Experiences cruising with birds and returning to US???

[sailorgal]

We are getting close to heading out across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas and eventually south to the Dominican Republic and beyond. We will be cruising with our African Grey Parrot Lola. Lola is microchipped and I have her CITES pet passport. I know that I have to have her CITES certificate validated by FWS (in Miami) before heading out and that I'll have some forms to fill out before entering the Bahamas (and other island nations). My main worry is coming back to the U.S.

Has anyone had recent experience cruising with their pet birds and coming back from the Bahamas? Any problems or things that I should know about. What did you do or not do. Do they even check on whether or not you have a pet bird on board when coming back to the U.S?

Thanks for any advice and real-world experiences.

[ohdrinkboy]

This couple has a bird and they elect not to take it to the bahamas because of all the red tape for a bird.