Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 12/1/2026
Why can you not take the dog on the ferry?
Because he would have to stay in the car (which he doesn't like anyway). He'd be in such a state with all the clanking and movement that we don't want to put him through that. The people in the car next to us last trip had left their dog in the car (spaniel, ours is a whippet) and came back in the morning to find poo everywhere.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 13/1/2026
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 12/1/2026
Why can you not take the dog on the ferry?
Because he would have to stay in the car (which he doesn't like anyway). He'd be in such a state with all the clanking and movement that we don't want to put him through that. The people in the car next to us last trip had left their dog in the car (spaniel, ours is a whippet) and came back in the morning to find poo everywhere.
Dog doesn't HAVE to stay in car, there are kennels on deck and access to them during trip for those that want them.
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 13/1/2026
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 12/1/2026
Why can you not take the dog on the ferry?
Because he would have to stay in the car (which he doesn't like anyway). He'd be in such a state with all the clanking and movement that we don't want to put him through that. The people in the car next to us last trip had left their dog in the car (spaniel, ours is a whippet) and came back in the morning to find poo everywhere.
Dog doesn't HAVE to stay in car, there are kennels on deck and access to them during trip for those that want them.
On the Newhaven to Dieppe? I've never noticed them. Where are they? Mind you, I think he would still be distressed with the movement.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
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Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 13/1/2026
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 13/1/2026
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 13/1/2026
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 12/1/2026
Why can you not take the dog on the ferry?
Because he would have to stay in the car (which he doesn't like anyway). He'd be in such a state with all the clanking and movement that we don't want to put him through that. The people in the car next to us last trip had left their dog in the car (spaniel, ours is a whippet) and came back in the morning to find poo everywhere.
Dog doesn't HAVE to stay in car, there are kennels on deck and access to them during trip for those that want them.
On the Newhaven to Dieppe? I've never noticed them. Where are they? Mind you, I think he would still be distressed with the movement.
Most ferries I've used, there is a deck by deck map published, but can't find one for DFDS ferries from Newhaven! Which doesn't help at all, maybe a phone call/email to them may be worthwhile.
Good many years since I travelled on Newhaven-Dieppe ferry, so memory VERY vague and no recollection of dog kennels, but may also have been a different ship back then!
As to travel, never taken my dog on a ferry, but I know her likes and dislikes, pretty sure she'd hate the Chunnel train, but be more at ease with the movement/noises of the ferry, but that's my dog, not yours, and they are all different.
Joanna, you must be aware that both P&O and Irish Ferries now have a 'pet lounge' where the dog can stay with you on the ferry. All the dogs I've seen in there seem very happy indeed.
The purpose of using Newhaven Dieppe is because for caravanners provided they take Saturday overnight crossing & they are over 60 it is about one third the cost of any other crossing. For £145 car/caravan return we are prepared to put up with an uncomfortable night on a second rate ferry.
If for others cost is not an issue then I would think any other crossing is better with the tunnel by far the best. However at about £500odd for car/caravan return on tunnel we will stick with Newhaven.
Post last edited on 16/01/2026 12:15:20
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Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 13/1/2026
Quote: Originally posted by bofs on 12/1/2026
Why can you not take the dog on the ferry?
Because he would have to stay in the car (which he doesn't like anyway). He'd be in such a state with all the clanking and movement that we don't want to put him through that. The people in the car next to us last trip had left their dog in the car (spaniel, ours is a whippet) and came back in the morning to find poo everywhere.
That's fair enough - you know your dog.
Our dogs are very happy in the car and have frequently stayed in the car during the shorter crossings.
They would not be at all happy in the kennels though.
Quote: Originally posted by Swifty560 on 16/1/2026
........ For £145 car/caravan return we are prepared to put up with an uncomfortable night on a second rate ferry.
......
Post last edited on 16/01/2026 12:15:20
It's a while since I did the Newhaven ferry, but don't think I'd go as far as calling it a 'second rate ferry'! It's true it's not got (or didn't have) all the bells and whistles of casino, cinema etc., but we NEVER use those on ferries that do have them anyway, so not going to miss them! We always eat before we sail on an overnight crossing, so not bothered by eatery options on board either.
It was a perfectly functional ferry and all in good order, and the cabin was comfortable enough as far as I recall.
If we had a gripe it was the overnight crossing was too quick to get enough sleep, we find the longer Portsmouth crossing are fine for that, but at quite a high cost!
We didn't have a caravan in tow, just a car (Landrover 110 safari with tons of camping gear in the back) full of passengers (5 BIG blokes, so quite cramped), so stopping roadside for a nap was not really a comfortable option, but if I had the caravan with me and an opportunity to stop roadside for a catchup nap, think I'd be fine with the lack of sleep on the ferry.
Seem to recall it being a smallish ship which did move around on rough seas a little more than the bigger ferries, but we're all good sailors and not really in the least bothered by that.
Think the reason we haven't used it more often is more to do with Newhaven/Dieppe ports being less convenient in the overall logistics of our journey, we've opted for the financial hit on Portsmouth crossings because of the way it fits our journey better. That said, every time we plan a crossing, we do a spread sheet balancing costs and convenience (overall costs of fares, fuel, and journey times/miles), and Newhaven COULD 'buy' it's way back into favour on cost savings. Not prejudiced against the ferry itself.
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 16/1/2026
Joanna, you must be aware that both P&O and Irish Ferries now have a 'pet lounge' where the dog can stay with you on the ferry. All the dogs I've seen in there seem very happy indeed.
Thanks Val, I will investigate.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
We like the food on the Newhaven - Dieppe crossing. As we usually go overnight, we eat before we board on the way out, but always eat coming back. Not Michelin star meals, admittedly, but more interesting and varied than the other crossings we have used.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Over the years I have done most of the ferry routes these days depending on time, I use Portsmouth Santander expensive. As far as I'm concerned no better than Newhaven Dieppe which I now mostly use as being a small port its friendlier quicker and cheaper especially for an pensioner like me although you have to phone to get the 20 percent OAP rate.
Just booked Newhaven Dieppe MH 7m 2 people cabin one way no cabin on return
£236.00, Quotes from PO and BF were between £580.00 no cabin and £573.00 both the 2nd two involve longer and harder drives (if you don't use motorway tolls)
Quote: Originally posted by JoannaLesley on 17/1/2026
Quote: Originally posted by Val A on 16/1/2026
Joanna, you must be aware that both P&O and Irish Ferries now have a 'pet lounge' where the dog can stay with you on the ferry. All the dogs I've seen in there seem very happy indeed.
Thanks Val, I will investigate.
It may be of interest that the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry now has 3 dog-friendly cabins.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Newhaven Ferry question
via mobile 16/1/2026 at 12:11pm
