Service Dogs on DCL??

[Esteri]

Does anyone know if service dogs are allowed on Disney Cruises? And how they handle it?

Our good friend, who is blind and uses a guide dog, is considering joining us on the East Bound Repositioning cruise.

Many thanks!

 

[servedogmom]

We will soon be taking our third cruise with service dogs. If you have a stateroom with a veranda, they place a wading pool with turf on it for the dogs to relieve themselves. If not, the staff will let you know where the service dog relief area is. When we took our last cruise, the stateroom attendent said it was the fifth cruise in a row with service dogs on board.

 

[Esteri]

That's a really innovative and thoughful solution to the problem.

Hum. Five of us in a Cat 4 with that dinky veranda going though the Panama Canal?? I think we'll be needing it!

Besides, my friend doesn't like to let her dogs relieve themselves on grass.

Still - it's good to know they'll allow her guide on board. And I'm certain we can work something out about the relieving area.

Thanks!

 

[Esteri]

How did it go with the dog? Did you crate it and leave it on board for port days? My friend says she's heard that's what some users do - it depends on the port.

Was the crew accomodating? Tables space to keep the dog out from under foot. Seats in the theatre - again to keep the dog out from under foot. How did the noise (ships horn) affect your dog?

She's still deciding and I want her to have all the information.

Thanks!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

The ADA applies to cruise ships cruising out of US ports, so, yes, they legally have to allow service dogs on board (for the other cruiselines, too).

If you don't want turf, request another surface, such as Cypress mulch. That's the surface Royal Caribbean provided for my SD (in a small wood box, not a kiddie pool). I had a balcony, but they put the potty box on the other side of the ship (almost all the way forward and down five floors, my room being almost all the way aft). Tip: if your friend doesn't like where they put the box, tell her to make them move it! I have read of somebody who has had ships put the boxes close to their stateroom, in a hallway/stairway that only the crew uses, for instance.

Remember to check the entry regulations for dogs of EVERY foreign port the ship is stopping at, regardless of if your friend is getting off at that port or not. I've heard that some ports will not allow a dog to be on the ship without fitting the requirements (in other words, the ship will not be allowed to dock and ppl will not be happy with your friend...). What ports are you going to?

An SD should never be left in the room alone, though your friend most likely knows that.

Dogs don't normally get seasick, but if you want to be safe, ask the vet what the appropriate amount of medication to give the dog would be. Also, there is an all-natural herbal product called MotionEaze that is for both dogs and humans - you apply it behind the ear and it should help take away seasickness, even if the dog/human is already feeling ill. It can be used as a preventive, too - I didn't think my dog would get sick, but I applied it to her once a day, just in case. (I put it on myself, too, but I also took Bonine once a day, as I am prone to motion sickness.)

 

[Esteri]

This is so great to get this information... Thank you so much.

We're on the Eastbound Repo cruise at the end of August the ports are
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Peurto Varallta (that's spelled wrong), Mexico
Alcupulco, Mexico
Cartegna, Coumbia
Aruba
Castaway Cay

I'd think Aruba might be the only one that might give us any trouble. Do you know? She's used to travelling internationally with her guide - so she'll know what needs to be done.

Yeah, I was pretty surprised that anyone would leave their service dog crated in their cabin and leave the ship. She's pretty protective of her dog - so I doubt very much she'd be comfortable doing that.

MotionEze. Thanks!

Have you cruised with your SD on DCL?
.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Waiting for DCLFUN to chime in. Kathy and Skye have been on several cruises, and Kathy works for DCL.

 

[SueM in MN]

Waiting for DCLFUN to chime in. Kathy and Skye have been on several cruises, and Kathy works for DCL.

 

[dclfun]

Here I am! We just returned from a week's DVC vacation at AKLodge concierge- more on that later. As for DCL, yes, I have sailed many times with Skye. While I can certainly chime in here, please note that these are my experiences and I really can't speak for the company however call in with any questions and you'll find someone there to help you. If you have a verandah the kiddy pool/sod is placed there, however if you have a different type stateroom or would prefer, it has been placed for us and other guests aft on Deck 7 on the large open verandah there. This is the ONLY area that it can be placed alternatively (unless something has changed and another space allocated) as guests are not allowed in crew-only areas. I was told that crew members could walk my SD for me if the relief station was "backstage", but I'm not comfortable with that and Skye really prefers not to leave my side- I need her with me too. DCL's special services coordinator, Carol, will be able to provide information on necessary permits and health requirements for the ports you'll be visiting and you can also discuss alternatives to sod, although I can't be certain that they'd provide an alternate substrate. I know I was told before by Princess that it's one material only (for them it's bags of absorbent pellets that stay inside a bag) and my SD would have to adapt. Sod is easy to replace and will be replaced on a longer cruise however mulch might be more difficult to handle in a sanitary fashion for the crew, and really it is up to us to train our SD's to relieve themselves on different surfaces. We went on the Panama canal cruise westbound the last time the Magic visited there and had no problems, however I could not get off at Cabo since I'm unable to transfer from a power chair and that port requires tendering. We didn't visit Aruba or Cartagena so I'm not sure about those ports and requirements. As your friend probably is aware, an SD must remain on leash or harness at all times when out of the stateroom. There is plenty of space in the dining rooms and in public areas such as theaters, etc. for a dog to be accommodated. I've been on cruises before with other SD's and never have been aware of someone having a challenge. I will say for your circumstances a Cat 4 with 5 guests and a dog will be a bit crowded- you also would want to call and be certain that a 5th guest can be added as this is a popular/full cruise. Even though your stateroom certainly accommodates a party of 5, their are general occupancy limitations ( based on space in the dining room, for instance) that sometimes precludes us from being able to add another guest to the voyage. I hope it all works out- it's an amazing itinerary and a fantastic ship.---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

We're on the Eastbound Repo cruise at the end of August the ports are
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Peurto Varallta (that's spelled wrong), Mexico
Alcupulco, Mexico
Cartegna, Coumbia
Aruba
Castaway Cay

Mexico is easy to get into - just the international health certificate will be needed. (That is all that is needed to get back into the US, as well.)

I don't know about Columbia, Aruba, or Castaway Cay (what country is that in?) but you should be able to find the info. for Columbia and Aruba on the Internet. I guess you'd have to ask DCL what country their Castaway Cay is in and how they handle entry there, since it is their private place.

Have you cruised with your SD on DCL?
.

I've never been on DCL, but we did go on Royal Caribbean.

Since your friend has travelled int'l before, she is prob'ly aware that some countries, such as Mexico, tend to have loose dogs one needs to watch out for. It would be wise for her to not travel off on her own for this and other reasons.

Mexico does have access laws for guide dogs, by the way. (Only for guide dogs, though, not other types of service dogs.) There is a guide dog school in Mexico that she may want to look the site up for to get a copy of said laws. The person who began that school was trained in guide dog training in the US, so there should be somebody able to read and respond in English if your friend doesn't know Spanish (although their Web site is all in Spanish). Do a Google for the Web site, as I don't remember what it is or the name of the school anymore.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I know I was told before by Princess that it's one material only (for them it's bags of absorbent pellets that stay inside a bag) and my SD would have to adapt. Sod is easy to replace and will be replaced on a longer cruise however mulch might be more difficult to handle in a sanitary fashion for the crew, and really it is up to us to train our SD's to relieve themselves on different surfaces.

I'm pretty sure that I have read about somebody who goes on Princess and gets a surface other than the dreaded pellets. The OP's friend could also do what that person does and bring a small bag of mulch with them, just in case. (They do that because there has been a time when the cruiseline messed up on them or they didn't like the surface, such as the pellets.) Apparently, Home Depot and such sells small bags of Cypress mulch that one can fairly easily bring with them on the ship. I guess they are cheap enough that if you don't end up needing it, you can just leave it behind on the ship when you leave.

The OP's friend might have a good reason for not wanting the dog getting used to going on grass, such as she can't see the poop to pick it up so doesn't want to leave it somewhere somebody could easily accidentally step on it. I know a lot of guide dog users curb their dogs instead of take them on grass.

There is also a pooping harness that some guide dog users use. It sounds really funny, but it works from what I hear. It is a harness that goes on the dog's back end and you put a bag on it. Said bag catches the poop when the dog goes, so there's no searching for it or bending to pick it up off the ground - just remove the bag from the harness and toss it!

 

[dclfun]

I had to train my dog to go on mulch and sand when I got her as she was used to only grass. Sometimes grass just isn't available so she had to adapt. If planning to bring something like mulch onboard which can contain "bugs" then you'd need to check with the cruise line to be sure it's allowed or it will be confiscated upon boarding. Mulch is messy. Crew members will pick up any waste left by a SD and since the grass inside the pool potty is self contained then I don't see where anyone would have a problem. ---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

She said her friend doesn't want the dog getting used to going on grass, so that would be the problem, not that going on grass (in the kiddie pool) on the ship would be a problem.

Mulch isn't messy. That's what we had and it wasn't messy at all, even in a box smaller than a kiddie pool.

The mulch wouldn't be getting off the ship, so there shouldn't be any customs problems with it (just like fruits and veggies and plants/flowers can be on the ship and used on the ship, but cannot be taken off the ship). The lady who brings her own mulch hasn't had any such problems.

My SD goes mainly on grass, since we have plenty of it, but she's fine with mulch, too, as that's what we have at the office. I know some folks train their dogs to go on cement, but that is too messy for me (it will get on my dog's paws/leg hair as the puddle grows) and I don't wish for anybody to accidentally step in such a puddle, thinking it was only water! So, I train for absorbant surfaces only.

(Speaking of water and pee, did you hear about NASA inventing something that changes astronaut's pee into drinking water?!?! That'll sure weed out some wanna-be astronauts from the space program!!)

 

[dclfun]

I understood about the dog not getting used to going on grass however sometimes circumstances warrant our dogs using something unfamiliar for the duration of a trip. I'm not sure a dog would generalize that it's okay to use all grass upon return vs. it's okay to use sod in a kiddy pool during a cruise, but then I'm not a dog so I'm not sure. Mulch here in Florida is messy and often has roaches in the bags and other bugs from being stored somewhere that bugs have access. Since crew members would have to dispose the mulch and it would likely need to be changed on a 15 night cruise, I'm not sure it will be allowed. Since I'm not the authority though it's best to call the cruise line directly and ask- perhaps they are okay with someone bringing their own substrate.---Kathy

 

[Esteri]

You guys are great! Thanks so much.

I'm sure grass will be OK - I was just wondering about other options.

I've sent her all the information - including cost - and she's deciding on whether she wants to go. Our TA was able to get us a quote - so I'm betting there's space for her on board.

Yeah - a Cat 4 will feel a bit crowded. But on the other hand - I'll be spending the previous 5 weeks in a pop-up camper with two boys and a large dog. So, from our perspective it'll be a palace!!

Since we'll be on deck 8 - the deck 7 "secret" deck will be quite convienent - which will free up our cabin's veranda space.

If she decides to go - I'll be sure to hook her up with you guys directly. That'd be best.

many thanks!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

but then I'm not a dog so I'm not sure.

I sure hope you're not a dog!! I knew I shouldn't have trained my dog to retrieve my wallet - I was wondering what all those dog treat Internet store charges were doing on my credit card bill!

Mulch here in Florida is messy and often has roaches in the bags and other bugs from being stored somewhere that bugs have access.

There are different types of mulch. One type of mulch in FL and the same type of mulch in other states is all the same. Perhaps you/your HOA use(s) a different type of mulch in your yard/common areas than Cypress Mulch. Cypress Mulch is the kind that is medium to dark brown large chunks of wood-type stuff. It isn't the stuff that is light brown tiny shreds that go everywhere with the wind and rain (especially when the hurricanes come our way...).

Everybody with a dog: remember to never use Cocoa Mulch, which is toxic to dogs (like chocolate is)! And, uh, don't eat it yourself, either, no matter how badly you're craving chocolate....

 

[dclfun]

I'm hoping they'll do away with cypress mulch after I read about what it's doing to the Everglades/cypress tree population. I always worry about what's in the mulch since I've seen one too many roaches crawl out of the bags. Disgusting ( roaches, that is). To the OP...keep us posted on what your friend decides and we'll be here to help!---Kathy

 

[Paragd911]

this is the "pool" for the dogs