Irish Ferries launches lounges for pets and owners

Pet travel has just been upgraded with the unveiling of Irish Ferries’ brand-new “Pet Den” lounges. And, while dogs, cats, and even ferrets have always been welcome onboard Irish Ferries vessels, they can now travel in elevated comfort and style in dedicated spacious lounges alongside their owner, completely free of charge*, making for a very com-fur-table crossing.

Irish Ferries is the only ferry company offering a “Pet Den” lounge on both UK-France and UK-Ireland crossings. The Pet Den offers ample indoor lounge space for pets to enjoy their journey just as much as their owners. The pet dens are light and airy and offer great sea views, seating and tables equipped with leash hooks, snacks and beverages lounge service, as well as water dispensers, so that owners can enjoy their journey with their beloved pet by their side.

The Pet Den lounges are complemented by access to dedicated outdoor deck walk-way areas complete with an area with artificial grass and posts, as well as plenty of fresh air and sea views, allowing both humans and their pets the opportunity to stretch two or four legs.

Together with the freedom to pack as much luggage as your vehicle can take, multiple dining options onboard and an altogether more relaxed way to travel, there’s now more reasons than ever before to book a spot for a VIP (very important pet) and enjoy the Furriendliest of journeys in optimum comfort with Irish Ferries.

Pets can avail of Irish Ferries’ Pet Dens onboard:

• Dover – Calais* – Isle of Inishmore and Oscar Wilde
• Holyhead – Dublin, onboard the James Joyce from June 21 and onboard Ulysses from July 1 (both already available to book online from these dates)
• Pembroke – Rosslare, Isle of Innisfree

Nora Costello, Consumer Marketing & Sales Director, Irish Ferries said, “The introduction of complimentary pet dens on the majority of our crossings is great news for people who want to travel with their pets. It’s just one of the many advantages of travelling with Irish Ferries. We know from our research that leaving a pet behind can be lonely for both the pet and their owners, with boarding kennels often adding hugely to the cost of a holiday. Irish Ferries is doing things differently and setting new standards for pet travel, offering more options than any other provider on the English Channel and Irish Sea.”

So, whether you’re taking a weekend break or em-barking on a month-long adventure, grab both you and your pet’s passports and get ready to Sea Travel Differently with Irish Ferries.

Dr. Bobby Ortiz’s Expert advice

Ahead of the busy summer travel season, Irish Ferries has teamed up with well-known veterinarian Dr Bobby Ortiz (@dogtor_bob) to offer some expert insight and advice for people travelling with their pets. Dr Ortiz commended Irish Ferries for its new pet den facilities, describing them as the best he has ever seen for helping ensure pet travel is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

• Optimise your pet’s journey by never travelling on hot days and always at the coolest part of the day such as late in the evening, early morning or overnight, where possible.
  While visiting the vet for your pet’s requisite vaccinations, always make sure a ‘fit for travel’ pet health check is performed to ensure the pet is in fit condition especially if older or is prone to illness or heat stroke.
• If you are leaving your dog in your vehicle rather than using the pet den, cabin or kennel facilities, make sure there is sufficient ventilation for your pet. Creating a flow of fresh air can be helped by opening both the driver and passenger’s front windows. However, take care to ensure that your dog cannot escape from their carrier or your vehicle.
• If you are taking your dog to an onboard kennel, make sure you take some bedding and perhaps some familiar items, such as dog toys/treats so that they are comfortable.
  Make sure your dog’s water container is full with clean fresh water that’s accessible throughout the ferry crossing.
• Try to get your pets introduced to travelling inside of their crates/carriers weeks before their traveling date. Place the crate in an accessible area of your house and allow the pet to walk in and out of it freely and hide treats inside frequently. This allows them to become more comfortable with the crate and recognise this as being a safe place.

Pet Passports

Pets should ideally be added at time of booking to ensure availability of facilities. Passengers are asked to familiarise themselves with pet passport and government regulations applying to pet travel and to ensure that all documentation, anti-parasitic treatments, micro chipping and any requisite inoculations are in place, and terms and conditions for travel met.

^* A charge for travelling with a pet applies on the Dover – Calais route. There is no additional charge for travelling in the Pet Den lounge area.

The article Irish Ferries launches lounges for pets and owners first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.