Routes & Pet Policies

Holyhead, England to Dublin, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland to Holyhead, England
Cherbourg, France to Rosslare, Ireland
Rosslare, Ireland to Cherbourg, France
Roscoff, France to Rosslare, Ireland
Rosslare, Ireland to Roscoff, France
Pembroke, England to Rosslare, Ireland
Rosslare, Ireland to Pembroke, England

On all routes between England and Ireland, Irish Ferries accepts the carriage of pet animals, at no charge.

Pets on routes between France and Ireland, pets must travel in kennels and the charge will be 30€, 45€ or 60€ depending on the size kennel required.

Car Passengers on routes between England and Ireland:

Your pet must be taken on board the ferry in your car and must remain either in your car or in the kennels provided by Irish Ferries for the duration of the voyage. The kennels can be booked in advance and are free of charge. Each ferry serving different routes have different numbers of small, medium and large crates available. Family pets traveling in cars are not allowed on the passenger decks at any time.

Car Passengers on routes between Frence and Ireland:

Your pet must be taken on board the ship in your car and must travel in one of the kennels provided by Irish Ferries for the duration of the voyage. All reservations for kennels must be made a minimum of 2 days before departure date and acceptance is based on availability at the time of reservation. Each ferry serving different routes have different numbers of small, medium and large crates available.

Pets traveling on either Cherbourg or Roscoff ports must be checked in at the terminal building prior to boarding.

Foot Passengers (all routes):

You must be able to bring your pet on the ferry in a secure crate in which your pet must be able to stand up and turn around. Your pet will travel on the deck of the ferry in its cage or crate. The pet crate must meet certain standards of quality and construction in order to be taken aboard ship.

More about compliant pet crates here.

Service Dogs (all routes):

Irish Ferries will permit specially trained dogs assisting disabled passengers with sight, hearing or feeling issues on board. All guide and assistance dogs must conform to requirements for their destination country.

The dogs are allowed to remain with their owner on the passenger decks for the duration of the voyage if they are an officially registered working dog. When on the passenger decks they must wear the special guide dog harness or jacket at all times.

Prior contact must be provided when traveling on Irish Ferries with a service animal. When boarding the ferry in a car, your service dog can be brought up to the passenger deck after boarding. Foot passengers are permitted to walk your servoce dog through the terminal building and onto the ship.

Requirements:

Pets must be microchipped and adhere to the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme. Maximum number of pets that can travel with their owner or owner's representative is five. If you are traveling with more than 5 animals, then they must travel via Irish Ferries Freight Services.

All dogs included in banned breed lists in the destination country will not be permitted boarding. Dogs that are required to be muzzled according to origination or destination regulations must be muzzled when boarding the ferry and remain so for the duration of the trip.

Documentation

It will be necessary that you have the proper documents to travel on Irish Ferries with your pet.

If you are not an EU resident and your dog or cat does not have an EU Pet Passport, you will need to provide an endorsed EU Health Certificate.

If you are an EU resident, an EU Pet Passport is necessary to board Irish Ferries.

Your cat or dog must have proof of a current vaccination which was administered after a microchip was implanted.

Dogs traveling to the United Kingdom from France must have a tapeworm treatment by a licensed veterinarian in France before boarding.

Find Regulations to import your dog, cat or ferret to England, Ireland or France.

Pet Crates

Pets traveling on England to Ireland routes, your pet must travel either in your car of a kennel. If your pet is accustomed to riding in a pet crate, it is recommended as it is a safe way to travel and may reduce the possibilities of damage to your vehicle.

Click here to learn about compliant pet crates

Click here to find the best size crate for your pet.

Cold Weather Restrictions

When the weather is very cold, Irish Ferries may not be able to accommodate your pet in your vehicle. Know that temperatures in your car will be chilly and cold weather restrictions are made for the safety of your pet. Be sure and dress your pet accordingly and leave blankets for warmth.

Tips for Traveling on a Ferry with Your Pet

1. Make your reservations early. Pet friendly cabins and kennels, if available, are in great demand and book up quickly.
2. Arrive at the dock in plenty of time to check in your pet.
3. Walk and exercise your pet before boarding.
4. Bring portable water and food bowls as you will be responsible for the care of your pet.
5. Bring a muzzle and a sturdy leash as these things will be needed to walk your pet.
6. Never give your pet a medical (prescription) sedative prior to traveling on a ferry or cruise ship. If you have a hyper or nervous pet, then give it an all-natural calmer.
7. Always purchase your pet carrier well in advance of your trip and encourage your pet to use it so that your pet can get used to it.
8. Be sure to tell the cruise or ferry line you will be traveling with a pet as they impose restrictions on the number of pets on a specific sailing.
9. Do not try to sneak your pet to your cabin or any areas of the ferry where they are not allowed. Be a responsible pet owner and follow the pet policies of the ferry.
10. Even though sea travel may be stressful both you and your pet, both of you will be happier if your pet gets to travel with you on your trip.

CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, and you are leaving your country on a ferry, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Need More Assistance?

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given ferry may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the ferry refusing to board your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

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