Tips for ferry crossing.

[BigBundleOfFluff]

Hi there, it's looking likely I'll have to take my 14 month Golden Retriever on a ferry with me (travelling by car). It's a 2.5 hour crossing on Stena line Cairnryan - Belfast route.
Any tips? I've been warned off using the crates on board - someone said they were very grim but would be interested to hear any other thoughts.
Stena also seem to do a pet lounge? But it sounded like pets would have to be crated - I don't think I'd have room for her massive crate, it's confusing though. Looks like this was new at Easter so again keen to hear if anyone has done it. If they had dog friendly cabins I would book that but think it's just on the longer routes.
Also thinking of doing the crossing at night as she's generally sleeping from 9pm onwards. She has a bladder of steel so not overly worried about a mess in the car and could deal with that anyway and I do think she'd just sleep but it's not going to be the most fun day for her!
Thank you.

We did this crossing 2 weeks ago and there were some huge dog crates in the pet lounge when we walked past.
You would need to double check with Stena if it is ok but some people walked their dogs to the pet lounge and then put them in their crate.

Do not leave your dog in the car, even with the windows open the car decks can become really warm, in addition if close to any lorries they are allowed off the decks prior to the cars so fumes can enter the cars, in addition to the noise may unsettle the dog.

Try and use a pet friendly cabin or buy a large fold down soft crate to use in the pet lounge would be my advice.

I have used the pet friendly cabins on other ferries when travelling as a foot passenger and it works really well. There are dedicated dog areas for them to go outside and I found they settled down in the cabins as they were with me.