[nagdu] Fw: Dolphin Encounters- Service Animals

cheryl echevarria cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
Wed Dec 28 14:23:40 UTC 2011


This is an update from the Tourism Board in the Bahamas.

I don't know if you have been reading my posts either on NAGDU, Travel and Tourism or on my blog, when we went on a cruise in November, and wanted to do the Dolphin Encounter, this is not the one at the Atlantis Resort and Casino.

My sister and brother-in-law and my niece and nephew had decided to do this excursion, and I thought it might be fun to do as well.  Maxx at no time was going to be going into the water with me, he was going to be held with my darling husband, Nelson, in the observations area, since Nelson didn't want to do this.

But was told in writing by the Dolphin Encounter, while we were still on the ship, I have the full e-mail denying me access with the dog, but they would this exception this once time, since I am a travel agent. I refused to go on the one time exception issues.

Please read the whole e-mail below. If anyone has an issue reading it, please let me know off list and I will forward it to you.

FYI, there are no standard access laws in the Bahamas, but at the same time, we had no issues at any other location we tried to enter in Nassau.

Please remember you are not in the US, when traveling with your guide dog, and not all places are considered accessible, that being said, I am working closely with the Department of Agriculture and the Tourism Board of the Bahamas, to get the right information.

We have had many visitors from the Bahamas during our National Conventions.  

It is more of educational purposes.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com<mailto:reservations at echevarriatravel.com>

For daily updates read our blog at
http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com/>
----- Original Message ----- 
From: EbSmith at bahamas.com<mailto:EbSmith at bahamas.com> 
To: cheryl echevarria<mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> 
Cc: mwilliamson at bahamas.com<mailto:mwilliamson at bahamas.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 8:47 AM
Subject: Fw: Dolphin Encounters- Service Animals


Good Morning Mrs. Echevarria, 

I have forwarded the response from Dolphin Encounters. 

Dr, Springer Chief Vet. from the Ministry of Agriculture is in the process of writing various government agencies to find out what the Bahamas legal polices are,in this matter. 

I will let you know what his findings are. 


Regards, 
          
      Ebiana Smith  
      Visitor Relations  
      Ministry of Tourism
      Nassau Bahamas 
      phone: 242-3287810 fax: 242-326-0166 
      ebsmith at bahamas.com 
      www.bahamas.com/The Bahamas <http://www.bahamas.com/> 


----- Forwarded by Ebiana Smith/Miami/MOT on 12/28/2011 08:21 AM ----- 

From:        "Latoya Rolle" <Latoya.Rolle at dolphinencounters.com> 
To:        <EbSmith at bahamas.com> 
Date:        12/20/2011 01:56 PM 
Subject:        Dolphin Encounters- Service Animals 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Good afternoon Ebian, 
  
My apologies for the very delayed response. 
  
Dolphin Encounters Ltd. wanted to ensure that we adhered to all rules and regulations stipulated by the Government of the Bahamas as it relates to Service Animals. 
  
Though Ms. Echevarria was originally denied access to our beach side with her service animal we have revisited our policy to ensure that we accommodate all guests travelling with service animals to our beach, as long as we are given advanced notice. However, these animals will not be allowed to enter the waters on Blue Lagoon Island as it’s shared with all of our animals including the Sea Lions. 
  
With regards to dolphin and sea lion encounters please see the below from our Director of Marine Mammals: 
  
Dolphin Encounters is a world class animal facility that provides interactive programs for guests to meet dolphins or sea lions in an incredible in-water experience.  Our number one priority is to ensure the utmost safety for both guests and animals in all interactions.  We are accredited by both the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the International Marine Animal Trainers Association.  We strive to accommodate any guest that wishes to meet one of our marine mammals. We are one of few facilities that provides water wheelchairs for guests that are challenged, and all dolphins are trained to interact with all behaviors for the guest in the wheelchair.   Our animals receive the best of veterinary care with 4 physicals per year to ensure excellent health (more than most humans!).  We have accommodated guests with service dogs for many years, as long as prior notification is given when reservations are made, as we do boat transfers and we must inform the boat department that the dog is approved to board.  In 2006, the sea lions joined our animal family.  Over the course of the last 5 years, we have had 4 sea lions born at our facility.  At any given time, we have very young sea lions or pregnant females.  Because dogs and sea lions are susceptible to some of the same diseases, we as a facility, in discussion with our veterinary team, made the decision that dogs are not allowed around our sea lion habitat.  I realize that service dogs are traveling with health certificates, but we are in a different country and with all the new viruses, bacteria’s and fungi that develop yearly, we cannot be certain that something brought to the facility could possibly be something our animals have never been exposed to before.  Our animal health will always be our priority.  We will continue to allow service dogs for those participating in the dolphin program as long as there is someone to supervise the animal while the guest is in the water (a paying guest).  Dogs will not be allowed in the water or on the platforms.  We reserve the right to ask that the dogs will not be allowed near the sea lions.   
  
Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. 
  
  
Kind regards, 
  
Latoya Rolle 
Sales & Marketing Supervisor 
Dolphin Encounters Ltd. 
Tele: 242-363-7167 
Fax: 242-363-4437 
  
www.dolphinencounters.com<http://www.dolphinencounters.com/> 
www.bahamasbluelagoon.com<http://www.bahamasbluelagoon.com/> 
  


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


From: EbSmith at bahamas.com [mailto:EbSmith at bahamas.com<mailto:EbSmith at bahamas.com>] 
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 10:11 AM
To: Latoya Rolle
Subject: RE: 2nd E-mail Travel agent who had issues with a location in the Bahamas in reference to an Excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines 
  
Good Morning, 
Hope all is well. 
I am still waiting on a response in this matter. 
I got another email from Mrs. Cheryl Echevarria this morning. 
      
      Ebiana Smith  
      Visitor Relations  
      Ministry of Tourism
      Nassau Bahamas 
      phone: 242-3287810 fax: 242-326-0166 
      ebsmith at bahamas.com 
      www.bahamas.com/The Bahamas <http://www.bahamas.com/> 






From:        "Latoya Rolle" <Latoya.Rolle at dolphinencounters.com> 
To:        <EbSmith at bahamas.com> 
Date:        11/29/2011 01:37 PM 
Subject:        RE: 2nd E-mail Travel agent who had issues with a location in the Bahamas in reference to an Excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines 



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





….received thank you 
 
Kind regards, 
 
Latoya Rolle 
Sales & Marketing Supervisor 
Dolphin Encounters Ltd. 
Tele: 242-363-7167 
Fax: 242-363-4437 
 
www.dolphinencounters.com<http://www.dolphinencounters.com/> 
www.bahamasbluelagoon.com<http://www.bahamasbluelagoon.com/> 
  

  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



From: EbSmith at bahamas.com [mailto:EbSmith at bahamas.com<mailto:EbSmith at bahamas.com>] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 1:34 PM
To: Latoya Rolle
Subject: Fw: 2nd E-mail Travel agent who had issues with a location in the Bahamas in reference to an Excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines 
 
FYI 
            
      Ebiana Smith  
      Visitor Relations  
      Ministry of Tourism
      Nassau Bahamas 
      phone: 242-3287810 fax: 242-326-0166 
      ebsmith at bahamas.com 
      www.bahamas.com/The Bahamas <http://www.bahamas.com/> 





----- Forwarded by Ebiana Smith/Miami/MOT on 11/29/2011 01:34 PM ----- 

From:        Maxine Williamson/Nassau/MOT 
To:        Ebiana Smith/Miami/MOT at MOT 
Date:        11/27/2011 02:40 PM 
Subject:        Fw: 2nd E-mail Travel agent who had issues with a location in the Bahamas in reference to an Excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines 


  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------





Ebbie, please follow up. 
            
      Maxine B. Williamson  

      General Manager, Visitor Relations & Reception Services  
      The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism 
      Rawson Sq., 
      P.O. Box N-3701 Nassau, Bahamas 
      Phone: 242-326-9772, 328-7810   Fax: 242-32-60166 
      www.bahamas.com <http://www.bahamas.com/> 





----- Forwarded by Maxine Williamson/Nassau/MOT on 11/27/2011 02:39 PM ----- 

From:        "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> 
To:        <tourism at bahamas.com>, <Mwilliamson at bahamas.com> 
Date:        11/27/2011 01:20 PM 
Subject:        2nd E-mail Travel agent who had issues with a location in the Bahamas in reference to an Excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines 


  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------






This is the send e-mail I am sending to Ms. Williamson, I got your contact 
e-mail from the Bahamas Tourism Board back on the 22nd of November. I do 
hope that I have the correct information, and that I will hear something 
soon.

I appreciate it very much.

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria, Owner
Echevarria Travel
http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

For daily updates read our blog at
http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com/>


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: <Mwilliamson at bahamas.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 22, 2011 11:18 AM
Subject: Travel agent who had issues with a location in the Bahamas in 
reference to an Excursion with Norwegian Cruise Lines


> Good Morning:
>
> My name is Cheryl Echevarria, I own and operate Echevarria Travel, also a
> member of SATH.org, NFB.org, ASTA/NACTA and OSSN.
>
> I need to know the access laws in the Bahamas in reference to using
> especially a Guide Dog.  Since I was denied access to an excursion that I
> wanted to go with my family while we are in NASSAU.
>
> FYI, I had also contact the Excursion Department prior to us going on the
> cruise, to see if there are any issues in the past with traveling with a
> guide dog on any of the excursions in NASSAU with Norwegian, I was told
> there weren't any.
>
> I know that the Bahamas has been an independent country since July 10, 
> 1973
>
> I was on a graduation cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines - GEM - sailing
> from NY City to Orlando and the Bahamas.  This was my first time in the
> Bahamas, and I also have my family sailing with me as well.
>
> I am blind and had all the proper paperwork and permits to bring my guide
> dog into the Bahamas; I am also writing for future access, since like I
> stated above I am with the NFB - National Federation of the Blind, 
> currently
> I am the Treasurer of the Greater Long Island Chapter and the President of
> our Travel and Tourism Division, as well as member of NAGDU - National
> Association of Guide Dog Users.  Also, I have a fundraiser planned for 
> 2013,
> so we need to have this in our files.
>
> Now my situation had happened like this.
>
> Since I was on a PhD at sea Cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines, I had to make
> my excursions reservations while on ship, and my made reservations to go 
> to
> the Company is called the Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounters, this is not the
> one at the Atlantis Resorts.
>
> FYI, no I wasn't going to bring my dog in the water, my husband was going 
> to
> be an observer and hold my dog while I did this, with my family.
>
> I have an e-mail dated November 9, 2011, between the Excursion Manager of
> the Norwegian Gem Mihaela Ungurianu and Latoya Rolle of the Dolphin
> Encounters, Ltd.
>
> FYI, if this is a private location, then they shouldn't be offering their
> services to the public.
>
> I didn't go there, in fact, being a travel agent, who in fact loved the
> Atlantis Resort, but would love to see the rest of the Bahamas, needs to
> know your laws and if this company is just making there own up as they go
> along.
>
> Many of your residents of the Bahamas, have been to our National 
> Conventions
> over the years.
>
> Please, let me know asap.
>
> Sincerely,
> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!
>
> Mrs. Cheryl Echevarria
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.com/>
> 10 Aljan Drive
> Brentwood, NY 11717
> 631-456-5394
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> For daily updates read our blog at
> http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com<http://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com/>
> 
 
 
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