Dorset boats

County advice overview

You can access mainland Europe by ferry from Poole in Dorset and there are also domestic ferries travelling to Brownsea Island and across the river at Sandbanks.

Key tips

You should be aware that you may experience bumpy seas, steep stairs, raised bulkheads and heavy sea doors on the ships and take this into account when planning your journey. 

If you booked your travel through an agent or tour operator, make sure they understand your needs and that they pass the information on to the ferry companies.

Operators

Local operators

Sandbanks Ferry

www.sandbanksferry.co.uk
01929 450203

Brownsea Island Ferries

www.brownseaislandferries.com
01929 462383

International operators

Brittany Ferries

www.brittany-ferries.co.uk

Condor Ferries

www.condorferries.co.uk

Special assistance

Brittany Ferries

If you require additional assistance getting on board or around the ship, you should inform Brittainy Ferries at least 48 hours in advance. The level of assistance they can reasonably provide is limited and subject to high demand. 

Contact: 0330 159 5015 or customer.feedback@brittanyferries.com.

Condor Ferries

Condor Ferries need to know if you have any assistance or mobility requirements as early as possible. Contact 0345 609 1026 to discuss travel options if you have reduced mobility or require wheelchair access.

Brownsea Island Ferries

To discuss your assistance requirements, contact 01929 462383.

Travelling with mobility equipment

Sandbanks Ferry

The ferry is accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters. All wheelchair and mobility scooter users will need to be situated in the passenger corridor for the duration of the crossing.

Brownsea Island Ferries

Disabled customers can travel on the ferries, but for safe access a small degree of mobility is needed. 

Due to the jetty and vessel design, adults who use manual wheelchairs must be able to walk (assisted if necessary) a few steps for access at boarding gates, as crews are not permitted to lift occupied wheelchairs. 

Each wheelchair must be accompanied by an attendant to assist a disabled person in the event of an emergency on board. Powerchairs and mobility scooters cannot be taken onboard, due to the difficulties that might arise in the event of an emergency requiring evacuation from the vessel. 

The number of wheelchairs carried onboard is at the discretion of the vessel’s Master. To discuss your requirements further, contact: 01929 462383.

Brittany Ferries

At the Port

All Brittany Ferries Passenger Terminals have disabled access and facilities including disabled parking. Wheelchairs are available at the ports in case of emergency but if you require a wheelchair for the duration of your journey, you should provide your own.

Poole terminal building is a single storey wheelchair-accessible building, with accessible toilets in the terminal and the vehicle check-in lanes. An adapted minibus can transport foot passengers with disabilities aboard the ship. 

Cherbourg terminal building is wheelchair-accessible and has a lift. Accessible toilets are available in the terminal and the vehicle check-in lanes. 

Shuttles connect the ferry terminal to the ship, including a bus equipped with a ramp for easy pedestrian access and a specially-adapted minibus with a chair lift. 

If you require additional assistance getting on board or around the ship, inform Brittainy Ferries at least 48 hours in advance. 

Contact: 0330 159 5015 or customer.feedback@brittanyferries.com.

Boarding the ship

There are limited spaces for wheelchair passengers close to the lifts and these are allocated to passengers with a disability on a first-come first-served basis. If you need to be parked close to a lift, it is essential that you mention this when making your booking and again at ticket check-in. The loading crew will do their best to help you.

On board the ship

All Brittany cruise ferries have lifts to help you when leaving the vehicle decks and while moving around the ship during the voyage. You can find out which facilities are available on individual ships within their guide. 

Assistance dogs

If you are travelling with a registered assistance dog, it is essential that you notify Brittany Ferries at the time of booking. The dog must comply with the guidelines for taking your dog abroad – you will no longer be able to travel with a GB-issued EU pet passport, so you will need an EU Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport issued by another EU country or Northern Ireland. You must carry proof that your animal is an assistance dog.

Further information regarding travelling with disability and reduced mobility, can be found on the Brittany Ferries website.

Condor Ferries

If you have any assistance or mobility requirements, you should inform Condor Ferries as early as possible. Contact 0345 609 1026 to discuss travel options if you have reduced mobility or require wheelchair access.

At the port

All Condor Ferries’ ports are easily accessible, with facilities for disabled and reduced mobility foot passengers including adapted buses and special buggies.

If you are travelling with a car, you should identify yourself to the check-in staff in the car lanes, alerting them to any specific needs which you highlighted when booking. 

They will try to allocate a suitable space for disabled and reduced mobility passengers who have notified them of requirements in advance. For this reason, you may be asked to wait for assistance before you are parked onboard.

The same applies when checking-in on foot. Identify yourself to the check-in staff, and they will help you. 

Boarding the ship

Some of the ferries – The Condor Liberation and the Commodore Clipper – have lifts from the car deck which are reserved for use by passengers with wheelchairs, pushchairs or reduced mobility. There is no lift on the Condor Voyager; however, there are the ramps from the car deck.

On board the ship

Different ferries have varying degrees of seating which is suitable for reduced mobility passengers. It is best to discuss your requirements in advance, with the Reservations Team on 0345 609 1026.

There are disabled toilet facilities on all the ships.

Getting off the ship

If you need help getting back to the car deck, or disembarking on foot, just talk to the Cabin Manager or a member of the crew before you start making your way, and they can offer advice and assistance if you need it.

 On busy sailings you may need to wait before getting back into your vehicle, to give time for other cars to clear your access. 

Assistance dogs

Recognised assistance dogs, including Guide Dogs and Medical Alert Dogs, are carried free of charge on all Condor Ferries and are permitted to travel in the passenger lounges and public areas. They must be on a lead or harness.

Emotional support animals will be allowed if they have a doctor’s letter confirming the passenger needs to travel with the pet for their own safety. 

All assistance animals must be declared at the booking stage.

Further accessible travel information can be found on the Condor Ferries website.

Routes and timetable links

You can find timetables, route information and plan your journey by visiting the individual operator websites below.

• Brownsea Island Ferries
• Sandbanks Ferry
• Brittany Ferries
• Condor Ferries