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

[Caribbean Chris]

4 hours ago, maddz8039 said:

Hi everyone I'm going to be going on my first cruise with my service dog do any of you have tips or tricks?

 

what do you usually bring on your cruise service dog related?

 

has anyone ever been to St.Kitts , St. Marrten, San Juan/Puerto Rico, Grand Turks?

 

we will be going on carnival breeze if that helps.

 

i get really bad sensory over load is there anywhere quiet except for our room you recommend.

 

anything helps thank you!!!

 

 

Others will chime in but the primary things you’ll always need are a current rabies vaccine and a health certificate. (The vet should use USDA Form 7001, and it is only valid for 30 days.) The best thing to do is find a USDA APHIS accredited vet. If the dog doesn’t have one, get him microchipped.
 

For accredited vets and port information, your starting place is the Dept. of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel
 

When is your cruise? You can use the drop down menu at that link to see country-by-country requirements. But I am assuming all bets are off at the moment for whether ports of call will even permit cruise ships for a very long time. I hate to sound pessimistic. The international publicity was so terrible.

 

Two of the many ports that are extremely difficult for trying to bring in a dog (service dogs included) are St. Kitts and Turks & Caicos. San Juan is no problem with the above documentation. St. Maarten is in between the two extremes for paperwork. Your USDA accredited vet can advise the process.

 

For tips, I’d say you want to be sure the dog will use a 4-ft. Square box filled with mulch or sod to do his business. Many of us practice at home with a box in the yard. The other tip is to request a dining room table against a wall, ideally in a corner where the dog can be tucked safely away from passing waiters and passengers. And for the obvious: Never leave the dog alone in the cabin, don’t feed him in public, never give him cruise ship food, and keep him On the floor and off the ship’s furniture.

 

Notify the cruise line early on if you are bringing a dog, but no later than a month ahead of sailing. They will provide a form for you to sign with their policies.

 

Hope that helps. Best of luck with your plans, and to all of us with booked future cruises. Fingers crossed that things will get back to normal eventually.

[kmg365suzyq]

I don't like crowds myself.  I have been to San Juan and St. Maarten with my dog and there hasn't been an issue.  My vet is a USDA accredited vet and he took care of everything for me.  I wrote to St. Maarten and they also verified what I needed.  Unlike a lot of people, I rarely get off the ship.  That is when I find the quiet and alone time.  I, personally, have found that the buffets were the worst place for me.  

 

I agree a table against a wall and/or near the front of the dining room is the best so that you are not parading the dog throughout the dining room.  

 

Our last cruise on Royal Caribbean, I was able to book a royal suite class cabin with friends.  With that comes a very small and more intimate dining room and private lounge.  For me, that was great.  I think the library on most ships is a good place also because it is quiet.  Because Miss Tish is a small service dog, waiting in crowds is difficult.  She is okay, but I worry about people not seeing her.

 

We are booked for a Princess cruise this November and another Royal Caribbean one next November to celebrate a big birthday.  I hope and pray things are back to normal by then.  

 

 

[Caribbean Chris]

Kmgsuzyq,  you are so right about those buffets. We are early risers and the breakfast buffets are usually uncrowded when they open, with plenty of good table choices, so that’s not too bad. The dog just holds a down-stay when I go to get food.
 

But all bets are off at lunchtime! I hate threading the dog through the distracted crowds who aren’t noticing other people around them, dropping & spilling. We try to find a table close to where we entered in a corner and then take turns. 
 

Sometimes we skip the buffet seating and try to find a table outside away from the pool to bring a plate or get pizza, burgers, tacos etc from those stations. The issues there, of course, are that you are more exposed - well-meaning people keep coming up to ask about the dog while you are trying to eat. Or the deck is wet so the dog gets wet.

 

The private dining venues are definitely winners as you said. We’ve been in Luminae and Blu on Celebrity, and Club Orange on HAL’s New Statendam, and all of the staffs were great. They received our seating needs in advance and have always had the perfect corner table held for us the whole cruise.

[S.S. Cruisers]

iiI don't have a service dog and I don't do crowds.  I bet we have eaten at the buffet a hand full of times in all the cruises we have taken.  I find the main dining rooms were usually not busy and it was pawfect.  Or we do Calzones on the run.  We love to stay on board and soak up that quiet time.  With hubby''s and now my walking issues if we do get off the ship we hang out at the piers.  We aren't big souvenir people and we do think we need something from where we are, it can be found at one of the pier shops.  People watching is at its best!

 

Cindy, that is a great picture of you and Oakland.  The look of how he loves his momma is priceless.  I can only imagine the look for his dad!

[rangeley]

1 hour ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Cindy, that is a great picture of you and Oakland.  The look of how he loves his momma is priceless.  I can only imagine the look for his dad!

 

Oh you know he loves me more! 😂

[wizard-of-roz]

21 hours ago, maddz8039 said:

Hi everyone I'm going to be going on my first cruise with my service dog do any of you have tips or tricks?

 

what do you usually bring on your cruise service dog related?

 

has anyone ever been to St.Kitts , St. Marrten, San Juan/Puerto Rico, Grand Turks?

 

we will be going on carnival breeze if that helps.

 

i get really bad sensory over load is there anywhere quiet except for our room you recommend.

 

anything helps thank you!!!

 

 

You can always find a quiet lounge to hang out......the best time is when everyone gets off the ship in port, then you get to have the ship all to yourself.

 

 

[wizard-of-roz]

14 hours ago, kmg365suzyq said:

I don't like crowds myself.  I have been to San Juan and St. Maarten with my dog and there hasn't been an issue.  My vet is a USDA accredited vet and he took care of everything for me.  I wrote to St. Maarten and they also verified what I needed.  Unlike a lot of people, I rarely get off the ship.  That is when I find the quiet and alone time.  I, personally, have found that the buffets were the worst place for me.  

 

I agree a table against a wall and/or near the front of the dining room is the best so that you are not parading the dog throughout the dining room.  

 

Our last cruise on Royal Caribbean, I was able to book a royal suite class cabin with friends.  With that comes a very small and more intimate dining room and private lounge.  For me, that was great.  I think the library on most ships is a good place also because it is quiet.  Because Miss Tish is a small service dog, waiting in crowds is difficult.  She is okay, but I worry about people not seeing her.

 

We are booked for a Princess cruise this November and another Royal Caribbean one next November to celebrate a big birthday.  I hope and pray things are back to normal by then.  

 

 

You sound like you've been cruising with a dog for many, many years.  You have a great plan for Miss Tish.....she's very lucky to have such a smart partner!

 

I, too, hope that cruising is back to normal by November, if not sooner!

[wizard-of-roz]

9 hours ago, rangeley said:

 

Oh you know he loves me more! 😂

Don't tell John, but I do believe that Mr. Oakland is madly in love with his Mommy!!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

13 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Kmgsuzyq,  you are so right about those buffets. We are early risers and the breakfast buffets are usually uncrowded when they open, with plenty of good table choices, so that’s not too bad. The dog just holds a down-stay when I go to get food.
 

But all bets are off at lunchtime! I hate threading the dog through the distracted crowds who aren’t noticing other people around them, dropping & spilling. We try to find a table close to where we entered in a corner and then take turns. 
 

Sometimes we skip the buffet seating and try to find a table outside away from the pool to bring a plate or get pizza, burgers, tacos etc from those stations. The issues there, of course, are that you are more exposed - well-meaning people keep coming up to ask about the dog while you are trying to eat. Or the deck is wet so the dog gets wet.

 

The private dining venues are definitely winners as you said. We’ve been in Luminae and Blu on Celebrity, and Club Orange on HAL’s New Statendam, and all of the staffs were great. They received our seating needs in advance and have always had the perfect corner table held for us the whole cruise.

You're such a great planner!

[kmg365suzyq]

My late husband and I cruised about every other year.  He was able to help me with my PTSD.  Once he passed, with the help of others, I knew I had to get a service dog.  It took a few years before I was able to get back on a ship, but I am glad I did.  Many of the things I learned, quiet areas, private dining areas, staying on the ship when others got off, we had been doing for years. I am lucky Tish is such a good sailor.  Planes, not so much.  Living now in southern Florida, I can just drive to a port and not have to worry about flying.

[wizard-of-roz]

6 hours ago, kmg365suzyq said:

My late husband and I cruised about every other year.  He was able to help me with my PTSD.  Once he passed, with the help of others, I knew I had to get a service dog.  It took a few years before I was able to get back on a ship, but I am glad I did.  Many of the things I learned, quiet areas, private dining areas, staying on the ship when others got off, we had been doing for years. I am lucky Tish is such a good sailor.  Planes, not so much.  Living now in southern Florida, I can just drive to a port and not have to worry about flying.

I also lost my dear husband who had been the most amazing partner for me, my dogs and my various issues.    

 

I not only had my original senior dog to care for but also my Successor Dog, who I had received shortly before my husband got sick.  Lots and lots of life decisions to make on my own in a very short time. 

 

Good for you for getting back on a ship, on your own.   I'm glad I did too!!!!  Sometimes I go with my dog alone and sometimes I invite different family members to join me.  Just recently, I took a cruise with Cindy & John [Rangeley] and their SD Oakland.  I must say it was one of my most favorite cruises, ever.

 

Driving directly to the port is my very favorite way to cruise too.  Unfortunately, here in L.A. we're pretty limited in the ships and destinations that we can go to, which is why they book up so quickly.  I try to catch as many of the great offers to any destination that I can!

 

 

[rangeley]

21 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Don't tell John, but I do believe that Mr. Oakland is madly in love with his Mommy!!!!!

 

Whats not to love!! 😜

Edited April 23, 2020 by rangeley

[rangeley]

11 hours ago, kmg365suzyq said:

My late husband and I cruised about every other year.  He was able to help me with my PTSD.  Once he passed, with the help of others, I knew I had to get a service dog.  It took a few years before I was able to get back on a ship, but I am glad I did.  Many of the things I learned, quiet areas, private dining areas, staying on the ship when others got off, we had been doing for years. I am lucky Tish is such a good sailor.  Planes, not so much.  Living now in southern Florida, I can just drive to a port and not have to worry about flying.

 

There's just something about cruising that is so relaxing. Like all the tension just leaves your body. Then it ends and I have to get on a plane 😩

[S.S. Cruisers]

Cindy I agree about cruising.  It is so hectic packing and making sure you have everything, including cruise docs.  Get to the terminal, parking, getting suitcases handled, wait, wait and wait to board.  Get on board get to the room, get all unpacked then swoosh, all the negative leaves my body and we are on vacation!  Then the night before we have to leave, wait until the last minute to pack and then the reverse anticipation of getting off the ship. We are usually the last to get called because we drive to port..... ahhhhh. 

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy Weekend [will I ever wear lip gloss again?]

[dlbutler5]

Roz,

I wanted to let you know that Barb passed away of pancreatic cancer March 1st. She is with Valentine once again. I am having a burial at sea for them on the Eurodam August 15 Alaska cruise. 

 

[dlbutler5]

Barb screen name was Valentines Mom. 
 

[wizard-of-roz]

4 hours ago, dlbutler5 said:

Roz,

I wanted to let you know that Barb passed away of pancreatic cancer March 1st. She is with Valentine once again. I am having a burial at sea for them on the Eurodam August 15 Alaska cruise. 

 

Oh!  No!  I'm so sorry to hear this.  We wrote to each other over many, many years and I always enjoyed her writings of Valentine.  I loved reading her stories of Valentine and how she would push her around in her doggie stroller as she would stand and watch the people lurking at her!  Barb loved Valentine so much.  And got so much joy as she cruised with her.

 

May they both rest in peace.  Thank you for letting us know.

[rangeley]

On 4/24/2020 at 9:34 PM, dlbutler5 said:

Roz,

I wanted to let you know that Barb passed away of pancreatic cancer March 1st. She is with Valentine once again. I am having a burial at sea for them on the Eurodam August 15 Alaska cruise. 

 

So sorry to hear. 😢

[S.S. Cruisers]

Fly with the Angels Barb.  You will be with your sweet Valentine now.  

[springredheadsdd]

Bella is now a full Service Dog instead of a SDiT!!! My mom watched our training yesterday and Bella had everything perfect. She knows all the basics, the more advanced basics and is task trained. I saw a video yesterday from a SD trainer that went over what all a SD should be able to do before they are considered fully trained and Bella checked every box. I am so excited. She is my first SD and I did almost all of her training myself with a little bit of help from a trainer at Petco. Bella was born mid July so is still very young but is very mature. I am just so excited. I have her new patches for her vest on order from Etsy. 

[wizard-of-roz]

6 hours ago, springredheadsdd said:

Bella is now a full Service Dog instead of a SDiT!!! My mom watched our training yesterday and Bella had everything perfect. She knows all the basics, the more advanced basics and is task trained. I saw a video yesterday from a SD trainer that went over what all a SD should be able to do before they are considered fully trained and Bella checked every box. I am so excited. She is my first SD and I did almost all of her training myself with a little bit of help from a trainer at Petco. Bella was born mid July so is still very young but is very mature. I am just so excited. I have her new patches for her vest on order from Etsy. 

I know how important it is to have a Service Dog in my daily life and I congratulate you and Bella on all your efforts in becoming a team and going out into society with a positive and adventurous attitude.

 

I don't like to encourage anyone in buying any Service Dog supplies online, and with that being said I do know that "self-trained" dogs are an important partnership and know that it is necessary to have the proper I.D. and equipment that you need to go forward with Bella, and buying supplies online can be your only choice.  I wish you all the best in your future as a Service Dog team. 

 

I encourage you to keep up Bella's training on a daily basis by challenging her to stay sharp, behave well in public and keep practicing good manners daily.

[springredheadsdd]

Places can not legally ask for ID's for service dogs. I know that some program dogs come with them but restaurants, stores and other places are breaking the law if they ask for ID. There are only 2 questions they can legally ask and those are: 

1. Is this a service dog?

2. What tasks does the service dog preform?

 

If I get asked all I have to say is 1. Yes, 2. psychiatric support. That is it. I can be as vague as I want.

 

They can not:

ask for identification

ask about the persons disability

charge additional fees for the animal

treat the person less favorably in any way

 

I like to carry ada service dog information cards with me. I have not run into any issues with Bella and I have been taking her everywhere with me for a while. 

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy weekend everyone! 

 

My application has been mailed for a Successor Dog.......It's either going to be a very simple process or very complicated because of all of our new circumstances.  We'll see......when I know you'll know!

 

Thank you all for being there for me, through it all!

[Mavis and Me]

On 4/30/2020 at 8:37 AM, springredheadsdd said:

Bella is now a full Service Dog instead of a SDiT!!!

Hooray!!  Congratulations to you and Bella!!  My girl did her Public Access test back in Oct 2017.  You can see it on her YouTube channel Mavis & Me.  I post all sorts of adventures that she and I take on there ... as well as some silly things that I want to share with my family and friends!  It feels so validating to have that acknowledgement that your dog has been 'approved' by someone, doesn't it?  I know that for me, I had this niggling feeling that I wasn't legit because I owner-trained Mavis and I have an invisible disability.  Once I had a third party evaluator 'certify' her, it helped me to feel more 'official'.  Which really is stupid - she makes my life better every single day whether she is official or not!  I can't wait to hear about the exciting adventures that you and Bella go on together!