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Subject Topic: Dog on Portsmouth ferry! Post Reply Post New Topic
27/11/2015 at 5:47pm
 Location: Wrexham North Wales
 Outfit: Eriba 540 Troll
View derekcbr's Profile View Profile   Reply to derekcbr Reply   Quote derekcbr Quote  
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Hi all, we've booked a ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. It's a six hour journey and we are taking our dog - a border terrier. We were wondering if anyone else has done this crossing wit heir dog and if so could you allay our fears as we are told the dog has to stay in the car! Can we take frequent trips to see if our beloved dog is ok? She is a good traveller and can bark in many languages as we have 'done' many countries in Europe with her but usually done the short Dover/Calais crossing.
Really appreciate your advice and thanks


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27/11/2015 at 5:52pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View saxo1's Profile View Profile   Reply to saxo1 Reply   Quote saxo1 Quote  
Joined: 29/10/2005

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You will be allowed to visit once during the crossing about halfway.you will be asked if you wish to visit and they will tell you when.
saxo1


27/11/2015 at 6:18pm
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
Joined: 19/10/2004

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You can book pet friendly cabins on some crossings from Portsmouth to Le Havre. Perhaps if you're so worried about your dog it might be worth asking if you can change to a pet friendly cabin. We used one in July this year.


28/11/2015 at 6:19am
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: ElddisAvante462 Honda CRV SE2.2 i-Dtec
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Some P&O ships provide doggie toilets, im not sure if they are just for the use of assistance registered dogs, but your pooch has to be trained to 'go'on command, the 'toilet' consists of a 1.5mtr square litter box which is tucked away somewhere on deck, along with a dog waste bin as you are still expected to pick up after your dog.

According to their small print, all P&O cruise ships and long haul/ over night ferries are fitted with these facilities, it might be worth giving them a call to see if this facility would be available to you.

Julia

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Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!


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28/11/2015 at 9:23am
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate
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The ships which sail to Caen from Portsmouth are run by Brittany Ferries, but I would agree that a call to BF Customer Services might be worth while as they are very helpful.


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28/11/2015 at 9:46am
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Murvi Morello
View chrisandsandra's Profile View Profile   Reply to chrisandsandra Reply   Quote chrisandsandra Quote  
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It will depend on which ship you are travelling on and the length of the journey as they have different arrangements. The rules are are also different for long and short crossings. There is a lot of information here that may answer your questions.


28/11/2015 at 1:58pm
 Location: S E Hampshire
 Outfit: Knaus Starclass 565
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We've used these crossings to France with dogs on many occasions. The dog friendly cabins on the Le Havre route are no use if you have a caravan due to the lack of access from the lower deck to these cabins. You can visit the dogs once on the Ouistreham route, but we found this disturbs the dogs, they were best left alone. Adequate ventilation and water left in the car. Unfortunately it depends on the loading of the ship as to where you are parked up. Don't worry - on a recent crossing from Ouistreham I counted 14 dogs for the crossing. There are no facilities at any of the ports for a comfort stop - so plan that in advance and be aware of the fact that check in is earlier.

-------------
Adrian


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28/11/2015 at 5:45pm
 Location: Wrexham North Wales
 Outfit: Eriba 540 Troll
View derekcbr's Profile View Profile   Reply to derekcbr Reply   Quote derekcbr Quote  
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Thanks all, you have been really helpful. Looking forward now to our trip. Hope you all have a great hols next year.


30/11/2015 at 3:05pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
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If your dog sleeps through the night at home like ours (11 pm to 8 am is 9 hours in her comfy crate with her toys), s/he should be able to hold on for the 6 hour ferry plus loading & unloading time.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


30/11/2015 at 7:57pm
 Location: Blackburn
 Outfit: VWT6 campervan
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I'm sure there was mention of 'kennels' when we were on the portsmouth - st malo crossing and the caen to portsmouth one...but that might be because they are the overnighters...?


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30/11/2015 at 7:59pm
 Location: Blackburn
 Outfit: VWT6 campervan
View veema's Profile View Profile   Reply to veema Reply   Quote veema Quote  
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link to kennel info...it does seem to be on the portsmouth to st malo only


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01/12/2015 at 2:59pm
 Location: Nottingham
 Outfit: Discovery 4 + Elddis Crusader Tempest
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Quote: Originally posted by adrian06 on 28/11/2015
We've used these crossings to France with dogs on many occasions. The dog friendly cabins on the Le Havre route are no use if you have a caravan due to the lack of access from the lower deck to these cabins. You can visit the dogs once on the Ouistreham route, but we found this disturbs the dogs, they were best left alone. Adequate ventilation and water left in the car. Unfortunately it depends on the loading of the ship as to where you are parked up. Don't worry - on a recent crossing from Ouistreham I counted 14 dogs for the crossing. There are no facilities at any of the ports for a comfort stop - so plan that in advance and be aware of the fact that check in is earlier.



Depends which ship, we came across on this route last year with twin axle and bikes on top of Discovery and had dog friendly cabin.. having said that |I wish I'd left him in caravan as have done before as all he did was bark and grumble all night as other dogs walked past the cabin...

We bed ours down in the caravan on this route with Brittany Ferries, not ideal obviously but he comes out none the worse for wear



-------------
Carpe diem...


01/12/2015 at 4:03pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Coachman 520 2019 Volvo V60 D4
View Robbie's Profile View Profile   Reply to Robbie Reply   Quote Robbie Quote  
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I wouldn't be worried about your dog on the overnight ferry. I have been doing it for years since the inception of the Pet's Passport.

It's just like the dog going to bed at night. Make sure you exercise him before getting on the boat, and don't visit him after you sail. You will only distress him.

My dogs have always been fine, and always make a stop at an aire as soon as possible so they can be exercised and have a drink and something to eat.



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