Thinking of going on holiday with your beloved pet? Most pet owners relish the chance to share life-long memories with their furry friend in a new, exciting location – but the thought of travelling can be daunting and lead to a flurry of worries:
• Will my dog be comfortable?
• Can I travel alongside my pet?
• Will I be able to check on them whenever I like?
It’s natural to have concerns about your pet’s welfare when bringing them abroad. While flying with your pet can lead to long, lonely hours in cargo, travelling with P&O Ferries offers a lot of benefits for pets and their owners. Whether you’re travelling with your dog, cat, or even a ferret, we have measures in place to ensure a smooth, comfortable journey across the seas.
We’ve also added new pet friendly services on-board our ferries to Europe, to give you more opportunity to check on your pets and spend time with them – from dog friendly cabins, to dedicated pet play areas (with a Crufts-inspired obstacle course!)
Keep reading to find out which perks are available on-board for your furry companion and why P&O Ferries is the best travel option for pets.
1. Dog Friendly Cabins
Our ferries to Holland offer dog friendly cabins, so you can stay with your pooch throughout the whole journey, if you like! These cabins are kitted out with an en suite bathroom and continental plug charging points for your convenience, plus clean linen, a reading light, and more.
Your doggie will have a bed and water bowl provided in the cabin, so they can feel as rested and comfortable as you will be when you land in beautiful Rotterdam, Holland!
We have made sure all our dog friendly cabins are within a close proximity to the car park and special dog exercise areas, so your canine buddy can run around and play under your supervision.
2. Dedicated Pet Play Areas
We know pets can sometimes be big bundles of energy before travelling – they’re probably just as excited about a holiday as you are! That’s why we’ve created dedicated Pet Play Areas in our Hull & Dover Terminals, so they can let off some steam & enjoy some playtime before heading on-board with you.
These staffed Pet Play areas have a variety of Crufts-inspired obstacle courses, so there’s a chance your pet might have learnt a new trick by the end of your voyage with us! There’s also a comfy seating area for you to relax while you watch your pets enjoy the play area.
Just ask a member of our staff to direct you to a pet area once you’ve checked in – they’ll be happy to give you directions!
3. Air-Conditioned Kennels
A range of kennels are available on-board our overnight Hull to Rotterdam ferry, which are air-conditioned to stop your pet from getting too hot during the journey. With a range of sizes for small to large pets (up to 45kg), our kennels are checked regularly by staff and you can visit your pet anytime you like – just ask someone from our team!
We recommend bringing a familiar blanket or piece of bedding for your pet to sleep with – it’ll remind them of you and reassure them that you’re with them on the journey all the way! Find more tips on travelling with pets aboard our overnight ferries here.
4. Travel with Up to 4 Pets for Free on Selected Ferries!
Did you know that our Larne to Cairnryan ferries will allow you to travel with up to 4 pets for free? Simply travel with your car to Northern Ireland or Scotland and ensure there’s enough space in your car to comfortably fit your beloved pets.
After a smooth 2-hour journey, you’ll be ready to explore all the sights with your dogs or cats, with plenty of hiking and camping spots in close proximity to our Ports.
5. Our Ferries Travel to Dog-Friendly Locations
There’s nothing worse than finally arriving at a long-awaited destination with your pooch and noticing that there are few dog or pet friendly facilities available.
Unfortunately, some cities around the world don’t have the infrastructure to properly make our pets feel at home!
We’re sure that won’t be a problem in Holland or France, two popular European destinations for pet owners everywhere. Dogs are allowed in many cafes and bistros in Holland and your pooch can travel for free on public transport in Amsterdam and Rotterdam (where you’ll find our P&O Port!) You also won’t be hard pressed to find pet-friendly hotels in Holland, especially the bigger cities.
Similarly, France has been touted ‘one of the most dog friendly countries on Earth’, with excellent pet friendly accommodation choices available, from campsites to rental cottages & hotels. You’ll often find local restaurants and cafes have a water bowl for dogs near the door, plus lots of other loyal doggie friends taking to the streets with their owners.
Why not explore our ferries to Rotterdam & Calais today? Your next pet-friendly holiday might be just around the corner!
