Spot(ted) on the Independence...

[Gears]

We saw something we have never seen before on an RCL ship on our recent 5 night Western Caribbean cruise...

 

We have seen service dogs before and RCL has a policy for them (rightly so), but this time we saw two different dogs with people...out in the public areas like it was a walk in the park. One couple had a Yorkshire Terrier and another mid-20's male had what appeared to be small breed cross of some sort.

 

These we able bodied people, no physical, sight or hearing challenges.

 

What gives? Anyone else seen this before?

[monorailmedic]

Not all disabilities or challenges are visible to those of us around those who are affected.  Some service animals can recognize ailments before their onset and help alert others (seizures, for example), some persons with significant PTSD use service animals to help them navigate crowds, etc.  While I'm sure some people in the world abuse these policies I certainly can't begin to understand the challenges of other persons I don't know.  

 

To that point, on episode 175 (link below, highly recommended - though I'm bias :-) ), I mention my spouse requiring a wheel chair during disembarkation, though you can also find her on our group cruises walking around with the rest of us.  It's easy for others around to assume she was just being lazy, but if you don't know - well, you don't know.

 

http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-175-disembarkation-day

[DocLC]

As stated above, service dogs are used for both physical and psychological reasons and there cruise lines are required to accommodate their use as service animals onboard.

 

We have a lot of vets at my college who use service dogs for PTSD and other psychological reasons.

[L454S]

Have seen this on a few different cruises. Problem here is there are many folks(2 in my family) that are allergic to pet dander. It gets in the room carpet along with hair. Try being in an elevator with one. Have seen one lady bring her lap dog(PET) to the dining room with her. Finally one night they had enough complaints, they asked her to leave.

 

There is NO place on a cruise ship that is a good place for a dog to lift his leg. Have seen dog crap on the deck outside the pool area on Allure T/A. That little square box with wood shavings on the back of the Promenade deck for all to admire is what they are supposed to use.

 

Have seen a double stroller (like 2 children) with 2 poodles being paraded around on one cruise. 

 

It has gotten to the point that people just choose to bring their PETS along because RCI is hesitant to say NO. If you genuinely need a LAP dog 24 hours a day, consider not being cooped up with 3000+ people for extended periods. If you are just bringing your PET, you should be ashamed.

[Gears]

Totally understanding of PTSD and other challenges. 

 

But...I'm having a hard time seeing a small Yorkshire Terrier being carried through the Promenade and Casino, or a small dog sleeping on a chair in the Schooner Bar while the mid-20s owner has a drink chatting with his travel companions as service dogs.

 

RCL has a service dog policy...but the policy says "Evidence that a dog is a service dog is helpful but not required." Translation...'feel free to bend and abuse as you see fit'.

[DocLC]

Under U.S. law, which the cruise ships operate under when sailing from U.S. ports, it is forbidden to require such proof or to even inquire about the disability (see the Americans with Disabilities Act). This is the same challenged Disney faced a few years ago, leading to a change in the program.

 

There are service and there are therapy dogs, both of which service specific purposes. Are there some that might abuse there system? Of course there are, but I presume the vast majority need the animal for some reason. Isn't the same argument made regarding handicap parking and disabled plates?

 

I will say that one of my trade publications addressed this issue as they acknowledged more and more clients are requesting certification for their animals for such purposes and warned of the problems if the need was legitimate and if the animal was not well trained.

[KLA]

I've seen this as well, and I personally find it pretty great that the cruise line is able to accommodate those with service animals. 

[MegMcNugget]

Yes not all disabilites are visible. I do wish therapy dogs  wore a visible vest or something similar that is easily recognizable like I have seen a lot of working dogs. I have seen 'therapy' dogs while working at my doctors office without a vest or tag and I asked them to return animal to car. I wish this would be adopted nationally so it's easily recognizable and not someone taking advantage of the system.

[UkuleleCruiser]

I used to have allergy issues with pets on airplanes, and always had to ask that I be moved or the pet be moved. However, unless I had a specific allergy or other medical issue with a dog o on board, I wouldn't car. I would file it all under S.E.P. (Somebody Else's Problem)

[Brett_FL]

  I am sure like anything some people abuse this that don't really require a service dog.

[UkuleleCruiser]

  I am sure like anything some people abuse this that don't really require a service dog.

My father is 85, and requires a scooter or a walker to get around. He found an orange service dog vest which he puts on his dog, He doesn't cruise any longer and never took the dog on a cruise, but he does use it to bring the dog into restaurants.