Ferry travel to Ireland

[assumpta]

Hi, we are thinking of going to Ireland on a standard 4 hour ferry, (not speedy swift) for Christmas, either with Irish ferries or Stena Line. They both do suitable size kennels. You can book a kennel in advance with Irish ferries but not with stena line. I am just wondering has anyone done this journey or taken their dog on a ferry journey of a similar length. We also have the option of leaving him in the car, probably in his crate, with both ferries. I wonder would he be freaked out by both options, or is one better than the other? Would he get sea sick, wee, poo everywhere and be too stressed? I have thought of a DAP collar and spray, but does anyone have any experiences out there?

we just did this with Stena, Fishguard to Rosslare and back which is about 3 1/2 hours. I hadn't planned to use the kennels (which you don't book in advance) but I did in the end. What swung it is that they have a camera trained on the kennel with a screen in the boat deck, so that I could check that she was not freaking out (fast asleep most of the time even on the rough crossing back). It was bigger than the car crate so more room to stretch legs, and I also thought that if she did wee or get sick she wouldn't then be travelling in it on the drive the other side. I put bedding, water and toys in with her but there was a tiny springer pup cowering in a completely bare crate next to her, I really wanted to pull him out. it isn't a great feeling leaving them on the noisy, smelly boat deck but she honestly seemed to be fine and she had such an amazing time in ireland it seemed worth it!

Thank you so much. It is good to hear positive stories for both the car and kennels.

sununu, did you find that the kennels were near the lorries etc, as Maryz said? What did you do when you went aboard if you did not have him booked in kennels? Where do you go to?
Thanks

sorry, I should also have asked if you used a DAP collar or gave any kind of travel medication for sea sickness?

kennels were on the highest car deck towards the front - there were lorries in with the cars on every deck, it seemed, so not particularly a lorry area. when we drove on, i asked the guys in high-vis who direct the vehicles and they pointed me there. it was a last minute decision on the way there to switch from car to kennels when they told me about the camera. I didn't give any medication, just the comfort of familiar objects and a kong. she seems to travel quite well though. I was quite anxious too but it was really absolutely fine!

Ok thank you.