These ships now offer dog-friendly cabins

While high flyers wait to see if or when Qantas and Virgin Australia will allow pets on board, the Spirit of Tasmania line is pressing ahead with dedicated pet-friendly cabins.

The new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V, which are due to begin sailing between Geelong and Devonport in 2025, will each carry 18 special cabins for passengers who wish to have their pets with them during the nine-hour journey across Bass Strait.

Room for four people and one pup...

Both ships will also feature a designated outdoor area where passengers can take their leashed dog out for some exercise and fresh air.

There’s also a secure climate-controlled and ventilated kennel area below decks, with a range of kennels to accommodate pets of all sizes.

The revamped kennel area on the new Spirit of Tasmania ships.

The kennel area – which is separate from the vehicle decks – is accessible by pet owners during the journey, unlike to the current Spirit of Tasmania ships, where travellers are unable to visit their pet en route.

“We know that pets are cherished members of the family,” says Spirit of Tasmania CEO Bernard Dwyer: a belief which drove the company to create a better experience for pets on board.

“We have observed high demand from passengers wanting to holiday with their pets, as many prefer to keep their furry companions with them instead of leaving them with pet sitters or at boarding kennels close to home.”

The Spirit of Tasmania IV and V are expected to begin sailing in 2025.

Dr Ryan Jopp, a resident tourism expert at Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology, says the integration of pet-friendly services in the travel industry is likely to continue, with airlines and other transportation providers seeing the opportunity to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction.

However, “this is not without its challenges; for example, ensuring the comfort and safety of both passengers and pets during a flight.”

“Even the best-behaved cat or dog, as a first-time flyer, may become anxious or nauseous, leading to less-than-ideal outcomes for everyone.”

Jopp also reminds pet owners that “not everyone will share the same affection for animals.”

“Your beloved Fido may not be as warmly received by other travellers, especially those with allergies or a fear of animals.”

Meanwhile, the Spirit of Tasmania can accommodate a wide variety of pets – not only dogs and cats but “guinea pigs, ferrets, some birds, chickens and ducks” – although Tasmania imposes biosecurity prohibitions on “wildlife such as reptiles, frogs, birds, fish, yabbies, tortoises, worms, spiders, pigeons, doves and rodents.”

So you’ll just have to leave your favourite funnel-web at home…