Service dog on cruise

[shabob]

I would like input on taking a service dog on a cruise. Is it more of a problem than its worth?

 

[red stripe]

If you need a service dog..you NEED a service dog. You seem to have a choice, most do not. We had someone on this board many years ago that HAD to use a service dog. She had no trouble, as the cruise line works to make this seamless.

But if your dog is not really needed to get you around the ship, then personally I would not take it.

 

[George C]

We were on a recent celebrity cruise there were two dogs we were told celebrity charged over a hundred a day extra per dog.

 

[red stripe]

Wow! I thought that was against the law to “ discriminate “ against handicapped… but then.. we are talking about cruise lines here lol

and as they set up and service the dogs “ rest stop”… that charge is not bad.

 

[Woody14]

Curious if there is a distinction with the cruises on a service dog (like a seeing eye dog for the blind) and an emotional support dog. I know on a recent royal cruise I was on there were several people with 'emotional support dogs' and I could see charging them extra as it seemed like just an excuse to take 'fluffy' on the trip. But charging for a true service dog would just be wrong.

 

[red stripe]

Woody, I believe that you are right about that, and that they charge the nuisance dogs. and would not charge a documented Service dog.
And you are right in that these people are either way to attached to fluffy, or they do not want to pay for anyone to look after it.

unfortunately the cruise lines have been allowing "support dogs" on the ships.
and after an encounter with one of those, I did write in to the cruise line and point out the difference between a "support dog" AKA.. fluffy.. and a Service dog.
some of my points being..
:a service dog: you take with you everywhere,
A support dog.. you leave it for hours in your cabin ...BARKING.. while you go onshore.

A Service dog... is well behaved. it is with the owner at all times and walks on its own four legs...
A support dog.. gets to be wheeled around ion the ship in a kiddie push cart!

A Service dog... when the owner is in the café, it is sat quietly under the table or next to the chair.
A support dog... when the owner is in the café.. fluffy gets to run up and down the length of the couch, barking occasionally.

You can figure out our interaction with fluffy.. and what my opinion is on the subject.

 

[shabob]

Woody, I believe that you are right about that, and that they charge the nuisance dogs. and would not charge a documented Service dog.



And you are right in that these people are either way to attached to fluffy, or they do not want to pay for anyone to look after it.







unfortunately the cruise lines have been allowing "support dogs" on the ships.



and after an encounter with one of those, I did write in to the cruise line and point out the difference between a "support dog" AKA.. fluffy.. and a Service dog.



some of my points being..



:a service dog: you take with you everywhere,



A support dog.. you leave it for hours in your cabin ...BARKING.. while you go onshore.







A Service dog... is well behaved. it is with the owner at all times and walks on its own four legs...



A support dog.. gets to be wheeled around ion the ship in a kiddie push cart!







A Service dog... when the owner is in the café, it is sat quietly under the table or next to the chair.



A support dog... when the owner is in the café.. fluffy gets to run up and down the length of the couch, barking occasionally.







You can figure out our interaction with fluffy.. and what my opinion is on the subject. 

I have a small service dog and I would make one exception to your example. When I am with my service dog in a crowded area, I do keep her contained as people tend to not see her and step on her or accidently kick her. I have a small dog stroller that I use or a dog back pack. I really would like information from people who have taken a service dog on a cruise. When my husband was alive, we had taken a lot of cruises. Since I am hearing impaired, he was my ears. Now my service dog is. I miss cruising but I am not getting any help from cruise lines as to what they need before I could board with a service dog. They just tell me to check with the countries they are visiting but no info on how to do that. I have tried but get no where. They also seem to make it very difficult with one tiny 4x4 spot for dog to potty on the whole entire 15 floor several football fields long and wide ship. princess said no potty pads or stroller allowed.
I would love to know if people have successfully taken a service dog ‍ and what they found and how they did.