Does the Royal Caribbean allow pets?
Brimming ambiance and salty winds are incredible along with some mesmerizing wake created by a grand cruise ship. The mind wanders beyond to distant shores. For many people, a vacation is never complete unless this furry little friend, the four-legged family member who brightens every day, is present with them. The common question that usually comes to the minds of pet lovers wondering whether this special pet could accompany them on a fantastic cruise ride is with Royal Caribbean Cruise dog policy. However, stepping onto a mega-ship is quite different from checking into a pet-friendly hotel, as strict maritime regulations, limited space, and the comfort of thousands of guests come into play.
Floating resorts usually pack them in with a very clear flag under which they fly: No. Royal Caribbean does not allow conventional pets. The company's position is firmly grounded because they want everyone to have a great experience, and, for most family dogs and cats, the seas are closed. Yet, therein lies a very significant, noteworthy exception, recognizing the bond and the critical support provided by working animals.
What is the Royal Caribbean Pet Policy?
The cruise lays down its Royal caribbean cruise pet policy at the very core. They do not allow traditional pets like dogs, cats, birds, and so on aboard any of their vessels. Only service dogs trained to perform certain tasks for the benefit of a qualified disabled person are permitted on any of Royal Caribbean International's ships.
Service Animals on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean follows the guidelines on service animals so that they are not classified as pets. A service dog is an animal that is specially trained to perform work or tasks for a person with a disability.
- Allowed Access: Service dogs are welcomed in most public areas on the ship, including dining venues, provided they are kept on a leash, harness, or other restraint.
- Restricted Areas: As per health and safety regulations, no service dog shall be on board any pool, whirlpool, or spa.
- Relief Area: A designated outdoor relief area is set on the cruise ship, under Royal caribbean cruise pet policy. This would be typically a 4-foot by 4-foot area with cypress mulch or sod, if ordered in advance for sailing from the home country. These relief areas are shared with any other service dogs traveling onboard.
- Documentation: Although not a legal requirement per se, official identification is very helpful in securing all permits and the proper documentation, including the health certificate and immunization records necessary for the animal's disembarkation at ports of call and at the final destination.
- Owner Responsibility: Owners shall take full responsibility for the care, supervision, feeding and general behavior of the service dog. The dog must never be left unattended in the stateroom.
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
No, Emotional Support Animals are no longer allowed on Royal Caribbean ships as per their new Royal Caribbean service dog policy, They wanted to differentiate between trained service animals and emotional support animals. Guests with ESA reservations processed before a specified date in 2018 might find shelter under this protection, new reservations shall not be permitted to bring an ESA on board.
It is strongly suggested to inform Royal Caribbean Access Department at the time of booking or at least thirty days prior to sailing to make arrangements for your service dogs and alert them of special needs such as an area for relief or refrigerator space for food.
Can I bring my pet on a Royal Caribbean cruise?
In short, no, against the Royal caribbean cruise pet policy, an ordinary pet, be it your family dog or family cat, cannot go on a cruise with you. Only those specifically defined as service dogs for persons with disabilities are accepted by the cruise line. These animals may come onboard, but the Access Department must be informed at the time of booking, no later than 30 days prior to sailing. Emotional Support Animals are largely not accepted.
Why Pets Are Not Allowed On Cruises?
That's a very nice question and the main reason a cruise line like Royal Caribbean upholds the general no-pets policy has something to do with three major areas that is International Regulations, Guest Safety/Comfort and Ship Logistics.
- Quarantine Laws: This is the single biggest hurdle. Shipping from one country to another just adds new port animal import laws and quarantine requirements on top of everything else. Trying to manage the proper documentation and vaccinations plus the potential quarantine periods for all these pets of different owners would be nearly impossible for a cruise line to even handle failing to comply may deny entry of the ship to a port.
- Lifeboat Requirements: According to maritime law, each and every person including recognized service animals should be accounted for and safely accommodated in lifeboats during emergencies. Extending this requirement to non-essential pets complicates emergency safety protocols.
- Allergies: Ships are a semi-enclosed environment. Pet dander can easily circulate through the ventilation system causing severe reactions for passengers with allergies or asthma.
- Cleanliness and Public Freshness: While responsible owners clean up after their pets, the risk of accidents or mess in public dining areas, lounges and corridors is otherwise too high posing a sanitation and health risk to thousands of guests.
- Noise and Animation: Unfamiliar noises and the movement of the ship might stress the pets and so can lead to much barking or destructive behavior that disrupts other guests' vacation.
- Limited Space: Even the largest cruise ship has limited spaces. The ship itself is not prepared for the proper provision many pets would need such as suitable large areas for relief, indoor and outdoor kennels or private walking decks.
- Damage to a Stateroom: Pets can cause a great deal of damage to an unattended room's furnishings and carpets and pets are mostly left unattended in violation of the rules set by the cruise lines.
Alternatives for Pet Owners Who Want to Cruise
Such a difficult thing really to be a pet owner and also a cruiser. Most cruise companies such Royal Caribbean will not allow pets on board unless it is a service dog under the Royal Caribbean Cruise dog policy. Every pet owner has to adopt one of the three main alternatives on this step that will give their vacation at sea peace of mind. These are some of the best alternatives offered to a pet owner when it comes to cruising:
- Cunard's Queen Mary 2 (QM2): The sole real cruise liner permitted to accommodate non-service pets on specific routes. Only permitted are pets for Transatlantic Crossings from New York to Southampton and Hamburg. Pets have a different supervised kennel area instead.
- Professional In-Home Pet Sitters: While many pet owners such as a sitter who takes care of the pet in their place, usually having the pet continue in their day-to-day routine in a familiar environment, is less stressful to the animal than using a kennel as much easier.
- Luxury Pet Resorts/Boarding: Such estates would house in spacious suites, playtime, grooming, and often live webcam access, hopefully, while out at sea, providing peace of mind.
- Pet-Friendly River Cruises: A few companies zooming down the river such as in Europe on the Rhine and Moselle offer special voyages along specific routes where animals may board into certain cabins, and some other places in the boat are specified pet-friendly.
- Short-Haul Ferries: Many ferry companies, working for example between the mainland and several islands or for very short international crossings, have pet cabins and/or an onboard kennel, but these are basically a transport service and not a vacation cruise experience.
Tips for Traveling with Service Dogs on Royal Caribbean
At sea with a service dog requires meticulous planning and logistical arrangements that guarantee everything runs smoothly and satisfactorily for the two of you. Service dog travel tips and Royal Caribbean service dog requirements are given:
- Complete A Special Needs Form: The Guest Special Needs Form must be filled out and submitted as soon as possible in order to request accommodations for a service dog.
- Get All Your Port Documentation: This is the most important step. Because ships travel in multiple countries you will need to locate and obtain all possible import licenses, health certificates and vaccination records required by every single port of call on your itinerary plus your ultimate destination.
- Request Early Boarding: With early boarding you will have more time to complete paperwork, get around the ship and give your dog some time to get acquainted with the relief area before most of the crowd arrives. Contact the Access Department for this request.
- Identify the Relief Area: Crew members will inform you regarding the location of the 4' x 4' relief area usually filled with cypress mulch or sod if pre-ordered. This is the only area designated where your dog can go to the bathroom, and it will be shared with other dogs.
- Packing for Your Dog: Bring along absolutely everything your dog may need, for there is little that you might acquire on the ship. This entails enough food and treats for the entire cruise and some extra food and water dishes, medications, and comfort items/toys for your dog.
- Check Port Rules Daily: Some countries might not allow service dogs to disembark, or they may have certain requirements that you might not be able to meet. Daily inquiry with the Guest Relations Desk on the current status is recommended.
- Tender Process: Consider tendering using smaller boats to reach shore. Some dogs might find that process a little bumpy and shaky, which may further intimidate them.
Conclusion
Royal Caribbean has a strict Royal Caribbean service dog policy against bringing traditionally owned pets on their cruises. This is due to international regulations, logistics and the safety and comfort of their guests. Most furry friends would have to stay on land during the cruise. The only exception to this rule is trained service dogs who are allowed on board with advance notice and the required paperwork. Pet owners willing to cruise have two main alternatives that is the transatlantic kennel service on the Cunard Queen Mary 2 or using a reliable pet sitter ensuring that the furry companion is left safe while relishing the high seas.
