dog on ferry
Aug 16th 2017, 10:46 am
#1
M.O.V.E.D. !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Charente Maritime
Posts: 9,346
dog on ferry
I am still hoping to come to Portugal this winter.
However, coming from Provence, I think we are talking 2000 + kms ...
Exploring ferries at the moment, I come across one from Sete (France) to Tangier, taking 38 + hours and then ferry across to Spain.
I am taking my dog (and maybe sister + another dog) both medium to big ones.
Have never taken a long ferry before, how does this work with dogs ?
Will they stay with us or do they have to stay in the car (38+ hours) ...
Anybody has done this and can info me ?
Thanks
Anne
However, coming from Provence, I think we are talking 2000 + kms ...
Exploring ferries at the moment, I come across one from Sete (France) to Tangier, taking 38 + hours and then ferry across to Spain.
I am taking my dog (and maybe sister + another dog) both medium to big ones.
Have never taken a long ferry before, how does this work with dogs ?
Will they stay with us or do they have to stay in the car (38+ hours) ...
Anybody has done this and can info me ?
Thanks
Anne
Aug 16th 2017, 9:59 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2016
Location: Alvaiázere, central Portugal
Posts: 591
Re: dog on ferry
Hi Anne,
Our own dog is widely travelled, by ferry, though only on cross channel routes with Brittany Ferries And many ferry operators do not carry pets, so check this. Depending on the route, he has travelled the following ways:
First, Staying in the car, for shorter crossings (up to about 10 hours). We don't feed him beforehand, and give him a walk before embarcation. Just some water in the car (which he never touches). This is clearly completely acceptable for him.
The second method, for ships to Santander, is to use one of the banks of kennels, which are clean and reasonably spacious. These can be accessed at any time, and we can take our elderly border collie to a special deck area, which is equipped with a hose and poo bags. He doesn't like the kennels, but now accepts them with resignation and accusing looks. Finally, one or two of the ships have dog- friendly cabins, which are ok, and you can access a small exercise area.
My advice is to check carefully the position and any required medication with the ferry company. In principle I would not hesitate to take a dog, though, as I have said, I can't speak of companies other than Brittany Ferries.
On a different note, we use the roads from northern Spain to Portugal. They are pretty empty, fast, and toll-free, so make for easy driving. Taking a couple of days extra and using single nights in airbnb might perhaps be a rather pleasant alternative to consider.
Our own dog is widely travelled, by ferry, though only on cross channel routes with Brittany Ferries And many ferry operators do not carry pets, so check this. Depending on the route, he has travelled the following ways:
First, Staying in the car, for shorter crossings (up to about 10 hours). We don't feed him beforehand, and give him a walk before embarcation. Just some water in the car (which he never touches). This is clearly completely acceptable for him.
The second method, for ships to Santander, is to use one of the banks of kennels, which are clean and reasonably spacious. These can be accessed at any time, and we can take our elderly border collie to a special deck area, which is equipped with a hose and poo bags. He doesn't like the kennels, but now accepts them with resignation and accusing looks. Finally, one or two of the ships have dog- friendly cabins, which are ok, and you can access a small exercise area.
My advice is to check carefully the position and any required medication with the ferry company. In principle I would not hesitate to take a dog, though, as I have said, I can't speak of companies other than Brittany Ferries.
On a different note, we use the roads from northern Spain to Portugal. They are pretty empty, fast, and toll-free, so make for easy driving. Taking a couple of days extra and using single nights in airbnb might perhaps be a rather pleasant alternative to consider.
Aug 17th 2017, 6:22 am
#3
M.O.V.E.D. !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Charente Maritime
Posts: 9,346
Re: dog on ferry
Hi Anne,
Our own dog is widely travelled, by ferry, though only on cross channel routes with Brittany Ferries And many ferry operators do not carry pets, so check this. Depending on the route, he has travelled the following ways:
First, Staying in the car, for shorter crossings (up to about 10 hours). We don't feed him beforehand, and give him a walk before embarcation. Just some water in the car (which he never touches). This is clearly completely acceptable for him.
The second method, for ships to Santander, is to use one of the banks of kennels, which are clean and reasonably spacious. These can be accessed at any time, and we can take our elderly border collie to a special deck area, which is equipped with a hose and poo bags. He doesn't like the kennels, but now accepts them with resignation and accusing looks. Finally, one or two of the ships have dog- friendly cabins, which are ok, and you can access a small exercise area.
My advice is to check carefully the position and any required medication with the ferry company. In principle I would not hesitate to take a dog, though, as I have said, I can't speak of companies other than Brittany Ferries.
On a different note, we use the roads from northern Spain to Portugal. They are pretty empty, fast, and toll-free, so make for easy driving. Taking a couple of days extra and using single nights in airbnb might perhaps be a rather pleasant alternative to consider.
Our own dog is widely travelled, by ferry, though only on cross channel routes with Brittany Ferries And many ferry operators do not carry pets, so check this. Depending on the route, he has travelled the following ways:
First, Staying in the car, for shorter crossings (up to about 10 hours). We don't feed him beforehand, and give him a walk before embarcation. Just some water in the car (which he never touches). This is clearly completely acceptable for him.
The second method, for ships to Santander, is to use one of the banks of kennels, which are clean and reasonably spacious. These can be accessed at any time, and we can take our elderly border collie to a special deck area, which is equipped with a hose and poo bags. He doesn't like the kennels, but now accepts them with resignation and accusing looks. Finally, one or two of the ships have dog- friendly cabins, which are ok, and you can access a small exercise area.
My advice is to check carefully the position and any required medication with the ferry company. In principle I would not hesitate to take a dog, though, as I have said, I can't speak of companies other than Brittany Ferries.
On a different note, we use the roads from northern Spain to Portugal. They are pretty empty, fast, and toll-free, so make for easy driving. Taking a couple of days extra and using single nights in airbnb might perhaps be a rather pleasant alternative to consider.
Thank you for that.
I am slowly dropping this idea I must say. Traveling first to another continent might bring paper-trouble.
Just seemed a nice lazy way of doing it.
Did double-check the distance and it would only (
) be about 1800 km, so can split this over 3 days. Have done it by car already but that was with 2 drivers. This time I will be on my own doing the driving. Anyway, back to the drawing-board.
Aug 17th 2017, 6:34 am
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,888
Re: dog on ferry
I am still hoping to come to Portugal this winter.
However, coming from Provence, I think we are talking 2000 + kms ...
Exploring ferries at the moment, I come across one from Sete (France) to Tangier, taking 38 + hours and then ferry across to Spain.
I am taking my dog (and maybe sister + another dog) both medium to big ones.
Have never taken a long ferry before, how does this work with dogs ?
Will they stay with us or do they have to stay in the car (38+ hours) ...
Anybody has done this and can info me ?
Thanks
Anne
However, coming from Provence, I think we are talking 2000 + kms ...
Exploring ferries at the moment, I come across one from Sete (France) to Tangier, taking 38 + hours and then ferry across to Spain.
I am taking my dog (and maybe sister + another dog) both medium to big ones.
Have never taken a long ferry before, how does this work with dogs ?
Will they stay with us or do they have to stay in the car (38+ hours) ...
Anybody has done this and can info me ?
Thanks
Anne
I've never done this crossing, but my daughters and OH"s grandchildren did so in the other direction and from what they said about the overnight crossing, I wouldn't recommend it with a dog (and even less so, several!).
The humans were sea-sick and there's no knowing how an animal would fare, even if animals are accepted on the ferry (to be checked).
Not only that, but your dog might have to stay in a transit area at the port while you change ferries, with the prospect of the onward journey to look forward to....
Provence is no further from Portugal than the UK and it ought to be possible to go overland over several days?
P.S. Have just noticed that you're dropping the iidea of the ferries - a wise decision!! It should be doable in easy stages if you're the only one driving.
Aug 17th 2017, 7:05 am
#5
M.O.V.E.D. !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Charente Maritime
Posts: 9,346
Re: dog on ferry
Hi from the France Forum!
I've never done this crossing, but my daughters and OH"s grandchildren did so in the other direction and from what they said about the overnight crossing, I wouldn't recommend it with a dog (and even less so, several!).
The humans were sea-sick and there's no knowing how an animal would fare, even if animals are accepted on the ferry (to be checked).
Not only that, but your dog might have to stay in a transit area at the port while you change ferries, with the prospect of the onward journey to look forward to....
Provence is no further from Portugal than the UK and it ought to be possible to go overland over several days?
P.S. Have just noticed that you're dropping the iidea of the ferries - a wise decision!! It should be doable in easy stages if you're the only one driving.
I've never done this crossing, but my daughters and OH"s grandchildren did so in the other direction and from what they said about the overnight crossing, I wouldn't recommend it with a dog (and even less so, several!).
The humans were sea-sick and there's no knowing how an animal would fare, even if animals are accepted on the ferry (to be checked).
Not only that, but your dog might have to stay in a transit area at the port while you change ferries, with the prospect of the onward journey to look forward to....
Provence is no further from Portugal than the UK and it ought to be possible to go overland over several days?
P.S. Have just noticed that you're dropping the iidea of the ferries - a wise decision!! It should be doable in easy stages if you're the only one driving.
Especially the changing ferries in Morocco worried me, not too sure what papers one needs for me (us) and dog(s).
So that ferry isn't the nicest one. Oh well, never mind.
Aug 17th 2017, 7:22 am
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2016
Location: Alvaiázere, central Portugal
Posts: 591
Re: dog on ferry
Good decision!
Aug 17th 2017, 7:48 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 400
Re: dog on ferry
It's only a two-day trip driving!
Done it several times to Lemoggies, which is about the same distance!.
Ibis Hotels like the one at IRUN allow dogs to check in provided they are looking after their humans .
Done it several times to Lemoggies, which is about the same distance!.
Ibis Hotels like the one at IRUN allow dogs to check in provided they are looking after their humans .
Aug 17th 2017, 7:56 am
#8
M.O.V.E.D. !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Charente Maritime
Posts: 9,346
Re: dog on ferry
That's why I reckon 600 / 700 km per day will be the maximum.
Aug 17th 2017, 8:01 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 400
Re: dog on ferry
Hmm!
Wouldn't be so bad if they could take turns with the driving!
There's an IBIS In Salamanca.
Wouldn't be so bad if they could take turns with the driving!
There's an IBIS In Salamanca.
Aug 17th 2017, 8:05 am
#10
M.O.V.E.D. !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Charente Maritime
Posts: 9,346
Aug 17th 2017, 9:37 am
#11
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 14,926
Re: dog on ferry
Thank you for that.
I am slowly dropping this idea I must say. Traveling first to another continent might bring paper-trouble.
Just seemed a nice lazy way of doing it.
Did double-check the distance and it would only (
) be about 1800 km, so can split this over 3 days. Have done it by car already but that was with 2 drivers. This time I will be on my own doing the driving. Anyway, back to the drawing-board.
Aug 18th 2017, 9:03 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 185
Re: dog on ferry
We've just done a return trip with our border collie; plymouth-roscoff-tavira and the drive wasn't bad at all. As recommended above we use IBIS hotels or F1s when needing a motorway stop.
On the way down we did Roscoff to Saintes, 5 hours, F1 motel. Then Saintes to Salamanca IBIS (which is walking distance to the Plaza Mayor, well worth a visit) 9 hours. Then Salamanca to Tavira, 7 hours I think, numerous collie pit stops along the way.
On the way back we went Lisbon, Salamanca, Nantes, Roscoff. All in a Mini Clubman!
I would recommend Club Accor membership which gives you a discount in ibis, novotel, mercure, and F1 hotels.
On the way down we did Roscoff to Saintes, 5 hours, F1 motel. Then Saintes to Salamanca IBIS (which is walking distance to the Plaza Mayor, well worth a visit) 9 hours. Then Salamanca to Tavira, 7 hours I think, numerous collie pit stops along the way.
On the way back we went Lisbon, Salamanca, Nantes, Roscoff. All in a Mini Clubman!
I would recommend Club Accor membership which gives you a discount in ibis, novotel, mercure, and F1 hotels.
Aug 18th 2017, 10:29 am
#14
M.O.V.E.D. !
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Charente Maritime
Posts: 9,346
Re: dog on ferry
We've just done a return trip with our border collie; plymouth-roscoff-tavira and the drive wasn't bad at all. As recommended above we use IBIS hotels or F1s when needing a motorway stop.
On the way down we did Roscoff to Saintes, 5 hours, F1 motel. Then Saintes to Salamanca IBIS (which is walking distance to the Plaza Mayor, well worth a visit) 9 hours. Then Salamanca to Tavira, 7 hours I think, numerous collie pit stops along the way.
On the way back we went Lisbon, Salamanca, Nantes, Roscoff. All in a Mini Clubman!
I would recommend Club Accor membership which gives you a discount in ibis, novotel, mercure, and F1 hotels.
On the way down we did Roscoff to Saintes, 5 hours, F1 motel. Then Saintes to Salamanca IBIS (which is walking distance to the Plaza Mayor, well worth a visit) 9 hours. Then Salamanca to Tavira, 7 hours I think, numerous collie pit stops along the way.
On the way back we went Lisbon, Salamanca, Nantes, Roscoff. All in a Mini Clubman!
I would recommend Club Accor membership which gives you a discount in ibis, novotel, mercure, and F1 hotels.
Hope you had a lovely holiday !
Thanks for your info, will have a search for ibis hotels ''en route'' since I will be the other side of spain on the way up. The way back, since wanting to taste the north of Portugal, I will probably follow part of your route to France.
