Best ferry crossings to France for pets

[Tailsontrails]

Looking for some input from the more seasoned travellers on the forum.
We wish to visit France in June/July. The shuttle price is nearly £500 return which is a bit steep… so looking at Ferry options.. but not keen on leaving the 2 fur babies in the van for a prolonged period.

What’s the best route/price option with dogs as we’re searching and not getting answers from the ferry co websites …

Thanks

 

[Dart]

I haven't used it myself seeing as I live in the westcountry but I know P&O have a pet lounge on their ferries from Dover so that could be a good bet.

 

[bobandjanie]

P & O have a pet lounge Dover / Calais. Our dog has never been bothered being left in the motorhome, if her bowls empty when we get back she has enjoyed the crossing. Bob

 

[Bill-H]

Dover to Dunkirk with DFDF is about 2 hours, leave the dogs in the vehicle - they soon go to sleep. I'm happy enough to go Newhaven to Diepe (4hrs) and leave them in the vehicle.
Get them used to a couple of hours, leave them in your van or feed them in there and shut the door - they'll soon get used to a couple of hours.
I've heard of one person staying in the van with blinds down for the journey, but you aren't suposed to.

 

[Verteuil Man]

Dover Calais is the shortest ferry, the tunnel is even quicker.

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[MichaelT]

We've done Poole to Cherbourg, Newhaven to Dieppe and the chunnel. Dog left on MH on all of them, he soon settles and when we come back it's all quiet. Like you we've given up on tunnel on cost grounds so probably going Dover to Calais but will leave dog in van as its his space and he's comfortable there.

Tunnel not much faster than Dover once you take all the faffing about into consideration (pet reception, searches and gas check, stupid boarder control that takes an age plus driving half way round calais to check in) and its only once on board you leave them plus you sometimes get off faster as they know you have pets.

 

[brynric]

The tunnel is very easy for dogs. They sit with you in the van and don’t have to be left at all. I don’t think Beth ever knew she was abroad but for a faint garlic whiff to the lamp-posts.
Could you play with times to get an off peak crossing?

 

[LesW]

We've always used the tunnel with our cat, regardless of the cost, so much easier and no stress for the animal..

 

[kev54]

Irish Ferries Dover-Calais has a pet zone deck where owners can take them out of their vehicles, but the pets are not given the run of the ship

 

[Landy Andy]

We did P&O in December but we will go back to tunnel and pay the extra.

Dog lounge is a PINTA. People being people have zero control of their dogs, or their kids. They rush into the dog lounge like it’s the end of the world, then empty the fridges of any “free” items, then milk the “free” coffee machine for all it’s worth, whilst their other half takes their noisy yappy dogs to an area where they spread like butter to get themselves the biggest area that they can. They then sit there doing baby talk to their dog who goes ape at every dog it sees, which is a lot, as you’ve got 40 dogs in a small area, with people constantly walking their dogs around peeing on things inside the lounge.

Whilst you wait to board your ferry at Dover, you are just in a massive concrete carpark, no grass, views, or room. It’s like being stuck on the M25.

Getting off at Calais is an absolute shambles. 6 thousand vehicles all trying to go out the same junction, at the same time, without proper lanes, or organising. This took as long as the crossing.

Back to the tunnel for us. If I did have to ferry again, I certainly wouldn’t use pet lounge.

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[MichaelT]

We did P&O in December but we will go back to tunnel and pay the extra.

Dog lounge is a PINTA. People being people have zero control of their dogs, or their kids. They rush into the dog lounge like it’s the end of the world, then empty the fridges of any “free” items, then milk the “free” coffee machine for all it’s worth, whilst their other half takes their noisy yappy dogs to an area where they spread like butter to get themselves the biggest area that they can. They then sit there doing baby talk to their dog who goes ape at every dog it sees, which is a lot, as you’ve got 40 dogs in a small area, with people constantly walking their dogs around peeing on things inside the lounge.

Whilst you wait to board your ferry at Dover, you are just in a massive concrete carpark, no grass, views, or room. It’s like being stuck on the M25.

Getting off at Calais is an absolute shambles. 6 thousand vehicles all trying to go out the same junction, at the same time, without proper lanes, or organising. This took as long as the crossing.

Back to the tunnel for us. If I did have to ferry again, I certainly wouldn’t use pet lounge.

Must be a mahoosive ferry with 6000 vehicles

We find the tunnel so frustrating all the checks and stoppages and never seen any grass at the tunnel. We can't see the point of a pet lounge for 80 minutes just leave dog in van.

 

[Brains]

I've heard of one person staying in the van with blinds down for the journey, but you aren't supposed to.

If there is a fire on board (for example an EV goes up)
They will flood the car decks with Halon gas.
It will kill the fire, plus any living thing on the car decks, dogs or humans.

 

[pelican]

We did P&O in December but we will go back to tunnel and pay the extra.

Dog lounge is a PINTA. People being people have zero control of their dogs, or their kids. They rush into the dog lounge like it’s the end of the world, then empty the fridges of any “free” items, then milk the “free” coffee machine for all it’s worth, whilst their other half takes their noisy yappy dogs to an area where they spread like butter to get themselves the biggest area that they can. They then sit there doing baby talk to their dog who goes ape at every dog it sees, which is a lot, as you’ve got 40 dogs in a small area, with people constantly walking their dogs around peeing on things inside the lounge.

Whilst you wait to board your ferry at Dover, you are just in a massive concrete carpark, no grass, views, or room. It’s like being stuck on the M25.

Getting off at Calais is an absolute shambles. 6 thousand vehicles all trying to go out the same junction, at the same time, without proper lanes, or organising. This took as long as the crossing.

Back to the tunnel for us. If I did have to ferry again, I certainly wouldn’t use pet lounge.

Have used that lounge on 4 occasions and never seen anything like that, Sounds like you are confusing it with a visit to Crufts NEC

 

[Vic]

I second what Landy Andy said. The only thing he didn't mention is that the ferry has a dog exercise area. However, that is astro turf stuff that was soaking wet and I don't believe that it was rain water.
We stumped up the extra and paid for the tunnel this time.
Dover Calais is our normal route for time and cost. I do not like leaving our dogs, but they are more than happy being left for the crossing, 90mins ish.

 

[Riverbankannie]

We used the pet lounge on P&O out and back last autumn and it was lovely. Was of course not school holidays so no children but each dog had their own little half-height enclosed seating area for 4 people and dog

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[Branston]

Irish Ferries Dover-Calais has a pet zone deck where owners can take them out of their vehicles, but the pets are not given the run of the ship

Irish ferries are reasonably priced. Can use Tesco coupons. I don't believe every they have has this facility, so check with them. I had a look at the facility last trip and it's well set up.

 

[Manic]

We’ve used the P and O pet lounge at it was excellent

 

[gus-lopez]

Dover to Dunkirk with DFDF is about 2 hours, leave the dogs in the vehicle -

Which is what I used to do.

Whilst you wait to board your ferry at Dover, you are just in a massive concrete carpark, no grass, views, or room. It’s like being stuck on the M25.

There is no difference at the tunnel

Getting off at Calais is an absolute shambles.

That is why I use Dunkirk dual carriageways all the way to A16 Only one boat at a time

If there is a fire on board (for example an EV goes up)
They will flood the car decks with Halon gas.
It will kill the fire, plus any living thing on the car decks, dogs or humans.

Dunkirk,dfds open rear deck boats. That is why I used them plus you can get down to the deck over the back.

 

[Lynne Roy]

Looking for some input from the more seasoned travellers on the forum.
We wish to visit France in June/July. The shuttle price is nearly £500 return which is a bit steep… so looking at Ferry options.. but not keen on leaving the 2 fur babies in the van for a prolonged period.

What’s the best route/price option with dogs as we’re searching and not getting answers from the ferry co websites …

Thanks

We used p & o with pet lounge it was excellent and a great price

 

[Pantouffle]

We did P&O in December but we will go back to tunnel and pay the extra.

Dog lounge is a PINTA. People being people have zero control of their dogs, or their kids. They rush into the dog lounge like it’s the end of the world, then empty the fridges of any “free” items, then milk the “free” coffee machine for all it’s worth, whilst their other half takes their noisy yappy dogs to an area where they spread like butter to get themselves the biggest area that they can. They then sit there doing baby talk to their dog who goes ape at every dog it sees, which is a lot, as you’ve got 40 dogs in a small area, with people constantly walking their dogs around peeing on things inside the lounge.

Whilst you wait to board your ferry at Dover, you are just in a massive concrete carpark, no grass, views, or room. It’s like being stuck on the M25.

Getting off at Calais is an absolute shambles. 6 thousand vehicles all trying to go out the same junction, at the same time, without proper lanes, or organising. This took as long as the crossing.

Back to the tunnel for us. If I did have to ferry again, I certainly wouldn’t use pet lounge.

Sounds as I suspected. People can’t seem to grasp that their dogs are in a strange environment and don’t like being cramped up with others. Although it’s still the same at Pet Reception at Tunnel. They all queue right next to the next dog and wonder why there are reactions. All it takes is to give the dogs more space…. Tunnel still best overall for us though.

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[alex n]

Irish ferries are reasonably priced. Can use Tesco coupons. I don't believe every they have has this facility, so check with them. I had a look at the facility last trip and it's well set up.

Another for irish ferries

 

[wireman]

Must be a mahoosive ferry with 6000 vehicles

We find the tunnel so frustrating all the checks and stoppages and never seen any grass at the tunnel. We can't see the point of a pet lounge for 80 minutes just leave dog in van.

Get an eyesight check, mate. there are plenty around for dogs. You may have to look, though. Our dog was exercised on a specific dog exercise area just last year.

 

[Sneds]

Plymouth to Roscoff, pet cabin and outside seating area
£800 return though

 

[Landy Andy]

There is no difference at the tunnel

There is more grass areas at tunnel, the concrete area is much much smaller, and the wait is far shorter, as a train goes every half hour.

 

[Landy Andy]

each dog had their own little half-height enclosed seating area for 4 people and dog

I disagree. There are areas for 4 people and a dog, or dogs. But as they don’t allocate an area per booking. So if you don’t get to your “area” before the others, you are left walking around until you have to ask someone to share “their area”. This was the issue for us. The girl we eventually asked to share her area, after a while went and sat with her parents and their dog. So that single booking had decided to take two areas. Which they are allowed to do, but isn’t ideal for anyone else.

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[Landy Andy]

However, that is astro turf stuff that was soaking wet and I don't believe that it was rain water.

On our two crossings it wasn’t Astro, just a metal deck. A hose was provided for rinsing but didn’t see anyone use it. I did however see a good few dogs toileting in the lounge.

 

[Pantouffle]

On our two crossings it wasn’t Astro, just a metal deck. A hose was provided for rinsing but didn’t see anyone use it. I did however see a good few dogs toileting in the lounge.

 

[pelican]

On our two crossings it wasn’t Astro, just a metal deck. A hose was provided for rinsing but didn’t see anyone use it. I did however see a good few dogs toileting in the lounge.

Did you travel at Peek season?

 

[Landy Andy]

Did you travel at Peek season?

Out on Friday the 20th December 2pm. Return Saturday 4th January 1pm.

The ferry’s were not at all that busy, and the deck we parked on. Both times, were far from full.

The two crossings were had different setups in the dog lounge, but a similar experience in both. Return was worse as we were later getting up to the lounge area.

It’s a shame that they don’t do an area per booking rather than just allow as many dogs as want to book.

 

[BreweryDave]

If there is a fire on board (for example an EV goes up)
They will flood the car decks with Halon gas.
It will kill the fire, plus any living thing on the car decks, dogs or humans.

That’s great to know, I’d much rather fall asleep than be burnt or drowned, must remember to stay in the camper next time I cross, just in case…..

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