Did you know that guide dogs can also enjoy the cruise
experience? I didn’t know this until our recent cruise when we met Rana, a beautiful
Golden Retriever. She was on board with her owner and handler, Chuck, and his
wife Peggy. When Lyle pointed them out to me, I immediately hoped that I would
get an opportunity to speak with them.
Over the course of our ten-day cruise, this happened several
times. I learned that Chuck and Rana were experienced travellers. My first
question was to ask where Rana did her business. After all, the decks of the
ship were all smooth, clean and polished. Chuck explained that the shipping
company provided a small grass patch of either real or artificial turf, at the
back of the ship. Of course, he had needed to notify the company ahead of sailing
time that he would be accompanied by his service dog so that all this could be
arranged. Naturally enough, only certified service dogs would be accommodated
in this way.
Rana seemed to take the whole experience in her stride and
was indeed one of the better behaved guide dogs I have encountered. Full credit
to Chuck for her daily training and also to the Seeing Eye School in New Jersey
for her initial training. Chuck also had only good things to say about this
particular guide dog school.
After hearing the accommodations Holland America had made
for Chuck and Rana, I also have praise for the cruise line. I had registered as
a legally blind passenger and once again I was happy with our own cabin
assignment. We were allotted a cabin just at the bottom of a stairwell and
elevator. I had no need to count down a myriad of doors to find our room. It
was simply the first one as we rounded the corner. I also found the staff in
the dining areas very helpful. Lyle and I are already looking forward to the
next time we can enjoy a cruise experience.
The picture below is of Chuck, Rana and myself. It was taken on gala night and so we are all
looking quite spiffy!
 |
| Chuck, Rana, and Sue |
No comments:
Post a Comment