Royal Caribbean Bans Emotional Support Animals

I have just read in the cruise news today that Royal Caribbean has now banned emotional support animals from all cruises for bookings after 30th July 2018.

Royal Caribbean issued a statement regarding the change and why it was implemented, “We are updating the policy to differentiate emotional support animals from service animals that are trained to perform a function for a person with a disability.  It is important to us that all our guests enjoy their vacation, which is why we put into practice this new policy.  Royal Caribbean’s policy remains the same for service animals travelling with guests that have a physical or non-physical disability. Moving forward, emotional support animals cannot be added to existing or new reservations.  Confirmed guests who already have emotional support animals noted in their reservation will be permitted to bring the animal.”

What is an emotional support animal?

Emotional support Animals are animals that provide comfort and support in forms of affection and companionship for a person who is suffering from various mental and emotional conditions. An emotional support animal is not required to perform any specific tasks for a disability like service dogs are. emotional support animals are prescribed by a licensed therapist, psychologist, doctor, psychiatrist or any licensed mental health professional, as part of the treatment program.
I personally think there will be a lot of controversy on this matter, does this just prove that mental health isn’t taken seriously enough? People with emotional support animals may well depend on their dog as much as a blind person but just in a different way. I have never suffered from mental health but I couldn’t begin to imagine what people go through on a daily basis and if these animals can help them then why are they not allowed onboard a cruise?
What are your thoughts on this?

 

 


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Hi Everyone Thanks for taking the time to visit my page. My Name is Jenna McGhee from Bonnie Scotland where I live with my Lovely husband, my son who is the apple of my eye and our little Yorkie Ollie. I have worked in the travel industry for the past…

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