Kay S

Well said. That attitude "they must be a fake because I think so" can manifest in vigilante behavior, questioning, harassing and reporting the supposed "fakes." The kids on YouTube call that "Karen" behavior, "the policewomen of all human behavior." I am waiting for a Karen YouTube video where an angry cruise ship passenger harangs the hapless owner of a legitimate service that isn't a German Shepherd with a harness--or too small (or cute) to be a "real" service dog. Or one where the dog owner tells the "doggie police" it's none of her (or his) business and the "Karen" summons the ship captain. Those videos often contain the "karma" moment where the "fake" is revealed to be not fake and the accuser looks like an entitled, holy-than-thou busybody. I have looked, but I haven't found any cruise ship "fake dog Karens," but that might be because a) I'm no good at Google, or b) the problem is not so widespread that there are few opportunities for "Karen at sea" videos. Okay, you can now line up to tell me I'm wrong, uninformed, rude, etc.

Strikes in Europe are very common, but O certainly should have warned you.

Oh boy...

This thread is fun. Keep up the good work!

I think the number of Gala nights depends on the length of the cruise.

The bar shuts down early, but I have been known to take a glass of wine up there with me. I like to watch the night ocean (and occasional shore lights.)

Me, too, but some "not-anti-dog people" hereabouts would be terrified of the thing biting, or worse, spraying fleas all over. 😄

I don't know if I totally agree with you here. I'm not currently a dog owner, but I love them and I'm happy to encounter them anywhere. My last dog (RIP) was a Rottie, and he would not fit in a stroller, so he had to go bunk with his doggie cousins when we were on vacation. I really miss my pets when I'm gone, but as people here keep saying, the law's the law.

Squeeze is already out of the running since the ADA specifies dogs.

How about an emotional support cat? 🙂 When cats can be trained to do service functions for people, will the ADA revise the rules to include them? The anti-dog sentiment is strong here. (I know, you can't train a cat to do squat.) The evidence for this rampant problem is mostly anecdotal. Have there been any studies to determine if there is widespread abuse of service animal policies? I don't understand how the occasional sighting of a suspect service dog translates into an epidemic of doggie scofflaws.

So true. Remember the "dollar menu"? Me neither.

We had the same problem in Norway in June. 🙂

It depends on the time of year, of course, but I have done TAs in the fall and the spring. I remember being pretty chilled a lot of the time. We didn't spend long hours on the verandah as we normally do.

I have done Alaska 8 times (but not all on HAL) and I have never gotten tired of that majestic scenery!

For my friend who asks about the ADA and cruise ships, I refer you to this post which I have gone back to find for you. (Emphasis is mine.) So as I see it, the answer is not strictly yes or strictly no but it "depends" on whether the issue is the ship's "internal policies and procedures" or not. Thanks you chenkpg75 for the clear explanation.

I believe the question was does the ADA have authority on cruise ships. The question was not does the ADA allow for non-service dogs on cruise ships. Two different issues.

Can't beat Hawaii, but it might get old doing over and over.

Alternatively, you could spend that time gong back through this thread to find the answer which was, as I recall, not a simple yes or no. I guess if you want a one word answer it is "depends."

Did you take a look at the deck plans? We had verandah on 7 (Don't remember the number) but it was more aft. I don't remember any life boat issues.

Didn't someone just answer this question earlier in the thread?

Luck is in the eye of the beholder. Those two little dogs here are mighty adorable. Of course I do not have the gift of second sight where I can tell just by looking at someone if he or she needs a service animal.

Sound like plan!

Can you direct me to these ships with wanton service dog abuse? I want to book on one. Since I don't have a dog of my own, this looks like cuddling opportunity. 😄😄😄

His caps key is broken. 😝

Seriously, it was hard to tell. 😄