Dogs & pets
Your dog travels overnight with you in a pet cabin or in a kennel on board. Here you can see what the UK requires for entry and how things work on board.
- Pet cabin or kennel, never in the car
- Tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival
- Dog deck on board
Taking your dog to Newcastle
Table of Contents
Pet cabin or kennel
On the Amsterdam - Newcastle ferry, DFDS does not let dogs travel in the car. You have two options:
Pet cabin. Your dog sleeps in the cabin with you. The pet cabins have four beds and a sea view, sleep up to four people and a maximum of two animals, and have access to the dog deck. On the Princess Seaways they are on deck 4, on the King Seaways on deck 5, both reachable by stairs only. There are only a few of them, so book early.
Kennel. Your dog travels in a kennel on board while you sleep in a regular cabin. The King Seaways has kennels from small to XL, the Princess Seaways large and XL kennels. Bring your own bedding.
Only cats and other animals may stay in the vehicle, not dogs. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the public areas on board; for all other dogs there is the dog deck with a seating area. The other cabin types are on the Cabins page.
What the UK requires
The UK only admits dogs, cats and ferrets on approved routes and with complete paperwork. If anything is missing, your pet may face up to four months in quarantine or, on a sea crossing, be refused entry. Your dog needs:
- a microchip, fitted before the rabies vaccination,
- a rabies vaccination, followed by a wait of at least 21 full days,
- a travel document from a vet: for entry to the UK, an animal health certificate (no more than ten days old) or a valid EU pet passport,
- a tapeworm treatment with praziquantel given by a vet, no earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before arrival in the UK.
The ferry arrives in North Shields at 09:15 in the morning. Count the tapeworm treatment window back from this arrival, not from the departure. For the return journey to the EU, the EU requires an animal health certificate (AHC).
Other rules
Your pet must be at least 16 weeks old. DFDS does not carry birds, and there is no vet on board. Pets are not allowed on the mini cruise. Show your pet's papers at check-in; the deadlines are on the Check-in page.
On foot with a dog
You can travel with a dog without a car too. On the transfer bus between the city centre and the terminal, your dog must stay on a lead. On board the same applies as for everyone: pet cabin or kennel.
Costs
DFDS charges a fixed amount per animal and per journey; assistance dogs recognised by ADI or IGDF travel free. The figure is on the Prices & fares page.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about travelling with a dog
Can my dog stay in the car? +
No. On this route DFDS carries dogs in a pet cabin or in a kennel on board. Only cats and other animals may stay in the vehicle.
When does the tapeworm treatment have to be given? +
No earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before arrival in the UK, given by a vet. Because the ferry arrives in North Shields in the morning, the time of that arrival is what counts.
Can I travel on foot with my dog? +
Yes, foot passengers can also bring a pet. On the transfer bus your dog must stay on a lead.
How much does it cost to bring a dog? +
DFDS charges a fixed amount per animal and per journey; assistance dogs travel free. The figure is on the Prices & fares page.
Book with your dog
Pet cabins are limited. If you are travelling with a dog, book early.