Saiayoko

45 minutes ago, bobbijooneal said:

Has anyone traveled to Cuba with their Service Dog?  We are going on a cruise in August.  Just wondering what everyone's experience was.  Has anyone taken their dog there?  Thanks

I have! It was very easy. We had the 7001 form, and the officials looked over Peach before giving us the go ahead. Make sure you keep your paperwork with you at all times because they will ask for it again when you go through the checkpoint. 

My mother and I are cruising with Peach next week on the Carnival Breeze. Does anyone have any experience with them? 

We are traveling to Dominican Republic, and we have the international health certificate along with the 7001 form. We also go to St Thomas, and Puerto Rico. Anything at all I should be prepared for in any of those places? 

I've only been on Royal Caribbean with Peach. The cruise staff were all very nice with her, and her relief box was in a good spot. No complaints there! 

We are going on a Carnival cruise next month, so we'll see how it goes. 

8 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful pictures of Peach.

Of course! I love taking pictures of her. They put the potty box near the running track, but also out of the way of it in a shady spot. It was perfect for her. 

16 minutes ago, DisneyKidsDad said:

Thanks!  Did you have any issues with stray dogs while you were walking around?

With Peach, we had no trouble, although there were a few stray cats and dogs that we saw. None of them bothered her though. 

24 minutes ago, DisneyKidsDad said:

What permits did you need to get for Cuba?

We had this form. We are from Florida, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference. 

APHIS7001.pdf

13 minutes ago, DisneyKidsDad said:

What permits did you need to get for Cuba?

We only had the health certificate signed and stamped by a USDA certified vet. We had our vet fill out the form, then we had to send it to the department of agriculture for the second signature. 

I'll try to find the form and attach it here for you. 

27 minutes ago, rpclmc said:

Sai, where you able to take Peach off the ship in Cuba?  How where they about service dogs?

 

Linda and Halo

 

Yes, I was able to take her off the ship. They had a veterinarian, I believe, with the ambassadors and he looked over her paperwork, gave her a once over, and said she could go off the ship. It was stressful, because that was the first time we had traveled with her, but it was quite painless. 

We are going to Dominican Republic next month, and I'm worried all anew. 

I went to Havana, Cuba with my service dog Peach back in June and I think I forgot to post pictures..... So here are a few of the good ones! 

First, welcome, you are so welcome about starting this thread. I have met some of the nicest and most sincere, loving folks in my life. I cherish this thread and all who have joined in! We've helped each other beyond belief.

 

Bringing our Service Dogs onboard a cruise is over the top daunting. Most of our dogs are of the Lab/Golden Retriever breed......they're big and they're bold. They lay in public places, either out in the open or under a table. Fellow passengers are so intrigued by them; they want to know everything about them. If the handler is not blind or in a wheel chair then the other folks think you've got your pet onboard and they have a myriad of questions for you. You literally have to allow 1/2 hour for any venue you're going to just to allow for the questions and the requests to pat your dog.

 

Now, let's talk about the "little" Service Dog; the one that has to be carried through the crowds and in the elevators, and can be carried in various ways: I've seen strollers, doggy carriages of all kinds and even the over the shoulder swaddle-type carrier [usually used for an infant.] This dog will bring out either the best or the WORST in other people. If your dog reacts to others by whining, barking, nipping or licking.....the public will NOT believe it's an actual or legitimate Service Dog. Of course this goes for the larger dogs as well. But, the "little" dog will be scrutinized more frequently by others.

 

You MUST be sure that your dog has good public manners, when amongst others. It's okay to find an empty lounge and let your dog just be a dog. Let him play and be patted by others.

 

I saw a lady with a Pekinese be put off the ship in San Diego, with her luggage because her dog had bitten the finger of a passenger who reached out to pat it without asking. We all know that a true Service Dog, no matter what the size, can be touched anytime, without reacting in any way!

 

Some folks have Emotional Support Dogs who are amazing company for "them" but are not truly socialized to be in a public setting......like a crowded elevator or a dining room, where they MUST act appropriately. They get a Vet to help them fill out the paperwork to present to the cruise line and they're cleared to cruise but in no way, shape or form are ready to deal with the noise, crowds, rough seas, loud music and anything else that might come their way onboard a floating hotel.

 

I love cruising and have been doing it since the mid 1980's. With a Service Dog since 2005. My first SD had finished her 15th cruise before she retired and Horton will be on his 11th in December. My dogs are truly my partners in everything I do in life. They make my life more fulfilled and definitely more fun! They are better behaved than any child you'll see in out and about in the public.

 

Peach should NEVER be fed at the dining table. If peach must be near her handler in order to work, such as being on her lap or next to her in her seat, then she should be respectful as to not walk across the table or be sat on the table. If you attend the shows make sure the staff knows where you would like to sit and they will "reserve" seats for you so that you don't have to wheel or carry her over folks who may not want to sit next to your dog.

 

If you're thoughtful of others and their concerns about being around a dog, or their avoiding your dog due to allergies, you will make friends and have a more pleasant cruising experience. That said; sometimes you just can't avoid some people who won't like being near your dog, no matter what you say or do to be nice to them. Don't worry too much about these people. I used try to please everyone with my 90lb dog and trying to keep him away from the folks who hate furry beings.......it's impossible, don't make yourself crazy or take any of it personally!

 

Being prepared with your paperwork from the Vet, the pre-setting up of the potty box and having all your dogs needs met before you cruise, is the secret to a successful and fun filled vacation. Please ask us any questions you may have.

I really appreciate the encouragement! Peach is the sweetest little lady ever, and loves to be petted. She knows not to beg at tables or make a lot of, if any, noise. (the occasional grumble when she gets into a different position, of course, being the exception).

We are in the process of getting all the paperwork together, so I'm not worried about any of the legal questions the cruise may have... I guess I'll just have to prepare for the questions from guests! She has her service vest, and Bichon's are hypoallergenic. So hopefully that will quell any of the allergy concerns we may encounter.

I truly appreciate your response to my worries! I'm feeling a lot better knowing we won't have been the only people to have had a smaller dog on board.

Hi, good afternoon! I've been reading some of the things in this thread, and it's so much wonderful information! My mother and I are bringing her service dog Peach on Royal Caribbean this June for the first time... And I'm terrified.

I'm the kind of person who doesn't like confrontation, but I know that it's sometimes necessary with a service dog. She doesn't have a visible disability, so I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the barrage of "how'd you bring your pet on board?" questions I was reading earlier in this forum.

Sorry, rambling... My actual question here may have been answered already, but I couldn't find it while clicking through some of the almost thousand pages of responses. (Wow! Thank you so much for helping so many people with questions, Roz!)

Our service dog, Peach, has a bit of a hip problem, and she is 14 pounds of Bichon Frise. I have a stroller for her because while she doesn't walk very well, she still preforms her assigned duty to a T.

I'm really concerned about how people might react to her being in the stroller... While this is for her safety, and the safety of others, I'm worried we'll be confronted more times than not.

Have you seen any smaller service animals in strollers or other carrying devices for their safety? And if so, what was the general reaction from the public?

We've reserved a private table in the dining room, so I'm not too worried about that.

I guess I'm just over stressing myself... But any tips on how to sail with a smaller dog would be greatly appreciated!