Taking your dog on the Bluebridge Ferry: what actually happens + what to pack

Travelling with your dog in New Zealand sounds dreamy until you remember the practical bits.

The packing. The toilet stops. The weather. The “please don’t roll in that” moment five minutes before you need to be somewhere.

And if your trip involves crossing Cook Strait, there’s another layer to think about: what actually happens when you arrive at the ferry with a dog?

When I booked Vienna’s first Bluebridge crossing, that was the part I wanted to know. Not just what to pack, but where we’d go, how the dog-friendly cabins worked, whether there would be other dogs around, and how calm the whole process would feel. We travelled on both the Connemara and Livia, so got to experience the setup on each ferry.

Bluebridge’s dog-friendly cabins make it possible for dogs to travel close to their humans during the sailing instead of staying in the car, which can make a big difference for nervous dogs, older dogs, young dogs, clingy dogs, reactive dogs, or dogs who simply like to keep tabs on their person.

If you’re planning to take your dog on the Bluebridge Ferry, here’s what to know, what to pack, and what we learned from travelling with Vienna.

 Below: Vienna settling in to her cabin.

First things first: book the dog-friendly cabin early

Before you get emotionally attached to the idea of sipping coffee in a cabin while your dog snoozes beside you, check the pet travel options for your actual sailing.

Bluebridge’s dog-friendly cabins are available on select sailings and need to be booked in advance. They can take up to two dogs, which is great if you’re travelling with a pair, but it also means they’re limited - and they do get snapped up.

My advice? Sort the cabin before you start planning the fun bits of the trip. It’s the difference between “cute little ferry adventure” and “why did I leave this until the last minute?”

Before you board

Before boarding, give your dog a proper chance to toilet, sniff and stretch their legs. Ferry terminals are busy little chaos pockets - cars, people, wind, noise, strange smells and everyone trying to be in the right lane at the right time.

Even a normally relaxed dog can get a bit switched on, so this is not the moment for loose gear or optimistic lead handling. Keep them on lead, make sure their collar is secure, and give yourself more space than you think you need.

Dogs need to stay on lead when they’re outside the cabin, including when boarding, leaving the ship and using the outdoor dog area. They also can’t go into the main passenger areas unless they’re certified assistance dogs.

Basically, once you’re on board, your dog’s world is the cabin, the route to the cabin, and the dog exercise area. Which is actually ideal if your dog is happier with fewer surprise interactions.

It’s also worth checking the Cook Coastal Forecast on MetService before you travel, especially if your dog is new to ferries or gets unsettled by movement. The crossing can feel very different depending on the wind, sea and swell, so having a rough idea of the conditions helps you prepare instead of being surprised halfway across.

What happens when you board with your dog?

This was the part I was most nervous about before travelling, but it was honestly much easier than I expected.

On the Connemara, we parked on the top deck and collected our cabin key from reception just inside the door. From there, you walk down the side of the ship, through the dog exercise area, and up one level to the dog-friendly cabins.

The exercise area is fully fenced with gates and has an artificial grass area for toilet breaks during the crossing.

The Livia works in a similar way, except you access the cabins from stairs directly off the car deck. The exercise area is slightly narrower, so it’s worth keeping in mind if your dog prefers a bit more personal space.

Vienna can be reactive around other dogs, so my biggest tip is don’t rush. We hung back, let everyone else collect their keys first, and then made our way to the cabin once it was quieter. When it was time to leave, we did the same thing and waited in our cabin until most of the other dogs had headed back to their cars.

A few extra minutes of patience made the whole trip calm and stress-free.

What the dog-friendly cabin is actually like

The dog-friendly cabin was one of the things I was most curious about before we sailed, because “dog-friendly cabin” can mean anything from genuinely practical to technically allowed but mildly chaotic.

Thankfully, this felt set up for real dogs.

The laminate flooring is the big win. If your dog comes in with wet paws, has a nervous little accident, or sheds half their body weight the second they relax, you’re not sitting there panicking about carpet.

There’s enough space to settle your dog with their own blanket, bed or mat, which I’d definitely recommend bringing from home. Bluebridge doesn’t supply dog bedding, but honestly, your own is better anyway. Something familiar-smelling can help your dog understand, “Okay, this is where I’m meant to chill.”

For humans, it still feels like a proper cabin, not a cupboard you’ve been banished to because you brought a dog. You’ve got your own bathroom, shower, towels and linen, so once your dog is settled, the whole crossing feels much easier.

Vienna’s verdict: bring the familiar blanket. It does more heavy lifting than you think.

Below: Vienna getting a bit too comfy

Helping your dog settle in the cabin

Once you’re in the cabin, give your dog a bit of time to adjust.

Some dogs will sniff every inch of the room like they’ve been hired to inspect it. Others will flop down immediately and decide ferry life is their calling. Both are normal.

Set up their blanket, bed or mat first so they have an obvious place to settle. Offer water, keep the energy calm and give them something familiar to focus on.

A chew, toy or lick mat can be helpful if your dog likes having a job to do. Vienna is much better when she has something to concentrate on instead of deciding she needs to personally monitor every noise outside the door.

One thing I definitely wouldn’t recommend is leaving your dog alone in the cabin. On our crossing, one dog was left by themselves and started howling, which quickly got the other dogs on board joining in too (a very enthusiastic but slightly stressful ferry choir).

Even if your dog is usually fine alone at home, remember this is a completely new environment with unfamiliar noises, movement and smells. Staying with them helps keep the crossing calmer for everyone.

There’s also a Bluebridge Dog Pawsport

Possibly the cutest ferry detail? Bluebridge has a Dog Pawsport.

You can collect one from the passenger terminal when you check in, fill in your dog’s details, and, naturally, their photo. Then, when your dog travels with Bluebridge, they can collect a stamp at check-in.

Dogs can collect stamps whether they’re travelling in a dog-friendly cabin, in a kennel, or in your vehicle. Once your dog collects six stamps, they’ll receive a free doggy gift.

It’s a fun little way to mark your dog’s Cook Strait adventures and, honestly, exactly the kind of thing we’d end up keeping forever because we are absolutely those dog people.

Below: Vienna's dog Pawsport

What I actually used during our crossing

You don’t need to bring your dog’s entire life onboard, but a few essentials can make the crossing much easier. Once the sailing starts, you won’t be able to access your vehicle, so anything your dog might need needs to come with you.

Here’s what we packed:

✔️ waterproof collar + lead (because salt spray/toilet breaks)
✔️ blanket from home - was great for settling Vienna with all the familiar smells

✔️ a dog towel - because wet paws and ferry floors are a guaranteed combo and you don't want to stain the lovely white ones for humans!
✔️ treats (for moving through shared spaces)  - our collars come with free treat bags to keep them in!

✔️ Sea legs - for me not for V!

Why a waterproof dog collar is one of our favourite travel essentials

I was very glad Vienna was wearing her waterproof collar on the ferry, because between the exercise area, sea air and general travel chaos, everything gets a little grubby.

A fabric collar can soak all of that up and carry it around like a damp little souvenir. A waterproof collar is much easier to deal with on the go- you can wipe it clean, it dries quickly, and it doesn’t hold onto odour in the same way.

For ferry crossings, road trips, beach days, winter walks and all the messy in-between bits of travelling with a dog in New Zealand, it’s one of those small things that makes life a lot easier.

It’s not just about looking cute, although obviously we’re very supportive of that. It’s about having gear that can handle real-life dog adventures without becoming wet, smelly and tragic halfway through the trip.

Dog-friendly travel in New Zealand is getting better

What I loved most about the dog-friendly cabin was that Vienna didn’t feel like an afterthought.

She had somewhere safe to settle, I could stay with her during the crossing, and the whole trip felt much easier than trying to plan around leaving her behind.

For dogs like Vienna who prefer their own space, that kind of setup makes a big difference.

Dog-friendly travel in New Zealand still takes a bit of planning, but options like this make it feel much more doable.

Final thoughts

Taking your dog on the Bluebridge Ferry is absolutely doable with a bit of planning - and for us, having a dog-friendly cabin made the whole crossing feel much calmer.

Pack the things that help your dog settle, give yourself plenty of time, don’t rush the boarding process, and make room for a few very important sniff stops along the way.

And if your dog is the kind who finds every puddle, beach, muddy patch and suspicious patch of grass?

A waterproof collar is one of those travel essentials you’ll be very glad you packed.

Explore waterproof dog collars made for muddy walks, wet paws, road trips, ferry crossings and real New Zealand dog adventures.

FAQs about taking your dog on the Bluebridge Ferry

Can dogs stay with you on Bluebridge?

Yes, if you book a dog-friendly cabin. This means your dog can stay with you during the sailing instead of travelling in your vehicle or a kennel.

Are Bluebridge dog cabins good for reactive dogs?

From our experience, yes - as long as you give yourself space. Vienna can be reactive around other dogs, so we hung back during boarding, collected our key once it was quieter, and waited in the cabin when it was time to leave.

Can you visit your car during the crossing?

No, you won’t be able to access your vehicle once the sailing is underway. Bring everything your dog might need with you, including treats, medication, bedding and anything that helps them settle.

Where do dogs toilet on Bluebridge?

There is an outdoor dog exercise area with artificial grass for toilet breaks during the crossing.