Pet friendly ferries in Europe include ferry lines that offer cabins where you can stay with your pet, ferries that have kennels, as well as ferries that allow pets on board as long as they remain on deck or in the passenger’s car.
Denmark
DFDS is one of northern Europe’s largest ferry companies with 9 passenger ferry routes, including 4 between the UK and Europe. Pet friendly cabins are available on certain routes: Amsterdam-Newcastle; Dunkirk-Rosslare; Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen; and Baltic Sea routes. Cabins can accommodate up to 2 medium sized dogs and sleep up to 4 people. DFDS offers kennels on Aura Seaways and Luna Seaways ferries. On the UK-France routes pets are not allowed in public areas and must remain in the vehicle.
More information on DFDS pet policy
France
Brittany Ferries is a French shipping company that operates a fleet of ferries and cruiseferries between France and the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain, and between Spain and Ireland and the United Kingdom. There are three different ways that your pet can travel on Brittany ships: in your car, in a kennel or in a pet-friendly cabin. The choices available depend on which ship and route that you travel on. Pet-friendly cabins are available on 4 ships – Galicia, Salamanca, Pont-Aven and Normandie, and are designed to comfortably accommodate a single pet. If you wish to take more than one pet, please contact us. Pets are not allowed in any of the public areas of the ship.
More information on Brittany Ferries pet policy
Italy
In Italy most ferry companies allow passengers to bring their pets on board. Depending on the route, ships may have special pet-friendly amenities. For example, you can find cabins designed for pets and on-board kennels. More information on pet friendly ferries in Italy
Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) is an Italian shipping company that operates ferries between mainland Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, France, Spain, Albania, Morocco and Tunisia. GNV offers pet friendly cabins on some ferries. Pets are not allowed in the pullman seats areas, common lounges and cabins, with the exception of specific pet cabins; they are allowed on the external decks of the ship, where they can safely walk with their owners in the dedicated areas.
More information on Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) ferries pet policy
Tirrenia is an Italian shipping company that offers ferry services between Italy’s mainland and its major islands. Passengers are allowed to travel with pets if a corresponding ticket is purchased for their transport and a prove of rabies vaccination (where necessary) and a valid vaccination record can be presented. Dogs are allowed on the outside decks of the ship and in public spaces; they are not allowed in common areas, armchair halls, and any halls intended for passengers. Special pet cabins are available. There are maximum 3 animals allowed in one cabin.
More information on Tirrenia ferries pet policy
Corsica Ferries is a Franco-Italian ferry company that operates service to and from the islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Elba. Your dog can accompany you in specific cabins, public areas and restaurants in specific areas. Passengers travelling with dogs must book specific cabins (linoleum flooring). Cats and other small pets have to be kept in a pet-carrier during the crossing.
More information on Corsica Ferries pet policy
Grimaldi Lines is an Italian ferry company operates numerous ferry services in Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Malta, Greece, Sardinia and Sicily. Pets are welcome on board, and can travel in cages or in the cabin with the owner. For dogs and cats there are accommodations dedicated to their stay. Other animals (rabbits, birds, reptiles, etc.) must travel in carriers or cases owned by the passenger. No animals can access the cabins, unless the pet in cabin service is purchased. Pets can safely walk together with their owners on all the external decks of the ships, equipped with a leash and muzzle. Access is not permitted to them in common areas, restaurants, lounges and passenger lounges.
More information on Grimaldi Lines pet policy
Spain
Baleària is a Spanish shipping company operating passenger ferry services in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Pets are allowed to travel with you in the cabin or in a company carrier. Pet friendly cabins are adapted cabins with a drinking trough and bed for your pet. The floors in these cabins are vinyl, and a special cleaning protocol ensures maximum hygiene. Currently, this accommodation is available on the ferries Hypatia de Alejandría, Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Abel Matutes, Bahama Mama, Dénia Ciutat Creativa, Hedy Lamarr, Sicilia, Nápoles, Martín i Soler and Kerry. Two animals can be accommodated, provided that the weight of the two pets together does not exceed 30kg. If they weigh more than 30kg, only one per cabin is allowed. The pet-friendly seat is a new space where you can travel with your pet throughout the entire journey. Any type of pet can travel in this accommodation as long as it does not weigh more than 8kg, including the carrier. Throughout the journey, the pet will have to stay in the carrier at all times, on the passenger’s lap or at their feet. In addition, little pet calm houses are located mostly on the deck, garage or other points of the ship; they are protected and properly ventilated places. It is absolutely prohibited to leave animals in vehicles.
More information on Baleària ferries pet policy
Sweden
Stena Line is a Swedish shipping line company and one of the largest ferry operators in the world. It services Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden. Pets are welcome on Stena Line; you can book your pet into a kennel, take them on onboard, or keep them inside the car (this is not available on selected routes, please check the details for your specific route). Some ferries have pet friendly cabins that can be pre-booked too. Stena Line has launched more pet-friendly areas on the ferry operator’s Belfast to Cairnryan route. The new lounges also accompany the introduction of 70 pet cabins across its Irish Sea routes and accompany a range of other pet-friendly options available. Furry friends must still be kept in carrier cases onboard the new pet lounges on Stena Superfast vessels operating between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
More information on Stena Line ferries pet policy
United Kingdom
Condor Ferries is an operator of passenger and freight ferry services between The United Kingdom, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Bailiwick of Jersey and France. Condor Ferries has introduced its first pet friendly cabins on its new Condor Islander ferry to the Channel Island of Jersey. These six cabins can accommodate up to three people and one pet. Each is en-suite, with bunk-style and an extra bed and differs from the usual passenger-only cabins in that they feature a laminate flooring. An outside deck is accessible for exercise and pets are to be muzzled and kept on a lead when not in the cabin. Pets can still be carried on Islander and other passenger vessels in a vehicle or in an appropriate carrier on the car deck. Pets travelling on the Commodore Clipper service are required to stay in passenger’s vehicles for the duration of the crossings. Islander is expected to enter service in November, with both day and overnight crossings from the Channel Islands and the UK.
More information on Condor Islander ferry
P & O Ferries is a British shipping company that operates ferries from United Kingdom to Ireland, and to Continental Europe (France and the Netherlands). Travel on the Hull to Rotterdam route: Dogs, cats or ferrets are allowed on the ships, as long as they meet all the EU entry requirements and have a valid AHC or EU Pet Passport. There are three dog friendly cabins on each vessel available for use by either foot passengers or vehicle passengers, and these are booked on a first come first served basis. If a dog friendly cabin is unavailable, then your pet must be booked in to one of the kennels. Any other pets (dogs/cats) must go in the kennels located on Deck 7 for the duration of the crossing. Travel on the Dover to Calais route: All pets must stay in the vehicle during the trip, unless travelling in the Pet Lounge, a clean and dog friendly area where you and your pet can relax and enjoy all the comfort, space, complimentary refreshments and treats on board together, as well as an exercise area on the outside deck.
More information on P & O Ferries pet policy
Stena Line – Belfast (Northern Ireland) to Cairnryan (Scotland) route has launched more pet-friendly areas on the ferry operator’s Belfast to Cairnryan route. The new lounges also accompany the introduction of 70 pet cabins across its Irish Sea routes and accompany a range of other pet-friendly options available. Pets must still be kept in carrier cases onboard the new pet lounges on Stena Superfast vessels operating between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
More information on Stena Line Belfast to Cairnryan route
