Em(bark) on a pet adventure

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Em(bark) on a pet adventure

We're delighted to welcome your pets on board.

And to make their travel as stress free as yours we're excited to announce some changes onboard our ships.

We now have a dedicated Pet Den onboard Oscar Wilde and Isle of Inishmore on our Dover Calais route, Isle of Innisfree on our Rosslare Pembroke route and James Joyce on our Dublin Holyhead route.

We also have 6 Pet friendly cabins onboard James Joyce on our Dublin Holyhead route. 

Sit back and relax with your favourite travel companion by your side or take in the views and sea air in a dedicated outdoor deck space. 

Irish Ferries - Sea Travel Differently. 

Dr. Bobby Ortiz’s Expert advice

Dogtor Bobby

Ahead of the busy summer travel season, Irish Ferries has teamed up with well-known veterinarian Dr Bobby Ortiz (@dogtor_bob) to offer some expert insight and advice for people travelling with their pets. Dr Ortiz commended Irish Ferries for its new pet den facilities, describing them as the best he has ever seen for helping ensure pet travel is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

  • Optimise your pet’s journey by never travelling on hot days and always at the coolest part of the day such as late in the evening, early morning or overnight, where possible.
  • While visiting the vet for your pet’s requisite vaccinations, always make sure a ‘fit for travel’ pet health check is performed to ensure the pet is in fit condition especially if older or is prone to illness or heat stroke.
  • If you are leaving your dog in your vehicle rather than using the pet den, cabin or kennel facilities, make sure there is sufficient ventilation for your pet. Creating a flow of fresh air can be helped by opening both the driver and passenger’s front windows. However, take care to ensure that your dog cannot escape from their carrier or your vehicle.

 

  • If you are taking your dog to an onboard kennel, make sure you take some bedding and perhaps some familiar items, such as dog toys/treats so that they are comfortable.
  • Make sure your dog’s water container is full with clean fresh water that’s accessible throughout the ferry crossing.
  • Try to get your pets introduced to travelling inside of their crates/carriers weeks before their traveling date. Place the crate in an accessible area of your house and allow the pet to walk in and out of it freely and hide treats inside frequently. This allows them to become more comfortable with the crate and recognise this as being a safe place. 

 

Pet Passports

Pets should ideally be added at time of booking to ensure availability of facilities.  Passengers are asked to familiarise themselves with pet passport and government regulations applying to pet travel and to ensure that all documentation, anti-parasitic treatments, micro chipping and any requisite inoculations are in place, and terms and conditions for travel met.  More information on the requirements for travelling with pets is available HERE

 

Pet Den Rules

Make sure an adult in your party is responsible for your pets throughout the entire crossing. Don't leave them alone.

Keep your pet on a lead or in a carrier, including when enjoying the outside deck area.

Keep your pet within the designated Pet Den area. Pets are not allowed in other parts of the ship.

If your pet is a restricted breed or presents a risk of biting, it must wear a muzzle at all times.

Ask for permission before approaching other pets and their owners - some may prefer to keep their own space.

Manage your pet to keep any barking or noise to a minimum.

Owners must clean up after their pets.

Pet Travel - All Routes

Pet travel requirements vary depending on the route you wish to travel on as follows:

  • Dover Calais requirements:  please see details here. 
  • Irish Sea routes requirements: please see details here. 
  • Ireland - France requirements: please see details here.
  • Officially recognised guide, hearing and assistance dogs: please see details here.  Note: the pet passport / animal health certificate etc requirements for entry for assistance dogs are the same as all other dogs, and will vary per route.

The relevant government websites are also within the above links for reference.