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

[rangeley]

44 minutes ago, lindaler said:

What is option B? Does that mean you stay on board? We will be going through the canal in Feb. so will have to do what Mexico and several other countries want. Roz knows all so will wait and see what she advises. 

Theres 2 options for Mexico. Ill post a pic from Aphis website. 

[allies_daphne]

Also wondering about any changes for Mexico.  Heading out in just under 70 days and was planning on Option B.  Was not planning on doing Prazequantil since we are not disembarking in Grand Cayman.  Any new info from anyone would be appreciated.

[wizard-of-roz]

8 minutes ago, rangeley said:

Theres 2 options for Mexico. Ill post a pic from Aphis website. 

The last time I entered Mexico was December, 2018.  I did NOT do any extra de-worming or medication for Horton prior to that trip.  Nor did I do any extra medication for Horton prior to my Panama Canal cruise the year before. 

 

Mexico required there be no abbreviations on the Aphis 7001 form and my Vet followed those instructions. 

 

When we arrived to Mexico the Immigration Officer examined all my paperwork prior to releasing anyone into the port, she found all paperwork adequate and after examining Horton, she found him fit to enter Mexico.  I made sure that ALL Horton's immunizations were current. 

 

The Vet mentioned on the form that Horton was on HeartGuard and NexGuard monthly.  Included in the paperwork was a Rabies Titer Test that had been done for our Hawaii cruise, less than a year before.  I even brought his Spay/Neuter Report that CCI provides us when we get our dogs.  The more paperwork that signifies your dog is maintained in superb condition the better! 

 

I always bring a complete set of paperwork to give to [keep original set]: 

1.  Registration

2. Immigration at the first port of entry 

3. Officials at the ship when re-entering ship, after a port visit

 

[rangeley]

4 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

The last time I entered Mexico was December, 2018.  I did NOT do any extra de-worming or medication for Horton prior to that trip.  Nor did I do any extra medication for Horton prior to my Panama Canal cruise the year before. 

 

Mexico required there be no abbreviations on the Aphis 7001 form and my Vet followed those instructions. 

 

When we arrived to Mexico the Immigration Officer examined all my paperwork prior to releasing anyone into the port, she found all paperwork adequate and after examining Horton, she found him fit to enter Mexico.  I made sure that ALL Horton's immunizations were current. 

 

The Vet mentioned on the form that Horton was on HeartGuard and NexGuard monthly.  Included in the paperwork was a Rabies Titer Test that had been done for our Hawaii cruise, less than a year before.  I even brought his Spay/Neuter Report that CCI provides us when we get our dogs.  The more paperwork that signifies your dog is maintained in superb condition the better! 

 

I always bring a complete set of paperwork to give to [keep original set]: 

1.  Registration

2. Immigration at the first port of entry 

3. Officials at the ship when re-entering ship, after a port visit

 

So you're doing option b and not deworming?

 

Is Ensenada worth getting off at? I don't like to give the dog unnecessary meds if I don't t have to. 

Edited August 30, 2019 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

16 minutes ago, rangeley said:

So you're doing option b and not deworming?

 

Is Ensenada worth getting off at? I don't like to give the dog unnecessary meds if I don't t have to. 

I'm not deworming Horton or me!!!!!  Horton is 10.5 years and doesn't need any extra meds.  If you and John want to go exploring I'm happy to keep Oakland onboard with Horty and me.  

 

At the dock in Ensenada are dozens of kiosks where you can find everything from jewelry to alcohol.  You can walk into the main street or take a shuttle.  It's very walking friendly [but is a distance] to restaurants and shops. 

 

The only dock I really want to get off at is Monterey and that's a tender port.   Horton doesn't like tender's and that's okay too.  I'm not getting off in San Francisco but I highly recommend it.  It's one of my most favorite ports in the world!  It's also where Morey and I spent our honeymoon and we would visit the restaurant where we ate every year [Tarantino's] for many, many years!  It's still there on the Embarcadero.

[rangeley]

50 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

I'm not deworming Horton or me!!!!!  Horton is 10.5 years and doesn't need any extra meds.  If you and John want to go exploring I'm happy to keep Oakland onboard with Horty and me.  

 

At the dock in Ensenada are dozens of kiosks where you can find everything from jewelry to alcohol.  You can walk into the main street or take a shuttle.  It's very walking friendly [but is a distance] to restaurants and shops. 

 

The only dock I really want to get off at is Monterey and that's a tender port.   Horton doesn't like tender's and that's okay too.  I'm not getting off in San Francisco but I highly recommend it.  It's one of my most favorite ports in the world!  It's also where Morey and I spent our honeymoon and we would visit the restaurant where we ate every year [Tarantino's] for many, many years!  It's still there on the Embarcadero.

If you want to get off in Monterey, we will gladly take Horton. John can't get off there anyway. 

 

Even if we don't deworm them, will you still do the Mexico form?  

[wizard-of-roz]

6 minutes ago, rangeley said:

If you want to get off in Monterey, we will gladly take Horton. John can't get off there anyway. 

 

Even if we don't deworm them, will you still do the Mexico form?  

Cindy, I am going to present an Aphis 7001 form, along with proof of neuter,  and a copy of CCI Certificate of Training.  I have not received any other form to be filled out by me or my Vet from Princess.  Did Princess ask you to fill out any special Mexico form?  Usually Princess will send a "release" to be signed and sent back to them prior to the cruise.  I have not heard from them yet.

 

Make sure you have the Aphis form with all the good information about Oakland along with your CCI Cert. to show them.  Hopefully, we'll meet at the dock and enter together.  There should be no problems. 

 

I have to tell you there were folks who told me that I would need a special "Mexico" entry form to fill out before my cruise last December or I'd be refused entrance.  I never filled out any special Mexico paperwork and I was called by an officer of the ship to meet with an Immigration officer the morning we arrived in port who looked over the paperwork, looked over Horton and me and cleared us in 32 seconds, without asking for anything else.  She also told me she didn't care if the writing on the form had abbreviations or not but, that some officers did not like it. 

 

If I don't hear from Princess about any special paperwork for Mexico, I will bring the Aphis 7001 when Horton has his Vet visit in October and consider it DONE! 

[wizard-of-roz]

What a week......A dear, dear friend passed away last Thursday, suddenly and so unexpected.  Leah, you will so sorely missed.

 

We have a fire in our hills, a fire in Malibu and it's 100 degrees outside with threat of high humidity this weekend.  All we need is an earthquake and it's armaggeden [sp] all over again!

 

My cruise in November can't come soon enough!

 

Have a good week, a week of peace, may gladness reign and joy increase!

[rangeley]

13 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Cindy, I am going to present an Aphis 7001 form, along with proof of neuter,  and a copy of CCI Certificate of Training.  I have not received any other form to be filled out by me or my Vet from Princess.  Did Princess ask you to fill out any special Mexico form?  Usually Princess will send a "release" to be signed and sent back to them prior to the cruise.  I have not heard from them yet.

 

Make sure you have the Aphis form with all the good information about Oakland along with your CCI Cert. to show them.  Hopefully, we'll meet at the dock and enter together.  There should be no problems. 

 

I have to tell you there were folks who told me that I would need a special "Mexico" entry form to fill out before my cruise last December or I'd be refused entrance.  I never filled out any special Mexico paperwork and I was called by an officer of the ship to meet with an Immigration officer the morning we arrived in port who looked over the paperwork, looked over Horton and me and cleared us in 32 seconds, without asking for anything else.  She also told me she didn't care if the writing on the form had abbreviations or not but, that some officers did not like it. 

 

If I don't hear from Princess about any special paperwork for Mexico, I will bring the Aphis 7001 when Horton has his Vet visit in October and consider it DONE! 

No we did not get any form but they did tell us the Mexico regulations have changed. I already looked at the form. They mentioned #3 on the bottom of the form. Princess did not send us the form, I got it from the Aphis site. 

 

Edited August 31, 2019 by rangeley

[rangeley]

10 minutes ago, wizard-of-roz said:

What a week......A dear, dear friend passed away last Thursday, suddenly and so unexpected.  Leah, you will so sorely missed.

 

We have a fire in our hills, a fire in Malibu and it's 100 degrees outside with threat of high humidity this weekend.  All we need is an earthquake and it's armaggeden [sp] all over again!

 

My cruise in November can't come soon enough!

 

Have a good week, a week of peace, may gladness reign and joy increase!

 

 

So sorry to hear about your friend 😢  

 

If you want me to still come there don't tell me all these bad things!!! It better cool off by November. 🥵

 

Edited August 31, 2019 by rangeley

[wizard-of-roz]

36 minutes ago, rangeley said:

 

Cindy, thank you for your good wishes.  I can't wait to have this week with you, John and Oakland.  You MUST COME!!!!  It's one of the main reasons I don't plan too many trips in the summer.  Although, when the kids were younger and we wanted to take a family vacation we always did it in the summer.......Oh!  Yeh!  I was so much younger than.  In November our weather here in L.A. is perfect.....not too hot or too cold!

 

I called my Vets office and they told me to bring the Mexico form with me and they'll fill it out along with the Aphis form.  Can't hurt to have it.  The nurse said that they will specify that Horton is a senior dog and can not be over-treated to protect his immune system.  When your Vet is filling out the Aphis form ask what he thinks about these deworming meds and their necessity.  I can see doing this for pets.......but, our dogs are so regulated when it comes to their health, food and monthly meds, these extra medical treatments are totally unnecessary!  My Vet said he will sign and stipulate to this.   

[rangeley]

12 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Cindy, thank you for your good wishes.  I can't wait to have this week with you, John and Oakland.  You MUST COME!!!!  It's one of the main reasons I don't plan too many trips in the summer.  Although, when the kids were younger and we wanted to take a family vacation we always did it in the summer.......Oh!  Yeh!  I was so much younger than.  In November our weather here in L.A. is perfect.....not too hot or too cold!

 

I called my Vets office and they told me to bring the Mexico form with me and they'll fill it out along with the Aphis form.  Can't hurt to have it.  The nurse said that they will specify that Horton is a senior dog and can not be over-treated to protect his immune system.  When your Vet is filling out the Aphis form ask what he thinks about these deworming meds and their necessity.  I can see doing this for pets.......but, our dogs are so regulated when it comes to their health, food and monthly meds, these extra medical treatments are totally unnecessary!  My Vet said he will sign and stipulate to this.   

We are going to ask our vet and have her fill out the form. She can just leave the deworming section blank. If they don't want to let Oakland off, we are not going to worry about it. Theres alot of places we don't get off. Just checking for our January cruise and a few places we arent getting off. Grand turk actually wants money. No way are we paying $50 just to walk around the dock area. Besides they have many stray dogs there. We love staying on when everyone gets off. Plop ourselves in a chair ot on our balcony and people watch. We are very boring. Lol

 

 

70 days! 😬

 

 

Edited August 31, 2019 by rangeley

[Caribbean Chris]

17 hours ago, rangeley said:

No we did not get any form but they did tell us the Mexico regulations have changed. I already looked at the form. They mentioned #3 on the bottom of the form. Princess did not send us the form, I got it from the Aphis site. 

 

 

On our past few cruises stopping in Mexican ports in the Caribbean (most recent was in April), I had my vet (must be Aphis accredited) use this “Option B”  template form(Cindy’s photo above) pasted on her letterhead because it does NOT have to be endorsed by an APHIS service center. I avoid that hassle and expense as much as possible https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-mexico

 

The vet also issues the usual basic form 7001 which has a section 8 on the right “Pertinent vaccinations, treatment and testing history” for Rabies etc.. For every trip, we include on there the most recent date my dog had her ectoparasite (K9 Advantix) treatment including scientific name, and endoparasite treatment (Heartguard Plus) with same (see photo). No worming needed. The Mexican officials who came on board were fine with these two papers every time.

 

Edited August 31, 2019 by Caribbean Chris

[rangeley]

17 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

On our past few cruises stopping in Mexican ports in the Caribbean (most recent was in April), I had my vet (must be Aphis accredited) use this “Option B”  template form(Cindy’s photo above) pasted on her letterhead because it does NOT have to be endorsed by an APHIS service center. I avoid that hassle and expense as much as possible https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettravel-mexico

 

The vet also issues the usual basic form 7001 which has a section 8 on the right “Pertinent vaccinations, treatment and testing history” for Rabies etc.. For every trip, we include on there the most recent date my dog had her ectoparasite (K9 Advantix) treatment including scientific name, and endoparasite treatment (Heartguard Plus) with same (see photo). No worming needed. The Mexican officials who came on board were fine with these two papers every time.

 

Thanks so much for clarifying this. 

[wizard-of-roz]

13 hours ago, rangeley said:

We are going to ask our vet and have her fill out the form. She can just leave the deworming section blank. If they don't want to let Oakland off, we are not going to worry about it. Theres alot of places we don't get off. Just checking for our January cruise and a few places we arent getting off. Grand turk actually wants money. No way are we paying $50 just to walk around the dock area. Besides they have many stray dogs there. We love staying on when everyone gets off. Plop ourselves in a chair ot on our balcony and people watch. We are very boring. Lol

 

 

70 days! 😬

 

 

You have a great plan with your Vet.

 

I do exactly what you do.......we're going to love cruising together.  I love staying on the ship when everyone else gets off.  We can go sit in the Piazza or in a lounge and play some tridominoes.  

 

I hope that all our Florida friends and those in the path of Dorian stay safe.

[Caribbean Chris]

I completely agree with you both about not getting off in ports that make it an expensive hassle just for a few hours. (But I admit it’s easier for me to skip ports we visited on earlier cruises or during the years we lived in the Caribbean. It’s understandable that people want to see these islands.)

 

For Grand Cayman, often ships can’t tender due to high seas. On our last cruise, the Captain gave up, cancelled the port call, and sailed away at 10 a.m. Imagine how aggravating that would be if you had had blood tests and paid fees.

[rangeley]

11 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

You have a great plan with your Vet.

 

I do exactly what you do.......we're going to love cruising together.  I love staying on the ship when everyone else gets off.  We can go sit in the Piazza or in a lounge and play some tridominoes.  

 

I hope that all our Florida friends and those in the path of Dorian stay safe.

Geez I hope we don't hate eachother after this.  Lol

[rangeley]

4 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

I completely agree with you both about not getting off in ports that make it an expensive hassle just for a few hours. (But I admit it’s easier for me to skip ports we visited on earlier cruises or during the years we lived in the Caribbean. It’s understandable that people want to see these islands.)

 

For Grand Cayman, often ships can’t tender due to high seas. On our last cruise, the Captain gave up, cancelled the port call, and sailed away at 10 a.m. Imagine how aggravating that would be if you had had blood tests and paid fees.

We are not into the whole tourist thing. But like to get off to let the dog check things out. We will probably get off in San Francisco and San Diego. Just to wander alittle bit. We never stay off very long. We like to people watch from the ship. 

 

Been to Grand Cayman a few times. Never got off but the kids did once. 

 

We've seen a few runners. One couple had to get on the pilot boat to get back to the ship. 

[rangeley]

Roz did you know theres another Horton? ☹️ I heard the dog isnt suppose to be named until the other is retired. This dog isn't him but his name is there. Horton II

Edited September 1, 2019 by rangeley

[DUTRAVEL]

5 hours ago, rangeley said:

Roz did you know theres another Horton? ☹️ I heard the dog isnt suppose to be named until the other is retired. This dog isn't him but his name is there. Horton II

 

I think CCI is running out of names. We asked about it when we were in Santa Rosa and they said they are now reusing names after five years. Henri has a sister Havana V that is still in service.

 

Dianne

[rpclmc]

Back from the family wedding/reception where Halo was not welcome due to an allergy.  Went to family pictures at 2:45 pm on Saturday.  Left Halo in a crate (he is crate trained) in the hotel room.  My trainer advised just leaving him in the room for several hours, I think that is nuts.  I did not like leaving him unattended, he did exceptionally well.  I returned to start our shifts of staying with him in the hotel at 4:30pm.

 

Rich has been fighting SEVERE tooth pain, he found out on the trip, he needs a root canal and until he can get one when he gets back it will be painful.  He texts me from the wedding and told me to come get him and he would stay with Halo the rest of the time.  He was having severe, constant pain and couldn't enjoy himself.

 

The owner of the house told me, I didn't ask her, to go ahead and bring Halo Sunday to the brunch.  She told me who the child was who was allergic and we would just keep our distance from him and try our very best to not let him even see Halo.  He is 2 years old and wants to pet dogs.  

 

Then I was told we would not be going to the brunch but meeting some family for a later breakfast the next day.  I guess my niece/brides got upset that we were going to bring Halo.  It wasn't even her house, or I should say the yard of the house, we weren't going into the house or her nephew that was allergic.  I just don't get it.  Family can be so fun.

 

So now we are back at my parents.  I am supposed to fly from Indianapolis to Tampa on Tuesday.  Tampa is not in the "cone" of the hurricane, but I bet it will be a bumpy ride and I am afraid of flying.  I am trying to convince Rich to drive me to Atlanta and he can fly back to Boise (which is where he was heading) and I can drive the rest of the way home to my home in Florida.  Cost would be a wash from my cancelled tickets in exchange for the rental and hotel.  The only expense might be for his change fees to his flight.

 

Linda and Halo

[wizard-of-roz]

8 hours ago, rangeley said:

Geez I hope we don't hate eachother after this.  Lol

OMG!  What's to hate.......I'm a lovable, handicapped blond with a handsome Black Service Dog......Now, who could hate that!

[wizard-of-roz]

7 hours ago, rangeley said:

Roz did you know theres another Horton? ☹️ I heard the dog isnt suppose to be named until the other is retired. This dog isn't him but his name is there. Horton II

I heard about this and I'm not happy.  I also thought that the dogs were not given duplicate names until the first dog was retired.  Horton is very much still working and although we love the name, I think it's very confusing to have two of them out and about. 

 

I know Horton II lives very far away from us and the chances of us ever crossing paths would be unlikely, I still think it's a bad idea to have two dogs with the same name in service.  

[rangeley]

1 hour ago, wizard-of-roz said:

OMG!  What's to hate.......I'm a lovable, handicapped blond with a handsome Black Service Dog......Now, who could hate that!

🤣🤣🤣

[rangeley]

3 hours ago, rpclmc said:

Back from the family wedding/reception where Halo was not welcome due to an allergy.  Went to family pictures at 2:45 pm on Saturday.  Left Halo in a crate (he is crate trained) in the hotel room.  My trainer advised just leaving him in the room for several hours, I think that is nuts.  I did not like leaving him unattended, he did exceptionally well.  I returned to start our shifts of staying with him in the hotel at 4:30pm.

 

Rich has been fighting SEVERE tooth pain, he found out on the trip, he needs a root canal and until he can get one when he gets back it will be painful.  He texts me from the wedding and told me to come get him and he would stay with Halo the rest of the time.  He was having severe, constant pain and couldn't enjoy himself.

 

The owner of the house told me, I didn't ask her, to go ahead and bring Halo Sunday to the brunch.  She told me who the child was who was allergic and we would just keep our distance from him and try our very best to not let him even see Halo.  He is 2 years old and wants to pet dogs.  

 

Then I was told we would not be going to the brunch but meeting some family for a later breakfast the next day.  I guess my niece/brides got upset that we were going to bring Halo.  It wasn't even her house, or I should say the yard of the house, we weren't going into the house or her nephew that was allergic.  I just don't get it.  Family can be so fun.

 

So now we are back at my parents.  I am supposed to fly from Indianapolis to Tampa on Tuesday.  Tampa is not in the "cone" of the hurricane, but I bet it will be a bumpy ride and I am afraid of flying.  I am trying to convince Rich to drive me to Atlanta and he can fly back to Boise (which is where he was heading) and I can drive the rest of the way home to my home in Florida.  Cost would be a wash from my cancelled tickets in exchange for the rental and hotel.  The only expense might be for his change fees to his flight.

 

Linda and Halo

We have a family member that is allergic to everything. She around 4yrs old. Last time we saw her, she hung around in the house with Oakland. She stayed away from him, didn't touch him and she was fine. I was surprised they showed up since they knew we'd be there. 

 

I am also afraid to fly. Always hated it. I have no idea what posessed me to fly out to California. I'm already in panic mode, but Roz is just so loveable I had to go.