Carnival welcomes service dogs on board, as they are specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, pets and service dogs in training cannot join us, nor can emotional support dogs, since they aren't recognized by the US Department of Justice.
If you're planning to travel with a working service dog that meets the outlined criteria, please take a moment to go over the following important information.
Starting August 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has implemented new, mandatory requirements for all dogs arriving in the U.S. This applies regardless of whether the dog is returning to the U.S. or the country it’s coming from. Depending on the countries you've visited in the past six months, you may need to fill out additional forms, especially if your dog was vaccinated against rabies in a country other than the U.S.
To stay updated on these requirements based on your travel dates and your dog's origin, we recommend using the CDC's online tool, DogBot, at www.cdc.gov/DogTravel.
Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- Your dog should be healthy upon arrival and at least 6 months old.
- They need to have an ISO-compatible microchip implanted prior to any required rabies vaccinations.
- You’ll need a receipt for the CDC Dog Import Form, which will be available on their website starting July 15, 2024. Don’t worry; submitting this form is free and you’ll receive an email confirmation right after.
Please note that many of our ports have strict entry requirements for animals, so it's a good idea to check with the Department of Agriculture or your veterinarian to find out about the policies in each destination country.
Keep in mind that some ports may only accept annual rabies vaccinations instead of the three-year version. For instance, ports in Mexico require service dogs to have had ecto-parasite and endo-parasite treatment within 15 days of arriving, and this should be included in the dog’s health certificate. If you have any questions about this, your veterinarian will be glad to help!
If you're making a stop at Grand Turk, it's important to have the necessary documentation (including an import license), regardless of whether the service dog will disembark there. Also, certain breeds are restricted in Grand Turk, and service dogs that fall under these restrictions or lack proper documentation won’t be able to board the ship.
Some ports may charge a fee for an agricultural representative to issue a landing permit for your dog. Please note that Carnival isn't responsible for any limitations that foreign ports or excursion providers may impose on service dogs.
Remember to keep all required documents, including your service dog’s current vaccination records that show their microchip number, on hand—don’t pack them in your luggage! You’ll need to show the originals at embarkation and submit copies to Guest Services on board to ensure all ports of call have the necessary information prior to arrival. If you don’t have the required documentation, your service dog may not be able to travel with you or disembark, and unfortunately, no compensation will be offered in this case.
To help us help you, please send copies of your vaccine records to access@carnival.com at least a week before your sailing date. This way, we can confirm with port authorities if anything else is needed and get back to you promptly.
Care, Feeding, and Relief Areas
- You’ll need to bring your own food for your service dog.
- We will set up a relief area using Second Nature Dog Litter in a non-guest traffic section of the ship. If you prefer a different material, please obtain approval from our Guest Access department before setting sail.
- Service dogs cannot be fed in the dining room, buffet areas, or specialty restaurants.
- While service dogs can enjoy all public areas of the ship (on a leash), they’re not allowed on furniture or in food preparation areas, pools, whirlpools, saunas, or steam rooms.
- For safety reasons, service dogs should never be left unattended in your stateroom, and our staff cannot take care of them.
- It’s important that service dogs are on a leash and in “uniform” while in common areas of the ship.
For any additional information you may need to sail with your service dog, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Guest Access Department at access@carnival.com, or give us a call at 1-800-438-6744 ext. 70025. If you’re calling from Australia, dial 1800 072 670 ext. 70025. We’re here to help!