Ireland to France

There are 4 main routes to the France:

Pet Options:

1. Dublin - Cherbourg (Irish Ferries)

You must pay to use one of the onboard kennels. These kennels are located on the car deck meaning you have very limited access to your pet throughout the sailing. You will need to arrange a visit on board and be accompanied by a crew member to the kennels. Different boats have different sized kennels. You can view the size dimensions of the kennels here.

The sailing is approximately 18.5 hours.

2. Rosslare - Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries)

Salamanca Ship: Pets can either stay on board in a kennel or a pet friendly cabin. Dogs must be muzzled at all times when they are not in their cabin or kennel. The kennels are located on the passenger deck which means you have unrestricted access to your pets throughout the sailing. You can view the ship guide here.

Galicia Ship: From April 2023, the Galicia ship will be taking over the Rosslare to Cherbourg route. Pets can either stay on board in a kennel or a pet friendly cabin. Dogs must be muzzled at all times when they are not in their cabin or kennel. The kennels are located on the passenger deck which means you have unrestricted access to your pets throughout the sailing. You can view the ship guide here.

This sailing is approximately 15 hours.

3. Rosslare - Cherbourg (Stena Line)

Stena Horizon: You can book a pet cabin, pets can remain in vehicles for the duration of the sailing or in one of the heated dog lodges. If you leave your pet in your vehicle, you can arrange to visit your pet on the car deck for 10 minutes (depending on weather) between the hours of 10.00 and 22.00 during Tuesday-Friday crossings, 10.00 and 19.00 during Saturday crossings and 07.00 and 19.00 during Sunday and Monday crossings. The dog lodges are situated on the passenger deck which allows unrestricted access to your pet throughout the crossing as well as exercise them on the pet deck.

Stena Vision: From June 2023, Stena Vision will operate some of the sailings between Rosslare and Cherbourg as well. If your sailing is using the Stena Vision, you can book a pet friendly cabin so that your dog can stay with you for the duration of the sailing. Pets cannot be left in vehicles on the Stena Vision and there are no kennels on this route.

The sailing is approximately 18 hours.

4. Cork - Roscoff (Brittany Ferries)

Armorique Ship: The only option on this ship is for pets to stay in the vehicle for the duration of the crossing. Visits to the car deck can be arranged, but is weather dependent. Visits are limited to 15 minutes and are not permitted during the night. Pets are not allowed out of the vehicle, even during a visit - the visits are solely to check on them and not to exercise them. You can view the ship guide here.

Pont-Aven Ship: You will have the option of a pet friendly cabin, or a kennel. Dogs must be muzzled at all times when they are not in their cabin or kennel. You can view the ship guide here.

The sailing is approximately 14 hours.

5. Rosslare - Dunkirk (DFDS)

DFDS's new route from Rosslare to Dunkirk has pet friendly cabins! Pets can also travel in the Pet Hotel, which is a locked room on board (indoors) with specific visiting times. You can see the Pet Hotel of the DFDS Newcastle - Amsterdam route in the video below, which will be similiar to what is offered on the Rosslare - Dunkirk route.

The sailing is approximately 24 hours.