lifestyle
Travelling With Pets on the Cook Strait Ferry NZ
5 June 2026
Travelling with pets on the Cook Strait ferry NZ: Interislander and Bluebridge pet rules, booking checks, kennels, cabins and welfare prep.
The quick answer: travelling with pets on the Cook Strait ferry NZ needs advance booking and operator-specific rules. Interislander and Bluebridge both allow pets, but household pets usually travel in your vehicle, a booked kennel, a secure cage or, on eligible Bluebridge sailings, a pre-booked dog-friendly cabin. Assistance dogs have separate access rules. Always check the current operator page before booking.
First: choose the pet travel option
For most dogs and cats, the practical options are:
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| In your vehicle | Dogs or cats already calm in the car | Vehicle deck access is controlled during sailing |
| Ferry kennel | Foot passengers or pets not suited to the car | Must be booked and the pet must tolerate kennels |
| Secure cage/luggage process | Small animals or cats depending on operator rules | Confirm before travel |
| Dog-friendly cabin | Dogs on eligible Bluebridge sailings | Limited spaces, extra terms and pre-booking |
Interislander says all animals other than certified assistance dogs must travel in your vehicle, be booked into a kennel, or be in a secure cage and checked in with the luggage team. Bluebridge says pets such as dogs and cats must be in your vehicle, a vehicle-deck kennel, or a dog-friendly cabin.
Booking checklist
Before you pay:
- tell the ferry operator how many animals are travelling;
- check whether your sailing has kennels or dog-friendly cabins;
- check rental car policies if using a rental vehicle;
- confirm check-in instructions;
- read animal welfare declarations;
- plan for delays, bad Cook Strait weather and cancelled sailings.
For road-trip kit basics, see Dog Carriers and Travel Guide NZ and Dog Leads, Harnesses and Collars Guide NZ.
Welfare prep before boarding
Do the boring things early:
- exercise dogs before check-in;
- offer water and a toilet stop;
- avoid a huge meal right before travel if your pet gets carsick;
- pack water, bowl, towel, lead, poo bags and bedding;
- use familiar bedding in the crate, kennel or car;
- keep cats in secure carriers until the safe destination room is ready.
Interislander requires pets in vehicles to have ventilation and water. Its guidance says vehicle windows should be left open with around a 7 cm gap for ventilation. Bluebridge says pets left in vehicles need plenty of water and windows left ajar.
Cats, dogs and small pets
Cats should travel in a proper carrier, not loose in the car. If this ferry trip is part of a house move, see Cat Litter Guide NZ and Cat Litter Box Types NZ for the arrival setup.
Dogs should be under control at terminals and around other passengers. Bluebridge's dog-friendly cabin terms require dogs to be leashed or in a carrier when moving to and from the cabin and dog exercise area.
For crates and settling, see Dog Crate Types NZ.
When not to travel
Do not push through if your pet is unwell, injured, heavily pregnant, very young, unable to settle in a crate or carrier, or likely to panic. Interislander lists animal welfare restrictions including animals that are sick or injured unless certified fit by a vet, animals in the final trimester of pregnancy, animals that have given birth recently, and very young animals under 8 weeks or still weaning.
If you are unsure, ask your vet and the ferry operator before booking.
Quick takeaways
- Check Interislander or Bluebridge rules before booking, not at check-in.
- Pets usually travel in a vehicle, kennel, secure cage or eligible dog-friendly cabin.
- Assistance dogs have separate access rules.
- Bring water, bedding, lead, carrier, towels and delay supplies.
- Do not travel with unwell, injured, very young or unfit animals without vet/operator advice.
- Build in extra time for Cook Strait weather and ferry delays.
Related reading
- Dog Carriers and Travel Guide NZ
- Dog Leads, Harnesses and Collars Guide NZ
- Dog Crate Types NZ
- Cat Litter Box Types NZ
References
- Interislander, Travelling with pets or animals, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.interislander.co.nz/plan/travelling-with-pets
- Bluebridge, Terms and conditions: travelling with animals, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/terms-and-conditions
- Bluebridge, Frequently asked questions: travelling with pets, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/frequently-asked-questions/
- MPI, Code of Welfare: Transport within New Zealand, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/animals/animal-welfare/codes/all-animal-welfare-codes/transport-within-new-zealand/
Important notice
*General ferry travel information for NZ pet owners. Ferry operator rules can change by vessel and sailing; always check the current operator page and ask your vet before travel if your pet is unwell, injured, pregnant, very young or travel-stressed.*