18h on a ferry with 2 dogs? Your questions, my answers.
Remember when I arrived back home after driving 12h through France and then taking the ferry from Cherbourg to Rosslare, exhausted, happy, grateful and SO PROUD of my girls?
As so many of you fellow dog lovers were sending me DMs asking about what it’s like to travel by sea with a dog, I added a question box to my stories.
So here we go.
My favourite crossing is the Cherbourg - Rosslare route with Stena Line (Stena Horizon).
I’ve only travelled with Stena Line’s Stena Horizon on that route so far but as I found out there’s (thanks to Brexit) a new ferry with pet friendly cabins now too. YAY!!
The new ferry is called Stena Vinga. It only has a small handful of pet friendly cabins, so 🤞🏻. Go get them!
Before travelling with Neala for the first time, I asked around a lot - is there a pet friendly ferry? What do the kennels look like?
Stena Line was mentioned very often and after having travelled with Stena Line several times over the past 3-4 years, I agree.
Please keep in mind that everyone is different, so what is perfect for the girls and myself might not be great for you.
What I love about this crossing: the ferry usually leaves in the afternoon, so there’s plenty of time to exercise and feed the dogs before boarding. The Stena Line crew is very kind and helpful, especially the crew members in charge of the dog lodges and Café & Restaurant (which are both on the dog deck).
From my experience they always go the extra mile when it comes to making your pawsome friend as happy as possible and they have always a smile on their face when being around the animals.
Don’t expect too much from the kennels. I always book the heated ‘dog lodges’ on board (€30 single).
The dog lodges are not a doggo hotel.
They are not a spa.
They are ok for the short period of time though.
They are clean, they are safe and they are heated. The room where the kennels are in is small, but they kennels themselves are OK.
Can I check on the dog(s) as I please while they’re in the kennels? Can I visit them often?
Yes, if you’re travelling with Stena Line you can check on the dogs anytime. The crew gives you the code to the dog lodges’ main door and you can come and go as you please.
Do the dogs have to stay in the kennels all the time? Can I go for a walk with them?
The dogs are not allowed to leave the dog deck and are not allowed inside (restaurant, cafe, cabins…) but your dog does not have to be in the kennels all the time.
I usually spend most of the time outside on the dog deck with the dogs, so that they are less stressed and get some fresh air.
As the ferry leaves Cherbourg in the afternoon, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset on deck, then leave your dog in the dog lodges to have dinner, then spend some more time with them outside on the deck and then it’s already time for bed. Up early again in the morning to exercise your dog a bit and you’ll be in Rosslare in no time.
(And yes, I spend most of the time with the dogs, obvs.)
I met several dog owners who leave their dogs in their vans / vehicles during the crossing, especially those with several dogs and big cars/vans.
There are two set times (7pm and 7am as far as I know) when you can visit your dogs, give them food / refresh their water and take them for a short walk on the car deck. A crew member will take you down to the car deck, you are not allowed unaccompanied there.
Why do I prefer the dog lodges right now? I can visit Neala and Dana anytime. I can exercise them, give them food and water anytime and can have an eye on them throughout the whole crossing.
Maybe this will change some day, but for now it’s the way to go for me.
Be sure to send me a DM on instagram if I didn’t answer your question here!
Etta x