as two large jelly roll pans. They were filled with pellets which may be dog litter?? The pans with the pellets were slippery and the first time Vicki got inthem she slipped and fell. She did not want to go back. 

[DUTRAVEL]

14 minutes ago, cruise-a-holic said:

I see your buddy is a Black Lab so is Daisie. So your box was big enough for the dog and there was also plenty of room on your balcony? We were on a cruise many years ago and they had two fairly small steel pans attached to each other. I would describe them as two large jelly roll pans. They were filled with pellets which may be dog litter?? The pans with the pellets were slippery and the first time Vicki got inthem she slipped and fell. She did not want to go back. 

Yes, my service dog Henrietta is a 65lb black lab. When the box has been on our balcony, it has been an 4x4 wooden box. Henrietta is used to going in a box; she has no problem with the size. We have had plenty of room for the box on the balcony; however, I am a wheelchair user and the accessible rooms that we book have a longer balcony than a standard balcony.

 

It is so annoying that the relief boxes vary from cruise line to cruise line and even from ship to ship within the same cruise line. We have had them put kitty litter in the box and my dog has absolutely refused to use it. I would try to get some specific answers from Regent regarding the relief box; however, I have found that talking to the special needs department prior to the cruise has not been very helpful. We have always had to deal with the box placement and filler once we are onboard.

[rangeley]

Each cruise line has their own choice for box filler. Our last service dog liked grass. We are trying to get our new one used to different fillers. Most of the time the cruise line will try to get what you prefer. 

 

As far as the box on the balcony, we are usually begging to have it placed there. 

 

Cindy

[S.S. Cruisers]

😗  🌻 Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. 🐾💕

[rpclmc]

I am getting incredible offers from Carnival.  But just can't bring myself to tie up money with something that is so unpredictable.   I just anticipate my travels will involve staying within the continental U.S.

 

I am starting to walk with a walker.  It is VERY slow progress, but it is progress none the less.  There is a lot of fear involved in retraining the body to walk, fear of falling again.  I am thinking of doing some walking in the Y pool.  To get the body used to the mechanics of walking without the fear of falling.

 

Sure hope everyone had a good weekend.  Our COVID numbers have spiked and Idaho was moved back to a modified stage 2, businesses are still opened, but no gatherings in numbers greater than 10 unless it is a protest outside.  This is Idaho, not only is it getting cold outside, we rarely have protests; so that didn't change much.  Except families won't be gathering for the holidays, we is ok with us, we like nice, quiet holidays.

 

Linda and Halo

[S.S. Cruisers]

Linda, 

I hope your physical therapy gets easier and easier.  Like you said it will take time and patience.  How is Halo taking the idol time?  I am sure he is enjoying just being with mom.  ❤️

 

[rpclmc]

On 11/20/2020 at 10:11 AM, S.S. Cruisers said:

Linda, 

I hope your physical therapy gets easier and easier.  Like you said it will take time and patience.  How is Halo taking the idol time?  I am sure he is enjoying just being with mom.  ❤️

 

It is almost like Halo has stepped up his game.  Before the fall, I would ask him to get something and he would be slow about getting it or bring me things I hadn't asked for.  Now he goes right for what I am asking for and seems to be attached to my hip.

 

I am sleeping in the guest room and he doesn't get to sleep with me.   I know he doesn't like that at all.  But he doesn't have a problem sleeping with my husband, but whenever I move to get to the bathroom or get up in the morning, he is right outside my door.

 

Linda and Halo

[cruise-a-holic]

On 11/10/2020 at 11:32 PM, rangeley said:

Each cruise line has their own choice for box filler. Our last service dog liked grass. We are trying to get our new one used to different fillers. Most of the time the cruise line will try to get what you prefer. 

 

As far as the box on the balcony, we are usually begging to have it placed there. 

 

Cindy

Yes in the past we have been asked what we would like sod, mulch Astro turf etc. We were originally told that they would provide a "litter " type of filler. We had a bad experience years ago with a different dog and "litter". It appears that we can request Astro turf or sod and are waiting for a confirmation. I don't mind placing a deposit on the cruise however if we cancel there would be a $300 penalty. I really want some assurance before I'm at risk for even the $300.

[S.S. Cruisers]

On 11/22/2020 at 2:10 PM, rpclmc said:

It is almost like Halo has stepped up his game.  Before the fall, I would ask him to get something and he would be slow about getting it or bring me things I hadn't asked for.  Now he goes right for what I am asking for and seems to be attached to my hip.

 

I am sleeping in the guest room and he doesn't get to sleep with me.   I know he doesn't like that at all.  But he doesn't have a problem sleeping with my husband, but whenever I move to get to the bathroom or get up in the morning, he is right outside my door.

 

Linda and Halo

What a good boy, Halo.  Taking care of mom. They definitely know when things  aren't "right".

[rangeley]

On 11/22/2020 at 4:10 PM, rpclmc said:

It is almost like Halo has stepped up his game.  Before the fall, I would ask him to get something and he would be slow about getting it or bring me things I hadn't asked for.  Now he goes right for what I am asking for and seems to be attached to my hip.

 

I am sleeping in the guest room and he doesn't get to sleep with me.   I know he doesn't like that at all.  But he doesn't have a problem sleeping with my husband, but whenever I move to get to the bathroom or get up in the morning, he is right outside my door.

 

Linda and Halo

 

So glad you are doing better. Just take it slow, there's not much else to do. Focus on yourself. 

 

Dogs are funny when they know you're hurting. Oak doesn't sleep with John but when he came home from the hospital in May, Oak didn't leave his side. 

[rangeley]

On 11/22/2020 at 5:24 PM, cruise-a-holic said:

Yes in the past we have been asked what we would like sod, mulch Astro turf etc. We were originally told that they would provide a "litter " type of filler. We had a bad experience years ago with a different dog and "litter". It appears that we can request Astro turf or sod and are waiting for a confirmation. I don't mind placing a deposit on the cruise however if we cancel there would be a $300 penalty. I really want some assurance before I'm at risk for even the $300.

 

 

We usually ask for turf. Our cruise out to California they had bark mulch, or should I say bark. It was the size of your hand. Really ridiculous. The dogs couldn't step on it without sliding off. The only cruise that was bad was a Holland America cruise that they claimed they didn't know we were coming. I assume the pages of paperwork we filled out must have gotten lost. But they put sawdust in the box. I assume it was all they had on hand. On HAL ships they usually put the box on the promenade deck. Unfortunately it can be windy and sawdust and wind don't mix. By the next stop they had fixed it. 

[S.S. Cruisers]

Happy Thanksgiving Eve to all.  We are not traveling any where (Well me to grocery store for grocery pick up) and no one is coming to visit.  Sad to say, quiet, the way we like it.  Can't deal with drama.  We will hopefully have our small turkey breast with stuffing, cranberry sauce (for hubby) olives and maybe some mash taters.  

 

The school had 2 make up days, Monday and Tuesday.  Travis went in both days and got most caught up.  I hope he realizes that he has to keep up now, because it is the pits to catch up.  He said, not many kids their, one class only had 2 others in it.  So that was good.  Didn't want to defeat the purpose of him staying home all this time.  Unfortunately, all the kids will have to go for 2 days to complete their finals.  Arrangements have already been made that he will take his tests in the learning center.  I am so over this schedule.  I look forward to him graduating and going out on his own as an adult.  You try and teach them everything you think they should know, and deep down, I think, oh, we haven't gone over that!  He had a part time job, so he is aware of bank accounts and such.  Just have to get him up to speed that the will have bills (living expenses) that he doesn't pay here.  His math class is awesome, it is teaching them real life situations with the math included.  Bank account, checking registers and such, loans and what interest will cost.  I am thankful for the extra help, since moms don't know anything.  

[rangeley]

On 11/25/2020 at 11:24 AM, S.S. Cruisers said:

Happy Thanksgiving Eve to all.  We are not traveling any where (Well me to grocery store for grocery pick up) and no one is coming to visit.  Sad to say, quiet, the way we like it.  Can't deal with drama.  We will hopefully have our small turkey breast with stuffing, cranberry sauce (for hubby) olives and maybe some mash taters.  

 

The school had 2 make up days, Monday and Tuesday.  Travis went in both days and got most caught up.  I hope he realizes that he has to keep up now, because it is the pits to catch up.  He said, not many kids their, one class only had 2 others in it.  So that was good.  Didn't want to defeat the purpose of him staying home all this time.  Unfortunately, all the kids will have to go for 2 days to complete their finals.  Arrangements have already been made that he will take his tests in the learning center.  I am so over this schedule.  I look forward to him graduating and going out on his own as an adult.  You try and teach them everything you think they should know, and deep down, I think, oh, we haven't gone over that!  He had a part time job, so he is aware of bank accounts and such.  Just have to get him up to speed that the will have bills (living expenses) that he doesn't pay here.  His math class is awesome, it is teaching them real life situations with the math included.  Bank account, checking registers and such, loans and what interest will cost.  I am thankful for the extra help, since moms don't know anything.  

 

We had a quiet Thanksgiving here too. We usually go to Johns sisters, his mom lives there too. We chose to stay home this year. Johns sister cooked the whole dinner and we drove over and picked it up. She is amazing! She had everything packed up and ready to go when we got there. She gave us enough food for an army. I don't know how many times I can eat it. 😳

 

Last week our neighbor found out he had Covid. I had been at his shop (oil company) to get my car inspected which was due last May. Luckily I just got out and stood to the side. It's been over 2 weeks so I guess we are in the clear. We could not get tested. Everywhere was booked up for testing. It's sad that people that really need to get tested can't because everyone is getting tested to go to some big gathering for Thanksgiving. ☹️

 

I'm sure Travis will do great. I always felt that you teach them everything you can and hope it sticks. I noticed this with my son. They do the right thing and you're like wow!

 

Don't know if I mentioned it but we have a new baby granddaughter! Being a grandma is the best thing ever!! I am so in love with this baby. She will be 3 months on the 3rd. Here is a pic of her. Her name is Isla Marie. 

 

[puppycanducruise]

@RangleyWhat a cutie!  Enjoy being a grandma.

[S.S. Cruisers]

Oh my goodness, Cindy, she is adorable.  I bet it kills you not being able to see her all the time and steal those baby kisses and hugs.  I keep reminding myself, if nothing else, we taught Travis right from wrong and he is pretty good able owning it when he has made a bad choice.  We get compliments on how polite he is when he is with others.  I hope him being home and not around anyone doesn't take its toll on him.  He can be shy about talking to others, especially adults.  His little job helped with that.  Only time will tell.  

[DUTRAVEL]

3 hours ago, rangeley said:

 

Don't know if I mentioned it but we have a new baby granddaughter! Being a grandma is the best thing ever!! I am so in love with this baby. She will be 3 months on the 3rd. Here is a pic of her. Her name is Isla Marie. 

 

Congratulations - she is adorable.

 

Dianne

[Caribbean Chris]

Cindy, you’ve made my day with this photo of your new granddaughter- what a happy little cutie!!

 

We had a small outdoor Thanksgiving by the pool with two close friends who have been our pandemic buddies. The weather was beautiful and we were thankful for so many blessings. Raylene was thankful to score a cracker my friend dropped - she never gets any table food at all, so it was a rare treat!

 

Bob left at 6 a.m. to drive to a Covid test site today, needed for foot surgery on Tuesday. I won’t be able to sit in a waiting room next week, so will have to either sit in my car or find a shady parking place or park near the hospital where I can read for a few hours. I guess they’ll text me when I need to pick him up. So many adaptations we all need to make now.

 

Happy weekend, everybody!

[rpclmc]

We also had a small thanksgiving, just three of us, my husband, my daughter and myself with the 2 doggies.

 

My daughter got a new job.  She was getting burned out in home health and not making much money.  A Fed Ex job, twice the pay, just dropped in her lap.  One of my best friend's son is a manager and is looking for 20 drivers.  She called his manager, the hiring boss and was offered the job before she filled out paperwork.  With the holidays it is crazy and she had a 12 hour day yesterday.  It was not organized and had 45 packages in addition to yesterdays that weren't delivered the day before.  The other drivers were done in 4 hours or less.  She said if that is the worst she really likes it.  

 

S.S., Travis should do fine.  This year is so weird and who knows how it affected the kids.  Riki, my daughter, has very few expenses while living with us; car insurance and gas, but she keeps her eyes open for better advancements.  Fed Ex should give her that.  Since she has a college degree she will be able to move up the corporate ladder.  She won't even need to save money or have good credit for a house loan.  We are putting in a small mother in law home on the property that she will rent and then when she has kids we will switch houses.  When we pass she will inherit our paid off houses and property.  She still saves all her money and keeps her credit excellent.  

 

During my rehabilitation with walking, my knee (the one I broke) is having severe instability it had 10 years ago.  Back then they put me in a knee brace.  It is really causing me problems with walking and in way worse than it was.  Not surprising, very disappointing.  I  have an appointment with a neurologist on Thursday (for my nuero muscular disease) and with the orthopedic on Friday.  I kind of think, I will not get back to my walking like before the accident, but I am going to keep trying.  I was prescribed hand controls for my car about a year ago.  I think I might have to have them put in the car.

 

Linda and Halo 

[S.S. Cruisers]

Linda, 

I know will do fine. I just worry, as we are the grandparents.  We won't be around as long as a parent would be to help guide him when he makes a left turn instead of a right turn.  As in financial decisions.  He has a pretty good head on his shoulder, he is capable it is the ability to discipline yourself to do the right thing at the right time.  I am glad you have the ability to help your daughter it.  It sounds like the perfect set up.  It's great she got a job with UPS.  They make good money and a good plus for her degree.  They are advertising for drivers and dock workers in our are too.  Travis can't go to work there because husband is high risk.  Travis actually already has a job, but with spike in Covid cases he had to take a leave of abscense. If he plays his cards right, he can make a career out of it.  Fortunately that is what he plans to do. Goals are a good thing.  We are just waiting to get him set and then we can move on with our lives once Covid is under control and we can safely cruise again.  I still research all the cruises we would so!  It soothes the soul!  🌊⚓🚤🚣

[rpclmc]

4 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Linda, 

I know will do fine. I just worry, as we are the grandparents.  We won't be around as long as a parent would be to help guide him when he makes a left turn instead of a right turn.  As in financial decisions.  He has a pretty good head on his shoulder, he is capable it is the ability to discipline yourself to do the right thing at the right time.  I am glad you have the ability to help your daughter it.  It sounds like the perfect set up.  It's great she got a job with UPS.  They make good money and a good plus for her degree.  They are advertising for drivers and dock workers in our are too.  Travis can't go to work there because husband is high risk.  Travis actually already has a job, but with spike in Covid cases he had to take a leave of abscense. If he plays his cards right, he can make a career out of it.  Fortunately that is what he plans to do. Goals are a good thing.  We are just waiting to get him set and then we can move on with our lives once Covid is under control and we can safely cruise again.  I still research all the cruises we would so!  It soothes the soul!  🌊⚓🚤🚣

Riki is with Fed Ex, not UPS; although both are very similar.  We told her she needs to carry dog treats with her.  Halo gets a dog treat from UPS and Fed Ex drivers in Florida.  But not in Idaho.  He looks at us like he is being punished when he doesn't get one from the Idaho drivers.

 

I am not looking at cruises right now.  I am looking at a few land vacations, but I don't know when those can even happen.  Due to my recovery, COVID and our jobs (we do commercial construction and are thankful we can say we have jobs) are having material problems, so there is a lot of hands on putting out fires.  Makes it hard to schedule anything.

 

Linda and Halo

[S.S. Cruisers]

Morning All, 

I hope all have recovered from Thanksgiving and moved on to Christmas.  I remember many moons ago going on a cruise during Thanksgiving week.  It was barely a full ship.  It was so nice to have a nice big ship basically to our selves.  The dinner was so beautiful.  It seems the word got out that it wasn't crowded and prices went up and more people booked that week.  We traditionally cruised in October, November and December.  Hurricanes were in the back of our minds, but we always cruise from the West coast so not a big risk. Sorry just went back in time.  

 

Hope everyone is doing well yourself, family and furkids. 💕🐾

[S.S. Cruisers]

I heard the other day that a Royal Caribbean ship, sailing from Singapore came back early because a man tested positive for Covid.  He was re-tested when they got back to port and tested negative!  The cruises are only 3 and 4 day cruises to Nowhere.  What a hemorrhaging to come right back 😥.  Glad he texted negative the second time, though. 

 

Well is everyone ready for Christmas?  I got our little Old Faithful Christmas tree up last weekend.  It has 2 sets of lights already on it.  One of the regular little lights and then LED lights.  It's only about 3' tall.  Works for us.  

 

Everyone have a safe week.  Dream of cruises dancing through your head instead of sugar plums      🌊. 🚤🎅🌲

[fairbourne]

Nancy, we have just put our Christmas tree up this past weekend and this year we had new mains powered lights instead of the battery ones.  Well, I truly wish we had had these lights years ago!  I saw online somewhere that it is so much easier to put the lights on up and down (vertically) than round and round and guess what - that very clever lady (of course! haha!) was so right.  Literally done in 10 minutes and with only one set, none of that faffing around with different strings and looking for where I had tucked the small battery power packs in when it was time to switch them all off at bedtime!  Just one switch and off to bed we go!  

 

Our small village is well lit up with lots of Christmas trees and this year lights decorating the outside of most of the houses.  I think there are a lot of bored pensioners here and they've been spending too much time (and money!) on Amazon! Haha! Us included! 

 

We have just been put into a higher tier of lockdown where we live and tonight the UK P.M. and devolved countries First Ministers are having a meeting to discuss whether they should make any changes to the relaxing of the rules over Christmas.  So who knows what will happen.  I think most folk we know are not planning on a big get together, it is just not worth.  

 

Anyway, today we were at the supermarket and when we came out a lady was walking by with 2 greyhounds wearing their lovely warm Christmas coats - of course I just had to say hello, socially distanced of course, and it turns out one of the dogs was a therapet.  However, since March she (the dog) has not been into "work" at all visiting folk in care homes and she (the dog) also participates in the wonderful "reading with dogs" programme in the local schools.  This is when children who for whatever reason don't or can't read out loud in class in front of their school mates. The child will have one to one reading sessions,  usually with the child and the dog on a big floor cushion cuddled up, and the child will happily read to the dog.  Supervised of course by their teacher and the dog handler.  Of course I can only imagine the dog will enjoy the cuddles and snore happily through the reading session!  We had one of ours initially assessed to be a therapy dog but with the lockdown etc., that has gone by the by for now anyway.  Made our afternoon meeting this happy little group. I wish I had taken a photo of them.  

 

I read about that cruise Nancy - what a shame that they headed straight back to port when the cruiser had the false positive.  I think this may happen a lot.  Like your idea of cruises dancing through our heads rather than sugar plums!  

 

Still missing Her Majesty ..... Debbie if you happen to read this am wondering how Horton is doing?  I bet he's being spoilt rotten - nothing changed there! 

 

Take care everyone, stay safe and sending you all our best wishes for Christmas and hopes for a safer and healthier New Year.

Edited December 15, 2020 by fairbourne
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