Cruising with Service Animals

If you are considering a cruise with your service dog, don't hesistate. GO! You will enjoy every minute.

You can bring your service animal into every area of a cruise ship that is available to the general public. They can be by your side every minute. You can enjoy meals, shows, participate in activities, even try your luck in the casino with your faithful companion and helper.

Seasoned travelers say cruise ship staff are excited to see a service dog onboard, and treat them with respect and admiration, often going out of their way to be sure both you and your service animal has everything needed to enjoy the cruise. Fellow passengers are usually thrilled to see a dog on board, as many miss their own pets that had to be left back home. Be sure to keep your service dog respectful of other passengers, especially those who may suffer from allergies.

 

Your Service Animal will be exposed to new sights, sounds and experiences aboard a cruise ship.

While your service dog is most likely accustomed to crowds, restaurants, and hotels, being on a boat may be a new experience for them. Visit a local marina, or even take him for a walk by a lake. If possible take a ferry ride or other short excursion to get him accustomed to being on a surface that moves with the waves.

Cruise lines provide facilities for your dog to relieve himself. It is usually a 4x4 box that contains mulch or other absorbant substances. It is a very good idea to construct a similar box at home prior to your cruise. Fill it with a thick layer of mulch and place it where the dog is normally accustomed to relieving himself. With leash on, lead your dog to the box. While still holding the leash, walk around the box so you are facing your dog, and while gently pulling on the leash command your dog to go potty. It is normal for your dog to be confused, or refuse out of concern they are relieving themselves somewhere they are not supposed to go. Be persistent, and use treats if it will encourage your dog to comply. When they relieve themselves, give them lots of praise. Keep repeating until your dog willingly goes to the potty box and goes on his or her own without prompting.

 

You will need documentation and proof of immunizations specific to both the cruise and all of the countries where you plan to disembark.

If you can at all avoid taking your service dog ashore, we recommend you leave the dog on board your cruise ship. Disembarking at ports of call can complicate travel. Arrangements are time consuming, costly, and it can be risky to bring your service animal off the ship. Many countries do not have leash laws, or laws covering adequate vaccination of their own pets. For the protection of your service dog, you may want to keep him on board.

You can leave your service animal on board in a crate in your room, or some cruise lines will babysit your service animal for you (check ahead), you can leave your service animal with a travel companion and take turns leaving the cruise ship at ports of call (some cruise lines require service dogs stay on the ship with one of the passengers) or you can choose to stay on board with your service animal.

If you plan on bringing your service animal when you stop at various ports of call, and the cruise line allows, you will need at least seven months to prepare the dogs to meet the health requirements in some locations.

At least seven months before departure, contact the cruise line, as well as the country's consulate or embassy for every port you plan to disembark. Inquire about health regulations and other travel considerations. Many countries require tests and immunizations within windows of time prior to boarding your cruise ship. Make arrangements to obtain those tests and immunizations, veterinary statements, and agricultural documentation in a timely manner. You will not be allowed on board, or your service animal will not be allowed to disembark at ports of call, unless all paperwork is in order. Call your cruise line to get information about their regulations.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/ lists requirements for all the states, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/iregs/animals/ lists the current requirements for entry for animals into many foreign countries.

Note that these links are about pets, not service animals, so different requirements/exemptions for service animals may exist but not be listed. Contact the country's consulate or embassy for such information or if information is not listed for that country.

 

The cruise line will need to know you are bringing a service animal so they can provide the proper accomodations.

When you book your travel arrangements, request early boarding so you can enter or exit the plane/train/bus/cruise ship with the other handicapped or preferred guests, before other passengers board. At the terminal, go to registration or security and state you need to board first.

As soon as you pre-board your cruise ship, go to the Information Desk and ask them to TAKE YOU to the location of the potty-box. Bring along wind chimes and ask the ship's staff to hang them at the location of the potty boxes, so you and your service animal can find them more easily.

Use the extra time to explore the ship with your service animal before the rest of the passengers board. Ask the cruise line to post your information in the daily paper. Let fellow passengers know your service animal is working and is not a pet, but set specific "petting times" when guests will be able to meet and touch your faithful companion.

When tendering to and from a port make sure that someone on the tender is prepared to take your dog's leash until you get onboard. The movement of the tender can put the dog a bit off balance so they, as well as you, need assistance getting on and off.

 

What you will need when cruising with your service animal.

1) Vaccination Status and Rabies Vaccination Certificate or Blood Titer Test. Documentation showing your service animal is current on all vaccines, especially rabies.
2) For their protection your service dog must be on medication for heartworm and an anti-flea and tick medication.
3) Department of Food and Agriculture - Certificate for Interstate or International Movement of Small Animals form. (You can obtain this from your veterinarian)
4) Animal License from your city of residence.
5) Certificate/diploma/license, etc. that shows your dog has been trained as a service animal, if available.*
6) Copy of your Passport and Drivers License.
7) Information about your service animal's microchip.

Fax copies to both your travel agent and the cruise lines. You will also need to produce these documents upon arrival and at every port where you disembark. Prepare 3 complete packets - one for your purse or carry on, one in your suitcase, and give one to the ship for their records when you board.

* Certification is not required in the USA, in order to allow people to train their own dogs if a program dog is not available. The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) has information on the minimum training standards to pass the Public Access Certification Test, which will help you determine if your dog is ready for full public access rights as an assistance dog. 

Supplies to bring along for your service animal.

Don't forget to bring along your service dog's normal food rations. Put each day's serving in a ziplock bag. Bring a food and a water dish for the cabin, and a collapsible water bowl to bring with you when you are on deck or away from the cabin. You can obtain them at most camping supply stores. They fold and stash easily inside a large purse or carryall. Don't forget to bring an extra leash or harness, and collar, as well as your dog's favorirte bed, and toys.

Seasoned travelers also recommend bringing a bag of mulch. Cruise ships have been known to place different types of filling in the potty box, and no one wants to waste time on a cruise training a dog to go in an unfamiliar situation. Just empty a layer of mulch on top of the box and your dog will have a familiar spot to do their business.

Prepare for motion sickness by obtaining your veterinarian's advice on what medication to give your service animal.

You may not leave a service dog unattended in your stateroom. It is a good idea to bring a kennel that has a door on it, that can be closed and locked, for those times when you want to leave your service dog alone.

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User Comments


Service animals do not have to be certified. There is no federal regulation for this. I am curious, where are you getting your information that one must show "5) Certification/training license, etc. that shows your dog is a certified service animal."

serviceAnimalHandler on April 22nd, 2009

My information comes from the cruise lines themselves. You are correct that that there are no federal regulations regarding the certification of service animals. However, in order to insure the animal you bring on board a busy ship is not a pet, the cruise line will require some type of documentation such as a certificate, diploma or license that shows your dog has completed training as a service animal. I will modify our text to avoid confusion. Thank you.

GuideToCruising on May 19th, 2009

Are you speaking of the "Good Citizenship" papers?

LoveMyServiceAnimal on August 7th, 2009

Good Citizenship (CGC) training is often requested as a prerequisite for training as a therapy dog or service dog, but on it's own it does not meet the legal requirements for access when accompanying people with disabilities. Assistance Dogs are legally protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Assistance Dogs International, Inc. is a coalition of not for profit organizations that train and place Assistance Dogs. You can get more information on http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/index.php

GuideToCruising on August 17th, 2009

I have a therapy dog that works with me. She is different than a service dog since she works with me to support my clients, not myself for a disability or anxiety disorder. So my question is as a registered therapy dog (and CGC) would she be allowed on a cruise ship with me? At this point it is just a thought, but I would like some feedback if you have it. Thanks!

Therapy Dog Owner on October 26th, 2009

We have traveled on Carnival with our service dog and have never been asked for any documentation such as a certificate, diploma or license that show our dog has completed training as a service animal. Service animals can be trained by organizations such as Guide Dogs of America, or they can be self-trained (usually not for hearing or vision impairments). Our dog is used for mobility, since my wife has trouble walking. The dog was self-trained and therefore has no "certificate or diploma". All we need to board him is an International Health Certificate from our Vet. Therapy dogs are not permitted on cruise ships (at least, not on Carnival).

Evil Elf on November 17th, 2009

Very interesting article about Service Animals and the ADA: "San Francisco has become a city filled with "service animals," meaning the owner has a permit that allows him or her to take their dog, cat, or snake (seriously) into restaurants, libraries, and often even rental properties that don't allow pets. In 2004 the city's Animal Care and Control Department issued 244 permits. In 2008 the number was 500, and interim director Rebecca Katz speculates that 2009 numbers are at least as high. Unfortunately, the practice of granting service animal permits so generously is undercutting the intent of the law. Permits that allow an animal full access to buses, restaurants and public places should go only to service animals that perform a specific task and it seems too often that's not happening. That needs to change. A good example of the problem can be seen on Haight Street. Residents complain that many of the street bullies have intimidating dogs, often pit bulls, which they take into restaurants and stores." Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/02/BAAL1BBKHD.DTL#ixzz0bV3qnIOy

TooGenerous on January 2nd, 2010

This is very helpful and I'm glad cruises do allow service animals, I have a guide dog and since my family goes on a lot of cruises I was concerned since several cruises websites said specifically no animals and I was concerned that that would apply to service dogs as well. I'm now very happy because that means Jaxon can come on the cruise next year to England and Ireland. I get to have fun in other countries and keep my guide dog with me a win win situaltion. :)

Katherine Gleckler on February 19th, 2010

Do be very careful about taking service animals on international cruises, as the countries to which you are traveling may have different rules regarding documentation and accomodation of service animals. Some countries don't have any exceptions for service animals - if a pet would not be allowed entrance or access, then neither will a service animal. Island nations without any indigenous rabies are especially concerned about animals entering the country. Other countries actually have official agencies with which service animals must be registered in order to qualify. So, if you're going on an international cruise with your service animal, there may be some ports where your animals will not be able to leave the ship, or where businesses and attractions won't be required to admit or accommodate the animal. Always check the regulations in each individual nation that you will be visiting on your cruise, if it is an international one.

Aaron Mobley on May 19th, 2010

My Service Dog Brenda will be on her 14th cruise in November. She's been on every major cruise line. I know there are new laws regarding Service Dogs and cruising, and what is required by the DOT [Dept. of Transportation]. Do you know what the new laws are that will take effect in November, 2010?

Brenda Loves To Cruise on September 29th, 2010

Brenda Loves To Cruise, there are actually two new sets of rules regarding service animals on cruises. The first is Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities: Passenger Vessels, issued by the Transportation Department in July, 2010 These new rules are open for comment until October 4, 2010 and effective November 3, 2010. You can find the full document on: http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/07/06/2010-15101/transportation-for-individuals-with-disabilities-passenger-vessels The second is changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act amending the Department’s Title II regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 35, and the Title III regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 36. These regulations were approved by Attorney General Holder on September 15, and will take effect six months later on March 15, 2011. Follow the links on http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm Most of the changes are positive for our service animals - no limits on the number of service animals on the ship, allowing access to all areas of the ship, allowing them on lifeboats, providing care if the animal is not allowed to disembark in foreign ports, insuring the passenger brings enough food for the animal for the trip, and allowing animals based on the "credible verbal assurances of a passenger with a disability using the animal" that it is a service animal. But there are some areas of concern. The ADA rules define a service animal as a DOG, and presently the DoT rules do not cover psychiatric support dogs. If you have a therapy dog to relieve anxiety or panic attacks the cruise lines can refuse them. So we would definitely like to see those included. Once the period for comments on the Transportation bill passes I'll update the info in the article this page.

Guide to Cruising on September 30th, 2010

I am just wondering if it is easier to leave my Seeing Eye Dog at home with a trusted friend while I am on my cruise. I have taking two of my guide dogs on a cruise and for the most part everything worked out okay. It was a pain having to go down three decks to get to the relief box 4 times a day. I did have trouble when I arrived at the ship the last time I cruised that there was not a box in place nor mulch for her to relieve herself. This problem was solved but it caused me great anxiety when I boarded the ship. I am sailing on Royal Caribbean for your information. Can anyone tell me more about the location of the relief box? I already have all doccuments in place for Davey. Thank you very much.

Kathy on January 23rd, 2011

On our first cruise with our service dog, we brought mulch to use in the potty box. The second cruise we actually brought sod, which worked out better than the mulch. In both instances, we got approval from Carnival before bringing them. This year, Carnival told us the U.S. Department of Agriculture changed their regulations, and these products were no longer allowed, as they were worried about bringing "pests" on-board. We contacted the U.S.D.A. to verify this, which they did. So, unfortunately, we will have to use the Natures First Pellets supplied by Carnival.

Evil Elf on February 12th, 2011

Hi all, I have two small service animals who go with me everywhere. I am hearing impaired after losing most of my hearing to an acoustic neuroma (tumor) on my acoustic nerve. I need to face people and lip read in order to understand what people are saying. I cannot hear many sounds such as knocks on the door, bells, some phones, rings, alarms if they are not blasting, etc. I have trained them myself and have been home bound ever since my surgery in 2004 because I did not know I could travel with them. It would be wonderful to be able to get on a plane, or take a cruise, as I cannot go anywhere without them. They are very well behaved and are carried most places as they are 2 and 3 pounds each. My question is, can I bring both of them, as they cannot be separated and I will not take one without the other? Any help would be so much appreciated Shellie :-)

Shellie on March 7th, 2011

I am concerned about these new regulations for the potty box -- this is the first I heard about not being able to have sod or mulch. The special services people for my ship (Celebrity) did not say anything about this. Where do I find more about this new regulation? Thanks.

alohatoo on March 10th, 2011

This will be my first cruise with my Service Dog. I use "The Potty Patch" for my Service Dog to potty on when we travel away from home, and I'm not sure if there I will be able to find an adequate place for her to potty where we are staying. I also use it when we have bad weather, or when I am in to much pain to take her outside. It is a 3 layer system, with indoor outdoor carpet on top. To clean it I just pick up the solid waste and flush it down the toilet, then I wash it in the shower. My question is, Will they let me take "The Potty Patch" on the ship, and use it in my cabin? It would be alot easier than trying to teach her to potty on litterbox pellets, or taking her to some out of the way corner of the ship to potty.

Terri on May 10th, 2011

Well, as I wrote above, we were forced to use the Natures First Pellets supplied by Carnival for Duncan's 3rd cruise (my wife's service dog). At first, he just starred at the litter box, not sure what to do. After bringing him back to it, and telling him to "do his business", he used it like a champ! After that, he had no problem using it. That is to say, until the last evening of the cruise when it had been raining. No one thought to move the litter box, so it received some run-off from the rain. The 1/2 inch of pellets became 3-4 inches of goo! He refused to use the box, and went on the deck next to the box instead. Couldn't blame him, and of course we cleaned it up. So, Duncan's 4th cruise will be this October!

Evil Elf on June 19th, 2011

I wonder if anyone knows if you can take service dogs on freighter sailings

patti tackeett on November 11th, 2011

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