Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[wizard-of-roz]

15 hours ago, rpclmc said:

Don't have any cruises planned right now.  Rich is not a cruiser, so I will probably wait until my daughter turns 21 (1.5 years) and pay for her to come with me as my "helper".  It is nice to have someone to help since I am in a wheelchair.  I am sure I could do it on my own, but know I don't have to.

 

Linda and Halo

You are truly a brave and adventurous lady, I bet you could do it on your own.  Maybe one day we'll get the chance to meet.

[Ragoczy]

On 11/26/2018 at 9:30 PM, DUTRAVEL said:

 

Even when its not strictly necessary (unless required by the cruise line), most of us go ahead and have our vet fill out an Aphis Form 7001 International Health Certificate. I would rather have too much paperwork than have a problem when trying to return to the US.

 

 Thanks! I got that and we just got back from the cruise. Everything went completely smoothly thanks to the info I got from this thread. I really appreciate everyone's contribution.

[lonelysable]

On 11/30/2018 at 4:17 PM, rpclmc said:

I just got back from my cruise.  I totally screwed up that email address, so sorry. 

DEANDRADELANCEY@bahamas.gov.bs

 

Once you get hold of someone, it goes quickly.  I waited 3 weeks, then started doing my follow ups.  Once I reached her, it took a day.

 

Linda and Halo

 

 

Linda

Thats ok I figured it out. 

 

Gina

[GeeDunk]

Edited December 3, 2018 by GeeDunk

[puppycanducruise]

GeeDunk,

That picture brought tears to my eyes.

[GeeDunk]

11 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

GeeDunk,

That picture brought tears to my eyes.

That is a Pic of President George H. W. Bush's Service Dog at

the casket.

 

Faithful to the end.

[Caribbean Chris]

Hi, everybody. We had a lot of house guests for Thanksgiving, plus an overnight visit with my sister in another part of Florida, and things generally have been busier than usual.

 

Great to read about some recent successful adventures with service dogs. Dianne, thanks so much for posting about your and Henri's trip to Europe! 

 

We sail on the new Celebrity Edge on January 6. Looks like quite an interesting vessel, with lots of enthusiasm about her debut. So glad that we booked two years in advance because the prices are unreal now. 

 

I'll be sure to post info about the relief station. The Edge has an innovative feature for some of the balcony staterooms called the "Infinite Veranda."The balcony is actually a part of your stateroom, with French doors if you want to close it off. At the end of your room facing the sea is a large all-glass window that can be lowered half-way when you want the traditional balcony effect and fresh air. Can't wait to check it out!

[DUTRAVEL]

On 12/2/2018 at 9:17 AM, Ragoczy said:

 Thanks! I got that and we just got back from the cruise. Everything went completely smoothly thanks to the info I got from this thread. I really appreciate everyone's contribution.

 

Glad everything went well - what cruise line were you on?

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

I'll be sure to post info about the relief station. The Edge has an innovative feature for some of the balcony staterooms called the "Infinite Veranda."The balcony is actually a part of your stateroom, with French doors if you want to close it off. At the end of your room facing the sea is a large all-glass window that can be lowered half-way when you want the traditional balcony effect and fresh air. Can't wait to check it out!

 

Chris, I will be very interested to hear all about the Edge and where the relief box will be placed. We are booked on a Transatlantic from Rome next fall. All the reviews I have read say the ship is fantastic!

 

Dianne

[Ragoczy]

4 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Glad everything went well - what cruise line were you on?

 

Dianne

Carnival Liberty, 3-day to Nassau -- sort of a test run to see how he did. 

Embarking went smoothly, they just made copies of paperwork. Hotel staff offered to put his box on the balcony - we didn't even have to ask. He's trained to go in the shower, if necessary, anyway. Didn't even see any Bahamas officials at all, we were directed straight out into Nassau. Returning, Customs didn't even blink. 

Next cruise is Alaska in September (NCL). Maybe Carnival in May, as I won a poker tournament and have an entry for a tournament on Dream now.

[alexspepa]

On ‎12‎/‎3‎/‎2018 at 10:35 AM, GeeDunk said:

this pic pretty much broke me...

[Host Walt]

6 hours ago, alexspepa said:

this pic pretty much broke me...

SULLY (his name) also visited the Capitol Rotunda today and will be reassigned to the Walter Reed hospital. It was a tear jerker on TV, and will continue to be forever. What a great dog.

[Caribbean Chris]

On 12/4/2018 at 8:17 PM, Host Walt said:

SULLY (his name) also visited the Capitol Rotunda today and will be reassigned to the Walter Reed hospital. It was a tear jerker on TV, and will continue to be forever. What a great dog.

 

He’s definitely wonderful example and ambassador for all service dogs.

 

[Caribbean Chris]

For those who like Holland America Line (count me in that group), there’s a photo already posted of the service dog relief station of the newest ship, currently on her inaugural transatlantic cruise, the Nieuw Statendam.  Location is port side, bow end. He said four dogs are on board.

 

I’ll try to add a link to the photo, which is found in a thread on the Holland America Line forum, “Btimmer’s blog...”

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2611402-btimmers-blog-of-the-nieuw-statendam-inaugural-voyage/

Edited December 7, 2018 by Caribbean Chris

[rpclmc]

On 12/3/2018 at 1:37 PM, Ragoczy said:

Carnival Liberty, 3-day to Nassau -- sort of a test run to see how he did. 

Embarking went smoothly, they just made copies of paperwork. Hotel staff offered to put his box on the balcony - we didn't even have to ask. He's trained to go in the shower, if necessary, anyway. Didn't even see any Bahamas officials at all, we were directed straight out into Nassau. Returning, Customs didn't even blink. 

Next cruise is Alaska in September (NCL). Maybe Carnival in May, as I won a poker tournament and have an entry for a tournament on Dream now.

When was your Liberty cruise?  We just got off the Liberty with Halo on November 29th.

 

I had to ask for the relief box on the balcony, took about an hour for guest services to get the approval.  I did mention on my survey that there is no reason for it not to be there, it is actually safer for everyone.  Hopefully, it will become standard.

 

The crew was amazing.  This was my 10th Carnival cruise and the crew was the best.

 

Linda and Halo

[rpclmc]

[Ragoczy]

4 minutes ago, rpclmc said:

When was your Liberty cruise?  We just got off the Liberty with Halo on November 29th.

 

I had to ask for the relief box on the balcony, took about an hour for guest services to get the approval.  I did mention on my survey that there is no reason for it not to be there, it is actually safer for everyone.  Hopefully, it will become standard.

 

The crew was amazing.  This was my 10th Carnival cruise and the crew was the best.

 

Linda and Halo

We got on the 29th. 🙂 Probably have you to thank for them offering to put it on the balcony without having to ask. Thanks!

 

 

[thephantomsgirl]

GREAT!   I am going with a group that has five service dogs and Special Access told us we could NOT have the relief box on the balcony.  It would make it soooo much easier than running down to deck 3.  We ALL got balconies for that reason and then we were told no.  But now there's hope!  Thank you, thank you thank you!

 

We DID get an officer assigned to us, so that may help too.  (my business development manager got that for me as I'm a TA taking out a group cruise with service dogs)

 

Now if they would have let us have sod or mulch....  Oh well bought some astroturf.

 

We cruise TOMORROW~

 

Holly

[Saiayoko]

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? 

[HenryKisor]

The Dominican Republic-specific International Health Certificate and the 7001 is all you need. St Thomas and Puerto Rico are U.S. territories and the 7001 will get you into both as well as back into the mainland US.

 

[rpclmc]

7 hours ago, thephantomsgirl said:

GREAT!   I am going with a group that has five service dogs and Special Access told us we could NOT have the relief box on the balcony.  It would make it soooo much easier than running down to deck 3.  We ALL got balconies for that reason and then we were told no.  But now there's hope!  Thank you, thank you thank you!

 

We DID get an officer assigned to us, so that may help too.  (my business development manager got that for me as I'm a TA taking out a group cruise with service dogs)

 

Now if they would have let us have sod or mulch....  Oh well bought some astroturf.

 

We cruise TOMORROW~

 

Holly

That may not work with multiple dogs.  Do they provide a separate box for each dog?

 

Are the balconies next to each other?  If they are, maybe they could put the box on one of the balconies and open the dividers.

[rpclmc]

7 hours ago, Ragoczy said:

We got on the 29th. 🙂 Probably have you to thank for them offering to put it on the balcony without having to ask. Thanks!

 

 

What room where you?

 

Linda and Halo

 

[thephantomsgirl]

10 minutes ago, rpclmc said:

That may not work with multiple dogs.  Do they provide a separate box for each dog?

 

Are the balconies next to each other?  If they are, maybe they could put the box on one of the balconies and open the dividers.

They are providing boxes for each dog.     😀

 

Holly

 

 

[bobbijooneal]

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

[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.