"Real" Service Dog on Eastern Caribbean cruise

[lanejudy]

We are hoping to take an Eastern Caribbean cruise this fall. Our daughter has a wonderful Golden Retriever service dog.

I suggest you get moving on the process quickly. There is a lot to do and some of it is bureaucratic red tape that can take time to get forms filed and processed. Depending on when your cruise is, you may only have 6 weeks or so and that's cutting it very close. You are correct that the dog must have paperwork on file for EVERY port stop, whether you plan to debark at that port or not; the dog won't be allowed onboard at all without it being complete.

I have some threads bookmarked with good information about the process but can't access those at the moment. Start with the threads bumbershoot posted and I'll add more later.

And make sure you are using the latest version of the Special Services form, I believe it changed recently.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Paragd911]

Call special services (I deal with Chris 407-566-3602) They will get you the paperwork to fill out the Bahamas permit. Fill it out,
fax it to them or email it. A week from your cruise go to your veterinarian. Get a International health certificate. For your Eastern Caribbean Cruise.

 

[Paragd911]

Dogs potty

 

[AlliesDaphne]

For the Western Caribbean, International Health certificate, if you are not going to get off in the Caymans, you will have to sign a waiver. And not get off the ship! Also at Cozumel they want to see the dog while they are inspecting the paperwork at 7 AM. And lastly you have to get a permit for the Bahamas

I realize the original post is a few years old, but hopefully you are still on the board or can offer more insight - we are planning a 14 day Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego to Galveston in November 2019 on DCL, and my daughter on the autism spectrum will have her service dog. We have all the information needed for all the ports and they are doable (and reasonable) except Grand Cayman. We are concerned because Grand Cayman falls on Day 12 of our cruise, but the import permit that gets issued from them is only good for 14 days from the date it is issued. We live in Florida, so will have to travel to San Diego to depart, and get there at least a day or two early, putting us right at 14 days if we have the dog cleared in the AM and depart later that day to San Diego. Does anyone know if that 14 day rule is hardfast when it involves a cruise that lasts longer than the certificate is valid for?? It requires flea/tick and worm prevention given no more than 14 days prior to travel. If there is no leeway, I am thinking we will have to plan an appointment in San Diego when we arrive to meet the time constriction. We don't even plan to get off in Grand Cayman, for fear of an issue, and either not being allowed back on, or having her dog confiscated - however, we know that we still need all the required tests and paperwork even if we don't disembark there. All the other ports are in either Mexico, or Colombia.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I realize the original post is a few years old, but hopefully you are still on the board or can offer more insight - we are planning a 14 day Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego to Galveston in November 2019 on DCL, and my daughter on the autism spectrum will have her service dog. We have all the information needed for all the ports and they are doable (and reasonable) except Grand Cayman. We are concerned because Grand Cayman falls on Day 12 of our cruise, but the import permit that gets issued from them is only good for 14 days from the date it is issued. We live in Florida, so will have to travel to San Diego to depart, and get there at least a day or two early, putting us right at 14 days if we have the dog cleared in the AM and depart later that day to San Diego. Does anyone know if that 14 day rule is hardfast when it involves a cruise that lasts longer than the certificate is valid for?? It requires flea/tick and worm prevention given no more than 14 days prior to travel. If there is no leeway, I am thinking we will have to plan an appointment in San Diego when we arrive to meet the time constriction. We don't even plan to get off in Grand Cayman, for fear of an issue, and either not being allowed back on, or having her dog confiscated - however, we know that we still need all the required tests and paperwork even if we don't disembark there. All the other ports are in either Mexico, or Colombia.

You know, that information would have to come from the Grand Cayman authorities. As it can probably change.

 

[truck1]

I realize the original post is a few years old, but hopefully you are still on the board or can offer more insight - we are planning a 14 day Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego to Galveston in November 2019 on DCL, and my daughter on the autism spectrum will have her service dog. We have all the information needed for all the ports and they are doable (and reasonable) except Grand Cayman. We are concerned because Grand Cayman falls on Day 12 of our cruise, but the import permit that gets issued from them is only good for 14 days from the date it is issued. We live in Florida, so will have to travel to San Diego to depart, and get there at least a day or two early, putting us right at 14 days if we have the dog cleared in the AM and depart later that day to San Diego. Does anyone know if that 14 day rule is hardfast when it involves a cruise that lasts longer than the certificate is valid for?? It requires flea/tick and worm prevention given no more than 14 days prior to travel. If there is no leeway, I am thinking we will have to plan an appointment in San Diego when we arrive to meet the time constriction. We don't even plan to get off in Grand Cayman, for fear of an issue, and either not being allowed back on, or having her dog confiscated - however, we know that we still need all the required tests and paperwork even if we don't disembark there. All the other ports are in either Mexico, or Colombia.

Call DCL special services and talk to them. they can eother point you in the right direction or get the info for you since they deal with it a lot more the you or I would.

 

[AlliesDaphne]

Call DCL special services and talk to them. they can eother point you in the right direction or get the info for you since they deal with it a lot more the you or I would.

I just filled out the Special Services form yesterday, which I was instructed to do by the DCL rep. I have not heard back from them yet. I didn't plan on relying on information from this forum only, as I have already done some extensive research and printed out alot of forms for each port, secured a USDA Accredited Vet, as well as located the closest APHIS office to get the health certificate endorsed in the proper time frame, as well as calculated all the fees and methods of payment for each. I simply was asking if anyone had any experience with Grand Cayman on the longer cruise as the Cayman government has the most difficult guidelines. I'll wait to hear back from Special Services and continue to do more research on my own. Thanks anyway.

 

[darnheather]

@AlliesDaphne I hope you have a wonderful cruise and do come back and let us know what DCL has to say. If you get the chance I'd love to hear about your service dog's cruise.

 

[lilmc]

as well as located the closest APHIS office to get the health certificate endorsed in the proper time frame

Have you tried calling the USDA APHIS office you’ll be using? They often know details such as that. And I know this is an odd one, but the Home Again microchip company has a travel department that is very helpful as well.