Packing for a Cruise with a Service Dog

Service Dog goes Cruising with Royal Caribbean
Pt. 1
What to pack to cruise with your Service Dog. NE/Canada Fall Foliage Cruise

[@stacy6419]

Thank you for this!! I've been a nervous wreck and we still have months before we to!

[@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256]

On my first cruise with a SD I was too. I don't think I over packed though, I used everything in this luggage at some point on our vacation.

[@jinet2801]

Where did you get all the fancy cruise service dog attire and bandannas? ❤❤❤❤

[@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256]

I made them

[@jinet2801]

@@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256 wow! They look amazing. Do you make any for sale too, or only for yourself? We love cruising, and this would definitely be great to have for my service dog. Your video is so informative. Maybe another on board, to see what is like during cruising.

[@stacy6419]

Have you ever had issues taking their food outside of its original packaging? Ideally I'd have each meal in its own baggie then reuse that for bagging up closed poo bags so the trash can doesn't smell either.

[@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256]

I've never had an issue with that. I've been flying a couple times a month with a SD since 2018. TSA does look carefully at the bags but that's it.

[@6H05T.T0WN]

Your so underated :(

[@TM-tf9yl]

I’m considering taking my service son with me on a cruise and I am getting severe anxiety at the thought of him being near the railings… aside from that, can you help by sharing the accommodations for you dog on board?

[@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256]

We cruised on Royal Caribbean. Our room was an inside ADA compliant cabin. Your dog has to be on a leash on board (and should be on land too, no runaways!), it'll keep him safe from exploring too close to the railing.

[@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256]

There's a group on Fb "Crusing with Service Dogs" that's great for tons of legit advice and info sharing.

[@CatonCJ]

Did you do any excursions on your cruise and how bad was the process of getting off and on the ship and through security at the ports?

[@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256]

@CatonCJ On/Off is not different than going through TSA security. The initial "On" you have to make sure you have all the permits required for the country you're entering, the USDA health certificate from your vet, and your dog's vaccine & pest control medical records. There's also a new CDC form required to get your dog back in the US, it was just released in August 2024. Excursions can be challenging depending on what you want to do. The best way, I found for my personal needs, was to book on the ship and talk with the CS rep. We had issues fitting on the buses getting to places, my guy is a 100lb labrador, when I booked excursions online. They won't save accessible seats, they're 1st come-1st severed.

[@theduncanschoolofcanineexc256]

@@CatonCJ www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel is where you can find the international import requirements for each country and more info.