Anyone take a service Dog on board ship

[lilkrz]

I was wondering how Dog friendly a ship is traveling with a service Dog. Concern is how do they accomodate a Dogs needs for bathroom facilaties. Also, can you leave the ship when in Port with a canine?

[hdawson]

I remember seeing a man singing in the ameteur talent contest with his seeing eye dog at his feet. The man had a really fine voice.

[Fun~N~Sun]

I was wondering how Dog friendly a ship is traveling with a service Dog. Concern is how do they accomodate a Dogs needs for bathroom facilaties. Also, can you leave the ship when in Port with a canine?

 

I would think this would be a very difficult thing to do. Like you said bathroom facilities for one thing. I would wonder too about the dog getting seasick (I have a Jack Russell who gets car sick going 1 mile). Another thing that would concern me with the dog is the heat and humidity. Just being on deck for them could be a problem since dogs can dehydrate very quickly. I would think that the ports would be a problem too. There is always the question if the dog has any communicable diseases, had it's proper immunizations, concealing drugs, any number of things. Plus, you may have to worry about the dog contracting a disease or something from the islands. Does the US have restrictions about bringing a dog back to the US after they have been out of the country? Anything like quarantine or special testing to make sure they are healthy? Don't get me wrong, I totally respect these animals and the value they provide to their owner but I don't think a cruise and dog are probably the best scenario.

[kyrisong1]

There was a service dog on our sailing on Glory 9/9 - 9/16, cause I tried to pet it :o opps, guess your not supposed to do that:( . I'm a dog freak and have three of them at home, so I just wanted my dog fix. The dog was a Golden and seemed very content and happy, but I'd def check with the vet and get a nausea fix just in case. They must have facilities for the dogs since they let them on. Happy sailing!!!

[Hogladyrider]

There was a service dog, a yellow lab, on our sailing of Glory last May and as a dog lover or shall we say, as an all pet lover, I was impressed. We saw this dog everywhere with his master and impecible behavior. In fact we even ran into both of them on Sapphire Beach in St Thomas and that dog wanted to go swimming in the worst way. I sort of felt sorry for him having to work all the time and not have any play time!

[derf5585]

On our Miracle cruise we went with another couple. The husband being blind they brought their seeing eye dog. They had to get paperwork done so they could take the dog ashore in foreign ports. The dog didn't go to the bathroom for a couple of days and had accidents around the ship. The crew was helpful and made a litter box on the balcony which the dog finally got used to. We also think the dog got seasick in the theatre. The crew wanted to pet him because they left their pets at home.

 

Now for some humor

The dog crapped out in the casino.

Sorry, I couldn't resist

 

Any other questions I'll be happy to answer.

[LHP]

I was wondering how Dog friendly a ship is traveling with a service Dog. Concern is how do they accomodate a Dogs needs for bathroom facilaties. Also, can you leave the ship when in Port with a canine?

 

 

If you check with on the Disabilities section of this board, you may find someone with some first hand experience to direct you.

 

Happy Cruising.

[DqALEX]

I saw one on a ship once. I asked the guy does your dog bite?? he said NO so I reached down to pet it and it almost tore off my hand. I jumped up and i said I thought you said your dog doesn;t bite. He said its not my dog

[dck12ga]

Brought a smile to my face, I need to watch that movie again!!:D

[DqALEX]

Brought a smile to my face, I need to watch that movie again!!:D

He was a great actor. No one can play in the Pink Panther movies like Peter Sellers

[dlbutler5]

We take my wifes dog on every cruise. Here are the things you need to know:

 

1: It is your responsibility to check with each port as to entry requirements. Many Caribbean ports have a quarentine period which is not conducive to cruise ships.

2: You will need an International health certificate.

3: Be sure to inform the special needs desk (I guess this should be #1)

4: They supply a grassy area forthe dogs needs.

5: We have always been treated well while onboard except for the occassional idiot wish they were handicapped so they could bring their dog.

 

If we can answer any more questions we can connect by email if you would like feel free to ask.

[mommas2tired]

There was one on our cruise in Jan I also wondered about facilities for this animal but I guess they worked it out except when he walked by the casino and pooped while he was walking but there was a crew member right behind him with a pooper scooper. We did hear over the walkie that the animal had been cleared to enter Mexico so they were allowed to disembark with everyone else.:)

[derf5585]

casino and pooped while he was walking but there was a crew member right behind him with a pooper scooper.

 

That's my joke

Crapped out in the casino

[DqALEX]

That's my joke

Crapped out in the casino

That made me laugh hard

[mommas2tired]

Yea thats pretty funny but I thought it was funny to see people walking along the promenade not watching where they were going and then dodging the landmines funny how far people can jump out of the way. and seriously it was right in front of the casino. Maybe it brought me good luck I won $500.00. :D

[legalslave]

The mother of my friend, who is known as Coral on the cruisecritic boards, is blind. They have taken several cruises with "Erin". Click on this link http://homepage.mac.com/tlassek/PhotoAlbum26.html and you will see several photos of Erin, her mother's service dog. She is adorable and the pictures will show you that Erin has no problems taking a cruise. Please be kind in any remarks to this post as this can be a sensative subject to many who read the boards. There is much preparation when Erin travels and many documents must be obtained. And yes, Erin does participate in the Emergency drill with her life jacket!

 

Diane

[karenh1127]

Beautiful dog! I have the utmost respect for guide dogs. We have a German Shepherd too and I keep saying what a great police dog she would make. Looks like from the pics Erin is handling cruising just fine. I am glad those with disabilities are not kept from cruising just because they have a service dog. :)

[JLC@SD]

Now for some humor

The dog crapped out in the casino.

Sorry, I couldn't resist

 

Any other questions I'll be happy to answer.

Did anyone step in it....:)

[wwakla]

Legalslave - Thanks so much for sharing the pictures. What a wonderful thing that your mother is willing to travel. My mother has given up traveling due to her diabetes. Which by the way we (siblings and Dad) think is ridiculous.

[dck12ga]

quick question wwakla, what does diabetes have to do with traveling?? your mom probably really doesnt want to travel. I know that diabetes and traveling go hand in hand. I have had diabetes since I was 10 years old (I am 43), so my parents did not stop the family travel plans because of me! And if your mom really wanted to travel, she would find a way! just my 2 cents. Life does not stop because you become a diabetic. tell your mom to suck it up and start living! You only get one chance! Rah Rah, lets go ma!!!! Sorry ,I had too much caffeine:D today!

[kyrisong1]

The mother of my friend, who is known as Coral on the cruisecritic boards, is blind. They have taken several cruises with "Erin". Click on this link http://homepage.mac.com/tlassek/PhotoAlbum26.html and you will see several photos of Erin, her mother's service dog. She is adorable and the pictures will show you that Erin has no problems taking a cruise. Please be kind in any remarks to this post as this can be a sensative subject to many who read the boards. There is much preparation when Erin travels and many documents must be obtained. And yes, Erin does participate in the Emergency drill with her life jacket!

 

Diane

oh my , what a beautiful animal and what a wonderful thing your mother is able to do all she wishes in life because they have these wonderful service animals. I think it's a lovely and heartwarming thing that Erin is just like any other passenger, but ummmm she doesn't leave her tags on a beach chair at night to save it does she? Just Kidding!!

Your moms a brave soul and I admire her and Erin greatly. I have a cochlear implant and without it I am almost deaf, I also try to live life to the fullest and not let it stop me from doing what I want, although last time I sailed it was with my also hearing impaired sister and not with my husband and I felt a little nervous about ports, I guess my hubby is my security blanket. Happy sailing to your mom and Erin!!!

[kyrisong1]

opps not your moms dog, sorry I read sooooooooooo well.lol:o

[LittleBit]

dck12ga - I'm glad that you haven't allowed your diabetes to slow you down, but plus remember, everyone reacts differently to a chronic illness. Perhaps her mother is still learning how to manage everything, maybe she's apprehensive about traveling with needles, or can't get the balance right...

 

My dad sometime has trouble finding the right balance of foods and timing everything (his meals must be at 6, noon, and 6 with a snack in-between each or Lord help us all!) - large family gatherings are done around his needs. Whenever we travel he gets apprehensive about eating. Any small change and things can go haywire - the heart meds and cancer meds can throw off his insulin levels, the insulin can throw off the other meds... too much sleep, not enough sleep, stress (yes, even on vacation) makes everything worse. he prefers not to travel if possible.

 

as for the OP - check the cruising with disabilities boards - they are full of fascinating items - I peruse info so I know better how to handle/talk to/accomodate folks who may have differnet needs than I do.

[aedeus]

If you check with on the Disabilities section of this board, you may find someone with some first hand experience to direct you.

 

Happy Cruising.

 

They usually put a sandbox up near the jogging track on the top deck

[legalslave]

Kyrisong-good observation! WWAKLA, the photos are not of my mom. She is the mother of my friend. Her mother and I are probably quite close in age!

 

Diane