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

[wizard-of-roz]

Unless you're planning a trip a year out and have the time to abide by all restrictions and necessary testing most of our travels are done within a shorter period of time and what we can get from our Vets may be all that we can conjure up for our travels.

 

Any test that is required 90 days out and you don't have the time to get will be "set aside" so that you may continue your travels with Pedro. You will have the 7001 form and any other paperwork to back-up his health with a signature confirming it from your Vet. You'll be fine.

[rangeley]

I'm so glad that we are just going to stay on the ship this cruise. St Thomas will be the only place we will get off. Im not doing any paperwork except the intl health certificate. And by the way, we have never gotten it stamped.

Edited November 10, 2015 by rangeley

[rangeley]

Cindra, Barbados doesn't let dogs off at all. In fact they wouldn't let John off either.

 

You have to get all the permits yourself.

 

We don't get off anywhere that requires giving extra shots, medications, unnecessary tests and asks for money.

[wizard-of-roz]

I'm so glad that we are just going to stay on the ship this cruise. St Thomas will be the only place we will get off. Im not doing any paperwork except the intl health certificate. And by the way, we have never gotten it stamped.

 

Cindy, with all the traveling that I've done with both Brenda and Horton I've NEVER been refused entry into any foreign country except in Italy and Canada where we had long waits but my stubbornness outwaited their demands. Hawaii can be tough too and that's the USA!!!

 

I have things to do, places to go, people to see and I don't like to be stopped for "stupid" stuff.

[wizard-of-roz]

Cindra, Barbados doesn't let dogs off at all. In fact they wouldn't let John off either.

 

You have to get all the permits yourself.

 

We don't get off anywhere that requires giving extra shots, medications, unnecessary tests and asks for money.

 

I've come to the same feeling myself. I do love cruising because it's such a relaxing and fun way to travel the world. And, when the cruise line throws in extra's like drink packages, gratuities paid and lots of OBC's it's even more fun. ;)

 

I've learned that I don't have to be intimidated by Immigration officials that try to scare me and ports that want too much for me to enter them with my Service Dog. I'm just as happy to shop at the stores at the dock or just stay on the ship and view the country from a distance.

 

Having a barely empty, 5 star floating hotel mostly to myself is glorious. It gives me time to explore without crowds, eat a non-hurried meal or take a much needed day off and I'm first in line everywhere!

[tvaud]

Actually, Barbados has changed their laws to allow animals. They also state special consideration for service animals. They require 7001, microchip and a "model certificate." It's still a pain, but at least we are allowed to enter. In Jamaica, ship security stopped me before even getting off the ship saying, "You can't take the dog!" I looked at her and said, "Do you see a dog?" My husband stayed on board with Pedro. Bill says that any country that will not allow my dog, will not get my tourist dollars.

 

Even the vet at the USDA said that some countries try to extort extra money...bribes...to allow the dog to enter. It's criminal!

 

I've already started to research next years cruise. That one should be much easier...I hope! Has anyone had issues with any of these countries? Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Mexico & Belize

[rangeley]

Actually, Barbados has changed their laws to allow animals. They also state special consideration for service animals. They require 7001, microchip and a "model certificate." It's still a pain, but at least we are allowed to enter. In Jamaica, ship security stopped me before even getting off the ship saying, "You can't take the dog!" I looked at her and said, "Do you see a dog?" My husband stayed on board with Pedro. Bill says that any country that will not allow my dog, will not get my tourist dollars.

 

Even the vet at the USDA said that some countries try to extort extra money...bribes...to allow the dog to enter. It's criminal!

 

I've already started to research next years cruise. That one should be much easier...I hope! Has anyone had issues with any of these countries? Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Mexico & Belize

 

Only been to Mexico. The only thing I remember is that they want a rabies before you go. Did not like the way they stand there and tried to intimidate me. I had to bring the dog down every stop. I've never had to do that with any other island or cruise. Don't know about the other islands. I know Honduras wanted momey. Wex stayed on the ship.

Edited November 10, 2015 by rangeley

[Caribbean Chris]

Only been to Mexico. The only thing I remember is that they want a rabies before you go. Did not like the way they stand there and tried to intimidate me. I had to bring the dog down every stop. I've never had to do that with any other island or cruise. Don't know about the other islands. I know Honduras wanted momey. Wex stayed on the ship.

 

The situation seems to change (or maybe it just depends on which ship you are on, what local official is on duty that day, or the alignment of the stars!!)

 

In April 2015 when our cruise stopped in Mexico and Honduras (Holland America out of Tampa), I never was asked to bring the dog down to see officials, and was never asked for money.

[Caribbean Chris]

Cindra: I'm glad you got a response from Albany. They were very helpful to me last spring at the last minute when North Carolina's Service Center changed to Albany. They knew a lot more there than the NC office or the local certified vet ever did.

 

This person was especially knowledgeable and helpful as we emailed back and forth:

Caitlin E. Comparetta, DVM

Veterinary Medical Officer

USDA APHIS VS, National Import Export Services (NIES), Service Center 1

500 New Karner Rd, 2nd Floor

Albany, NY 12205

518 218 7540 phone| 518 218 7545 facsimile

VSPSNY@aphis.usda.gov

 

Here is what she told me about the "after the first port you are on your own" info you got:

"Cruises are an exception to our normal rule of issuing just one certificate for the first country the owner/pet arrives in, even if they are traveling on to another country. In the case of cruises, we issue one 7001 certificate and include all of the requirements and certification statements for all the destination countries. We also include all the destination countries in the Consignee section of the certificate. We do understand this can be a confusing situation, so if you or your accredited veterinarian have any questions on how best to proceed, please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or email."

 

(However, she ended up sending me more than one 7001, since Guatemala's was different than Mexico's!)

 

Re Mexico and Honduras for your next cruise - The 7001 has to have a bi-lingual statement, in Spanish and not just English. The Mexico bilingual fill-in form is on the USDA APHIS IREGS page now if you click the drop-down "country" box, Live Animals, and scroll down to "Pets."

 

Mexico info: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/mx_pets_dog_cat_upd_12.pdf

 

Mexico APHIS form:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/mx_aphis_7001.pdf

 

Last April, Albany told me they had no info on Honduras and that I needed to contact the embassy. Since I had two different bi-lingual 7001 forms (Mexico and Guatemala) already, I left it at that, and figured the Honduran officials could read it and either hassle me or not - if they had, I would have stayed on board. I didn't pay a fee or have any kind of permit for Honduras, and went ashore with no issues. Your mileage may vary.

 

This whole documentation business is unpredictable, so I just do what I can and don't worry about it much any more. (I WILL take it very seriously if we decide to travel on a transatlantic because that's a different ball game than just staying on board for one Caribbean port!) I agree with others who say they will not vaccinate the dog unnecessarily and will never pay any fees demanded on arrival by local officials.

 

Nobody is really an expert, no one can predict what local officials will do, and the experiences we all have as service dog partners are all over the map.

[wizard-of-roz]

Cindra: I'm glad you got a response from Albany. They were very helpful to me last spring at the last minute when North Carolina's Service Center changed to Albany. They knew a lot more there than the NC office or the local certified vet ever did.

 

This person was especially knowledgeable and helpful as we emailed back and forth:

Caitlin E. Comparetta, DVM

Veterinary Medical Officer

USDA APHIS VS, National Import Export Services (NIES), Service Center 1

500 New Karner Rd, 2nd Floor

Albany, NY 12205

518 218 7540 phone| 518 218 7545 facsimile

VSPSNY@aphis.usda.gov

 

Here is what she told me about the "after the first port you are on your own" info you got:

"Cruises are an exception to our normal rule of issuing just one certificate for the first country the owner/pet arrives in, even if they are traveling on to another country. In the case of cruises, we issue one 7001 certificate and include all of the requirements and certification statements for all the destination countries. We also include all the destination countries in the Consignee section of the certificate. We do understand this can be a confusing situation, so if you or your accredited veterinarian have any questions on how best to proceed, please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or email."

 

(However, she ended up sending me more than one 7001, since Guatemala's was different than Mexico's!)

 

Re Mexico and Honduras for your next cruise - The 7001 has to have a bi-lingual statement, in Spanish and not just English. The Mexico bilingual fill-in form is on the USDA APHIS IREGS page now if you click the drop-down "country" box, Live Animals, and scroll down to "Pets."

 

Mexico info: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/mx_pets_dog_cat_upd_12.pdf

 

Mexico APHIS form:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/mx_aphis_7001.pdf

 

Last April, Albany told me they had no info on Honduras and that I needed to contact the embassy. Since I had two different bi-lingual 7001 forms (Mexico and Guatemala) already, I left it at that, and figured the Honduran officials could read it and either hassle me or not - if they had, I would have stayed on board. I didn't pay a fee or have any kind of permit for Honduras, and went ashore with no issues. Your mileage may vary.

 

This whole documentation business is unpredictable, so I just do what I can and don't worry about it much any more. (I WILL take it very seriously if we decide to travel on a transatlantic because that's a different ball game than just staying on board for one Caribbean port!) I agree with others who say they will not vaccinate the dog unnecessarily and will never pay any fees demanded on arrival by local officials.

 

Nobody is really an expert, no one can predict what local officials will do, and the experiences we all have as service dog partners are all over the map.

 

Chris, thank you so much for being such a HUGE help. I totally agree with all that you said.

 

Please remember.......Your dogs safety and well being is the most important thing that we all must consider, no matter what country or port that we're visiting.

[thephantomsgirl]

For those who have sailed on Carnival:

 

What have you had to do to "qualify" a dog? My PVP said they are now doing this as they've had so many complaints.

 

Holly

[wizard-of-roz]

For those who have sailed on Carnival:

 

What have you had to do to "qualify" a dog? My PVP said they are now doing this as they've had so many complaints.

 

Holly

 

Holly, CCI provides all its graduates with a Certification I.D. Card with an expiration date of when the dog is required to be re-certified. Not all training Orgs. give these and it is not against the law to not have one. It just makes traveling into the public venue so much easier for those of us with an SD.

 

And, hopefully, one day the Dept. of Justice will demand that all handlers who go into the public with their Service Dogs MUST have an I.D. card with a picture on it. This will STOP the idiots from selling this stuff online! Some Service Dogs are self trained. and are wonderful assistants to their handlers but should still have some sort of ID.

 

EVERYONE MUST present the APHIS 7001 form filled out by a licensed Vet, which has all the information about the dog, including immunizations/spay/neuter info./microchip info. You should also have an assurance form from the cruise line Special Needs Dept, signed by you assuring that you will take full responsibility for the behavior/feeding etc., of your dog and its behavior. My Vet also gives a "general health" form, stating that my dog is in good condition/free from disease and is safe to go into the public venue.

 

I have seen ill behaved dogs asked to stay in their cabin with the handlers until we reached the next port because the dog was nipping and growling at other guests in an elevator. I even saw a woman and her poorly behaving chihuaha escorted off the Sapphire Princess in San Diego because the dog bit another guest and drew blood.

Edited November 10, 2015 by wizard-of-roz

[Caribbean Chris]

Holly, this is the cover letter plus "Service Animal Information Form" Holland America sent me last April and they are owned by the same parent company as Carnival, so their "qualifying" paperwork could be similar. We were required to fill it out and send it back.

 

COVER LETTER

"Holland America Line would like to take this opportunity to welcome you aboard the ms Ryndam. We understand that you are interested in traveling with a service animal. This letter provides you important information related to traveling with your animal.

 

Holland America Line permits service animals on board that are individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. We do not permit on our ships pets, therapy/companion animals and other animals that do not meet the definition of service animals. If you have any questions about whether the animal you wish to bring on board is a service animal, you may contact our Access & Compliance Department.

 

Your itinerary may include ports of call that have very specific and strict requirements that need to be met prior to your service animal being allowed off of the ship. Please be sure you understand the requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call. The best places to obtain specific information on required documentation and immunizations for your service animal are the U.S. Department of Agriculture, local customs offices in the specific ports and from your service animal’s veterinarian. All documentation and immunization requirements are established by government authorities and not by Holland America Line. Should you need assistance in locating this information, please contact our Access & Compliance Department.

 

To board the ship, your service animal must have current vaccinations. Records confirming the vaccination status should be provided to our Access & Compliance Department prior to your departure. We also recommend that you carry the immunization records with you in case they are required at any port-of-call. If you do not have the proper documentation and proof of vaccinations for your service animal, or if there are local quarantine requirements, your service animal will be denied the right to leave the ship. If your service animal is denied the right to leave the ship in a specific port of call, the staff and crew will work with you to determine what actions may be possible to allow you to visit the port without your service animal. Please note that in your absence, you will need to provide for the care and supervision of your service animal. Except in those circumstances where your service animal has been denied disembarkation, you may not leave your service animal unattended on the vessel or in your stateroom at any time.

 

While onboard, the ship will establish a relief area for your service animal. If you have specific concerns about the nature of the relief area, please contract our Access & Compliance Department.

 

Service animals must be on a leash or harness while in public areas of the ship, may not sit on any surface other than the floor, and are not allowed in saunas, hot tubs, pools or the “beach” area surrounding the pool where water may flow freely in and out of the pool. Service animals may not be fed in public areas of the ship, including dining areas. Most guests bring their own food for their service animals. For a fee, Holland America Line will arrange for food for your service animal with at least 30 days advance notice. We cannot, however, guarantee the availability of all brands of food. Service animal food costs will be billed to your onboard account.

 

To ensure we are able to best meet the needs of your service animal, we kindly request that you take a moment to complete the enclosed Service Animal Information form and return the completed form to our Access & Compliance Department at least 30 days prior to your departure.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Access & Compliance Department at 800-547-8493 or email us at HALW_Access@hollandamerica.com.

 

Thank you for choosing Holland America Line. We hope that your cruising experience with us is nothing less than exceptional.

 

Sincerely,

 

Access & Compliance

Holland America Line"

 

SERVICE ANIMAL INFO FORM TO FILL OUT AND RETURN:

"Service animals are guide dogs, signal dogs or other dogs individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Holland America Line welcomes service animals aboard its cruises and tours for passengers with disabilities.

 

Please provide the following information about your service animal:

 

Type of Tasks/Work Performed

by Service Animal: ________________________________

Is your Service Animal Certified?

(Certification is not required) Yes ________ No __________

Name of Service Animal: ________________________________

Breed of Service Animal: ________________________________

Color of Service Animal: ________________________________

Sex of Service Animal: Male ________ Female ________

Age of Service Animal: ________________________________

 

 

Please advise below what type of relief area is required by your service animal.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________" End of form.

 

 

Holly, hope this is helpful. Perhaps Carnival now asks for something similar.

Meanwhile, Celebrity's form and animal's vaccination records still do not have to be sent to the line in advance, just presented at the pier.

[wizard-of-roz]

I think HAL's approach is a very helpful and friendly one. Carnival and Princess are more succinct about their expectations of the handler keeping the dog off the furniture and on leash, at all times.

 

They NEVER offer any help with the food or helping when the dog can't leave the ship and you'd like to go ashore.

 

They seem to be more thorough about questions about the dog, where neither Carnival or Princess don't ask any such questions.

 

I like HAL'S approach much better. That said, I've been treated very, very well on both Princess and Carnival in over 17 cruises onboard them with either Brenda or Horton. One of HAL's crew members knocked on our cabin door offering to walk Brenda for me. Onboard NCL they offered to bring Brenda water from the kitchen when we were in the dining room. And Celebrity was very, very nice as well! I wouldn't hesitate to book any of the aforementioned cruise lines. My cruising now depends on where the ship leaves from and for how many days.

 

As the years go by travel with a Service Dog is becoming easier, more friendly and treated with much more respect than we were in 2002.

Edited November 10, 2015 by wizard-of-roz

[tvaud]

Today, I tried on clothes for the cruise, just in case...:rolleyes:

This afternoon, I tackled the list of requirements for Pedro. I sent emails to all the countries requiring import permits...some for the second time. How long before they respond?

 

I was also wrong about the country with "special conditions" for service dogs. It was actually Trinidad/Tobago and not Barbados, as I previously posted. After a while, they all run together.

 

Oh, here's a good one... Barbados puts animals arriving on yachts or cruise ships in a category that requires more stringent tests/vaccinations than if they were just flying in from the US. Go figure...

 

Why must they make it so hard for us...?

 

Cindra

[thephantomsgirl]

Thanks!

 

That is very similar to what Princess asked me to provide (cover letter). Perhaps Carnival is now moving to that.

 

I have NO problem with that!

[thephantomsgirl]

It does seem like some countries do make it hard.

 

Right now I'm keeping to Bahamas cruises as I don't care about getting off the ship. I enjoy the fewer crowds.

 

Hope you get it all settled Cindra. I'm sure you will, and that it'll be a great cruise! :)

[DUTRAVEL]

Today, I tried on clothes for the cruise, just in case...:rolleyes:

This afternoon, I tackled the list of requirements for Pedro. I sent emails to all the countries requiring import permits...some for the second time. How long before they respond?

 

I was also wrong about the country with "special conditions" for service dogs. It was actually Trinidad/Tobago and not Barbados, as I previously posted. After a while, they all run together.

 

Oh, here's a good one... Barbados puts animals arriving on yachts or cruise ships in a category that requires more stringent tests/vaccinations than if they were just flying in from the US. Go figure...

 

Why must they make it so hard for us...?

 

Cindra

 

I haven't cruised with my dog Henri yet, so I can't be of any help answering questions. I hope that you get everything straightened for your cruise. Good luck!

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

Cindra, let me add this.......Don't overthink any of this. Make sure that you have the Aphis 7001 form, completely filled out by your Vet. Within 30 days of travel. Have him write a short sentence about the good health and care of your dog [even if it's only on a RX pad.]

 

Remember: The more paperwork the more they'll like it. Make sure your dog is always acting appropriately when in the presence of Immigration and port authority, as well as the Hotel Manager of the ship.

 

Don't get frustrated, stay calm and smile.

 

Have a wonderful time on your travels.

[Insuregal]

Cindra, seems to me that you have already been on a wonderful cruise with Pedro and your DH. I'm positive this one will be another just as terrific. Be sure you post lots of photos for all of us so we can see Pedro in all his sailing outfits. We will be there with you in spirit, wishing we could be there in person. You're seasoned cruisers, with Pedro being the cherry on top of your cruise adventures. Don't sweat the small stuff. (Advice from someone who has never cruised with a service dog. I just read about it on Cruise Critic.) :)

 

Beckie

[Quampapetet]

http://www.atlantis.com/content/pdf/marina/Bahamas_Application_to_Import_Domestic_Animals_in_TIOTB.pdf

 

Here is the Bahamas dog permit form. Please write "service dog" on the top and they will waive the 10$ charge.

 

Actually, that is the old form. The current form to send for the Bahamas import permit is:

 

https://forms.bahamas.gov.bs/documents/AGRI_Application%20to%20import%20Domestic%20Animals.pdf

 

Be sure to update your bookmarks! :)

[Quampapetet]

That HAL form for service dogs us great, especially the behavior requirements (seeing as I have heard bad things about fakers on ships)! I am really glad they are doing this! And, of course, they are allowed by law to ask what tasks the dog has been trained to do that directly relate to your disability (though I wish the form was specifically written like that, as some fakers try to say their dog is a service dog because it is trained to retrieve when that is not something they need help with, or that the dog helps with med side-effects).

 

As far as going to multiple ports, yes, you must fit the requirements for each port you wish to get off at - and your dog is considered as being imported from your previous port, so if Cayman Islands says no dogs from Mexico and Mexico is your port directly prior to Cayman (sea days don't count), your dog cannot get off because it is being imported from Mexico.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't trust what a vet says about other countries' regulations and such, as in my experience, they just don't know that stuff and don't come across it often because most of their clients are pets that don't/can't travel. I had one vet admit that I knew more than he did about the regulations and one time he even asked me about a certain country for another client who was trying to take their pet.

 

Not every country is going to respond to e-mails, unfortunately. (I don't know why they list an e-mail address if they're not going to respond!) If you don't hear back in a reasonable amount of time, you will need to try the embassy or (*gulp*) making an international call to the country itself ($$).

 

Not all countries need the international health certificate to be endorsed by the USDA office, so that's why you can go to some cruises and never need to do it. Remember to include a copy of proof that your dog is a service dog so you don't have to pay for the endorsement! (If you don't have proof, such as a certificate, you'll have to pay the same fee pet owners pay. I had no problems using my training certificate both times I needed endorsements.)

 

I have never had a problem with any of the countries accepting my dog's yearly titers in lieu of over-vaccinating (giving vaccines yearly, every three years, etc.). Of course, I have to do the rabies vaccine by law, and the leptospirosis vaccine doesn't actually last more than a year, so you do have to give that one if you need it for travel or based on where you live. My previous dog's puppy vaccines lasted her whole life, even after the chemotherapy.

 

If a country needs to examine the dog upon arrival, the regulations should state so, so you'd know ahead of time that it will happen. I only went to one country that required that (which included them scanning the dog for the microchip, so be sure you know exactly where the microchip is located, in case it migrated!) - I think it was St. Lucia or St. Kitts.

[Quampapetet]

Why must they make it so hard for us...?

 

They have every right to protect their country (or islands, in the case of Hawaii) from terrible diseases like rabies. Remember, just one rabid animal has the ability to spread the potentially deadly disease to many other animals and humans, who in turn can spread it more and more and more. Livestock and humans would be at risk - and those countries may not have the painful series of shots that humans exposed to rabies need to get, plus they may not even realize it is rabies until it is too late. Rabies-free countries do it out of necessity, not to make it hard on anyone. The US (except Hawaii) has had rabies for a long time, so we're not used to places where it doesn't exist (and hopefully never will).

[Quampapetet]

Actually, Barbados has changed their laws to allow animals. They also state special consideration for service animals. They require 7001, microchip and a "model certificate."

 

What is a "model certificate"? Our service dogs must prance down the runway now?! :p

 

So glad Barbados is finally allowing dogs from places other than the UK now! I couldn't get off the ship when I cruised there, even after writing to them asking for an exception (they replied no exceptions). I guess I will just have to do the Southern Caribbean route again someday! :)

[Caribbean Chris]

Actually, that is the old form. The current form to send for the Bahamas import permit is:

 

https://forms.bahamas.gov.bs/documents/AGRI_Application%20to%20import%20Domestic%20Animals.pdf

 

Be sure to update your bookmarks! :)

 

Thanks for posting the newer form, Quam. I see Bahamas now asks for the microchip number on the new form.

 

My dog has two microchips, an AVID chip from Dogs for the Deaf and her original one from Guide Dogs for the Blind before her career change.

 

Neither chip is the newer ISO standard, though. So far no problem, and of course the USDA certified vet verifies the chip when she examines the dog, and signs off on the 7001 form with the chip as indicated.

 

Still, I worry a little about problems if we go to Europe in the future without the ISO chip but it seems ridiculous to subject the poor animal to a third chip. I've seen some recommendations that people carry along a chip reader for the older style, but they are very expensive to buy or even to rent.