Dear Sam,

Although chicken is technically not meat, it is considered the same as meat in terms of kashruth. In other words, the same edicts that apply to beef applies to chicken. That, I guess, given the fact that you have concerns while on vacation, is the bad news. However, the good news is that you are welcome to either follow your father's minhag/custom or in the absence of that, create your own by investigating the customs of Jews in different parts of the world. In some cultures, it is permissible to eat dairy as soon as 72 minutes after consuming meat. In most countries, it is 6 hours. Going from dairy to meat, depending on the culture, can be anywhere from wiping your lips and rinsing your mouth to a three hour wait.

It is important is that you choose a minhag that works for you. But, once you find one that satisfies you with regard to kashruth, you must, also, adopt it for everything else ... Shabbat, Yom Tov, etc.

Shalom,