Dogs on Celtic Ferries

falabo

Hi there

I have booked a ferry for March and booked a large kennel for my 2 dogs. It's free but I am going to decide this week whether or not to bring them along. I will of course cancel the kennel as courtesy if I decide against bringing my dogs.

I am only a bit worried about the whole experience but the reason I picked Celtic Ferries over Irish Ferries is that pets travel free (2 dogs on irish ferries = € 140) and most importantly you can visit your pets as often as you like with no silly set times

However my main concern is the welfare of the dogs, the ferry doesnt look huge and I am wondering how bumpy will it be ? or will it be very smoothly ? how would it compare to a car trip at high speed on a motorway ? one of the dog is absolutely fantastic in the car but the other cant relax, she will just hise in a corner (we tried EVERYTHING)

I would love to hear your comments based on past experiences. Thanks

andreac

falabo wrote: »

Hi there

I have booked a ferry for March and booked a large kennel for my 2 dogs. It's free but I am going to decide this week whether or not to bring them along. I will of course cancel the kennel as courtesy if I decide against bringing my dogs.

I am only a bit worried about the whole experience but the reason I picked Celtic Ferries over Irish Ferries is that pets travel free (2 dogs on irish ferries = € 140) and most importantly you can visit your pets as often as you like with no silly set times

However my main concern is the welfare of the dogs, the ferry doesnt look huge and I am wondering how bumpy will it be ? or will it be very smoothly ? how would it compare to a car trip at high speed on a motorway ? one of the dog is absolutely fantastic in the car but the other cant relax, she will just hise in a corner (we tried EVERYTHING)

I would love to hear your comments based on past experiences. Thanks

Where are you travelling to? Can you not leave them in the car, plus it's free. I travel to the uk all the time on the ferry and I just leave mine in my car, plus there's no charge. I certainly wouldn't be paying 140 on the ferry, is that for the kennel or something???

falabo

andreac wrote: »

Where are you travelling to? Can you not leave them in the car, plus it's free. I travel to the uk all the time on the ferry and I just leave mine in my car, plus there's no charge. I certainly wouldn't be paying 140 on the ferry, is that for the kennel or something???

Sorry didn't mention, we are travelling to France . . .

Hooked

Silly question OP as this sounds like a 'first time' experience... But do you have your pet passports in order and all the vaccination and rabies paperwork that goes with it? Isn't there a vet trip required in France before you return IIRC? Anyway - just stating the obvious in case you weren't aware...

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/

falabo

they only need to be vaccinated against rabbies not to enter Ireland so for the way back. it needs to be done 21 days before travelling, this will be done very soon

I dont think there is anything else as the blood testing thing is gone since last year as far as I know

Anyone knows about the whole travel expereince on Celtic Ferries ?

ACD

Hi OP,
I traveled on Celtic ferries to France 2 years ago with a cat and he was left in the car in his box with a litter tray and he was absolutely fine. As far as I remember it wasn't bumpy at all, it might kinda swing, when it's windy and the waves are bigger, but you'd barely feel it.
About the pet visits, we were allowed to see our cat only once at a scheduled time, so I don't think you'd have unlimited access to your dogs. But maybe they have changed their policy since I traveled?
And also I'd suggest not to feed your dogs few hours before the journey to prevent them from getting sick. You will also need to get them worm and tick treated 1 to 5 days before your return journey from France and it has to be recorded in the pet passport, any vet will do that for you.

wexie

Hi,

We've travelled on Celtic Link ferries to France several times now and the bumpiness will depend on the weather. We've had crossings with gentle swaying at most (was great, slept like a baby) but we've also had a few rough ones (still slept pretty well after few pints ).

The dog kennels are outside on the promenade deck in their own little room. I do think the door is locked but it seems you can get the key whenever you want.

I've seen people walk their dogs out on deck which didn't seem to be any problem. I don't think you're allowed leave them in the car but even if you could you'd be better having them in the kennels as you're not normally allowed on the car deck while the kennels are just outside the restaurant.

Our little guy normally goes to friends when we go on holidays but I'd have no problems bringing him with Celtic Link, they seem pretty easygoing.

Hope this helps

Mountainsandh

We travelled with Celtic Link to France last year, with our dog. He was just 7 months then, so I was worried about him, but he was fine.

On the way in to France, we left him in our camper, in a crate, I figured he would be better off in a familiar environment. To visit him, I was given set times to present at reception, so all of us pet owners were there, and someone escorted us down to the car/camper deck. We walked the dogs on the deck, spent some time with them, and the man escorting us was really nice and didn't rush us or anything. It went well for my puppy that way, he didn't seem traumatised or anything, but I felt the car deck was noisy (ie scary), and if there was a roll (which there wasn't luckily on that trip) he would feel it more. And for a worried owner, the night stretch seemed long. But as I said, he wasn't traumatised. He is a small fellow though (shih tzu cross).

For the return, I thought we'd try the outside kennels, since you can visit your dog any time of the day or night, and walk them on the deck. I was a bit worried about other dogs barking constantly (mine is pretty quiet), and the roll etc...

The kennels are outside, beside the restaurant area. There is a grilled door that opens with a code, and you are given that code as you are shown the place. There is water available (and I think a few bowls but I had brought mine) in the kennel area. It's really just the recess at the end of the deck, and if there was a lot of spray depending on the roll, some spray can get in through the grilled door. But the kennels are not too badly done, there might be one facing out from the ship by the door that might get the bit of spray.

I would advise you to pick the inside kennels as far away from the door as possible, and the top row : that way they won't get wet if water happened to seep in, and they won't be too annoyed by the people peeping in. People are silly and parents seem to think it's a good idea to go and see the doggies with the kids, but in my opinion, it's only adding to the stress of the stressed ones.

I realise my account might seem off putting, but really, I like the kennel option best for my little fellow, and it's not bad, it's not the most pleasant moment for them, but not a massive trauma either. The barking dogs were quiet once there wasn't anyone peeping in, and being able to check on Gizmo whenever I liked (and walk him) was great. I think he just slept and rested all the way. He didn't go to the toilet on board though, and I'd say most won't, so make sure they are well walked when you're waiting in the queue outside, there's a bit of grass in Cherbourg near the port building, and in Rosslare there's the beach before you get in to the port.

I had brought my own bowls and food, his bed (a blanket would do !), and some familiar toys. I don't think he touched the food or treats, he made up for it when we got there.

The ship we travelled on was the Norman Voyager I think. They might have better facilities on a newer ship, don't know.

As to the rolling, on a normal trip it's perfectly ok. The year previous we had a rough trip home (didn't have the dog then), but that was just the one trip.

Sorry this is long, I figured it might help.

falabo

thanks very much for your input, I'm still thinking about it, they're perfectly balanced and happy dogs, the last thing I'd want is to f*** them up for life !

Mountainsandh

The way I rationalize it to myself, when putting my cat in a cattery for 3 weeks, and having my Gizmo on the boat, is that they are spoiled and cherished for the entire year, and like a good pet Mum, I try and make their life as pleasant and hassle free as I can for most of the year.

The stay in a cattery, and the trip in the boat, they're just short unpleasant moments in a really good pet life, and they won't traumatise them for life.

It was such a huge deal for me to put my cat in the cattery the first time, but he's fine, they're way more resilient than we give them credit for.

God, I could be writing same about my kids :rolleyes: