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Jeff Jenson Veteran user Denver, Colorado 319 Posts |
I will be working my first cruise ship soon and I need advice on something. I will be performing with 4 Doves and an Eclectus Parrot. How do I go about getting the birds there and back with no nightmares? Also how do I go about registering them?
Jeff Jenson
"Keep The Magic Alive" |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
This will be an expensive task for you. It will take up to 6 months to get everything done. Vet bills, quarantine and permits. 5 birds $500.00 and you are just getting started.
There are number of Cruise Books written by magicians that explain everything. The easiest way would be to contact an experienced Vet in your area, and see if he knows what you will need. You will have to contact the USDA and ask them for the proper forms. Check out there web site for information. They will want to know: Name of ship Dates of departure and arrival into the U.S. How many birds To be used for performing only. Your return address. You will NOT be able to take the birds off the ship at any time, as you do not have permission for the different ports of each country from the Department of Agriculture. If you do not have the proper documents and remove the birds, you will be looking at prison time. So you cannot change the birds to another ship either while it is at a port. If you do you will arrested and go to prison. Stock up with food for your birds for the entire cruise. Most places will not have bird food at many of the ports. This should get you started. I find it amazing that you book a cruise job and do not have any idea if you will be able to even fulfill the contract. I hope you did not sign a pay or play contract. If you don't show, you will owe the cruise lines the full amount you would have gotten paid. |
Jeff Jenson Veteran user Denver, Colorado 319 Posts |
Wmhegbli,
Thank you for your input. As far as the birds and the cruise line goes it is still in talks and they understand that if I can't bring the birds they are ok with it and everything is still a go. They told me to ask about this and then I can get back to them, I already told them that I might not be able to bring my birds due to strict laws, but I just wanted to see if anyone had a way to work around it. Also as far as fullfiling the contract, I already have. I money part is not the problem, I just don't want to loose my birds.
Jeff Jenson
"Keep The Magic Alive" |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Trying to get around health safety laws is very foolish on your part, and a perfect way to lose your birds. There is a reason for them as you can see with the latest diseases hitting the cruise lines. Although these were not animal related, any illness that can spread is a big money loser for the cruise line business.
If you can get every thing required done for your 1st trip, it will be a money loser on your part. They have standard fees they pay for entertainers. It is not a lot of money considering your animals and travel expenses to get to and from the ship. Any first gig with a cruise line is really an audition for future business. If you get one negative comment from a cruise passenger, you are dead in the water, so to speak. |
Jeff Jenson Veteran user Denver, Colorado 319 Posts |
I'm not trying to get around health safety laws, I never said that! Also the cruise line I'm working with says they will work with my on any expenses. I know this sounds crazy but if you ever try and get a crusie line job, they are all different and they all pay different. FYI - the one I'm going to work for is paying awesome, but money is not always the reason to perform.
Jeff Jenson
"Keep The Magic Alive" |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Well that sounds great, but your comment "if anyone had a way to work around it" suggested you were looking for other avenues to pursue, an implied you already knew the process. Sorry, but I can only take from what you write and the words you chose to use.
Good Luck, you have information to pursue. Go for it. I believe you will need a "Permit to Import" form completed. |
Autumn Morning Star Grammar Hostess Today, I corrected grammar in 1378 Posts |
Congratulations, Jeff! I hope your cruise show goes well! You might ask Dave Womach here at The Café'. He makes Bird Magic CD's and does a LOT of work with birds and knows the "ins-and-outs".
Are you coming to the swap meet next month at Mile High Magicians?
Wonder is very necessary in life. When we're little kids, we're filled with wonder for the world - it's fascinating and miraculous. A lot of people lose that. They become cynical and jaded, especially in modern day society. Magic renews that wonder.
Doug Henning |
Jeff Jenson Veteran user Denver, Colorado 319 Posts |
Autum,
If I'm not busy, I should be there.
Jeff Jenson
"Keep The Magic Alive" |
magicman_65 New user Port Moody, BC 5 Posts |
A quick question about birds and cruise lines...I realize the bird question has been answered in general.
My question is what if you are trying to get work thru a cruise agent, and are not sure where you will be cruising to? What do you need in the line of documentation for 1 bird and also in the line of a working visa if anything?? I am from Canada. Any links or answere would be helpfull. Thanx, Chris |
David Charvet Special user www.charvetmagic.com 501 Posts |
Wmhegbli pretty well covered the basics in his post, above. Yes, allow plenty of time for the permits to be processed. Years ago, I worked ships with a Cochin chicken, rabbit and 2 doves. Along with the USDA permits and veterinary certificates, also be prepared to pay the veterinarian at your re-entry port in the U.S. to examine the livestock. They do this BEFORE allowing ANY passenger to leave the ship and re-enter the U.S. (If your birds were sick, the vet could, theoretically, quarantine the ship and keep everyone on board.) The Port vet in Miami used to be Dr. Bruch (I am sure he has retired) and since the ship came back on a Saturday or Sunday, I had to pay him overtime for his early-morning vet visit - usually $100 (and this was 20 years ago.)
Some years ago, a magician was transferring from one ship to another in Jamaica. He had two ducks. The port authorities asked to see his Jamaican health permits for the ducks. He had none, so they took the two ducks and chopped their heads off right on the pier! The magician was allowed to transfer to the other ship. Still, a very sad and hard lesson to learn. The reason ports are so tough on birds is because of the potential for Newcastle Disease and now, "Bird Flu", which can wipe out the local poultry population. I also had local vets in several foreign ports visit my cabin on a couple of occasions to inspect my livestock - even though they never left my cabin except for the shows. If I were working ships today, I would avoid livestock (not to mention the hassles and expense of air travel within the U.S. just to get the animals to the ship.) |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-02-20 10:39, magicman_65 wrote: I would say it does not matter if it is one bird or more. You will have to get double documentation if you are in Canada, unless you get on the ship in Canada and get off the ship in Canada. If you have to enter any part of the U.S. you will have to get that documentation as well. Again, check with your local veterinarian and your government agencies. Again, this will be very costly up front. Permits are not free, and Vets are very costly as well. Above all, in order to work for Cruise Lines, you have to have a personality that everyone loves and you must be a real people pleaser. One complaint from a passenger and you are done with all the Cruise Lines as they all check with each other about entertainers. |
magicman_65 New user Port Moody, BC 5 Posts |
Thanx for all the info guy's
May have to rethink the bird thing, that's too bad. I have always felt that the bird was a great part of any show. Thanx, Chris http://www.cymagic.ca |
Amyxdove Regular user Andy Amyx 143 Posts |
Call me and I will give you even more info
Andy Amyx 916-607-4915 |
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