DUTRAVEL

On 6/8/2023 at 5:22 PM, zitsky said:

You may want to reach out to Celebrity to ask them to stop selling accessible cabins to pax who did not ask for them.

Sure I can do that - what's the name of your TA?

The reason why Accessible Sky Suites are available for move up is because if you do a move up bid from an accessible veranda Celebrity will not guarantee that they will only move you up into an accessible cabin. How hard can it really be to offer move up bids to accessible Sky Suites to passenger who are already in accessible cabins? People who actually need accessible cabins always must pay full price because they must book early (cannot wait to take advantage of lower prices after final payment or last-minute bookings because all accessible cabins might be gone) and cannot take advantage of guarantee cabin pricing or move up bids.

Very helpful to point out the difference entering the UK with a self-trained or dog not trained by an organization recognized by Assistance Dogs International. We had no difficulty entering the UK with my Service Dog, but I was able to provide a letter from Canine Companions (a founding member of Assitance Dogs International) outlining her training. The only difficult part was the timing of the tapeworm treatment which must be administered between 24 and 120 hours prior to arrival in the UK.

On 6/1/2023 at 11:48 AM, Rudi-Cruiser said:

I am taking a 15 day Transatlantic Cruise October 7th from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale on HAL MS Rotterdam. I am been working on all that I need to do to take my service dog with me on this trip. Was at the vest yesterday and they are working on all the health certificate we will need. My SD shots are all do in November so we have decide to get her shot early. Then we need to do the 10day check up and just before we leave the de-worming. To try not take everything we need from the USA I have found a pet store will make a deliver to the hotel. So the pet food and pee pads etc will be waiting for me.

Any suggestion please let me know.

 

I have been following some post under Viking Cruises - Dogs on Ship. There is some strong words being said about having dog on cruise ships. 

I have taken several Transatlantic cruises with my Service Dog. It sounds lke you have most everything covered. One thing that I do is to contact any hotels or prvate transportation companies to let them know I will have a Service Dog with me.

16 hours ago, StorageGuy said:

I’m looking for some wisdom/advice. My family of two adults and two kids is traveling on Princess in August to Spain, France, and Italy. We have a service dog coming later this month and were not planning on taking him on the trip but after subsequent conversations with the service dog organization we are going to take him. 

 

I’ve figured out flight seating and getting an EU health certificate. Princess has been hard to get information out of aside from an automatic email acknowledging they received my notification of traveling with a service dog. Does anyone know if you can bring a service dog on excursions that are mainly bus/walking tours purchased thru Princess? We can cancel for another two weeks and be out our deposit so really on the fence here if the trip is even just too much too soon. Thanks!

I don't know specifically about Princess, but I have sailed with Celebrity and have taken my Service Dog on both Celebrity and private excursions. I just let them know when I sign up for an excursion that I am bringing her. I woud try following up again with the Access Department at Princess.

1 hour ago, Coral said:

The person who told me what I remember was $14 return (it could have been $15). They didn't take it in the morning. They also said it was cheaper to use a taxi also.

 

In the past - the cost was the same one way vs RT. 

 

Hopefully someone who used it RT can answer.

 

Sorry I don't have the info on this. 

There's also the option of the public bus from the cruise terminal to the Empress Hotel. Takes longer than the shuttle, but only costs 2.50CAD each way. The bus stops right in front of the cruise terminal.

If you are afraid to come to San Francisco, you might have to reconsider traveling anywhere. Of course, like in every big city there are areas you might want to consider staying away from, but I have no concerns when I go in to the City. 

Happy Birthday Iain! Enjoy your day!

There's another Power Up Points Activity! 30 Power Up Points for watching a Webinar on the Edge Series. Came just now via email.

When I was in Sitka one of the shuttle buses had a wheelchair lift.

19 hours ago, Chardonnay Char said:

This might sound terrible but if I walk into a ladies room with 3 stalls -- two are normal and one is handicapped and both of the regular ones are occupied full --  I do NOT stand there and wait for someone who is handicapped to maybe need the stall.  I use it and move on.  

 

I don't think that anyone would have an issue with you using the accessible stall. The problem arises when someone uses it as a changing room, to paint their nails, to read etc.. All of these things have happened to me. If that's the only stall you can use, it is appreciated if you don't camp out in there.

21 hours ago, zitsky said:

I just won a move up to an accessible suite.  I didn’t request it.  I didn’t even think I would get anything.  I bid the minimum.  I don’t want to think I took it from someone who needed it.

This is the problem with Celebrity's move up program. If you are in an accessible veranda you cannot put in a move up bid because Celebrity will not guarantee that they will move you to an accessible Suite.

Not your fault at all, but that's why there are often accessible Suite available closer to sailing and non-disabled passengers get moved into them.

7 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

OK folks.... if you haven't met @Dutravel you have to stop her by jumping in front of her chair..She is the most beautiful person except for Henrietta.    Henrietta is my girlfriend....  BTW Henrietta her icon is her beautiful service companion.  

Thanks Jim - hopefully our cruising paths will cross again!

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

 

Finally to the subject of this rambling post.     I took him to the vet as he wasn't eating.    The most wonderful vet in the world.   He taught me a bit about dog psychology.    This is going to sound really counter intuitive.   Put a bowl down with 2 Cups of dry food.   Only leave it for 5 minutes.    If he doesn't eat it pick it up and put on the counter until next meal time.  

 

Dogs when they eat will just cram food quickly and don't know when they are full to stop.   Took two meals until the third disappeared in 30 seconds...  That's how I eat.   What ever  you put in front of me or leave on the counter like snacks...   Hand Mouth without any self control.     That's also why I never ask the butler to leave anything.

 

Finally -  Doc told us to bring him up to 78 pounds - ideal weight for his small boy Golden frame.   We got him their and kept him at his ideal weight his whole life.    I got too close to him and when he died it destroyed me and have never replaced or allowed myself to get that close to a dog again

 

The day I picked him up

I love your story about Luke - how lucky he was to have found you!

Retrievers are very food motivated and that's what make them good service dogs (Henrietta lives to work for food). Studies have been done on this, and about 80% of successful service dogs are missing all or part of a gene that causes them to feel full. My husband claims he is missing the same gene.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your cruise to post another fantastic review. I do enjoy traveling with you Safe travels home.

Too bad you don't drink Jim - you are going to need a cocktail once you finally get onboard tomorrow! Maybe Iain can help out and drink two for you!

Oh no! I hope it all works out. Being an experienced traveler, I’m sure you will get it all sorted out. Thank goodness the TA isn’t the first cruise. 

So happy to be following along for another adventure with you Jim! Henrietta is already excited to hear all about it. Apex will be our ride home on the fall TA. Safe travels on Thursday. 

Dianne

Love the matching dresses!

Have a great time on your Mommy-Daughter cruise. Looking forward to following your adventures!

In 2018, we took a fully accessible tour with Access Bermuda Disabled Transit- Keith Simmons. He has a wheelchair accessible van (equipped with a ramp that makes it easy to get in and out). (441) 295-9106 or keithsimmons@logic.bm. That was before Covid, so hopefully he is still in business.

On 3/10/2023 at 8:50 AM, Jim_Iain said:

I just checked our April 15 on Apex and all they are currently MDR is showing is Veterinarian and Children's Menu Only.     They do have Spaghetti on the Kid's Menu.

 

Interesting as Luminae and Blu are showing menus for the entire cruise.

Perfect cruise to take Henrietta!

Wi-Fi calling on my iPhone worked fine last month on Royal Princess.

Pre-cruise - I had to call because I wanted to get the Elite discount.

I recently upgraded just myself to the Premium Package (and my husband did not have to upgrade his Classic Package).