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

[RENEEG]

I am looking for web sites that provides information about cruise travel with a guide dog.  Especially info about the requirements for each country regarding service animals. Also any other tips to make the trip easier, as this will be our first cruise with my husbands dog Izzy.  The dog came from an organization that belongs to both Assistance Dogs International and The International Guide Dog Federation. 
 

[Rudi-Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, RENEEG said:

I am looking for web sites that provides information about cruise travel with a guide dog.  Especially info about the requirements for each country regarding service animals. Also any other tips to make the trip easier, as this will be our first cruise with my husbands dog Izzy.  The dog came from an organization that belongs to both Assistance Dogs International and The International Guide Dog Federation. 
 

Number 1, you will have an easy time getting into most countries with your dog coming from those two organization. I need to jump through more hoop as my dog was not trained by ADI or GDI. You will need to put together a book with all the dogs training and certification etc. Then its country by country. UK, Australia and New Zealand is the most difficult to getting. Down under requires quarantine but there is a way to do that at home under a certified vet. You then will need to have the vet provide the correct medical documents depending on the country. I am finalizing my docs for my SD as we depart soon for Amsterdam to board a transatlantic cruise. Google is you best friend, you will need to go to each country to see what they require.

[DUTRAVEL]

55 minutes ago, RENEEG said:

I am looking for web sites that provides information about cruise travel with a guide dog.  Especially info about the requirements for each country regarding service animals. Also any other tips to make the trip easier, as this will be our first cruise with my husbands dog Izzy.  The dog came from an organization that belongs to both Assistance Dogs International and The International Guide Dog Federation. 
 

Go to the USDA website for information on specific requirements for each country you want to travel to (there is a drop-down menu for each country).

link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country

 

You can also find helpful information on https://www.pettravel.com/passportnew.cfm. If there is a conflict with the USDA website, defer to the USDA website.

 

My biggest tip would be to make sure that your husband's guide dog is comfortable using a 4 x 4 relief box and can "go" on a variety of surfaces. The relief boxes most commonly contain mulch.

 

[Caribbean Chris]

We had Relief Box adventures this month during our 10-day Holland America Line cruise to Atlantic Canada with my Hearing Dog Raylene. The metal box was fine, 4x4 feet with ropes & stanchions surrounding it on the forward port-side promenade deck. We had booked a room fairly nearby on that deck purposely, since we could reach the box area either via the outdoor promenade or via an inner corridor & heavy door.
 

The filler was wood shavings of the lightweight hamster-cage variety, and there was a very thick layer of it. It was funny to see Raylene wading through it up to her knees, and she didn’t like it much. But we were scheduled to have 9 ports in ten days, so I knew she’d get opportunities in real grass (that, however, ended up being 7 ports). By the end, she was willingly using it with no hesitation.

 

The problem came when gale-force winds blew the shavings out of the box all over the decks. So (unbeknownst to me) someone in charge decided to move it to an indoor crew area on a different deck near the theater showroom, further from my cabin. Of course, not aware of this, I went to the deck with my dog - no box. Sigh. Someone at the front desk, fortunately, knew where it had been taken and I was escorted through the theater to it. (Not too practical during performances!)
 

But after a day or so, the box again was moved, with no notice, back to the deck. But now they had put a heavy plywood top on it, and placed the heavy stanchions on top! Kind of a shocker at 5 a.m.  Luckily my dear husband, in his late 70s, had the strength to haul all that stuff off, and lift the top so the dog could get to her shavings. And that was our drill for the rest of the cruise - 5 days or so, numerous times each day. Great for Bob’s upper body strength-building! 
 

You can’t make this stuff up.

[DUTRAVEL]

6 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

We had Relief Box adventures this month during our 10-day Holland America Line cruise to Atlantic Canada with my Hearing Dog Raylene. The metal box was fine, 4x4 feet with ropes & stanchions surrounding it on the forward port-side promenade deck. We had booked a room fairly nearby on that deck purposely, since we could reach the box area either via the outdoor promenade or via an inner corridor & heavy door.
 

The filler was wood shavings of the lightweight hamster-cage variety, and there was a very thick layer of it. It was funny to see Raylene wading through it up to her knees, and she didn’t like it much. But we were scheduled to have 9 ports in ten days, so I knew she’d get opportunities in real grass (that, however, ended up being 7 ports). By the end, she was willingly using it with no hesitation.

OMG - you are so right, you can't make this stuff up! Why is it so hard to make an accessible relief box with a decent filler?

[Rudi-Cruiser]

43 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

OMG - you are so right, you can't make this stuff up! Why is it so hard to make an accessible relief box with a decent filler?

I am leaving soon for a HAL cruise on the Rotterdam for a 15 days transatlantic and I will have peep pads with me as I am on Deck 11. She has been trained to use the peep pads.

[Rudi-Cruiser]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:04 AM, Rudi-Cruiser said:

We are doing a cruise out of Amsterdam and calling on Portland England. I am working on getting the Tapeworm treatment administered in Amsterdam. I hope we can do it on the morning the ship sales. That will put us right in the 24hr - 120hrs period before arriving in the UK. I have Bella's AKC-CGC, CGCC & CGCU certificates along with her newly passed PAT exam with a letter from the trainer. The ship's agent only wanted the medical information that would include the Tapeworm. They didn't ask about any testing. I guess the the section of their code dealing with transportation of Assist Animal by an authorized cruise ship company works.

Found a Vet in Amsterdam and will see them on the afternoon that I arrive. Get her treatment and go from there.

[rpclmc]

It has been a while.  Halo retired in April, when we got back from our place in Florida.  He is loving being a "dog" and not having duties.  I will ask him to do something simple and he gives me a look like "lady you retired me and I am doing my job".

 

So, made it through my daughter's wedding, in our back yard, two weeks ago.  Had about 130 people, Sushi truck, 2 bartenders, dance floor, DJ, nacho bar; have heard nothing but it was the best wedding people have ever been to.  It was just a big party.

 

Then had foot surgery the following Friday, a week ago.  Still recovering from that.  Not a big surgery, but being on the foot means being off the foot for two weeks and limited for 3 months.  If doctor clears me, I will head to my winter home in Florida on the 24th.

 

Still no word on my team training for my service dog from Canine Companions.  Should be soon,  early 2024, I hope.

 

Linda and Halo (retired)

[Insuregal]

1 hour ago, rpclmc said:

It has been a while.  Halo retired in April, when we got back from our place in Florida.  He is loving being a "dog" and not having duties.  I will ask him to do something simple and he gives me a look like "lady you retired me and I am doing my job".

 

So, made it through my daughter's wedding, in our back yard, two weeks ago.  Had about 130 people, Sushi truck, 2 bartenders, dance floor, DJ, nacho bar; have heard nothing but it was the best wedding people have ever been to.  It was just a big party.

 

Then had foot surgery the following Friday, a week ago.  Still recovering from that.  Not a big surgery, but being on the foot means being off the foot for two weeks and limited for 3 months.  If doctor clears me, I will head to my winter home in Florida on the 24th.

 

Still no word on my team training for my service dog from Canine Companions.  Should be soon,  early 2024, I hope.

 

Linda and Halo (retired)

Best wishes to Halo on his retirement!  Sending positive thoughts toward CCI so you get in soon for your successor service dog.  I love to watch the graduations on YouTube.

[Caribbean Chris]

Congratulations to Halo on his honored retirement! Hope your foot recovery goes well and you’ll soon be back in action, Linda. We’ll look forward to hearing about the future team training!

[Caribbean Chris]

On 9/24/2023 at 3:43 PM, Rudi-Cruiser said:

Found a Vet in Amsterdam and will see them on the afternoon that I arrive. Get her treatment and go from there.

Hope you two and Izzy all have a wonderful crossing on beautiful Rotterdam. We loved the ship and have it booked again for next March, nine days in the lower Caribbean.

[puppycanducruise]

I hope Halo enjoys a long retirement.

[alexspepa]

On 10/8/2023 at 7:04 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

Hope you two and Izzy all have a wonderful crossing on beautiful Rotterdam. We loved the ship and have it booked again for next March, nine days in the lower Caribbean.

Hey Chris! Long time…glad to hear Raylene is still hard at work! ( and Bob too it sounds like)

Dottie and I just did a short Celebrity cruise and we leave Saturday for three months in Alicante Spain…no cruise we rent an apartment and just live there…it’s fantastic!

Keith

[Caribbean Chris]

3 minutes ago, alexspepa said:

Hey Chris! Long time…glad to hear Raylene is still hard at work! ( and Bob too it sounds like)

Dottie and I just did a short Celebrity cruise and we leave Saturday for three months in Alicante Spain…no cruise we rent an apartment and just live there…it’s fantastic!

Keith

That sounds wonderful, Keith! Have a great time.

[emtben]

i am debating on taking my service dog on my cruise in february. i have already had RCCL send me paperwork to fill out and they informed me about our ports and possible issues with Caymen. Anyone have issues with taking the dog off leash in the sports deck when it is completely empty, so the dog can play fetch and just be a dog? he might have too much fun during the superbowl cause his name is Chief and last time we watched the superbowl from the ocean, the Chiefs won in as covid started.  where is the potty area and should i bring spot shot in case he doesn't make it to designated area in time?  he was just supposed to be a mobility dog and be still in training and not going but in the last 3 months, he became aware that he started alerting to my low cortisol accurately and even recognized my stroke because the cortisol dropped too low a month ago and even last night, he woke me up and i was in bad shape, i luckily avoided ambulance ride. im still debating on taking him on the trip, if my medical issues don't calm down then he will be going but i am hoping everything gets better and its just weather changes and recovering from the stroke and not something more.

[momof3cruisers]

I’ve posted here and there on this thread and read consistently, I’ve convinced my son that his SD will do great on a cruise so we booked one for December. We are excited. It goes to Key West and Cozumel but he doesn’t want to get off the ship. I have all the info on paperwork etc but I’m not sure if we have to do the Mexico stuff if he isn’t getting off. 
 

Another question I have is with our airline. They have flown several times so that’s fine but for trips where we have brought his crate, we flew Delta and they checked it for free as medical equipment. Now we are flying Sun Country and they are charging us. I have read several places that they can’t charge for it, but I cannot find the actual law. These same articles have said you can also bring an extra bag with the things the dog needs for no charge. Can anyone help me verify this? I’d like to print out the actual law in case we get push back. 

 

I really appreciate this thread. I have learned so much from all of you. 

[DUTRAVEL]

I’m traveling right now so I don’t have my resources in front of me. I’m pretty sure the Air Carrier Access Act doesn’t explicitly say anything about whether or not supplies and equipment for your Service Dog are consider medical equipment (which must be allowed for free). Some carriers do allow it, but that is a voluntary accommodation. Here’s the link to the ACCA:

 

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-382

 

I always get the paperwork for every country we are visiting even if I’m not planning on getting off the ship. I don’t want any hassles in the event we have to leave the ship in an emergency. The paperwork for Mexico is just an International Health Certificate form 7001 (which no longer has to be endorsed by the USDA).
 

I’m sure your son’s service dog will do great! I was very nervous when I took my first cruise with my service dog eight years ago, but I have learned to be polite but firm with what our needs are and things have always worked out. The number one thing I would say is to make sure your dog can use a relief box with mulch. Have a great cruise!

[FOPMan]

Here is s link for Sun Country regarding service animals. Generally, service animals travel in the passenger cabin, at the feet of the person they are assisting. https://suncountry.com/help-center/special-services#label-subtopic-service-animals

 

Usually, one is required to complete all necessary paperwork regardless of whether there is a plan to go ashore.

 

You may want to review your itinerary. Key West is not accepting as many cruise ships as in the past and your cruise line may have substituted an alternative port.

[Caribbean Chris]

Here’s the Department of Transportation’s info - note the link to DOT form you can supply to the airline attesting to the dog’s health, behavior & training. https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/service-animals#:~:text=Your service animal must be,unobstructed for safety reasons (ex.
 

I’ve only flown with my dog on AmericanAirlines, and they do require the DOT form to be on record with them in order to travel with a service animal. I carry it with me for the airport check in. 
 

Mexico no longer has special paperwork. As DUTRAVEL said, just get the Health Certificate form 7001 from the vet and carry it with you in your hand luggage with the dog’s Rabies Certificate. I’ve had airline personnel ask for “the dog’s papers,” and the cruise lines also will expect those at check in. 

 

I’ve never traveled with a crate (my dog doesn’t have one). I’ve never needed the extra checked bag for the dog’s things but I think some airlines do offer a free bag checked - but as a courtesy they choose to extend. I don’t recall any law or rule requiring them to do that. Airlines generally require all travelers to pay for checked bags, so it seems to me there’s no discrimination if they require you to pay for the same. (Discrimination would be if they required you to pay something others don’t have to pay, such as a cleaning fee for the airplane floor where the dog sits, or a cleaning fee for a hotel room.)

[Rudi-Cruiser]

On 7/9/2007 at 2:17 PM, wizard-of-roz said:

Quam: We have not taken "Brenda" on RCCL (those trips were prior to my receiving her!) However, I do have the "Special Needs" Department phone number for RCCL: 800.722.5472 Ex:#34492.

 

 

The Potty Box is always a "variable" on different cruise lines.

 

 

 

Celebrity uses a 4x4 wooden box (sturdily built) and filled with cyprus mulch. They placed it on deck 4 (starboard, forward), where the public does not go (unless it's an Alaskan cruise.) It's right outside the Theatre so it was very convenient in the evening, after the shows.

 

Depending on where your cabin is, you must go through the casino, forward and then out the Starboard side. Once "Brenda" did it, I was able to remove her leash once we were out on deck and she would go to her box immediately! These service dogs are so smart!!!!

 

Princess uses a 4x4 cardboard box (disposable) filled with woodshavings. They placed the box in a stairwell, around the corner from our cabin. It was great! However, if you are in a wheelchair this would not work. The door is extremely heavy, leading to the stairwell and has a huge lip that you must cross. I asked for this placement, specifically. They originally had the box on a deck that was used by smokers and they would drop their cigarette butts in the box. I requested that it be moved.

 

NCL uses a 4x4 wooden box (sturdily built), with a plastic liner and wood chips (the kind you see in gardens). It was placed exactly 20 feet from our cabin, in a laundry room that the crew uses for washing their mops. It had the words "crew only" on the door and it was the most convenient. I could go there in my pajamas! I loved it!!!!

 

Holland America uses a 4x3 wood box (smaller than the rest), (sturdily built), with sod, (the kind used for lawns.) It was placed on deck 3, forward. The only problem with this is it was the "wrap around" deck, where people would do their jogging or walking and was a bit distracting for Brenda. Boy, were they shocked when they say her doing her thing! Their hotel manager was the most wonderful. He would check with me, frequently, to make sure we were happy!

 

Carnival uses a 4x4 wooden box filled with those damn paper pellets. Before the muster drill and when I should have been exploring the ship or having lunch; I was busy trying to get them to move her box and put something else in place of the pellets.

 

The box was initially placed on the deck where they have a golf simulator (so while pople were playing golf, Brenda was supposed to go potty?) It was also located on a deck where you had to climb two sets of stairs, (what were they thinking?)

 

The hotel manager had a crew member leave the ship with a bucket and a shovel.....he literally dug up dirt, under a tree, across the street from the dock (this was in San Diego!) Unblieveable, but true!!!!! Once the dirt was mixed with the pellets Brenda easily relieved herself!

 

The box was moved to deck 10, where passengers smoked (I was always retrieveing cigarette butts out of the dirt!) It was better than where it was and I met with the hotel manager, to explain my displeasure of his being so ill prepared for a service dog and was offered a 15% discount on a future cruise!

 

Brenda has been in Mazatlan; Puerto Vallarta; Cabo San Lucas; Acapulco; Ixtapa; Zihuatenajo; La Paz; Catalina and more. In Mexico, the only problem is loose dogs. Although my husband became the "look-out" and protector, to keep the stray animals away; Mexico really does not have a "leash/vaccination or license law." So, be careful and watchful.

 

Brenda has her favorite "travel dish" that we bring on all cruises. It's a regular double/type water & food dish. It's made of plastic and travels well! You really do not need to worry about spilage. It never happens. The stabilizers on these grand ships keep the water in it's place.

 

She's on Eukanuba kibble; I put each days feeding in a plastic bag, put it in her dish, twice a day & save the bags for recycling. I carry a "foldable" water dish, in my purse. I love it and have used it many times (usually while waiting to board the ship.) I purchased it online from CCI (Canine Companions for Independence.) It has a clip on it so it can attach to my belt or to her vest.

 

Always get to know the Hotel Manager (he/she will make sure that you're needs are met.) Upon boarding the ship immediately go to the Purser's (Information Desk), introduce yourself and inquire as to where the box has been placed. If you're not happy insist they move it.

 

I must tell you that they will not always have the "filling" that you requested.....they use a variety of "fillers" from: Paper pellets (Brenda hates these; they're hard, circular shaped and are unpleasant to step on); various kinds of mulch; dirt; wood chips or wood shavings.

 

I now bring a bag of mulch with me. I pack it in a large plastic bag and place it in my hanging bag. I will NEVER take the chance of her not having what she needs ever again! It's way too time consuming and I miss too much fun, in the beginning of the cruise. If I don't like the filling, I dump my bag on top....mix it around...and, waalah! We're cruising!!!!!!!!!!:p

 

My suggestion is to try and get a cabin mid-ship this way, depending on where they place the box, you're never too far away! Although my favorite Handicapped cabin, on Princess, is in the aft part of the ship (this is the one I use the stairwell for her potty box!)

 

When "tendering" into a port. Make sure that someone on the "tender" is prepared to take your dogs leash, until you get onboard. And, the same for when you are re-boarding the ship! It can be a bit "spooky" because the "tender" is always moving and it puts the dog a bit "off balance!"

 

From what you've written, it seems that you're a pretty saavy traveler. I hope that the above helps a little more....

....Have a wonderful cruise! 🙂

We just got off the October 7th transatlantic sailing of the MS Rotterdam, Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale. The cruise was great and that staff was also. This is the dog re-leaf area on deck 3 forward. We did have grass. They had four boxes set up as there was 4 SDs on the voyage. Bella didn't like it at all as the machine noise that I could not hear was making her a bit unease. She has a thing with certain high pitch noise. I found out that the area does have number of electrical box that probable was giving off the noise. She did fine with pee-pad in the cabin. It was bringing 40 some pads with me from the US. Glade I was flying business class and had no problem with the checked bags.

[Rudi-Cruiser]

15 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

I’m traveling right now so I don’t have my resources in front of me. I’m pretty sure the Air Carrier Access Act doesn’t explicitly say anything about whether or not supplies and equipment for your Service Dog are consider medical equipment (which must be allowed for free). Some carriers do allow it, but that is a voluntary accommodation. Here’s the link to the ACCA:

 

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-II/subchapter-D/part-382

 

I always get the paperwork for every country we are visiting even if I’m not planning on getting off the ship. I don’t want any hassles in the event we have to leave the ship in an emergency. The paperwork for Mexico is just an International Health Certificate form 7001 (which no longer has to be endorsed by the USDA).
 

I’m sure your son’s service dog will do great! I was very nervous when I took my first cruise with my service dog eight years ago, but I have learned to be polite but firm with what our needs are and things have always worked out. The number one thing I would say is to make sure your dog can use a relief box with mulch. Have a great cruise!

I just few both SAS from home to Amsterdam and Delta from Fort Lauderdale to home. I didn't have any problem with SAS with the extra bag was Service Dog Supplies. I didn't at first with Delta in Fort Lauderdale. The agent wanted to charge me at first for the 3rd bag. I told him it had always been freed for the service dog supplies. He told me to tag the bag as medical supplies in the future and there would be no problem. He told me they don't have a category for service dog supplies but he was told to list the bad as medical supplies and that would take care of it.

[schelercamus]

Hi Friends... Thank you for your help. I'm having trouble deciphering exactly what I need to bring my mobility service dog (ADI certified) with me on an upcoming NCL cruise.

First off, we leave in a month--Is it worth even trying to get everything together?!?!

 

NCL Joy-- Panama Canal, December 6-16, 2023

 

Ports of Call:

Panama City

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Grand Cayman

Cozumel, Mexico

Costa Maya, Mexico

Harvest Caye

Roatan, Honduras

 

I know I need an APHIS 7001 Certificate, but some places say not before 10 days before you arrive--- but if I'm on a boat during that time... Is an APHIS Certificate hard to get?

 

[momof3cruisers]

Thank you all so much for the answers. They have flown several times so while it always causes my son a bit of anxiety, they both know what to do. The dog is just more at home in his crate even though the door isn’t locked so he can get out and do his job if needed. So we will bite the bullet and pay the $90. It’s worth it. I don’t think he’ll need an entire extra bag for supplies so I’m sure we will be fine. I may have an order from Chewy with his food delivered to our hotel. 

I have already filled out the forms that Sun Country needs so we are good to go with that. Always have a copy of his rabies vaccine records so that’s done too.

 

 

I appreciate the info on Mexico too. Great idea to have it in case of any emergency. 

 

I’ll be sure to share info about our experience when we return! 

[schelercamus]

OK Friends... I'm freaking out here. For example, when I download Panama's health certificate, it says, " Certificate Valid for 30 days after issuance"... if I get it filled out tomorrow, November 4, say, and I leave for Panama on December 6, how is that still valid?

 

Then, how in the world do I get a consulate seal in that amount of time?!

 

Then, for Costa Rica, it says, "Certified that dog is examined within 15 days of departure to be free from disease..."

But I need have these things filled out now, right? More than 15 days ahead.

 

The DR Certificate is valid only 10 days from issuance...so how is that going to work?

 

Thanks for your help! I appreciate the handholding!

 

As I said, Chipotle is my mobility service dog, from an ADI accredited non-profit.

[FOPMan]

39 minutes ago, schelercamus said:

OK Friends... I'm freaking out here. For example, when I download Panama's health certificate, it says, " Certificate Valid for 30 days after issuance"... if I get it filled out tomorrow, November 4, say, and I leave for Panama on December 6, how is that still valid?

 

Then, how in the world do I get a consulate seal in that amount of time?!

 

Then, for Costa Rica, it says, "Certified that dog is examined within 15 days of departure to be free from disease..."

But I need have these things filled out now, right? More than 15 days ahead.

 

The DR Certificate is valid only 10 days from issuance...so how is that going to work?

 

....

i am unsure how to (and iff) the calendars can be aligned. A couple of other things to watch out for:

 

The APHIS certificates for each country may also be a bit different.

 

Don't forget about holidays that could interfere with processing/mailing times. Of you are departing December 6, Thanksgiving could affect your paperwork plans.