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

[Algebralovr]

2 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Been meaning to ask if you happen to remember the brand name of that car seat belt.

 

On car trips, Raylene keeps stepping on the seat belt button and releasing the belt I bought that attaches to her regular harness.

It was Mighty Paw, with Latch Bar attachment.  I got it from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Paw-Attachment-Tangle-Free-Adjustable/dp/B019KHFESQ/ref=pd_sim_199_3/144-3376131-1534765?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B019KHFESQ&pd_rd_r=5778d2fe-89ea-4119-98d3-12da86284cef&pd_rd_w=YE3dn&pd_rd_wg=5PsDb&pf_rd_p=5abf8658-0b5f-405c-b880-a6d1b558d4ea&pf_rd_r=HSZFEJW2TCBA3DT14QF7&psc=1&refRID=HSZFEJW2TCBA3DT14QF7

 

we have one in each car installed. We use one of the other kind when traveling.

[Caribbean Chris]

9 minutes ago, Algebralovr said:

It was Mighty Paw, with Latch Bar attachment.  I got it from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Paw-Attachment-Tangle-Free-Adjustable/dp/B019KHFESQ/ref=pd_sim_199_3/144-3376131-1534765?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B019KHFESQ&pd_rd_r=5778d2fe-89ea-4119-98d3-12da86284cef&pd_rd_w=YE3dn&pd_rd_wg=5PsDb&pf_rd_p=5abf8658-0b5f-405c-b880-a6d1b558d4ea&pf_rd_r=HSZFEJW2TCBA3DT14QF7&psc=1&refRID=HSZFEJW2TCBA3DT14QF7

 

we have one in each car installed. We use one of the other kind when traveling.

 

So grateful to have this info! Thank you.

[rangeley]

3 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

I used to get the dog settled while my husband went to the buffet and gave him the leash to hold, just in case, when he returned and I went to the line. That was back in my dog’s younger years. Now she is so used to the drill she always just stays put. We had a perfect corner table yesterday against a wall at the buffet. Hard to find when it’s crowded.

 

Roz helped me (as always!) when she recommended the down-stay command, with leash attached to the chair, if you are positive the dog will hold the stay. She suggested turning back, giving the dog “the look” and repeating the “stay” hand signal a second time. I always visualize her “Marley & Me” story about very young Horton dragging the chair to follow her to the buffet, and I start laughing.

 

Roz, we missed you!!

 

 

 

I always keep the dog at the table while John gets someone to help him with his food. I doubt Oakland would stay by himself. 

[rangeley]

2 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

 

Been meaning to ask if you happen to remember the brand name of that car seat belt.

 

On car trips, Raylene keeps stepping on the seat belt button and releasing the belt I bought that attaches to her regular harness.

 

We also bought one of these seatbelts. I'm not sure what brand it is but works much better than using the seatbelt. Gives them a little extra freedom to turn around the other way if they wish. 

[Kaik9s]

4 hours ago, Mavis and Me said:

New question!!  How do you all do buffet lines with your large service dogs?  I rarely eat at buffets here at home because it feels weird having my dog scoot 6 inches at a time as I ‘graze’ down a buffet, not to mention she takes up a lot of space next to me, but I just don’t feel like putting her on a down-stay under the table is ok either. When I’m forced to go to one, my hubby usually brings me a plate of food, but on the cruise I’d like to select my own items!  What is the correct etiquette for buffet dining with a service dog on a cruise ship?!?  Thanks!

My SD never leaves my side, he accompanys me to any buffet on land or ship. I have a European hands free leash that’s crossbody. I get a plate and have him sit at each stop I make to pick out food, since he’s trained to watch my back he automatically turns away from the food area. He does occasionally pick up food from floor (that has been dropped by others) and is immediately corrected, most of the time I spot the floor food and command leave it which he does but I’m not perfect and he’s a dog not a robot. Mostly we’ve only had positive reactions with people saying he’s better behaved than children or some adults in the buffet! Lol. I understand why some may not want SD near food services but it’s not breaking any laws or SD etiquette if they’re by your side. 

[Miki_moto]

I’ve used the same seatbelt since 2007!  This thing never quits.  I will check on the brand later today if you’d like.

 

 

[Mavis and Me]

5 hours ago, Kaik9s said:

My SD never leaves my side, he accompanys me to any buffet on land or ship. I have a European hands free leash that’s crossbody. I get a plate and have him sit at each stop I make to pick out food, since he’s trained to watch my back he automatically turns away from the food area. He does occasionally pick up food from floor (that has been dropped by others) and is immediately corrected, most of the time I spot the floor food and command leave it which he does but I’m not perfect and he’s a dog not a robot. Mostly we’ve only had positive reactions with people saying he’s better behaved than children or some adults in the buffet! Lol. I understand why some may not want SD near food services but it’s not breaking any laws or SD etiquette if they’re by your side. 

I worry more about people stepping on her feet and smashing her into the buffet counter.  Also because my SD has a big mug, she can get a little drooly when it’s hot out and no one - including myself - wants to think of the idea of her flinging a slobber stringer near ANY food source!!  🤢 I try really hard to be polite and minimize her affect on others!  She would also remain under the table in a down-stay just fine, but there is no way I would leave her there because for sure I would return to either find 10 kids petting her or new people who took our table and didn’t even know she was under there!!   I think hubby and I will probably  just take turns holding her behind the buffet tables and then go try to hunt down a place to sit.

PS - I have the same leash and I LOVE it! I only wish mine was a little longer (I’m 6’ tall and when Mavis is on a down I have to slouch so as to not pull on her collar) and it would be awesome if it were made of leather instead of nylon. One of these days I’ll have one custom made just for Mavis and me!

[Algebralovr]

Miko, I have one kind of like that as well, but like the one that hooks to the car seat bar better.  

[Plant]

20 hours ago, Wendsong said:

I am such a novice. Thank you for the information, but how does one go about posting on ones "roll call"?

On the Forums page, scroll down to the Roll Call section and find your cruise line, then ship, then date.  If there's not already a roll call, start one :) !

[Wendsong]

1 hour ago, Plant said:

On the Forums page, scroll down to the Roll Call section and find your cruise line, then ship, then date.  If there's not already a roll call, start one 🙂 !

Thank you! Found one already there, so I just asked anyone traveling with a SD to let me know. Thanks, again...

[DisneyKidsDad]

Hello folks.  Sorry I've been away so long.  Work and life seem to get in the way sometimes.  We went through the long process of getting my daughter a new manual wheelchair.  Then in August, my wife had a hip replacement.

She is doing great but still has some issues.  We still have our seven day Disney cruise booked for May. We just turned in our fourth CCI puppy in training two weeks ago (Winchester II).  Now we wait for his progress reports.  I'll try not to be a stranger.

[rangeley]

31 minutes ago, DisneyKidsDad said:

Hello folks.  Sorry I've been away so long.  Work and life seem to get in the way sometimes.  We went through the long process of getting my daughter a new manual wheelchair.  Then in August, my wife had a hip replacement.

She is doing great but still has some issues.  We still have our seven day Disney cruise booked for May. We just turned in our fourth CCI puppy in training two weeks ago (Winchester II).  Now we wait for his progress reports.  I'll try not to be a stranger.

Welcome back DkD. Roz is on her 2nd week of cruising and she'll be sorry she missed you.

 

Winchester is adorable! 

Edited November 19, 2019 by rangeley

[S.S. Cruisers]

Wow DKD, I have thought of you often in the last 5 months!  We got a Silver lab pup that was born on June12.  We have determined a.) we are too old for a puppy b.) You puppy raisers are the BEST and I want one c.) Will Rockford ever behave and settle down?  d.)  You puppy raisers are the BEST, or did I say that already?  Good to see you back and Winchester II is very handsome! 

 

Cindy, I can't believe you guys are already back!  I am sure you are saying the same thing. I am sure when you get a moment you will fill us in on the shenanigans that went on, on your cruise!  

[Kaik9s]

I tried again to get answers from NCL Access Desk, the woman who answered wasn’t from Access even though that’s who I called, she was as helpful and polite as she could be but said I needed to email AD AGAIN! She at least tried to contact directly to personal involved with the ship they didn’t answer. I’ve now had 3 different employees tell me 3 different things and NONE of them really answer/resolve my inquiries.

 I’ve sent ANOTHER email and if I don’t get clear, knowledgeable information soon,( I’m still waiting for response to prior email from 6 weeks ago) I’m going to Corporate level to lodge official complaint. 

Yesterday I spoke to Carnival Special Needs dept for 2021 Alaska Cruise. They were polite, cheerful, Knowledgeable and extremely helpful with answers to ALL my needs! It was like night & day between the two companies! All this for a cruise year and half in future! 

Hopefully things will improve with NCL soon! I found the CC roll call and sounds like other people really like NCL Sun, so far no other SD. 

[rangeley]

7 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Wow DKD, I have thought of you often in the last 5 months!  We got a Silver lab pup that was born on June12.  We have determined a.) we are too old for a puppy b.) You puppy raisers are the BEST and I want one c.) Will Rockford ever behave and settle down?  d.)  You puppy raisers are the BEST, or did I say that already?  Good to see you back and Winchester II is very handsome! 

 

Cindy, I can't believe you guys are already back!  I am sure you are saying the same thing. I am sure when you get a moment you will fill us in on the shenanigans that went on, on your cruise!  

 

We had a great time! Laughed the whole cruise. I absolutely love Roz and will cherish the time we got to spend together. Horty and Oakland were so well behaved and became buds after a day or two. 

 

We saw seals, a sun fish, sea lions and whales!! That made my trip. It was totally exhausting but I'm so glad we did it. 

[Wendsong]

On 11/17/2019 at 12:15 PM, DUTRAVEL said:

We discussed that the box needs to be in a location close to the accessible cabins (although I realize not everyone with a service dog is in an accessible cabin) with no barriers (doors or floor lips) and that there should be a waste disposal container and ideally a hand washing station.

I would have liked an accessible cabin, because of the walk in shower, but was told by my travel agent that Princess requires anyone requesting an accessible cabin to be in a wheel chair. I'm not there yet, but I do have trouble getting in and out of a tub, even to shower.

[Caribbean Chris]

DKD!! Good to hear your update. Love that photo.

[Caribbean Chris]

This is the Celebrity Silhouette “wind tunnel” that leads from an open deck to the relief box which Raylene is visiting after waking, before bed, and several times in between every day. 

[rangeley]

39 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

This is the Celebrity Silhouette “wind tunnel” that leads from an open deck to the relief box which Raylene is visiting after waking, before bed, and several times in between every day. 

Ahh the wind tunnel. Remember it well. The things sticking out on the bottom were great for Johns wheelchair. Not!! But at least he could take the dog to potty. Not like the Princess or NCL set up. 

[rangeley]

19 hours ago, Kaik9s said:

I tried again to get answers from NCL Access Desk, the woman who answered wasn’t from Access even though that’s who I called, she was as helpful and polite as she could be but said I needed to email AD AGAIN! She at least tried to contact directly to personal involved with the ship they didn’t answer. I’ve now had 3 different employees tell me 3 different things and NONE of them really answer/resolve my inquiries.

 I’ve sent ANOTHER email and if I don’t get clear, knowledgeable information soon,( I’m still waiting for response to prior email from 6 weeks ago) I’m going to Corporate level to lodge official complaint. 

Yesterday I spoke to Carnival Special Needs dept for 2021 Alaska Cruise. They were polite, cheerful, Knowledgeable and extremely helpful with answers to ALL my needs! It was like night & day between the two companies! All this for a cruise year and half in future! 

Hopefully things will improve with NCL soon! I found the CC roll call and sounds like other people really like NCL Sun, so far no other SD. 

 

Whats going on with NCL? Any questions about bringing a SD I can help. 

[DisneyKidsDad]

23 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Wow DKD, I have thought of you often in the last 5 months!  We got a Silver lab pup that was born on June12.  We have determined a.) we are too old for a puppy b.) You puppy raisers are the BEST and I want one c.) Will Rockford ever behave and settle down?  d.)  You puppy raisers are the BEST, or did I say that already?  Good to see you back and Winchester II is very handsome! 

 

Cindy, I can't believe you guys are already back!  I am sure you are saying the same thing. I am sure when you get a moment you will fill us in on the shenanigans that went on, on your cruise!  

Yes he will settle down.  The one thing I would suggest is using a "Gentle Leader" on him instead of a flat collar or harness for walks and training.  The other thing is being consistent with the training.  Train for about ten minutes, three or four times a day.  Always end training on a positive note.  If you get frustrated, it will travel down the leash to the pup.

[DUTRAVEL]

We are back from our trip to Italy and Transatlantic Cruise from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale with my service dog Henri. The paperwork to enter the EU is pretty simple (it was easier this time since we weren’t visiting the UK). It’s about a 45-minute trip for me to go to the USDA’s office in South San Francisco so I always have my paperwork endorsed in person.

 

Henri is used to long flights and she did great on our ten-hour flight to Frankfurt. I have a roll out bed that I bring on flights and she pretty much sleeps the whole time. We did have an issue in Frankfurt when they would not let us take Henri outside to relieve herself between our connecting flight to Venice (even though last year they escorted us outside between flights with no problem). The woman I was speaking with basically was yelling at me that it was my problem if I had a dog with me (even though the EU has similar rules regarding flying with a service dog). The ironic part was that when we took the elevator down to take the bus to our connecting flight, we discovered that there was a patch of grass right outside the door. When we asked about taking her to the grass before boarding the bus (which was literally 10 feet away) they were unsure whether we could do that and I told my husband just take her over there before they have the chance to say no. Lufthansa no longer provides their own wheelchair assistance in Frankfurt (according to the flight attendant they have contracted that service out to save money). After having excellent service on our last three trips, I have to say that the service was terrible this time. I don’t think I will fly to Europe with a dog on a connecting flight again unless we have a layover on the East Coast since European airports do not have any relief areas inside the secured area.

 

We stayed for almost a week in Venice and then took the high-speed train to Rome to board our cruise ship in Civitavecchia. Italy only officially recognizes guide dogs as assistance dogs, but we did not have any problems having Henri with us in hotels, restaurants or on public transportation. We were questioned at a couple of museums, but they did allow Henri to come in with us.

 

Our cruise was on Celebrity Edge from Civitavecchia to Ft Lauderdale and the relief box was initially located on deck five forward in the same location that Chris reported on her cruise on the Edge. The box was completely inaccessible to a wheelchair user as it was located behind two different sets of doors that were not automatic and you needed to cross thresholds that were not accessible no matter which route you took. After a meeting with the Hotel Director on day three we were finally able to get the box moved to a crew area down the hall from our stateroom. I still could not access the box by myself because the door was too heavy, had a difficult threshold and there was not much room to maneuver a wheelchair, but at least the box was closer to our room.

 

Henri was very popular on the ship and there were many crew members that remembered us from prior cruises. The Edge has four main dining rooms; we ate in all of them and in some of the specialty restaurants and the staff in each was very good about finding an out of the way table for us. There was another dog on the ship that several passengers questioned whether it was a legitimate service dog, however on the couple of occasions when we crossed paths the dog was well behaved.

 

CBP at Port Everglades asked us to show Henri’s rabies certificate when we disembarked.

We flew home from Miami International Airport and TSA asked me to hand Henri’s leash to them and have her walk through the metal detector. Her collar has a metal ring to attach her tags and that set off the alarm. They then requested that I take her collar off and send her through, but that would have required taking her off leash. I politely said that I would only do that if they insisted and that under TSA rules, I was not required to take her leash off. At that point they said then you are going to have to be searched. They then proceeded to have not one but two people perform separate thorough pat downs (I felt this was in retaliation for requesting that she not be taken off leash).  Ironically, they never patted Henri down.  

 

 

Edited November 20, 2019 by DUTRAVEL

[Wendsong]

32 minutes ago, rangeley said:

But at least he could take the dog to potty. Not like the Princess or NCL set up. 

Ouch! Red flag. I'm traveling on Princess Island in March. Can you elaborate on the Princess set up?

[rangeley]

9 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

We are back from our trip to Italy and Transatlantic Cruise from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale with my service dog Henri. The paperwork to enter the EU is pretty simple (it was easier this time since we weren’t visiting the UK). It’s about a 45-minute trip for me to go to the USDA’s office in South San Francisco so I always have my paperwork endorsed in person.

 

Henri is used to long flights and she did great on our ten-hour flight to Frankfurt. I have a roll out bed that I bring on flights and she pretty much sleeps the whole time. We did have an issue in Frankfurt when they would not let us take Henri outside to relieve herself between our connecting flight to Venice (even though last year they escorted us outside between flights with no problem). The woman I was speaking with basically was yelling at me that it was my problem if I had a dog with me (even though the EU has similar rules regarding flying with a service dog). The ironic part was that when we took the elevator down to take the bus to our connecting flight, we discovered that there was a patch of grass right outside the door. When we asked about taking her to the grass before boarding the bus (which was literally 10 feet away) they were unsure whether we could do that and I told my husband just take her over there before they have the chance to say no. Lufthansa no longer provides their own wheelchair assistance in Frankfurt (according to the flight attendant they have contracted that service out to save money). After having excellent service on our last three trips, I have to say that the service was terrible this time. I don’t think I will fly to Europe with a dog on a connecting flight again unless we have a layover on the East Coast since European airports do not have any relief areas inside the secured area.

 

We stayed for almost a week in Venice and then took the high-speed train to Rome to board our cruise ship in Civitavecchia. Italy only officially recognizes guide dogs as assistance dogs, but we did not have any problems having Henri with us in hotels, restaurants or on public transportation. We were questioned at a couple of museums, but they did allow Henri to come in with us.

 

Our cruise was on Celebrity Edge from Civitavecchia to Ft Lauderdale and the relief box was initially located on deck five forward in the same location that Chris reported on her cruise on the Edge. The box was completely inaccessible to a wheelchair user as it was located behind two different sets of doors that were not automatic and you needed to cross thresholds that were not accessible no matter which route you took. After a meeting with the Hotel Director on day three we were finally able to get the box moved to a crew area down the hall from our stateroom. I still could not access the box by myself because the door was too heavy, had a difficult threshold and there was not much room to maneuver a wheelchair, but at least the box was closer to our room.

 

Henri was very popular on the ship and there were many crew members that remembered us from prior cruises. The Edge has four main dining rooms; we ate in all of them and in some of the specialty restaurants and the staff in each was very good about finding an out of the way table for us. There was another dog on the ship that several passengers questioned whether it was a legitimate service dog, however on the couple of occasions when we crossed paths the dog was well behaved.

 

CBP at Port Everglades asked us to show Henri’s rabies certificate when we disembarked.

We flew home from Miami International Airport and TSA asked me to hand Henri’s leash to them and have her walk through the metal detector. Her collar has a metal ring to attach her tags and that set off the alarm. They then requested that I take her collar off and send her through, but that would have required taking her off leash. I politely said that I would only do that if they insisted and that under TSA rules, I was not required to take her leash off. At that point they said then you are going to have to be searched. They then proceeded to have not one but two people perform separate thorough pat downs (I felt this was in retaliation for requesting that she not be taken off leash).  Ironically, they never patted Henri down.  

 

 

 

Wow you had quite the trip! Sound like you only had a few problems and nothing major. 

 

Usually in the airport I take the dog while John gets patted down. I make him sit and take his leash off, I go through the metal detector and then call him through. I've done this every time we've flown. 

[Wendsong]

7 minutes ago, DUTRAVEL said:

We flew home from Miami International Airport and TSA asked me to hand Henri’s leash to them and have her walk through the metal detector. Her collar has a metal ring to attach her tags and that set off the alarm. They then requested that I take her collar off and send her through, but that would have required taking her off leash. I politely said that I would only do that if they insisted and that under TSA rules, I was not required to take her leash off. At that point they said then you are going to have to be searched. They then proceeded to have not one but two people perform separate thorough pat downs (I felt this was in retaliation for requesting that she not be taken off leash).  Ironically, they never patted Henri down.  

Jazz has been trained to move "forward" and can go through the metal detectors without his leash, but I haven't been asked to remove his leash. He sits down on the other side and waits for me (usually, sometimes he comes back!). I send the harness through the x-ray machine because it has heavy metal rings on it. One time they did search me, but usually they just swipe my hands for powder. It does sound as if they were retaliating for refusing to follow an "order" to take off her leash. They have no idea how tiring it is traveling with a SD. They seem to think we do it as a lark!