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

[S.S. Cruisers]

Mornin' all,

I hope everyone is just busy, since no posts for 6 days! I know I have been tooooo busy, myself. Jezzy Lou's eye is getting better. Still putting meds in it. She is not happy about that. Her Dogtor said she may have to have drops for the rest of her life. :(.

[wizard-of-roz]

Mornin' all,

I hope everyone is just busy, since no posts for 6 days! I know I have been tooooo busy, myself. Jezzy Lou's eye is getting better. Still putting meds in it. She is not happy about that. Her Dogtor said she may have to have drops for the rest of her life. :(.

 

Nancy, I hope that this is worst for Miss Jezzy. We don't like to see them suffer with anything that's for sure!

 

My daughter's having some health issues and it's making me crazy, not to mention what it's doing to her! Yep, the kids are right up there when it comes to what can make us crazier; our dogs having health problems and equally our kids!

 

Luggage tags are printed, Boarding Passes are printed.....Love the anticipation of a cruise! My grand children and my SIL are really looking forward to our time together.

 

Have a good weekend everyone......the weather man actually said we might have rain here in L.A. this coming week.....we'll see!

[rpclmc]

I feel like I am asking the same questions over and over. Sorry. I am so confused.

 

 

I am taking Halo on a Carnival cruise to the Bahamas. I have the Certificate from the Bahamas to import him. I have an appointment for the vaccinations, have had him on flea, tick, heartworm medications.

 

 

 

I have an appointment set for the day before we cruise to have the health check by the vet with the 48 hours of departing.

 

 

The Aphis is causing me great confusion. I thought it was required. I am being told it is not required to get into the Bahamas. Is it Carnival that requires it? I know it has to be signed by a USDA vet. Do I then need to have it approved by the Aphis Vet?

 

 

Linda and Halo

[HenryKisor]

Linda and Halo: The Bahamas does not require a Form 7001 International Health Certificate, just the Bahamas health certificate that was sent to you with the permit. It has to be filled out and signed by an USDA-accredited vet, and you have that appointment for it.

 

But APHIS will NOT endorse it because the Bahamas does not require it. That saves you a trip to an APHIS office for endorsement.

 

HOWEVER, most cruise lines do expect a full health certificate—a 7001 is the usual one—and your vet can fill it out and sign it at the sane time he fills out the Bahamas certificate. This 7001 will help you get your dog back into the U.S. if an agent spots you on re-entry and asks for papers. (This happens only occasionally.)

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy weekend everyone.

 

Well, I heard from Christine Ford - Access Compliance Specialist at Princess Cruises. She requested a description of Horton and what service he provides. And, she wanted to remind me that rules and regulations have changed at Princess and they no longer will allow the potty box to be placed on my veranda. I told her to email the ship that I was coming onboard one week before I cruise on Dec. 4th and I will speak with the Hotel Manager when I board. I reminded her that I purchased a veranda cabin so that the box could be placed on it. I told her I would also accept that it be placed in my second favorite place, the stairwell, around the corner from my room. I also asked that the box be placed BEFORE I BOARD.

 

She was very insistent and I didn't want to argue via email or phone. It's always best to have your, well behaved Service Dog facing the person you're asking the favor of.

 

I'm prepared to contact the Animal Quarantine Station in Maui, by phone and by fax 10 days before I cruise, following Horton's Vet visit. Horton will not need another Titer Blood Draw because that's good for 3 years. All other immunizations will be in place. Hawaii wants visiting dogs to be on one year Rabies Vaccine's, which is so ridiculous because we all know that this vaccine is good for more than 3 years. I hate over-vaccinating our dogs!

 

Boarding Passes printed, Luggage Tags printed......next, get the suitcases down.

 

This will be a 15 day cruise which means at least 3 formal nights. They've never cruised for longer than a week. This will be a great adventure and fun for all of us to share together.

[wizard-of-roz]

Linda and Halo: The Bahamas does not require a Form 7001 International Health Certificate, just the Bahamas health certificate that was sent to you with the permit. It has to be filled out and signed by an USDA-accredited vet, and you have that appointment for it.

 

But APHIS will NOT endorse it because the Bahamas does not require it. That saves you a trip to an APHIS office for endorsement.

 

HOWEVER, most cruise lines do expect a full health certificate—a 7001 is the usual one—and your vet can fill it out and sign it at the sane time he fills out the Bahamas certificate. This 7001 will help you get your dog back into the U.S. if an agent spots you on re-entry and asks for papers. (This happens only occasionally.)

 

REMEMBER: When filling out the 7001 Health Form, do NOT use abbreviations such as: "lbs" for Pounds or "in" for Inches. Also, spell out Milligrams and don't use "mg." You will have to remind your Vet or his assistant to spell everything out, please!

The Mexican authorities keep changing the rules it's best to have all your i's dotted and t's crossed.

[rpclmc]

Happy weekend everyone.

 

Well, I heard from Christine Ford - Access Compliance Specialist at Princess Cruises. She requested a description of Horton and what service he provides. And, she wanted to remind me that rules and regulations have changed at Princess and they no longer will allow the potty box to be placed on my veranda. I told her to email the ship that I was coming onboard one week before I cruise on Dec. 4th and I will speak with the Hotel Manager when I board. I reminded her that I purchased a veranda cabin so that the box could be placed on it. I told her I would also accept that it be placed in my second favorite place, the stairwell, around the corner from my room. I also asked that the box be placed BEFORE I BOARD.

 

She was very insistent and I didn't want to argue via email or phone. It's always best to have your, well behaved Service Dog facing the person you're asking the favor of.

 

I'm prepared to contact the Animal Quarantine Station in Maui, by phone and by fax 10 days before I cruise, following Horton's Vet visit. Horton will not need another Titer Blood Draw because that's good for 3 years. All other immunizations will be in place. Hawaii wants visiting dogs to be on one year Rabies Vaccine's, which is so ridiculous because we all know that this vaccine is good for more than 3 years. I hate over-vaccinating our dogs!

 

Boarding Passes printed, Luggage Tags printed......next, get the suitcases down.

 

This will be a 15 day cruise which means at least 3 formal nights. They've never cruised for longer than a week. This will be a great adventure and fun for all of us to share together.

 

We want updates.

 

Linda and Halo

[Algebralovr]

At long last, our favorite thread is BACK!

Roz - did you get anything back regarding getting the box on your veranda?  

How is everyone doing?  

 

[wizard-of-roz]

On ‎10‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 12:40 PM, Algebralovr said:

At long last, our favorite thread is BACK!

Roz - did you get anything back regarding getting the box on your veranda?  

How is everyone doing?  

 

Haven't heard back from Special Services and I'm not surprised.  I will address the issue the second I'm onboard.  I will make sure that Horton has had a chance to relieve himself before we board and I will stay calm and collected........this is going to be a very needed vacation time and I'm NOT going to let anything get in the way of my total relaxation!!!!!

Thanks for asking!

[wizard-of-roz]

I hope that everyone is well and survived our latest hurricane Michael.

I've been writing in the Float Away Lounge while they were updating the threads.  I hope that some of the folks from there come over and join us.

I haven't taken the luggage down yet, I've been busy doing "stuff" that Morey used to do.  Today, it was taking the car in for service.  Morey would be proud of me.....I haven't let one service go by.  Not my favorite thing to do but I do love having a good running car in the garage!  You never know when you're going to take that road trip!

I can't figure out how to make my writing purple.........

Edited October 18, 2018 by wizard-of-roz

[Caribbean Chris]

I’ve been thinking of my CCI friends here this week because one of my pals has been in Team Training to receive her hearing dog this week. She was partnered with her dog, and eventually I’ll post a pic of them. (It’s still too early for any public social media posts to be allowed, she was advised.)

It would be so much fun for the two of us to take our two dogs somewhere! Like a cruise! In the meantime, I’m excited about future play dates in the back yard with Raylene’s soon-to-be-friend.

Edited October 18, 2018 by Caribbean Chris

[MrPAWS]

We have cruised for many years with our service dog,  Never a problem - although the first time he was extremely excited to see dry land.  Took him about 36 hrs to "go" and then it was fine.  Always get a balcony for his relief tray.  Only had a problem going to the Panama Canal because it was dangerous for HIM at these ports because of their particular diseases, and of course cannot go into UK owned ports i.e. Barbados.    There is a deck above Lido that works well for exercising big dogs.  Always have your dog "dressed" in public, don't let everyone pet him (that's hard) - he should not be distracted.  For more info:  see www.mrpaws.com

 

[HenryKisor]

Great to hear from you. Two minor corrections (it has been a while, hasn't it?): Barbados is an independent nation in the Commonwealth and makes its own laws, although Queen Elizabeth is still head of state. You CAN take a service dog to Barbados, although there are so many hoops to jump through that it's a royal pain (!) to gather all the paperwork.(The UK itself is now much more hospitable to service animals, thanks to membership in the EEOC, but with Brexit things are going to change.)

[wizard-of-roz]

On ‎10‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 11:54 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

I’ve been thinking of my CCI friends here this week because one of my pals has been in Team Training to receive her hearing dog this week. She was partnered with her dog, and eventually I’ll post a pic of them. (It’s still too early for any public social media posts to be allowed, she was advised.)

It would be so much fun for the two of us to take our two dogs somewhere! Like a cruise! In the meantime, I’m excited about future play dates in the back yard with Raylene’s soon-to-be-friend.

Please let us know how Team Training is going for your friend.  It's such an exciting time.  I treasured those wonderful moments of getting to know each other and finally taking my new partner home with me.

[wizard-of-roz]

On ‎10‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 1:54 PM, MrPAWS said:

We have cruised for many years with our service dog,  Never a problem - although the first time he was extremely excited to see dry land.  Took him about 36 hrs to "go" and then it was fine.  Always get a balcony for his relief tray.  Only had a problem going to the Panama Canal because it was dangerous for HIM at these ports because of their particular diseases, and of course cannot go into UK owned ports i.e. Barbados.    There is a deck above Lido that works well for exercising big dogs.  Always have your dog "dressed" in public, don't let everyone pet him (that's hard) - he should not be distracted.  For more info:  see www.mrpaws.com

 

 

Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful pictures.  I don't like when people reach out to pet or shout out to him, that is definitely distracting, but when we're sitting around and people come up to us to ask questions and I give Horton the command to let him know that he's not working......I do allow for patting.  I'm a very social being and so is Horton.  I love to talk to fellow passengers and Horton loves the extra love and attention.  I know when "enough is enough" and I let the public know.

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy, safe weekend everyone!  I had some oral surgery on Friday and the pain and nightmare of it all is still with me.........Is it not 2018?......Why hasn't oral surgery become easier?

 

I've lost my "purple" glow........I'm open for suggestions on how to get it back?

[Algebralovr]

I found the Purple!

 

Roz - look for the underlined A on the right next to the "Size" drop down.  It should give you the option to choose a color.  It likely won't stay, though, you'll likely need to choose it each time.  That is normal practice for posting windows these days, the learning management system I use is the same way, as are a number of other things.

[MrPAWS]

We have cruised on numerous lines (trying to decide on our favorite) and find the following to be true:

• We always book a balcony, mid ship.  It is the most conveniently located, the potty box goes on your balcony - easy peasy. 
• The first cruise will take the dog a bit longer to figure it out, then he will when the need is great.  You don't want the box in a public area on deck - too many looky lous to distract your fur baby.
• DO NOT let everyone pet your dog - simply say "Please don't - he's working"  It is dangerous for  you if the dog gets distracted when his vest is on.  If you want to allow him to socialize, take the vest off first.
• Our dog Shadow loves the travel.  And he is so striking that people can't keep their hands off him.
• He's great on tenders.
• Did NOT take him ziplining.
• Good on shore excursions - jumping into the bus.
• The only cruise we couldn't take him on was Panama Canal because of ports we went too - too dangerous for Shadow - found out at the last moment (his vet wouldn't sign off) so he stayed with a friend who housesat for us.

[Sumacs Momma]

2 hours ago, MrPAWS said:

We have cruised on numerous lines (trying to decide on our favorite) and find the following to be true:

• We always book a balcony, mid ship.  It is the most conveniently located, the potty box goes on your balcony - easy peasy. 
• The first cruise will take the dog a bit longer to figure it out, then he will when the need is great.  You don't want the box in a public area on deck - too many looky lous to distract your fur baby.

Thanks for the info, we took my dog last April on a 15 day cruise to Hawaii and I was in tears for the first 4days... you can search my previous post and since then I am scared to take him again. We are looking at the same cruise again next fall and was wondering which cruise line can you put the potty box on the balcony? Princess?

[Algebralovr]

We tried to get the potty box on the balcony in May on Celebrity Solstice (Seattle round trip to Alaska), but they said they didn’t have sufficient supplies to make another one.  I’m fairly certain if we had been in a suite it would have happened.

[Miki_moto]

1 hour ago, Algebralovr said:

We tried to get the potty box on the balcony in May on Celebrity Solstice (Seattle round trip to Alaska), but they said they didn’t have sufficient supplies to make another one.  I’m fairly certain if we had been in a suite it would have happened.

I’m curious how many other service dogs were on that ship.  How many used the potty box you used?

[wizard-of-roz]

On ‎10‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 7:53 PM, Algebralovr said:

I found the Purple!

 

Roz - look for the underlined A on the right next to the "Size" drop down.  It should give you the option to choose a color.  It likely won't stay, though, you'll likely need to choose it each time.  That is normal practice for posting windows these days, the learning management system I use is the same way, as are a number of other things.

Thank you Barb......Found it.  I've been writing in purple for so long, I didn't recognize myself!

[wizard-of-roz]

8 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

I’m curious how many other service dogs were on that ship.  How many used the potty box you used?

Even when there was more than one dog onboard on our Island Princess cruise through the Panama Canal, the ship provided two boxes in the nearest stairwell.

 

Every cruise ship that sails the high seas has a carpentry area, where they repair furniture, and make cupboards, doors, etc.  They have the capability of making a simple box with plastic lining......the filler could be the wood shavings.  There's simply no good excuse for them not to be able to supply a box for our dogs.

[Algebralovr]

9 hours ago, Miki_moto said:

I’m curious how many other service dogs were on that ship.  How many used the potty box you used?

There was one other dog on board.  One box the first day, then a second appeared.  I suspect they were in a suite and ended up with their own after a couple of days

[DisneyKidsDad]

Well we just got back from a week in Disney World.  We went with friends and had two service dogs and one hearing dog.

Needless to say we tended to draw a crowd every time we stopped to take pictures.  But before we left, I did manage to book a cruise for April 2020.  We are taking another Disney cruise.  Unfortunately Gretel will not be going.  One of the ports is Tortola and I do not want to go through the hassle and expense again.  Plus the fact that we were not allowed into many of the stores with the dog.  She will most likely be staying with her puppy raiser.  Here is a picture of Gretel in Disney World.