Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas cruise passenger smuggles pet cat named Ovie on cruise from Hawaii to Sydney: Crew spent weeks fighting for its life after biosecurity agents on stop in New Zealand threatened to euthanize it
- An unnamed passenger smuggled a cat aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise
- The cat named Ovie could be euthanized during the cruise from Hawaii to Sydny
- It was returned to Miami, where it was adopted by one of the crew
A cat named Ovie embarked on a journey from the US to Down Under, only to face the threat of euthanasia by biosecurity agents.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Royal Caribbean crews, the cat was successfully transported back to the US after weeks of fighting for its life.
According to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, a recent passenger aboard the Ovation of the Seas smuggled films during the cruise from Hawaii to Sydney.
“We think it was in the dude's sweatshirt, and we're assuming he was drugged or something because he didn't beep, since movies aren't metal,” Bayley said in a social media post.
The cat was discovered during a routine inspection by New Zealand officials and was not allowed to leave the ship during the nearly three-week voyage from Hawaii to Sydney.
But he was lucky enough to be returned to the U.S. and adopted by one of the members of the Royal Caribbean Guest Service team in Miami, Bayley said.
A cat named Ovie embarked on a journey from the US to Down Under, but was faced with the threat of euthanasia by biosecurity agents
According to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises, a passenger on board the Ovation of the Seas smuggled films during the cruise from Hawaii to Sydney. The cat was discovered during a routine inspection by New Zealand officials and was not allowed to leave the ship during the nearly three-week voyage from Hawaii to Sydney.
Both New Zealand and Australia have strict biosecurity laws that determine what can and cannot be imported.
Pet owners must present several documents to clear customs and have their pets quarantined for at least ten days. The whole process can take months, according to the government.
“When discovered, the cat was not allowed off the ship in Australia or New Zealand by authorities and had to be euthanized,” Bayley wrote.
After the small feline was found during a routine inspection for banned plants, fruits and animals, biosecurity officers were called in to investigate.
According to her, Royal Caribbean International has covered the costs of caring for the cat Travel pulse.
Crew members stepped in to quarantine the cat and ensure it is free of any possible diseases.
The cat was discovered during a routine inspection by New Zealand officials and was not allowed to leave the ship during the nearly three-week voyage from Hawaii to Sydney.
Royal Caribbean Cruises does not allow pets on board unless it is an emotional support animal or service dog
After the small feline was found during a routine inspection for banned plants, fruits and animals, biosecurity officers were called in to investigate. Royal Caribbean International covered the costs of caring for the cat
The team spent several weeks successfully transporting films halfway around the world to Miami, where it was adopted by a crew member.
“Ovie is now living happily in Miami,” Bayley announced.
Per company policy, live pets, other than service animals, are strictly prohibited on board.
“Passengers boarding… will also be subject to immediate disembarkation or denied boarding,” the company wrote on its website. website.
“Passengers are not entitled to any refund, loss, damage, inconvenience or compensation under any of these circumstances,” the report continues.
Royal Caribbean declined to identify the traveler who smuggled the film on board, and it is unclear what punishment they may face,” as reported by the New York Post.