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

[Caribbean Chris]

my thoughts are with everyone in Las Vegas - a city I and Dottie visit every year and one of our favorite places on earth, Well done to all the first res-ponders there!

 

The news reports all day yesterday and continuing today have been so horrifying. We all can relate to the victims with our different memories. It has really been a heartbreaking few weeks, hasn't it? with all the devastation from the three hurricanes affecting Texas, Florida and so much of the Caribbean. Last week at an appointment, my audiologist (originally from Puerto Rico) said he still had no idea how his family was faring. No one had heard from them. He said, "All we can do is pray."

 

One of our closest friends got on the Royal Caribbean evacuation mercy ship on St. Croix last week and left so he can continue to do his international consulting work (no flights out and no internet.) The ship is due into Ft. Lauderdale today.

 

There were more than 100 dogs on board, according to a Cruise Critic article!! (Not service dogs.) When you think what a task we all have trying to get things right for one dog and one relief box! I can't imagine what's been going on, but I have to ask my friend for details.

[wizard-of-roz]

This Hawaii information is really interesting. Thanks, Roz, Dianne, and Tommy. Lots to learn about.

 

A while back, a friend (who knows I want to take Raylene to Hawaii on a future trip) emailed me about taking his service dog to Hawaii... by air, though, not by ship. Here's some info he gave me about fees when arriving elsewhere besides Oahu.

 

"The vet costs on the islands can be exciting.There is no cost for using the Department on Oahu, their services are complimentary. On the big island vet fees have run about $150 for a midweek arrival and $200 for a week-end arrival. On Maui it has been a flat $300 for the vets we have used and for Kauai it was $400 for a lady from the Humane services (who wasn’t a vet). We no longer fly directly to Kauai, even though it is our favorite island."

 

"The State's data base onanimals they have processed seems to be available to all the vets on theislands and very efficient and accessible...Once you've checked in at Oahu, there are no additionalrequirements for inter-island travel during your trip since you're already inthe system."

 

I guess that would hold true for cruising inter-island once you have been processed?

 

He also said, "If you're planning a trip you should allow time for a bad test result and a do over." Sounds like sometimes the Titer gives a false report and there has to be another blood draw.

 

I'm going to have the blood draw, all paperwork done and I'll fax it to them 30 days before we leave. If they have any further "stuff" for me to do before we set sail I should have lots of time to do it. This should also include any money that they may need [which really makes me crazy, by the way!]

My own Vet bill for the thorough exam, blood draw and extra Rabies shot should be enough for any Service Dog handler to endure. The fact that any state or other country asks that a SD handler endure any more costs borders on insulting, unnecessary and rude!!!!

[alexspepa]

Hey Everyone - heading out tomorrow for our 10 day cruise; Lucy is very depressed because our suitcases are out.

We brought over our neighbors tonight who are keeping her so she could get used to the situation but it is still hard to leave her.

 

Talk to you all when we get back!

 

Keith

[alexspepa]

The news reports all day yesterday and continuing today have been so horrifying. We all can relate to the victims with our different memories. It has really been a heartbreaking few weeks, hasn't it? with all the devastation from the three hurricanes affecting Texas, Florida and so much of the Caribbean. Last week at an appointment, my audiologist (originally from Puerto Rico) said he still had no idea how his family was faring. No one had heard from them. He said, "All we can do is pray."

 

One of our closest friends got on the Royal Caribbean evacuation mercy ship on St. Croix last week and left so he can continue to do his international consulting work (no flights out and no internet.) The ship is due into Ft. Lauderdale today.

 

There were more than 100 dogs on board, according to a Cruise Critic article!! (Not service dogs.) When you think what a task we all have trying to get things right for one dog and one relief box! I can't imagine what's been going on, but I have to ask my friend for details.

 

I gotta hand it RCL for taking care of those folks and their pets!...I bet the crew and passengers delivered lots of cuddles.

 

As to Vegas - I just don't know what to say.

[fairbourne]

Hey Everyone - heading out tomorrow for our 10 day cruise; Lucy is very depressed because our suitcases are out.

We brought over our neighbors tonight who are keeping her so she could get used to the situation but it is still hard to leave her.

 

Talk to you all when we get back!

 

Keith

 

Bon Voyage Keith! It really is the worst part of going away when we take our lot to their "hotels"! But they're always so pleased to se us when we get home. Have a wonderful time, make the most of that drinks package! ;p:cool:

[DUTRAVEL]

Hey Everyone - heading out tomorrow for our 10 day cruise; Lucy is very depressed because our suitcases are out.

We brought over our neighbors tonight who are keeping her so she could get used to the situation but it is still hard to leave her.

 

Talk to you all when we get back!

 

Keith

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Dianne

[wizard-of-roz]

Hey Everyone - heading out tomorrow for our 10 day cruise; Lucy is very depressed because our suitcases are out.

We brought over our neighbors tonight who are keeping her so she could get used to the situation but it is still hard to leave her.

 

Talk to you all when we get back!

 

Keith

 

Keith, have a joyful and funfilled cruise! Bon~Voyage!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

<3 Happy, safe and loving weekend everyone!

[Caribbean Chris]

Hi everybody. Quiet here lately, so I decided to share that we just made final payment for our January Celebrity Reflection cruise in the Western Caribbean.

 

For the past three years, we've sailed in mid-December to celebrate Raylene's birthday, but she'll just have to be content with a small celebration at home this time!

 

Who else has a winter cruise planned?

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi everybody. Quiet here lately, so I decided to share that we just made final payment for our January Celebrity Reflection cruise in the Western Caribbean.

 

For the past three years, we've sailed in mid-December to celebrate Raylene's birthday, but she'll just have to be content with a small celebration at home this time!

 

Who else has a winter cruise planned?

 

Yay! Love those final payments. We used to do the "Doc Dance", because we'd receive the final documents either in the mail or via email....Holland America had the most beautiful cases that the final doc's would come in [they were nice enough to use for a clutch purse.]

All the hurricanes will be in the past and everyone in the Caribbean will be so ready to greet tourists!

We'll be off to Hawaii on December 2nd......made final a while ago. Now, getting ready for all the paperwork for Horton to take his first trip to the beautiful islands....he already does the Hula with his tail. ;p

[wizard-of-roz]

We need to send our very best wishes to CCI, Santa Rosa. There are some wild fires going on near them that are leaving the air very difficult to breathe.

Stay safe CCI family and friends and keep all the puppies safe!!!!

[DUTRAVEL]

Hi everybody. Quiet here lately, so I decided to share that we just made final payment for our January Celebrity Reflection cruise in the Western Caribbean.

 

For the past three years, we've sailed in mid-December to celebrate Raylene's birthday, but she'll just have to be content with a small celebration at home this time!

 

Who else has a winter cruise planned?

 

Jealous - we have to wait until April for our Hawaii to Vancouver cruise. We really like the Celebrity "S" class ships.

 

Dianne

[DUTRAVEL]

We need to send our very best wishes to CCI, Santa Rosa. There are some wild fires going on near them that are leaving the air very difficult to breathe.

 

Stay safe CCI family and friends and keep all the puppies safe!!!!

 

I don't know how much of this the national news is covering, but these fires literally sprang up over night and have already caused great devastation. Over 1,500 home and businesses have been destroyed. So many pets, horses, cows and livestock in the path of the fires. The winds that have been spreading these fires are finally starting to die down a bit.

 

The CCI Santa Rosa campus has posted that they are safe and have an evacuation plan in place. The campus is located at the southern end of Santa Rosa and the fires are in the north end and Napa so they should be okay. I just saw pictures of the Luther Burbank Center where CCI holds its graduations - its now on fire.

 

 

We live about 45 minutes away from the Sonoma Valley and its hard to believe that we were there just last week enjoying wine and cheese at a winery which is now gone.

 

There are so many fires burning - its just heartbreaking to see and the firefighters just have to pick and choose what they can save.

 

Dianne

[thephantomsgirl]

I can just see Horton! LOL!

 

Chris, I know Raylene will enjoy her cruise. :)

 

I'm going on the Disney Dream on January 29th. Hooray!

 

I moved back to my mom's house so I can be around for her. It works for all of us. Jagger loves having a fenced in back yard. Misses his "ladies" where we used to live, but we can visit.

 

Happy Cruising everyone!

 

Holly

[rpclmc]

I leave home Saturday for Miami. Annual girl's cruise (middle aged women mostly) that leaves Miami Monday for a 4 day Caribbean cruise, Key West and Cozumel.

 

Halo hasn't done a cruise yet. I thought he might go, but my husband insists that Halo's first cruise is with both of us. So, my husband changed his hunting week so he will be back to take care of Halo. Not a lot of people I trust caring for him. He will be at a friends for one night.

 

Linda and Halo

[thephantomsgirl]

Have fun Linda!

 

Holly and Jagger

[alexspepa]

Hey Everyone - just wanted to take a minute mid-cruise to say that we are having a great time; and yes Fairbourne I am taking full advantage of the drink package!

 

The food in the main dining room and the buffet has been very good - on Saturday they had whole roast suckling pig that was delicious - I actually went back an hour later to get more. Yesterday on the buffet they had grilled Alaska salmon - you could get it cooked to whatever temp you wanted and my medium-rare was perfect.

 

Last night we saw maybe the best show I have seen in 30 years of cruising - it was a group of four young guys singing Frankie Valli songs and they really engaged the crowd.

 

Had a disappointing experience with another passenger during the slot pull yesterday that I will share when I get back - right now I just don't want to talk about it because I will get mad all over again.

 

 

Anyway we are really enjoying the Equinox and I am getting ready to go up top as we sail into Aruba...talk to you later!

[wizard-of-roz]

I can just see Horton! LOL!

 

Chris, I know Raylene will enjoy her cruise. :)

 

I'm going on the Disney Dream on January 29th. Hooray!

 

I moved back to my mom's house so I can be around for her. It works for all of us. Jagger loves having a fenced in back yard. Misses his "ladies" where we used to live, but we can visit.

 

Happy Cruising everyone!

 

Holly

 

Of all my cruising, I have still NOT made it to a Disney ship. We were once in Pugent Sound, onboard the Golden Princess, when I heard "When you Wish Upon a Star" coming from a Disney ship [when they could still blow the whistle and before the neighbors signed a petition to make cruise ships stop making so much noise] and I got goose bumps and promised myself that I'd take a Disney cruise one day.

 

I know some of you are Disney champions and I've heard some wonderful things about cruising with them.......One day ♥

[wizard-of-roz]

I leave home Saturday for Miami. Annual girl's cruise (middle aged women mostly) that leaves Miami Monday for a 4 day Caribbean cruise, Key West and Cozumel.

 

Halo hasn't done a cruise yet. I thought he might go, but my husband insists that Halo's first cruise is with both of us. So, my husband changed his hunting week so he will be back to take care of Halo. Not a lot of people I trust caring for him. He will be at a friends for one night.

 

Linda and Halo

 

Linda, it sounds like so much fun! If I don't get a chance to tell you.....Bon~Voyage, have a wonderful time, be a good girl ;p

My husband enjoyed my Service Dogs as much, if not more than I did!

[Algebralovr]

Hey Everyone - just wanted to take a minute mid-cruise to say that we are having a great time; and yes Fairbourne I am taking full advantage of the drink package!

 

The food in the main dining room and the buffet has been very good - on Saturday they had whole roast suckling pig that was delicious - I actually went back an hour later to get more. Yesterday on the buffet they had grilled Alaska salmon - you could get it cooked to whatever temp you wanted and my medium-rare was perfect.

 

Last night we saw maybe the best show I have seen in 30 years of cruising - it was a group of four young guys singing Frankie Valli songs and they really engaged the crowd.

 

Had a disappointing experience with another passenger during the slot pull yesterday that I will share when I get back - right now I just don't want to talk about it because I will get mad all over again.

 

 

Anyway we are really enjoying the Equinox and I am getting ready to go up top as we sail into Aruba...talk to you later!

I'm really looking forward to hearing your experiences. We are not planning to take Scooter in either December or February at this point. DH is really nervous about doing so.

 

In December, we are taking the entire family, including my disabled father, and we will be responsible for helping him get everywhere. I think I have a friend lined up for Scooter to stay with.

 

In February, we will be gone for two weeks, but my son is staying home and can keep Scooter.

 

I'm just nervous about Scooter in all these strange places. Plus, I worry that the lawn on Silhouette might be too much a temptation. :D

Hubby is also worried about Scooter at the beach, but the beach is one of our favorite places to go in the Caribbean

 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[wizard-of-roz]

Hey Everyone - just wanted to take a minute mid-cruise to say that we are having a great time; and yes Fairbourne I am taking full advantage of the drink package!

 

The food in the main dining room and the buffet has been very good - on Saturday they had whole roast suckling pig that was delicious - I actually went back an hour later to get more. Yesterday on the buffet they had grilled Alaska salmon - you could get it cooked to whatever temp you wanted and my medium-rare was perfect.

 

Last night we saw maybe the best show I have seen in 30 years of cruising - it was a group of four young guys singing Frankie Valli songs and they really engaged the crowd.

 

Had a disappointing experience with another passenger during the slot pull yesterday that I will share when I get back - right now I just don't want to talk about it because I will get mad all over again.

 

 

Anyway we are really enjoying the Equinox and I am getting ready to go up top as we sail into Aruba...talk to you later!

 

Keith, your cruise sounds wonderful.

I can't wait to hear more about the slot pull. Get strangers together in the casino, ask them to play a game, and anything can happen!

Don't you love those drink packages. I'm not much of a drinker but I sure came up with some amazingly creative concoctions for the bartenders to present me with!

Continue to have fun and enjoy your cruise!!!

[thephantomsgirl]

You know...we should do a group cruise someday....

[wizard-of-roz]

You know...we should do a group cruise someday....

 

Bring it on..I really don't care where we go.....It would be fun just to see all the Service Dogs in one place having fun with each other. And, the folks without SD's who can't keep their hands off our dogs. I say let it be a "free-for-all!" We find an empty lounge, bring in some tennis balls and let the games begin! :p

 

Horton loves dogs, he thinks they're so silly!

[Algebralovr]

That would be fun! I think I could get Allen to go for it.

 

Scooter still has enough puppy in him that he might want to play with everyone. One of the students across the street has a 5 month old blue heeler mix. Big puppy. We walked past and Scooter kept turning his head. Finally stopped to say hi, and Scooter just lay down to let the puppy be silly.

 

I could definitely see a difference between how he behaved a year ago. Amazing how they change. He will be 2 years old in December

 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[wizard-of-roz]

That would be fun! I think I could get Allen to go for it.

 

Scooter still has enough puppy in him that he might want to play with everyone. One of the students across the street has a 5 month old blue heeler mix. Big puppy. We walked past and Scooter kept turning his head. Finally stopped to say hi, and Scooter just lay down to let the puppy be silly.

 

I could definitely see a difference between how he behaved a year ago. Amazing how they change. He will be 2 years old in December

 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

And, you will have a teenager on your hands.......Remember, dogs stay 2 years old [inside their heads] for the rest of their lives. That's what makes them so joyful forever!!! Their bodies age but NEVER their minds! :)