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

[Caribbean Chris]

I'm passing on information that was new to me last week about Turks & Caicos, which is often on cruise itineraries these days. 

 

I've been told in the past from info on this message board that Bahamas insists on a permit - even for a cruiseline's private island and even when the dog is not going ashore. Since it has been difficult at times to get directly from the government there, I now arrange it by paying $90 to Wellington Saunders at Bahamas Pet Permit.com. 

 

We were preparing to cruise during the Easter season this year for 9 days. The line wanted copies of my permits for Bahamas and Turks & Caicos. I emailed Bahamas and told them the dog would not be getting off the ship when it was in Turks & Caicos.

 

The cruiseline's accessibility people quickly replied that I would be denied boarding the ship without an "in-transit" permit for Turks & Caicos even if the dog was staying on board. Apparently this is something new, in addition to? the USDA APHIS requirements shown online. Has anyone else dealt with this?

 

I found the application form on a T&C Tourism site (with a box to check for in-transit, and a mention that the $50 fee is waived for service dogs.

 https://www.visittci.com/downloads/animal-import-application-for-dogs-and-cats.pdf.

I emailed it to the address shown on the form. I have never heard another word about my application. 

 

In the end, we were not willing to risk driving to the port and being denied boarding. We cancelled the night before the cruise. The cruiseline was very cooperative and I don't blame them for policies of foreign governments over which they have no control. 

 

I should add that my original itinerary did not even go to Turks & Caicos. It was substituted for another island. I have avoided T&Cs for years since it requires a blood titer test, and it was not worth it to me to spend approx $200 starting months in advance for that titer paperwork just to go ashore in the morning briefly - this itinerary had a  2 p.m.departure! And their own tourist web site mentions the feral dogs roaming around the island that kill pet cats.

 

To end with a smile, since this transpired, I discovered that the island's only veterinarian offers a concierge service for "only" $250 to help people get pet permits. (Maybe because no one responds when you apply for your permit according to instructions?

https://www.visittci.com/providenciales/bark-and-bliss.

No, I'm not planning to use them. Or to ever set foot or paw onTurks & Caicos. 

[DUTRAVEL]

Thanks for the update Chris. Sounds like a real catch-22 situation!

[Caribbean Chris]

1 hour ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Thanks for the update Chris. Sounds like a real catch-22 situation!

 

It was, Diane, I still think it makes sense to TRY to get the necessary paperwork for all the known port calls, just in case there was a medical or other reason to leave the cruise early and fly home. But trying doesn’t always mean succeeding.

 

“Cancel for any reason” insurance is expensive but a good idea. 

 

 

[Mlkjunk11]

Thanks for sharing 

[Rudi-Cruiser]

22 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

I'm passing on information that was new to me last week about Turks & Caicos, which is often on cruise itineraries these days. 

 

I've been told in the past from info on this message board that Bahamas insists on a permit - even for a cruiseline's private island and even when the dog is not going ashore. Since it has been difficult at times to get directly from the government there, I now arrange it by paying $90 to Wellington Saunders at Bahamas Pet Permit.com. 

 

We were preparing to cruise during the Easter season this year for 9 days. The line wanted copies of my permits for Bahamas and Turks & Caicos. I emailed Bahamas and told them the dog would not be getting off the ship when it was in Turks & Caicos.

 

The cruiseline's accessibility people quickly replied that I would be denied boarding the ship without an "in-transit" permit for Turks & Caicos even if the dog was staying on board. Apparently this is something new, in addition to? the USDA APHIS requirements shown online. Has anyone else dealt with this?

 

I found the application form on a T&C Tourism site (with a box to check for in-transit, and a mention that the $50 fee is waived for service dogs.

 https://www.visittci.com/downloads/animal-import-application-for-dogs-and-cats.pdf.

I emailed it to the address shown on the form. I have never heard another word about my application. 

 

In the end, we were not willing to risk driving to the port and being denied boarding. We cancelled the night before the cruise. The cruiseline was very cooperative and I don't blame them for policies of foreign governments over which they have no control. 

 

I should add that my original itinerary did not even go to Turks & Caicos. It was substituted for another island. I have avoided T&Cs for years since it requires a blood titer test, and it was not worth it to me to spend approx $200 starting months in advance for that titer paperwork just to go ashore in the morning briefly - this itinerary had a  2 p.m.departure! And their own tourist web site mentions the feral dogs roaming around the island that kill pet cats.

 

To end with a smile, since this transpired, I discovered that the island's only veterinarian offers a concierge service for "only" $250 to help people get pet permits. (Maybe because no one responds when you apply for your permit according to instructions?

https://www.visittci.com/providenciales/bark-and-bliss.

No, I'm not planning to use them. Or to ever set foot or paw onTurks & Caicos. 

I also sent out an email to both the address on the form and the Vet in T&C. I have not gotten a response yet.

[Caribbean Chris]

33 minutes ago, Rudi-Cruiser said:

I also sent out an email to both the address on the form and the Vet in T&C. I have not gotten a response yet.

I appreciate your sharing this. It does make things difficult for service dog handlers, doesn't it!?

[Rudi-Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

I appreciate your sharing this. It does make things difficult for service dog handlers, doesn't it!?

Just got one back form the Vet. They have their $250.00 charge but didn't give me any information regarding Service Dog and those fees if any.

[emtben]

I had to have "in transit" paperwork for Jamaica, even though my SD stayed on ship.  You should always call each country department of agriculture to get info and if going to Bahamas...its free. Don't get suckered into paying $90 to that company. Just get ahold of Bahamas department of agriculture and they will send you all the info via email and service dogs are free.

[DUTRAVEL]

Just a heads up that the CDC has issued new rules starting August 1, 2024 that will require that all dogs entering the US appear healthy upon arrival, be at least 6 months old, be microchipped and be accompanied by a “CDC Dog Import Form” receipt that was filled out online two to 10 days before arrival. These rules apply to all dogs, including service dogs and those who were born in the United States but are returning from another country.

 

Unless I am reading the CDC checklist wrong, it looks like a dog vaccinated in the US will also need to have either a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or the USDA APHIS health certificate (which in either case will need to be endorsed by the USDA). Hopefully, USDA endorsement of one of those forms will not be necessary every time you return to the US.

 

Here's a link to a good explanation of the rules: https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/08/health/cdc-dog-import-rules/index.html?bt_ee=ZPVTkqTnMd0AyE5HlJ0kf3iKBdPsCrkLFvjwXYBK5Q8dyntljCQgX6cw%2F7p70WjU&bt_ts=1715251930296

 

Link to CDC Website: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs-entering-us-after-august-1.html

 

Edited May 9 by DUTRAVEL

[Naples2018]

I have a question, we are traveling with a service dog that is trained to detect nocturnal seizures for my young son.  We are traveling on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.  Since our service animal is only needed when our son sleeps, we were wondering if the dog can be left in our stateroom in a closed door play pen.  Wondering if anyone else had taken a service animal on RC and been able to leave the dog in the room safely in an enclosed plan pen when going on shore or when enjoying the ship.   Does the cruise line have a way to detect that the service animal is not with you when you exit the ship to go on shore?

[FOPMan]

Your service animal should remain with you at all times. 

 

Ship’s personnel can and may enter your stateroom for a variety of reasons, including verifying ship’s equipment and safety. Your dog could, of course, bark. There are lots of different noises aboard a ship, many of which may be unfamiliar to a service animal.

 

If you left your service animal in the cabin unattended while you were in port, you might very well come back to the pier and find your suitcases and dog on the dock, having been unceremoniously disembarked at the captain’s orders.

 

Of note, regardless of whether you go ashore or remain on the ship with the animal, you will need to comply with each country’s requirements for registering your animal.

 

 

 

[DUTRAVEL]

1 hour ago, Naples2018 said:

I have a question, we are traveling with a service dog that is trained to detect nocturnal seizures for my young son.  We are traveling on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.  Since our service animal is only needed when our son sleeps, we were wondering if the dog can be left in our stateroom in a closed door play pen.  Wondering if anyone else had taken a service animal on RC and been able to leave the dog in the room safely in an enclosed plan pen when going on shore or when enjoying the ship.   Does the cruise line have a way to detect that the service animal is not with you when you exit the ship to go on shore?

I don't know of any cruise line that will allow you to leave your service dog alone in your cabin.

[Caribbean Chris]

I agree, cruise lines generally spell out clearly in paperwork you must sign that you verify your understanding that the dog is not to be left alone in a stateroom unattended.