Motorhome on a ferry

DIJ Wilson
DIJ Wilson Forum Participant Posts: 34
edited September 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

This may sound daft but we are hoping to go from Portsmouth to Cherbourg by ferry with two dogs do we need to vacate the can leaving the dogs in there or can you stay in the motorhome 

excuse the naivety of the question but never travelled this way before

Comments

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #2

    dont know what the situation is re dogs on ferries, but people are not allowed on the car/van decks during the sailing.

  • DIJ Wilson
    DIJ Wilson Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited September 2016 #3

    Thanks 

    it's very have one neurotic dog and leaving her along could be interesting!!!

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #4

    On the Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry dogs go into kennels on board.  You can change TV channels in the cabins and see the dogs in their  kennels!  Don't know about your route

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited September 2016 #5

    I would think there will be an area that is dog friendly,if it is a long journey there may be kennels on board

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #6

    Use the tunnel no problems there with staying with the dogs.

    peedee

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
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    edited September 2016 #7

    That's a fair old detour if they are going to western France

    We have never taken dogs but I think there are pet friendy cabins on this route. Not many though.

    UPDATE not on this route.

    Hopefully someone will be along soon with a proper answer for you.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #8

    This may sound daft but we are hoping to go from Portsmouth to Cherbourg by ferry with two dogs do we need to vacate the can leaving the dogs in there or can you stay in the motorhome 

     

    From Portsmouth to Cherbourg (and also from Portsmouth to Caen) dogs must stay in the vehicle and you must go without them to the public areas. No other options.

    From Portsmouth to St Malo there are kennels on board.

    From Portsmouth to Le Havre you may book a pet friendly cabin which dogs can share with you.

    A search of the ferry company website or a call to their customer service dept will tell you more.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #9

    If the journey isn't too long  dogs are usually ok in the van, especially as they're in familiar surroundings. leave water and plenty of ventilation. The boat kennels are quite grim but some ferries have dog friendly cabins. Check with the ferry company on line about taking pets, there is usually plenty of information available. If your dog can't be left on it's own, the tunnel route, as Peedee says, is the only sensible alternative,

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #10

    That's a fair old detour if they are going to western France

    Yes but the cost is over twice the price of the tunnel and with the saving I could buy 300litrs of diesel at French prices and keep my dog company. Even at my miserly 20m.p.g. that takes me an awful long long way.

    peedee

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Club Member Posts: 2,401 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #11

    http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/information/PETS-travel-scheme

    Assuming it's a Brittany Ferries Route the link should help.

     

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited September 2016 #12
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #13

    First of all are you comparing crossing at the same time of day. Where I win out is there are no size charges on the tunnel on the ferries there are and they work out very costly for me. Your caravan may well go free on certain sailing?

    peedee

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2016 #14

    Here's the link given by allanandjean

     

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited September 2016 #15

    I did Portsmouth to Caen in April with two dogs. I think the only route Btittany ferries has kennels are from Plymouth to Santander/Bilbao.  My dogs are happy in the caravan on crossings although I have once given herbal calmers to a nervous one.  I stay
    with them until the last moment while most of the noise is going on.  It's fairly quiet once everyone is on board.  Good luck I am sure they will be fine in their own space.

  • DIJ Wilson
    DIJ Wilson Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited September 2016 #16

    Sad,y tunnel not an option as van has been converted to lpg 

  • Biggarmac
    Biggarmac Forum Participant Posts: 364
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    edited September 2016 #17

    When you leave your dog(s) in the van they are checked by the deck staff regularly.  If there is any problem you will be paged and escorted down ti see to them.  Using the overnight ferry they will be asleep as usual.

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