Travelling with pets

We are happy to accommodate pets on our ferries to Orkney and Shetland. Animals can either travel in your vehicle, in one of our pre-booked kennels, with you in a pet-friendly cabin or in the dog lounge on MV Hamnavoe.

NorthLink Ferries are happy to accommodate pets on our ferries to Orkney and Shetland. Animals can either travel in your vehicle, in one of our pre-booked kennels, with you in a pet-friendly cabin or in the dog lounge on MV Hamnavoe.

Things to know when travelling with NorthLink Ferries

Pets don’t require a boarding pass and travel free of charge*
Only support dogs are permitted in the ship’s internal public areas.
On the 90-minute sailing between Scrabster and Stromness, owners may book a free space in the dog lounge or take their dogs to the outside deck.
Pet-friendly cabins, kennels and the dog lounge should be booked in advance.
On all ships, pets may stay in their owner’s vehicles.
When on Serco NorthLink Ferries property pets should be kept on a lead.
It is the passenger’s responsibility to clean up after their pet (you may need to bring some cleaning utensils).

* Additional charges and supplements do apply for pet-friendly cabins and kennels

Passenger Checklist

Bowls to allow your pet to drink/eat.
A blanket/basket for your pet to sleep in, something familiar for them.
Any toys you think are suitable.

*The dog lounge on board MV Hamnavoe photo © Copyright Jonathon Bulter*

Dog lounge on MV Hamnavoe

This is a the new dog lounge on MV Hamnavoe. It’s a new indoor area, located on Deck 6 next to Brinkie’s Bar, on the ferry between Scrabster in the Scottish Highlands and Stromness in Orkney.

Passengers and their pets can enjoy a splendid sea view from within the lounge, which is also equipped with modern seating, tables, bowls, dog biscuits, and power sockets to charge your mobile devices.

The dog lounge on MV Hamnavoe has space to accommodate up to eight dogs at a time. Priority will be given to those with a booking, so passengers are encouraged to reserve a free place in the dog lounge when finalising their travel. Dog lounge entry can also be added to a previously-made booking online, or by contacting NorthLink Ferries.

Please ensure that your dog is kept on a lead in the dog lounge, that it is not left unattended, that there is one person for every two dogs, and please clean up after your pet. There is no dog lounge on MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey, the ships which sail between Aberdeen, Hatston and Lerwick.

Pet Friendly Cabins

NorthLink passenger vessels now have pet-friendly cabins available. These cabins retain the same high standards of comfort as NorthLink’s suite of other cabin types, having:

Side-by-side lower twin beds.
An en-suite toilet and shower.
Tea and coffee making facilities.
Vinyl floor coverings instead of carpet.
A NorthLink dog treat from ‘Wow Dog’.
Water bowls are available at reception if you need one.

Passengers are advised to bring their own bedding for their pets. It is expected that pets will remain on cabin floors and that any mess is cleaned up. A deep clean will be carried out in each pet-friendly cabin each day. The pet-friendly cabins available on each ship are:

MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey (Aberdeen – Kirkwall – Lerwick)

2 Inside 2 berth pet-friendly cabins
2 Outside 2 berth pet-friendly cabins
3 Inside 4 berth pet-friendly cabins
1 Premium Outside 2 berth pet-friendly cabin

MV Hamnavoe (Hamnavoe Bed & Breakfast overnight cabins for those booked on the first sailing each day from Stromness to Scrabster)

2 Inside 2 berth pet-friendly cabins

Passengers can walk their dogs on the outside deck which, on Hjaltland and Hrossey, must be reached via the aft staircase and not via the passenger areas. On Hamnavoe, passengers will need to take the main stairs. Due to food hygiene regulations, pets are not allowed in food service areas.

As well as the pet friendly cabin charge, there is a £15 supplement for each pet staying within the cabin. Please note, only one animal can be booked online. Please pay for additional animals at the port.

*The kennel facilities for pets on board the ships to Orkney and Shetland photo © Copyright Stephen Mercer Productions*

Kennels

Kennel facilities are available on all NorthLink passenger vessels and are located off the car deck.

Kennels are heated and ventilated and water is provided for your pet to have a drink during the journey.
Kennels come in the following sizes:
- Large (800mm wide x 1400mm depth x 1000mm height)
- Small (500mm width x 700mm depth x 600mm height)
Passengers with more than one pet can have their animals share a kennel if they wish.
It is the passenger’s responsibility to clean up after their pet (you may need to bring some cleaning utensils).
It is the passenger’s responsibility to deliver and collect their pets from the kennels.

Foot passengers wishing to put their furry friend in the kennel facilities should report to the reception desk on Deck 5. From there you will be escorted to the kennels by a member of staff.

Vehicle passengers using the kennel facilities should take their pet to the kennel upon boarding. Please ask a crew member on the car deck for directions.

Leaving your pet in your vehicle

An alternative option is to leave your pet in familiar surroundings, in your vehicle, provided it is suitably ventilated. Once boarded pets must remain in the vehicle and pets cannot be exercised on the car deck.

We do request that passengers leaving pets in their vehicle consider the length of the journey and are aware that there is no unaccompanied access to the car deck during the voyage.

Access to kennels and the car deck

During the 90-minute journey on MV Hamnavoe there is no access to the kennels or car deck during sailings. Pets may stay in vehicles, a pre-booked kennel, the dog lounge, or on the outside deck. Animals must not be left unattended while on the outside deck.

On MV Hjaltland and MV Hrossey, access to the kennels and car deck is restricted and passengers must be accompanied by a member of crew. Contact the reception desk on Deck 5 should you wish to see or exercise your pet on the outside deck, and please be aware that crew may not always be available.

*NorthLink ships offer kennels for pets photo © Copyright Stephen Mercer Productions*

Unaccompanied Animals

A customer collecting or leaving an animal in NorthLink kennels should report to the ferry terminal check in, where they will then be escorted on board. Unaccompanied Animals are free of charge but a kennel cost will apply. Please see the passenger checklist at the top of the page for guidance on what to provide.