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Royal Caribbean bans emotional support animals from its cruises

Orlando Sentinel - 8/14/2018

Aug. 14--Royal Caribbean Cruises has taken the wind out of the sails of emotional-support animal owners, according to a Tuesday post on the cruise line's blog.

The cruise company updated its animal policy, banning emotional-support animals, otherwise known as a therapy pets and comfort pets, from its ships, effective immediately.

A therapy pet is considered any animal that provides companionship, relieves loneliness, and can sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act National Network. However, these animals do not have any special training certifications.

This is not to be confused with a service animal, which Royal Caribbean defines as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability."

Royal Caribbean does allow for service animals to set sail along with their owners on any cruise ship, according to its website. The cruise also provides four-feet-by-four-feet relief areas with cypress mulch to accommodate service dogs.

The blog said vacationers with emotional support animals who made reservations prior to July 30 will be allowed to sail with the animals.

Jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5268 or @JoeMarPedersen on Twitter

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