Can I travel while pregnant?

Yes, but some conditions apply depending on your route: All routes: If needed, any doctor’s note must be issued within 7 days of travel. Irish Sea: A certificate is required if you're over 38 weeks pregnant. We may also request one at any stage or restrict travel in some instances. North Sea: After 28 weeks, you’ll need a medical certificate. Travel is not permitted beyond 34 weeks. Dover–Calais (Short Sea): Travel is allowed up to 38 weeks without a note. After that, written GP consent is needed. Please note we don’t supply seasickness remedies onboard.

Are baby changing facilities available onboard?

Yes, all our ships have baby changing areas. Facilities are also available in our port terminals. If you need help finding them, just ask at the information desk.

What food is available for children?

There’s something for even the pickiest eaters onboard. You’ll find kids’ menus, meal deals, snacks, and favourites like pizza, pasta, and fish and chips. If you’re sailing on our North Sea routes, The Kitchen offers buffet-style dining with international dishes, so kids can choose precisely what they like.

Do children need their own passport?

Yes, every child, including babies, needs their own passport when travelling with family to Europe. Visit gov.uk to apply and check entry rules for your destination.

What accessibility facilities are available for children with disabilities?

We want every family to travel comfortably. All our ships are equipped with: Accessible toilets and lifts Wheelchair-friendly spaces Hearing loops onboard and at UK ports Support for the sunflower lanyard scheme (for hidden disabilities) Our North Sea ships offer accessible cabins for overnight journeys, and our newest Dover–Calais ferries, P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté, feature fully accredited Changing Places toilets with hoists, adult-sized benches, and extra space for carers. If you or someone in your family has a disability, hidden condition, or reduced mobility, please let us know your assistance needs when booking. Full information is on our Accessible Travel page.

How to travel with kids?

Travelling with kids is easier with some planning. Choose family-friendly ferry routes with play areas and entertainment. Pack snacks, toys, and comfort items. Dress kids in layers and use family lounges for naps. Take advantage of kids’ menus onboard. Let kids stretch and explore safely during breaks. Keep passports and important documents handy, and remind kids about safety. With these simple tips, your family trip to Europe will be smooth and fun from start to finish.

Travel For Family | Family Travel Guide

Family trips with P&O Ferries

We know how important your family holiday is, so we make getting there part of the fun. From the moment you check in, you’ll experience a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere with flexible travel options designed around your needs. Onboard, dedicated entertainment zones and a wide range of activities will keep all ages happy and engaged, so the family holiday can truly start the moment you step aboard.

Travelling with kids, especially younger ones, doesn’t need to be stressful. With P&O Ferries, there’s so much to do onboard, no one will be bored. Younger children can enjoy dedicated play areas, while teens can get stuck into video games in our onboard arcades. Families have plenty of dining options to choose from, with children’s menus, kids’ meal deals, and spacious seating areas, including family lounges.

During peak summer, most routes also feature dedicated kids’ entertainment, with fun, holiday-inspired activities led by our brilliant children’s entertainers. It’s another reason why P&O Ferries is a top choice for family travel.

Whether you're packing the car with summer holiday must-haves, bringing your pet along for the family break, or hitting the road with two kids and a motorhome, we’re here to make your journey smooth and stress-free, so you can focus on making unforgettable family memories.

Travel with a car + up to 9 passengers

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Travel for family, where the ferry ride is the first adventure.

Stress-free Family Travel

Travelling with family to Europe by ferry couldn’t be easier. There’s no need to worry about seat numbers or being split up, everyone stays together with plenty of space to relax, roam, and enjoy the journey.

Whether you need a quiet lounge to keep your toddler company during nap time, a lively family area with seasonal kids’ entertainment, or simply a stroll on deck to take in the sea air, our ships are designed to make the crossing enjoyable for every family member.

With flexible seating, family-friendly dining, and dedicated onboard facilities, the travel becomes an art of the adventure.

We offer some of the best places to travel with kids with plenty of guides on things to on and off the ferry. So why not keep the kids entertained with various activities onboard, from interactive play areas on our Dover to Calais ships, to cinemas and live shows on our Hull to Rotterdam route. Not forgetting our kids' space on our Cairnryan to Larne route, which features family films and activities for all ages.

All our ships have baby changing facilities and facilities for those who need additional assistance, plus you’ll also find baby changing facilities in all our ports. Find out more about accessible ferry travel on each of our routes.

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Flexible Family Travel

If you’re travelling with your family on our Dover to Calais or Cairnryan to Larne routes, you can choose to travel at a time that suits you. Whether your family are early birds, or sleeper inners, book that early sailing or later sailing, the choice is yours! For added flexibility, choose to upgrade your ticket to a fully flexible ticket and you’ll be able to travel at any time without committing to a sailing time. It is even easier to tailor your travel plans to your family's travel needs.

Our Hull to Rotterdam ships travel across the North Sea on an overnight sailing, so you’ll wake up in Rotterdam the next morning after a relaxing nights sleep in one of our family cabins, letting us do the hard work for you. Depart at sunset and arrive at sunrise, what could be better!

We understand kids don’t travel light. From their favourite teddy to their bedtime books, road trip snacks, and sleeping bags, pack as much as you need in your car. That’s the beauty of family ferry travel. You can even fill up the car with bulky items like buggies, suitcases, and camping equipment. Just make sure to check our vehicle measurement rules if you’re bringing anything extra like bikes, skis, or roof boxes, attached to your car.

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Deep Sea Pioneers App

Ahoy, young adventurers! Prepare to set sail on an exciting journey with Marty, Maisie, and Skipper, the P&O Ferries Deep Sea Pioneers! Embark on our exclusive interactive Scavenger Hunt, available only on P&O Ferries.

Kids entertainment

Family ferry travel: scenic routes, relaxed pace, one unforgettable journey

Dover to Calais

Up to 11 sailings a day.
90 minute crossing to Calais.
Range of flexible ticket options.
Children’s interactive play areas.
Children’s menu.
Family lounge area and plenty of deck space.
Changing places and accessible facilities.
Baby changing facilities and Quiet Lounge.
Summer entertainment and Deep Sea Pioneers app.
Pet Lounge.

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Hull to Rotterdam

Daily overnight crossing.
12 hour sailing time to Rotterdam.
Children’s soft play area.
Onboard cinema showing the latest films.
Family Events - like the Halloween & Christmas Mini Cruise.
Accessible cabins and facilities, including baby changing.
Children/s menu including The Kitchen buffet.
Deep Sea Pioneers app.
Range of family cabins.
Pet kennels.

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Cairnryan to Larne

6 daily sailings.
2 hour crossing across the Irish Sea.
Flexible ticket types.
Children’s menu available.
Kid’s entertainment area, including TV and activities.
Accessible facilities including baby changing.
Video game arcade.
Free WiFi onboard.
Deep Sea Pioneers app.
Pet’s travel free on our pet friendly route to Northern Ireland.

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Planning your family trip

To help you start planning your family trip we’ve suggested some key information you may wish to look at before placing your booking.

Visit our port pages to check that the port you intend to travel from is easily accessible from your location. You’ll also find key information here regarding check-in times and directions to the port.

When planning family travel, you’ll also want to ensure our sailing times fit your travel schedule. You can view the sailing times for all our routes on our timetables page.

Always check the latest travel requirements, including passport rules and pet documents on the gov.uk site [link].

Tip: Make sure you leave enough time to arrive at your final destination and to travel back to the port for your return ferry home.

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