Pets on board

Yes, pets are welcome on ferry crossings. However, pets must be declared during the booking process or at port check-in, issued a pet ticket, and accompanied by valid health documentation.

Guidelines for traveling with pets:

• Required documentation: A valid EU pet passport or official veterinary health certificate (showing up-to-date vaccinations and microchip details) is required for boarding

• Ticketing & declaration: Every pet must have a dedicated pet ticket or be included in your booking details. Declare your pet when booking online or at the port check-in desk before embarkation

• Owner responsibility: Owners remain fully responsible for feeding, hygiene and the behavior of their pets throughout the voyage, including any damage to vessel property or disruption to other passengers

• Pet care recommendations: For your pet's comfort, avoid feeding them solid food for two hours before departure, ensure they stay hydrated with fresh water, and protect them from sudden temperature changes

Pets are permitted in designated areas on board depending on their size, carrier options, and vessel facilities.

Allowed onboard areas & pet restrictions:

• Outer open decks: Pets can accompany their owners on open-air passenger decks provided they remain on a leash and wear a muzzle when required

• Onboard kennels (boxes): Most ships feature designated covered pet kennels equipped for feeding, keeping them fresh, and resting throughout the crossing. An additional kennel fee may apply during online booking or port check-in

• Enclosed indoor areas: Pets are strictly prohibited inside restaurants, bars, public passenger lounges, and carpeted indoor areas. Exceptions apply to certified service animals and small pets traveling in sturdy, well-ventilated pet carriers

• Small pets in carriers: Small animals (cats, small dogs, rabbits, birds) must remain in secure pet carriers when moving through permitted passenger zones

• Vehicle garages: Pets must never be left inside parked vehicles in the ship's garage due to safety regulations and extreme temperatures, unless you are traveling on an authorized Camping on board service on open decks

Required travel documents depend on whether your ferry crossing is domestic, within Schengen/EU countries, or arriving from a non-EU country.

Document requirements by journey type

Domestic travel:

• Health booklet: Valid health certificate issued by a veterinarian

• Pet registry: Proof of microchip identification and pet registry listing

• Rabies vaccination: Valid, up-to-date recorded vaccination against rabies

International travel (Schengen / EU routes):

• Pet passport: Valid, official pet passport

• Pet registry: Microchip or legible identification tattoo

• Rabies vaccination: Up-to-date rabies vaccination administered after microchipping/tattooing

• Health booklet: Recommended valid veterinary health certificate

Travel from non-EU (3rd) countries to an EU member state:

• Official health certificate: Valid veterinary health certificate issued in the country of departure within 10 days prior to EU arrival

• Pet registry & rabies vaccination: Microchip/tattoo proof and valid rabies vaccination

• Pet passport & declaration: Pet passport (where applicable) and a signed non-commercial pet declaration confirming non-commercial relocation

Breed restrictions:

National maritime regulations strictly forbid certain dog breeds on ferries to specific countries:

• Tunisia: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Tosa, Mastiff, and Boer Bull

• Morocco: Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Tosa Inu, Mastiff, Boerboel, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Bull Terrier

• Turkey: Pit Bull Terrier (including American Pit Bull Terrier), Japanese Tosa (Tosa Inu), Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Note: Individual ferry operators (e.g., Grimaldi Lines, Grandi Navi Veloci, FRS Iberia) enforce their own guidelines regarding pet sizes, kennel or cabin accommodations, and breed policies. Check local port agency guidelines prior to embarkation.

When you book the camping on board service, your pet can stay with you inside your camper, mobile home, or caravan throughout the entire crossing.

Key rules for pets with camping on board:

• Stay in your vehicle: Pets are permitted to remain inside your camper or motorhome parked on the open garage deck for the duration of the voyage

• Alternative kennel placement: If continuous barking or noise disturbs neighboring passengers, crew members may require you to place your pet in one of the ship's onboard kennels (boxes)

• Complimentary kennel use: Transferring your pet to an onboard kennel under the Camping on board agreement is free of charge

Note: The traditional camping on board service across major Adriatic routes (such as Italy - Greece crossings) has been permanently retired by primary ferry operators, shifting motorhome bookings to separate closed-garage vehicle entry and passenger accommodations.

Specially trained service animals and assistance dogs accompanying passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility are permitted to stay with their handler throughout the entire voyage. Unlike standard pets, certified service animals are allowed in all public indoor and outdoor areas of the ship.

Service animal travel requirements:

• Full vessel access: Certified assistance dogs are permitted in all public passenger areas - including indoor lounges, dining venues, and cabin corridors - without being restricted to pet kennels or open decks

• Required documentation: Handlers must present official documentation, such as a valid service/assistance animal training certificate, an EU pet passport, or a recognized veterinary health booklet, confirming the animal's status and health record

• No additional fees: Certified service and guide dogs travel free of charge, though they must still be declared during the booking process on goferry to issue an official zero-cost ticket

• Leash & control guidelines: Service animals must remain under the handler's control on a leash or harness at all times during embarkation, passage, and disembarkation