Royal Caribbean International will no longer allow guests to
bring aboard emotional-support animals.
The policy change, effective immediately, was made to
differentiate emotional-support animals from service animals that are trained
and certified to perform a function for a person with a disability, Royal
Caribbean said.
"It is important to us that all our guests enjoy their
vacation, which is why we put into practice this new policy," the cruise
line said. "Royal Caribbean's policy remains the same for service animals
traveling with guests that have a physical or non-physical disability."
Neither Carnival Cruise Line
nor Norwegian Cruise Line allow emotional-support animals. Both accept service
animals, but require two weeks advance notice.
Service animals have been specifically trained to perform a
task for the person with a disability.
Emotional-support animals provide a therapeutic benefit to their owners
through companionship.