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

[puppycanducruise]

@rangeleyBeautiful!

[Plant]

Adorable!  (Both of them :)!)

[S.S. Cruisers]

Cindy,

OMG, she is just gorgeous!  And the pupper, those 2 should be on a magazine cover.  What fun taking IIsla on her first cruise.  Sounds like so much fun.  

 

We can't get an appointment to save our butts.  So, now we might as well wait for J & J.  Although it won't be any easier to get an appointment.  I hear what you are saying about getting to go to the store so you can look around.  I make a list, but sometimes I forget and its nice to see something and go, oh we need that too. 

[Caribbean Chris]

Cindy, the photos are priceless!! Forrest looks enormous next to the tiny, adorable baby. A real day-brightener to look at them.

[Algebralovr]

Those are awesome photos!  

[S.S. Cruisers]

So, we are finally scheduled for our shots.  Wanted to wait for the Johnson and Johnson, but now they say the state is delaying it.  Kind of funny that Phoenix has the shot and been giving them to folks.  But it is what it is, I will take the mederna.  Hubby who is high risk, still wants to wait for J & J, but may change his mind before we get the shot.  The first isn't scheduled until April 15.  

 

I have been hearing cruise commercials so maybe things will get back to "normal" after all.  I think we all need to feel the ocean breeze flowing and the calmness it brings.  

 

Hope everyone has a great week coming up.  Hope all are doing well, furkids and all.  

[Algebralovr]

9 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

So, we are finally scheduled for our shots.  

Yay!

I’m officially 2 weeks past my 2nd now.  Hubby gets his second in about 2 weeks.  My rheumatologist got me in for mine earlier than my age would have otherwise suggested, and then mandated that Hubs get his.

 

#1 is easy.  #2 kicked my butt for a couple of days.  It also kicked my 25 year old son’s butt for about 2 days.  Bad enough his 1st Sarge looked at him and said “Sir, go home.  You aren’t doing us any good here.”  That was a Friday after he had gotten the jab on Thursday afternoon and sucked it up through 6am PT on Friday morning.  The 1 st Sarge got his 2nd at the same time will nothing but a sore arm.  My DD didn’t have any issue with her 2nd one.  Seems to be really hit and miss.  

[Algebralovr]

Meanwhile, on the topic of our SDs, boy is Scooter out of practice.  We went to Menards for a few things this afternoon and he wanted to pull the whole time.  We did lots of doodling in the store to get him to focus.  We’ve not got ANYWHERE where he needed to be on duty like that on a while.  All my groceries are curbside pickup, and I’ve not been taking him to the Dr with me.  
Shows we need to make a few more trips out to practice!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Just checking in.  Hope all are well.  Our little Jezzy Lou has been diagnosed with Cushings Disease.  So far it is mild, no meds needed and it hasn't slowed her down.  Since we got our yard finished she is loving being outside.  She still won't stay out alone, which is fine by us, we still don't trust that coyote's won't get in the yard.  Our back fence is 5' tall, but on the other side is an easement and the dirt come up a ways higher to the fence line making it only about 4' on the other side.  Hope that makes sense.  The neighbors nextdoor have a block wall but the dirt is up higher on their back side too.  It would be easy for an animal to jump up there and just land in our yard.  People have said they have sited a Bobcat roaming around our city, but I'm not convinced.  They have seen it on their Ring doorbell going through the yard.  Like others have said, it looks like a large house cat rather than a Bobcat.  Really don't want to test it out.  So I digress about animals getting in our yard.  Anyway, we have 3 sliding glass doors in our house that lead to side yard and back yard.  Jezzy picks which door we go out.  Talk about spoiled!  She runs from one end to other, hair blowing in the wind and I swear a smile on her face!  

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the weather.  Ours has been mild except for the wind!  The wind can go away any time now.  Other than that it has been pleasant.  

[dobiemom]

This may help some folks: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance  

https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

[S.S. Cruisers]

So, our appointment for vaccine is today.  Hubby wanted to hold out for J & J, but in light of the latest info, he may go ahead and get the Mederna.  He is on medication to prevent blood clots, but I wouldn't trust that to definitely rule out getting a blood clot. He has been on it for years from his surgery.   I figure at our age, what difference does it make.  That may sound crass but I will take my chances of side-effects and not getting Covid. I am bummed that the vaccine is only good for approximately 6 months.  

 

Missing you Roz.  I need to "talk" to you.  Nothing important just our ole silly conversations we use to get into. 🥰💖🛳️

[S.S. Cruisers]

So, we went in for our vaccine and the Nurse told us that they did not have the J & J, that they were approved to administer it, but had never received any of the vaccine anyway.  Not just because they put a hold on it.  Interesting.  We read an article in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago that our county was going to do a one time vaccine event.  They said they had 200 or 250 (can't remember how many) of the J & J available.  We were told we needed to make appointments, but they didn't list the information on how to do that.  Hubby went onto the County Health Dept. site and signed up (A long process) and when he got to the end to make an appointment it said "No appointments available".  So I guess our County only got the 200 or so vaccines, wasn't sure how to divide that up for the whole county at the approved vaccine sites and decided to do the clinic.  

 

So, Hubby went ahead and got the Mederma (just looked this up on how to spell it correctly and found out it is an "M" instead of "N" like I thought).  Second shot scheduled for mid May.  No reactions except sore arms.  Wheww, I can breathe a sigh of relief around here, now that we are least on the track to all be vaccinated.  Travis is pretty excited because he can get a job.  He is on a good track for finishing school. Life is moving on.  

[Algebralovr]

Good morning!

Can you all believe it is MAY?  

 

My family has been fully vaccinated for some time, and we are starting to get back to "normal".  Did a short driving trip a couple of weeks ago for the weekend.  Left Scooter at home, since we had 4 adults in the car and were doing about 1500 miles over 4 days, and we were climbing through the USS Alabama (BB-60) as part of it.  I knew that Scooter would not be able to do the "stairs" in the Alabama, and if I was having a good day, I'd be able to do them.  

 

Well, I had a good day on the Friday we did the Alabama.  Couldn't walk the NEXT day, but I had a good day that Friday.  So, I enjoyed crawling all over the battleship.  What a difference compared to the technology of the ships today!  We compared that ship with what we had seen on the USS Midway a few years ago, and compared to what we see on the cruise ships of today.  Wow.

 

Last weekend, I got a new-to-me sewing machine from a place about 2 hours from me.  Scooter did VERY well on that outing.  The owner of the shop said he was better behaved that many children.  That is what we want!  Then we did Sam's Club and again Scooter did well.  

 

After over a year of barely any public access work wit Scooter, I was thrilled with how he behaved.  Right back to work!  You can tell that he mostly enjoys working.

 

We have a cruise with the "kids" scheduled for November.  I'm thrilled to see that it is looking more and more like it will be a  "go".  

Hope you all are well!

 

[S.S. Cruisers]

Barb, 

We are all vacinated too.  Travis has graduated from high school.  Has a part time job, until we can get enough practice in for him to get his license. First part of their test is to do a 3- point turn.   I had been having him practice in the street (out in the boonies, no traffic).  Found out MVD has a grid set up behind their building.  Only one number on the lanes and it is a number 2.  I went in today with my primitive picture and said, show me the right way to do this turn.  They have to pass making the turn without hitting any cones before they will even take them out on the street for the remainder of the test.  

I am glad you guys  have a cruise booked.  I hope it is a go.  Sounds like it should be. Travis is the only one that had noticeable side effects from the second shot.  He had a really bad headache and said his whole body ached.  Gave him Tylenol and he slept for quite awhile.  Later that evening he said he still had the headache.  So I gave him more Tylenol. The next morning he was fine.  That is the day Hubby and I had our second shot.  When we got home, we took Tylenol as a precaution.  Neither one of us got sick or anything other than the sore arm.  I hope this is a sign that things are turning around.  We are still being cautious, wearing masks out. Washing hands a billion times a day.  Don't think hubby would cruise if the opportunity arose, but I am glad it is slowly started around that bend.  

Hope everyone else and the furkids are all doing well. ❤️ 

[Mabbiez]

Hi everyone! 

 

It has been so long. My family and I have a cruise planned for April 2022. We are hoping this one happens! We've all been vaccinated already and we are ready!!

 

Are we allowed to ask for product suggestions here? If so, does anyone have any summer dog booties they recommend? I want to get Mila used to them before next year.

 

 

[lindaler]

18 hours ago, Mabbiez said:

Hi everyone! 

 

It has been so long. My family and I have a cruise planned for April 2022. We are hoping this one happens! We've all been vaccinated already and we are ready!!

 

Are we allowed to ask for product suggestions here? If so, does anyone have any summer dog booties they recommend? I want to get Mila used to them before next year.

 

 

I tried two brands I got off of Amazon. One had a thicker rubber soul but was too heavy on her feet. The other had long Velcro straps that worked ok but would stick to each other and were a bear to put on. However I will not travel without them. Especially in Costa Rica the sidewalks were so hot. I take my shoe off and if I can’t stand the heat for 30 seconds her shoes go  on. I got lots of pointing and laughs but I noticed a lot of locals were giving me a thumbs up. The shoes were pink and I’m not a pink fan but they also kept the tons of glass shards from cutting her. It was years ago so I don’t know the brands but just look on Amazon and try a few kinds. 

[Algebralovr]

On 5/29/2021 at 5:02 PM, Mabbiez said:

Are we allowed to ask for product suggestions here? If so, does anyone have any summer dog booties they recommend? I want to get Mila used to them before next year.

 

 

The Ruffwear boots are good.  They have a Vibram sole, and you buy them in sets of 2, so that you can get two different sizes for the front and rear paws.  If your dog has dew claws, make sure to get the socks as well.    They are pricy little boots, but good.  A couple of different colors, as well.  

 

In winter, we often wear the latex balloon style, but in the heat I'd use the Ruffwear ones.  

[BelizeanArmyWife]

Hello all, Hopefully someone can help me.... we will be traveling with my hubs and daughters service dogs in December on Royal caribbean to coco caye (Royals private island), st Marteen, and st Thomas. I just got the info on documents that’s needed to travel with them and I have no idea if we really need them if we only plan to get off at coco caye. We’ve been to Jamaica on Royal never got off and didn’t need the info, and we’ve been to RC’s private island Labadee and got off without a problem. Has anyone traveled with service dogs to those three locations?? Any info would be great thank you

 

Note: I did call And no one can give me accurate answers 😑😞

[Algebralovr]

20 hours ago, BelizeanArmyWife said:

Hello all, Hopefully someone can help me.... we will be traveling with my hubs and daughters service dogs in December on Royal caribbean to coco caye (Royals private island), st Marteen, and st Thomas. I just got the info on documents that’s needed to travel with them and I have no idea if we really need them if we only plan to get off at coco caye. We’ve been to Jamaica on Royal never got off and didn’t need the info, and we’ve been to RC’s private island Labadee and got off without a problem. Has anyone traveled with service dogs to those three locations?? Any info would be great thank you

 

Note: I did call And no one can give me accurate answers 😑😞

 

Hi!  For St. Thomas, it is part of the USA.  I don't recall if they have any specific rules, but they may.  
You'll want to go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel for the rules you need to follow, and check each place.  You'll need to have the permit for each place you'll be calling, even if you dont plan to get off the ship.  In order to board the ship, you'll need to have the documents for each port of call at check in.  

[Caribbean Chris]

Barb is right - you need to start by checking out the APHIS Pet Travel country rules for Bahamas (Coco Caye), St Maarten, and St. Thomas (this last one is found under "traveling state to state" as Virgin Islands. Service dogs aren't pets but they still have to meet the same regulations for import to another country. Cruise lines rarely know anything about this topic when you call them.

 

All you have needed for St. Thomas in the past was a basic Form 7001 health certificate signed by the vet which you need anyway for any cruise. The cruise line will expect you to produce this at check-in with the rabies certificate.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/APHIS7001.pdf

 

Everything may have changed post-Covid, so there's no way to predict what we will all encounter. If your vet is not a USDA-accredited vet, you may want to find one where you live who may be familiar with the paper work. 

 

Many of us have taken our dogs to the Bahamas in the past, and it required your filling out a form (see APHIS to print a copy)  to fax (you can fill out the form yourself without involving the vet yet), then awaiting a reply and a permit to bring the dog in, including a final visit to your vet within a 48 before departure to have the vet sign another form. Note that in the past, Bahamas waived the fee of $10 for service dogs, so you need to include a note or letter saying that is the case, and a return fax number. Here was info someone posted a while back:

 

 "I faxed the import form with a cover letter to the Director of Agriculture to 1-242-325-3960 and emailed it to Deandra Delancey at deandradelancy@bahamas.gov.bs.  Then I followed up with her about a week later at 1-242-397-7450.  She is extremely nice.  She is the top veterinarian there."

 

I know Coco Caye is a private island, but people on this thread were told by a cruise line a few years ago that The Bahamas required the cruise companies to be sure the passenger had the permit, even for private islands, even if you weren't getting off with the dog, so cruise lines started looking for it at check-in. I've obtained it two or three times. There was also a commercial service you can use that will get the permit for a fee. I don't know if anybody here has used him or not. I'm considering doing it next time I go in November.

https://www.bahamaspetpermit.com/

 

As far as St. Maarten, their rules changed and required that the health certificate not only be signed by a USDA accredited vet, but also sent or taken to a regional USDA APHIS vet (federal official) to countersign (sort of a hassle and at your expense, of course, if you have to send it by overnight mail). So the last time we went to St. Maarten, I didn't bother getting the permit figuring we wouldn't get off the ship. Funny surprise - the ship staff called the day before arrival at the island and said we were approved to take the dog off. So I guess the port officials were satisfied with the general Form 7001 without their special form. Their rules:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/health-certificates/non-eu/st-maarten-dog-cat-ferret.pdf

 

Let us know how it all works out!

 

[DUTRAVEL]

Just a heads up that beginning July 14, 2021, there is a temporary suspension for dogs imported from countries that the CDC considers high risk for dog rabies. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and emotional support dogs. These rules also apply whether you are (1) just visiting the United States with your dog, (2) importing dogs into the United States, or (3) traveling out of the United States and returning with your dog after a temporary visit, such as a vacation or holiday, or for shopping or visiting friends and relatives. See links for a list of the applicable countries.

 

Dogs from high-risk countries may be imported only with CDC’s advance written approval (CDC Dog Import Permit), including dogs imported from a country NOT at high risk if the dogs have been in a high-risk country during the previous 6 months. To request advance written approval, you must follow the instructions at How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit and send an email to CDC at CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov, at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. Requests cannot be made at the port of entry upon arrival into the United States. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.

[BelizeanArmyWife]

22 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Just a heads up that beginning July 14, 2021, there is a temporary suspension for dogs imported from countries that the CDC considers high risk for dog rabies. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and emotional support dogs. These rules also apply whether you are (1) just visiting the United States with your dog, (2) importing dogs into the United States, or (3) traveling out of the United States and returning with your dog after a temporary visit, such as a vacation or holiday, or for shopping or visiting friends and relatives. See links for a list of the applicable countries.

 

Dogs from high-risk countries may be imported only with CDC’s advance written approval (CDC Dog Import Permit), including dogs imported from a country NOT at high risk if the dogs have been in a high-risk country during the previous 6 months. To request advance written approval, you must follow the instructions at How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit and send an email to CDC at CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov, at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. Requests cannot be made at the port of entry upon arrival into the United States. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.

 

On 6/9/2021 at 11:40 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

Barb is right - you need to start by checking out the APHIS Pet Travel country rules for Bahamas (Coco Caye), St Maarten, and St. Thomas (this last one is found under "traveling state to state" as Virgin Islands. Service dogs aren't pets but they still have to meet the same regulations for import to another country. Cruise lines rarely know anything about this topic when you call them.

 

All you have needed for St. Thomas in the past was a basic Form 7001 health certificate signed by the vet which you need anyway for any cruise. The cruise line will expect you to produce this at check-in with the rabies certificate.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms/pdf/APHIS7001.pdf

 

Everything may have changed post-Covid, so there's no way to predict what we will all encounter. If your vet is not a USDA-accredited vet, you may want to find one where you live who may be familiar with the paper work. 

 

Many of us have taken our dogs to the Bahamas in the past, and it required your filling out a form (see APHIS to print a copy)  to fax (you can fill out the form yourself without involving the vet yet), then awaiting a reply and a permit to bring the dog in, including a final visit to your vet within a 48 before departure to have the vet sign another form. Note that in the past, Bahamas waived the fee of $10 for service dogs, so you need to include a note or letter saying that is the case, and a return fax number. Here was info someone posted a while back:

 

 "I faxed the import form with a cover letter to the Director of Agriculture to 1-242-325-3960 and emailed it to Deandra Delancey at deandradelancy@bahamas.gov.bs.  Then I followed up with her about a week later at 1-242-397-7450.  She is extremely nice.  She is the top veterinarian there."

 

I know Coco Caye is a private island, but people on this thread were told by a cruise line a few years ago that The Bahamas required the cruise companies to be sure the passenger had the permit, even for private islands, even if you weren't getting off with the dog, so cruise lines started looking for it at check-in. I've obtained it two or three times. There was also a commercial service you can use that will get the permit for a fee. I don't know if anybody here has used him or not. I'm considering doing it next time I go in November.

https://www.bahamaspetpermit.com/

 

As far as St. Maarten, their rules changed and required that the health certificate not only be signed by a USDA accredited vet, but also sent or taken to a regional USDA APHIS vet (federal official) to countersign (sort of a hassle and at your expense, of course, if you have to send it by overnight mail). So the last time we went to St. Maarten, I didn't bother getting the permit figuring we wouldn't get off the ship. Funny surprise - the ship staff called the day before arrival at the island and said we were approved to take the dog off. So I guess the port officials were satisfied with the general Form 7001 without their special form. Their rules:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/health-certificates/non-eu/st-maarten-dog-cat-ferret.pdf

 

Let us know how it all works out!

 

@Caribbean Chris thank you so much for the info. I’ll be getting the permits for Bahamas and St Thomas but for St Marteen we Aren’t getting off. 
 

@DUTRAVEL I had no idea about this. Thank you so much I’ll be looking into it. I have a lot of homework to do 

[Caribbean Chris]

23 hours ago, DUTRAVEL said:

Just a heads up that beginning July 14, 2021, there is a temporary suspension for dogs imported from countries that the CDC considers high risk for dog rabies. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and emotional support dogs. These rules also apply whether you are (1) just visiting the United States with your dog, (2) importing dogs into the United States, or (3) traveling out of the United States and returning with your dog after a temporary visit, such as a vacation or holiday, or for shopping or visiting friends and relatives. See links for a list of the applicable countries.

 

Dogs from high-risk countries may be imported only with CDC’s advance written approval (CDC Dog Import Permit), including dogs imported from a country NOT at high risk if the dogs have been in a high-risk country during the previous 6 months. To request advance written approval, you must follow the instructions at How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit and send an email to CDC at CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov, at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. Requests cannot be made at the port of entry upon arrival into the United States. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.

Thanks for posting Diane! It’s always something. We have the Dominican Republic on an itinerary next April, so I’ll tell the ship we will not take the dog ashore there.

[lindaler]

When we were cruising before the shut down, I had to get certain forms filled out for two different ports.  One needed it if we were getting off but the other one said, even if we were staying on the ship we needed the forms. Then they said, if you don't have the forms, no one can get off as they won't clear the ship.  I don't know if it was just hot air or if it was true but HAL really wanted us to get the forms and pay the fees so it was easier to do what they asked. 

[Algebralovr]

On 6/15/2021 at 3:48 PM, DUTRAVEL said:

Just a heads up that beginning July 14, 2021, there is a temporary suspension for dogs imported from countries that the CDC considers high risk for dog rabies. These rules apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and emotional support dogs. These rules also apply whether you are (1) just visiting the United States with your dog, (2) importing dogs into the United States, or (3) traveling out of the United States and returning with your dog after a temporary visit, such as a vacation or holiday, or for shopping or visiting friends and relatives. See links for a list of the applicable countries.

 

Dogs from high-risk countries may be imported only with CDC’s advance written approval (CDC Dog Import Permit), including dogs imported from a country NOT at high risk if the dogs have been in a high-risk country during the previous 6 months. To request advance written approval, you must follow the instructions at How to Apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit and send an email to CDC at CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov, at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. Requests cannot be made at the port of entry upon arrival into the United States. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense.

That is scary looking.  We booked a Panama Canal cruise for Dec 2022.  I'll need to keep an eye on this site, as we have a number of stops in these countries.  I've filled out the paperwork for Princess and been approved to bring Scooter, but if they still have this posting up, we'll have to leave him at home during the cruise.  Luckily, he likes going to the Palace to play on days I'm not very mobile and staying home.