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Actually we have purchased a couple while traveling when we are in condos with Keurig type machines. I love French Press coffee. Didn't think about taking it on a cruise but I'm sure the hot water for tea from room service would work. Cherie

What was really comical was that after the dog was denied access to the courtroom the man said he was hospitalized because of the trauma. When the judge asked for confirmation from the man's brother there was nothing from the hospital or a doctor. My husband and I laugh about this case but it's ridiculous that there are people who abuse the system and really think that the rules do not apply to them. I would love to put a vest on Zion and cruise or fly to Hawaii but I just can't be "that" person. Cherie. P.S. This person had made a lot of money from other hotel chains who settled rather than going to court.

This afternoon we were driving thru town and a woman was walking a great dane. I slowed and commented that it's like walking a pony, sooooo cute. It reminded me of a case that was brought against a major hotel chain several years ago by a man who was denied access to the hotel for his great dane. The man said his dog was a service animal but the hotel said "no." In court the man brought his great dane which freely roamed the courtroom. The judge said, "no, no, no." The "service dog" then went over to the jury box and almost put his head in the lap of a juror who was afraid of dogs. The prosecution was instructed to not bring the dog to court again. A couple more days of lies by the man with the service dog ended in the case being dismissed. The judge saw the total abuse of someone trying to claim their pet was a service animal. My husband worked with the lawyer representing the hotel chain and today we laughed at the audacity of someone trying to pass a pet off as a service animal. But it's really not a joke, it's a sad reflection on people who think the rules don't apply to them. This was a major hotel chain, maybe HAL should not be afraid of the frauds. Cherie

Is it possible to get a reusable pod, bring your own ground coffee and use the coffee machine? Milk and cream is easily kept in your fridge. Then you can enjoy a cup of coffee without getting out of your p.j.s. Cherie

You are right. Hawaii has also gotten a bit easier. There are not many labs in the U.S. that are accepted by the State of Hawaii to do the tests. When we first started taking pets between the mainland and the islands I think the only lab was at the University of Kansas. We have not flown an animal to Hawaii in several years. Last time we did so there was no need for quarantine because the tests were good and the rules not as strict. I have had several conversations with the vet who meets the flights in Kona re bringing large animals to our ranch. My issue with our 16 year old dog is that I don't think he can withstand the pet area of the cargo compartment. I'd love to put a vest on him and pretend he is a service dog but it's not fare to those that legitimately need service animals and their incredibly trained dogs. I never thought about what a person with a service dog needs to do to leave the ship in ports. Hopefully if you are able to board the ship once and you are not traveling to ports where service animals are not allowed you will be o.k. And, hopefully the ship will let you know if you need to show documentation. Cherie

I don't think I could do this. We would never take our 16 year old into a dining venue or walking with other cruisers. It's crazy to think that if you lie it is o.k. to bring your family dog on a cruise. I was thinking of chartering a flight to Hawaii where he can be in the cabin, but lying and bringing him on a cruise seems so much easier. I am disgusted at those who think that a non service animal has the right to be in the same space as a trained service dog. JMO. Cherie

It really is a simple yes or no. If you have a service animal it is o.k. "Depends" on what...lying? Non legitimate service animals should not be onboard. If you lie and bring your family pet on board, well...unless HAL cares there is not a problem. I think our dog would be a great cruiser. Cherie

So mighty adorable, those dogs. Is there a need for multiple service animals? And usually service animals are not permitted to have close encounters with others. The response when someone asks if they can pet them is normally, "No, they're working." Happy travels and thanks for giving the heads up to those who want to lie. Our 16 year old dog is "mighty adorable" and you give me hope for bringing him on a cruise. Cherie

Congrats on being >>>>

We are moving to Hawaii and our 16 year old dog would not do well in the pet compartment of an aircraft. You give me encouragement to lie about why he could be with us on a cruise. You're awesome. My kids don't do the "Karen" thing but some do pass judgement when they do not know what the full story is. Enjoy your cheap entertainment and future cruises. Cherie

Then you haven't followed the apparent abuses of "service dog" threads. The "supposed fraud" seems to be the only complaint. Service dogs are always welcome and appreciated for what they do. Enjoy you cheap entertainment, but it is not pointless to many of us. It's also amusing that since you have never seen it it doesn't exist. Cherie

I think that post #84 which calls this thread "silly" misses the point of this thread. So many of us have dogs that we would love to bring on our cruise and think our pet is loved by all. But most of us do not appreciate those that abuse the law by lying to the cruise line when asked 2 questions. As post #91, we spend a lot of money to have someone come to our home to stay with our dog when we are gone. To then go on a cruise where someone thinks the rules don't apply to them and bring their family pet on the cruise is really frustrating. Service animals are so important and should always be appreciated for the service they provide to the person they are with. Service animals save lives. But...should I put a fake vest on our 16 year old, adorable dog and lie about why he is accompanying us on a cruise or aircraft? We can all lie and bring our family pet onboard. What would HAL do then? JMO. Cherie

Thank you. I did not realize there was a difference between Nespresso and Keurig. Cherie

The above photo is of a comfort dog not a service dog? Is there no official paperwork that is required? The woman has a brace on her knee but the dog does not seem to be helping with that. I would love to bring our dog on a cruise but I just don't think I can put a fake "service dog" halter on him. The other problem is taking your dog in an area where there may be someone who is allergic to dogs. Post #11 does make me think twice about judging. Maybe the woman in Post #14 has problems that we are not aware of. So sad if someone is abusing a program meant to help those with special needs. Cherie

I'm not a fan of Keurig coffee machines so we did not use the one in our suite. We ordered room service coffee in the mornings. We also had good "go cups" so could get coffee from Neptune Lounge or Lido that would stay hot for a couple hours. We thought the Crow's Nest had the best coffee. JMO, Cherie

I'm so happy that the view was good from the ship. What a great experience. Luckily it was not too early in the a.m so the clock problem was not too much of an inconvenience. We watched on CNN until @10 a.m. PST time so missed the total eclipse around Mazatlan. We had a 40% eclipse here but it was awesome. Our library ran out of glasses but friends shared. So nice that the crew was also able to enjoy this event. Possibly HAL did not have eclipse t shirts because there was a chance that clouds would interfer with the experience and no one would want the t-shirts. I'm sure some are already looking at cruises around Iceland and Greenland in 2026. Thank you so much for your posts. Cherie

Can't wait to hear your report of the experience. Sounds like the Captain is doing everything possible to make it great. Cherie

Thank you!!!

You may have already given us this info, but...what time do you expect to see the total eclipse? In Los Angeles it is @11a.m. for a partial eclipse. Hope it is a great experience being out to sea. Cherie

I hope that you are not intending to insult those that have tried to answer your question. Not sure what "Specialty" restaurants you refer to, and when flying first class I don't remember being invited to bring "non status" members into the lounge. If it works...it works. Good for you. Your "Priority" status is something that many HAL passengers enjoy. At some ports they will let your friends board with you, at other ports they will not. I don't think there is a yes or no answer. It may depend on the staff when and where you are boarding. This is the same with bringing alcohol on board. Some ports are fine and others are not. There is no vitriol in the responses, just honest answers to your question. Have a great cruise, Cherie

This is a huge problem for me. Our cabin choice is important and after final payment I would really be upset. Even if it is a Neptune Suite...all Neptune Suites are not the same. Yikes. Cherie

That is a problem for me. It seems like when the cruise shows "sold out" they are still selling the cruise. I had not thought about it until this thread. Thank you, Cherie

So, can they change your cabin after final payment? Cherie

I imagine that sunset is late on your June Alaska cruise. I would not chance not having a view just to experience the Pinnacle or Morimoto. We can always eat at nice venues but we cannot always experience amazing views. There have been comments re Morimoto recently on this forum but I do not remember which thread. On our 21 day Oosterdam cruise in January there was always a Morimoto entree offered in all restaurants. Because of negative reviews we did not opt for this but it was not a pop up so the entire menu was not available. Enjoy your cruise. Cherie

I have a question for those who have their cabins changed after final payment, even when they have said "no changes." Our last cruise date was chosen because the cabin we wanted was available. If it had been changed after final payment I would have been non-linear. If changed prior to final payment I would have options. Cherie