Travelling with pets
Pets are welcome onboard Tallink Silja Line’s ships. Please remember to check the legislation regarding the travel of animals and familiarise yourself with the instructions below before booking the trip.
General information for pet parents
All our ships welcome pets. They can travel in a pet bag, kennel, or pet-friendly cabin.
- Pet regulations: Check the rules of the destination country and bring your pet’s passport to ensure a smooth travel experience. Tallink Silja Line will not refund the passenger’s ferry ticket if the trip is cancelled due to incorrectly prepared or missing documents. The pet passport is mandatory for passengers travelling with a dog, cat, or ferret within the European Union, aiming to facilitate border crossings.
- Hotel stays: Ensure your hotel allows pets.
- Pet weight limits: There are no pet weight limits for pets travelling in a pet bag or transport crate. If a pet is too large to travel in a carrier bag or crate, it must travel in a kennel or a pet-friendly cabin.
- Restrictions for pets in bags:
On MyStar and Megastar, pets travelling in a carrier bag or crate may stay in passenger areas (including pubs and bars) except for children’s playrooms, restaurants, Comfort, Business and Platinum Lounges.
On cruise ships passengers with pets need to avoid certain areas like children’s playrooms, restaurants, pubs, bars. - Leash and muzzle: Pets that are not travelling in a carrier bag or crate must be kept on a leash while on board and must wear a muzzle in crowded public areas.
- Safety: Dangerous animals are not allowed on board.
- Responsibility: The pet owner and the person accompanying the pet are always responsible for the pet’s health, well-being and hygiene. If the pet causes damage to the shipowner, operator or a third party, the pet owner and the person accompanying the pet must compensate for the damage based on the claim.
- Cleanliness and damage fees: If the pet owner or the person accompanying the pet does not ensure proper cleanliness after the pet on board, the ship’s staff have the right to apply a cleaning fee starting from 50 €. If the pet causes soiling or damage in the cabin, a fee will apply for deep cleaning, maintenance and restoring the cabin for use. The fee starts from the price of the cabin.
Booking and availability
- Pet tickets: Every pet traveling on board must have a ticket for one of the following: a carrier bag or crate, a kennel or a pet-friendly cabin. If the required ticket has not been purchased before the trip, the ship’s staff have the right to charge the applicable ticket or cabin surcharge according to the current price list.
- Service dogs: Assistance dogs, guide dogs for the visually impaired, hypo-alert dogs, and hearing dogs are not considered pets and travel for free on Tallink Silja Line’s ships. Assistance dogs must be properly identifiable, for example, wearing a harness, vest, or scarf that clearly indicates the dog is a working service animal.
The free travel right only applies if the dog accompanies a passenger with special needs, and the passenger can provide documentation of the dog’s certification or training to the ship’s staff. If such a dog travels without a passenger with special needs, it is considered a pet, and pet travel conditions apply. - Pets staying in vehicles: As an exception, no ticket is needed if your pet stays in the vehicle on MyStar or Megastar throughout the journey. The car deck is closed during the journey, so please purchase a garage ticket if you want to visit your pet during the trip. If your pet is staying in the vehicle, please inform the check-in staff when registering your ticket.
- Booking in advance: Let us know when you buy your ferry tickets to ensure a smooth and worry-free journey with your pet. The number of pets allowed on board is limited. If you’re travelling with a pet and have a kennel booked, contact the ship’s information desk on arrival.
- Pet-friendly cabins: Some cabins include a water bowl and room for up to 3 larger pets. Short absences for dining or shopping are okay, but don’t leave your pet alone for long.
