What to Pack When Travelling With Your Dog on the Bluebridge Ferry
Travelling with your dog in New Zealand is one of those things that 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: how to make the ferry crossing feel as calm and easy as possible for both you and your dog.
That’s why we love seeing options like Bluebridge’s dog-friendly cabins, which make it possible for dogs to travel close to their humans during the sailing instead of staying in the car. For nervous dogs, clingy dogs, older dogs, young dogs, or dogs who simply like to keep tabs on their person, that can make a big difference.
If you’re planning to take your dog on the Bluebridge Ferry, here’s what to know, what to pack and why the right dog travel gear can make the whole experience feel a lot smoother.
First things first: check your Bluebridge booking details
Before you get too far into the packing list, make sure you’ve checked the current Bluebridge pet travel information for your sailing.
Bluebridge’s dog-friendly cabins are available to pre-book on select sailings and can accommodate up to two dogs at a time. You can book a dog-friendly cabin online when you make your original booking. They’re often in high demand, so this is not the thing to leave until the last minute.
Basically, do future-you a favour and sort the dog-friendly cabin early!
What you get in a Bluebridge dog-friendly cabin
One of the best parts of booking a dog-friendly cabin is having your own space to settle in for the crossing.
Bluebridge’s dog-friendly cabins include:
- Ensuite bathroom with shower
- Air conditioning
- 2-bed twin or 4-bed twin bunk options
- Laminate flooring - no stress if there's an accident!
- Complimentary take-home dog water bowl
- Fresh linen, towels and body wash for humans
A small but important note: dog bedding is not supplied, so you’ll need to bring your dog’s own blanket, bed or mat from home.
That’s actually a good thing for most dogs anyway. Having something that smells familiar can help them settle in a new space, especially if ferry travel is new for them.
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, add their photo 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.
What to pack for your dog on the ferry
You don’t need to bring your dog’s entire life onboard, but a few essentials can make the crossing much easier. You can't get back to your car during the crossing so make sure you bring these with you!
Here’s what we’d pack:
- A dog collar and lead
- An up-to-date ID tag
- Poo bags
- A towel
- Treats - our collars come with free treat bags to keep them in!
- A familiar blanket, bed or mat
- A chew, lick mat or toy
- Any medication your dog needs
- Your dog’s Bluebridge Dog Pawsport
Why a waterproof dog collar is one of our favourite travel essentials
This is where a waterproof dog collar really earns its spot on the packing list.
Ferry travel can involve sea air, wind, rain and dogs being dogs in the least convenient way possible. A fabric collar can soak all of that up and carry it around like a damp little souvenir.
A waterproof dog collar is much more practical for travel because it’s easy to wipe clean, quick to dry and doesn’t hold onto odour in the same way. That makes it ideal for road trips, ferry crossings, beach days, winter walks and all the messy in-between bits of travelling with a dog in New Zealand.
It’s not just about looking cute, although obviously we support that too.
It’s about having a collar that can handle real-life dog adventures without becoming wet, smelly and tragic halfway through the trip.
Before you board
Before boarding, give your dog a proper chance to toilet, sniff and stretch their legs.
Ferry terminals can be busy places, with cars, people, wind, noise and lots of unfamiliar smells. Even a normally relaxed dog can get a bit alert when there’s that much going on, so having them safely on lead with a well-fitted collar or harness matters.
Bluebridge asks that dogs are kept on lead when outside the cabin, including when boarding, disembarking and using the outside dog area. Dogs are not allowed in the main passenger areas of the ship, unless they are certified assistance dogs.
If your dog is considered a dangerous breed or is not very social, they’ll need to be muzzled too.
It sounds like a lot, but it’s really just about keeping everyone safe and comfortable
It’s also worth checking the Cook Strait marine forecast 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 can help you prepare. You can check the latest Cook Coastal Forecast on MetService before you go..
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 or mat, offer water 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.
Using the outside dog area
Passengers with a booked dog-friendly cabin also have access to a communal outside dog area onboard.
This is a handy option if your dog needs a little stretch or some fresh air during the crossing. Just remember your dog needs to stay on lead in this area too, and it’s a shared space, so be mindful of other dogs and passengers.
If your dog is nervous around other dogs, give them space. Not every dog wants to make ferry friends, and that’s okay. Vienna is one of these dog's so we mainly stayed in our cabin.
Dog-friendly travel in New Zealand is getting better
One of the best things about options like dog-friendly ferry cabins is that they make it easier to actually include dogs in the adventure.
For so many of us, dogs are not just pets we leave behind when life gets interesting. They’re part of the road trip, the holiday, the big move, the weekend away and the “should we just go?” decision.
More dog-friendly travel options mean more people can explore New Zealand with their dogs beside them, which we are very much here for.
Because some of the best adventures are the slightly chaotic ones with muddy paws, snack stops, wet noses out the window and a dog who thinks every new destination exists purely for sniffing.
Final thoughts
Taking your dog on the Bluebridge Ferry can be a really lovely way to make them part of your New Zealand travels, especially if you’re prepared and have the right gear with you.
A dog-friendly cabin, a calm approach, a Dog Pawsport, and a well-packed travel kit can make the crossing feel less stressful and more like part of the adventure.
So if you’re planning a Cook Strait crossing with your dog, this is your sign to get organised, pack the treats, check your booking details 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 probably going to be your new favourite travel essential.
Explore Oh Vienna waterproof dog collars made for muddy walks, wet paws, road trips, ferry crossings and real New Zealand dog adventures.