Accessible Travel
Accessible travel with DFDS
DFDS is committed to making travel on our services as comfortable as possible for all passengers, particularly those who may require additional assistance during their journey.
Our team onboard and ashore have been provided with Awareness Training to ensure the highest standards of care.
You are entitled to certain assistance both in port and onboard the ship. Therefore to help us make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible, we need to know your requirements at your earliest convenience, ideally when you make your booking, but no later than two working days before you travel. We will always try our utmost to accommodate all requests whilst travelling with us.
Accessible travel on the UK-France routes
We shall ensure that all relevant information and access conditions are available in appropriate and accessible formats.
For safety reasons we can only cater for up to five wheelchair passengers at once onboard our vessels.
Hearing impairment: If you or a member of your party has a hearing impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. The crew will make sure that you receive any important messages which are broadcasted during the crossing.
Visual impairment: If you or a member of your party has a visual impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. On arrival, our staff will help you to locate the passenger areas and assist wherever possible.
Carriage of Mobility & Medical Assistance: All mobility and medical equipment may be taken into the passenger accommodation or on the vehicle deck. Please notify us of any need to bring mobility and/or medical equipment at the time of the booking. You can travel with medical oxygen with written permission from a GP advising that medical oxygen is required. We need to be informed that medical oxygen will potentially be used on the voyage at the time of booking. We can carry a maximum of 6 x size F i.e. up to 60 litres aggregate water capacity.
In order to be able to make your journey with DFDS as comfortable as possible, we need to know any specific needs with regards to accommodation, services required or mobility and/or medical equipment ideally at the time of booking. You can also let us know up to 2 working days before you travel using the contact details below. This will ensure we can have the appropriate assistance in place.
If you would like to contact us, you can do so by visiting our contact page here.
If you have booked through a travel agent or a tour operator you should advise your booking agent that you will require assistance and ask to pass this information on to DFDS.
After assessing your specific requirements, DFDS may require that you are accompanied by an individual that can assist you during the journey. Before making this requirement, we will have a dialogue with you and always consider your wishes. Such an accompanying person shall be carried free of charge.
Once you have contacted us, a note will then be added to your booking which will ensure that where possible your needs are taken into consideration.
Any information relating to you will be obtained in a discreet manner and stored with a regard for confidentiality and in accordance with our privacy policy. This information will only be shared on an operational basis, necessary to the carrying out of the tasks required and to inform the ships if there are passengers in need of special assistance in case of any emergency.
If you have not contacted us before you travel to alert us of your needs we cannot guarantee you of assistance whilst travelling through our ports and onboard our vessels.
To help us make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible, we need to know your requirements at your earliest convenience, ideally when you make your booking, but no later than two working days before you travel. We will always try our utmost to accommodate all requests for travel with us. Further information is available on our page dedicated to Accessible Travel.
| Route | Lifts | Toilets | Cabins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover - Dunkirk Dover / Delft / Dunkerque Seaways |
100cm x 138cm, door entrance width 90cm. Parking near the lift is available for your convenience. |
Two accessible toilets located on decks 6 & 7 | Not available on this route. |
| Dover - Calais Côte Des Dunes / Côte Des Flandres |
130cm x 158cm, door entrance width 90cm. Parking near the lift is available for your convenience. |
Côte Des Flandres - 2 accessible toilets located on decks 7 & 8 Côte Des Dunes - 3 accessible toilets located on decks 7 & 8. |
Not available on this route. |
| Newhaven - Dieppe Cote D’Albatre / Seven Sisters |
130cm x 140cm, door entrance width 90cm. | Two accessible toilets located on decks 6 & 7. | Two-berth accessible cabin with berths at ground level. Cabin door width 90cm. |
All public areas including the bars, shop and restaurants are accessible for wheelchair users and guide dogs.
You will be advised via your booking confirmation of your check-in time at the port. Our terminals are accessible friendly and have accessible parking. We can provide wheelchairs in some ports (see the list below) and onboard our vessels with advance notification at the time of booking and where available. Passengers travelling in vehicles can be parked close to a lift and assisted by our crew if required.
Our ports and terminals have the following facilities for passengers who require additional assistance:
| Terminal/Port | Wheelchair | Adapted Toilets | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dover | No | Yes | Yes |
| Newhaven | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dieppe | Yes | Yes | No |
On board DFDS we accept Assistance dogs who are recognised by the Assistance Dogs International, (ADI) and the International Guide Dogs Federation (IDGF) programmes. The above programmes ensure Assistance dogs are specifically trained to assist and support people with a disability.
Please notify our team if you are travelling with an Assistance Dog. You must ensure that the dog complies with the pet travel rules of the country they are travelling to. You will be asked to provide documentation.
There is no fee to bring your Assistance dog onboard and they are allowed in public areas on a harness/lead.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals are not legally recognised by the above organisations in the way that Assistance & Guide dogs currently are. Emotional support animals can travel with us, but they must follow the same rules as pets. Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets
Accessible travel on the Amsterdam-Newcastle route
We shall ensure that all relevant information and access conditions are available in appropriate and accessible formats.
For safety reasons we can only cater for up to five wheelchair passengers at once onboard our vessels.
Hearing impairment: If you or a member of your party has a hearing impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. The crew will make sure that you receive any important messages which are broadcasted during the crossing.
Visual impairment: If you or a member of your party has a visual impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. On arrival, our staff will help you to locate the passenger areas and assist wherever possible.
Carriage of Mobility & Medical Assistance: All mobility and medical equipment may be taken into the passenger accommodation or on the vehicle deck. Please notify us of any need to bring mobility and/or medical equipment at the time of the booking. You can travel with medical oxygen with written permission from a GP advising that medical oxygen is required. We need to be informed that medical oxygen will potentially be used on the voyage at the time of booking. We can carry a maximum of 6 x size F i.e. up to 60 litres aggregate water capacity.
In order to be able to make your journey with DFDS as comfortable as possible, we need to know any specific needs with regards to accommodation, services required or mobility and/or medical equipment ideally at the time of booking. You can also let us know up to 2 working days before you travel using the contact details below. This will ensure we can have the appropriate assistance in place.
If you would like to contact us, you can do so by visiting our contact page here.
If you have booked through a travel agent or a tour operator you should advise your booking agent that you will require assistance and ask to pass this information on to DFDS.
After assessing your specific requirements, DFDS may require that you are accompanied by an individual that can assist you during the journey. Before making this requirement, we will have a dialogue with you and always consider your wishes. Such an accompanying person shall be carried free of charge.
Once you have contacted us, a note will then be added to your booking which will ensure that where possible your needs are taken into consideration.
Any information relating to you will be obtained in a discreet manner and stored with a regard for confidentiality and in accordance with our privacy policy. This information will only be shared on an operational basis, necessary to the carrying out of the tasks required and to inform the ships if there are passengers in need of special assistance in case of any emergency.
If you have not contacted us before you travel to alert us of your needs we cannot guarantee you of assistance whilst travelling through our ports and onboard our vessels.
To help us make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible, we need to know your requirements at your earliest convenience, ideally when you make your booking, but no later than two working days before you travel. We will always try our utmost to accommodate all requests for travel with us. Further information is available on our page dedicated to Accessible Travel.
Newcastle - Amsterdam
| Ship | Lifts | Toilets | Cabins* | Important information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Seaways | Suitable for regular sized wheelchair. If you need parking near the lift, please arrive at the port from 2pm. |
One located on deck 9. | 6 cabins, located on deck 7. | Deck 5 has no lift access during sailing. Sky Bar on deck 12 is only accessible by a staircase. |
| Princess Seaways | Suitable for regular sized wheelchairs. If you need parking near the lift, please arrive at the port from 2pm. |
One Located on deck 7. | 4 cabins, located on deck | Deck 4 has no lift access during sailing. Sky Bar on deck 11 is only accessible by a staircase. |
*All our Accessible cabins can accommodate 2 passengers. Each cabin is fitted with tiled flooring, a seated shower with rails, desk & Towels.
All public areas including the bars, shop and restaurants are accessible for wheelchair users and guide dogs. However, the Sky Bar is only accessible via an external staircase.
You will be advised via your booking confirmation of your check-in time at the port. Our terminals are accessible friendly and have accessible parking. We can provide wheelchairs in some ports (see the list below) and onboard our vessels with advance notification at the time of booking and where available. Passengers travelling in vehicles can be parked close to a lift and assisted by our crew if required.
Our ports and terminals have the following facilities for passengers who require additional assistance:
| Terminal/Port | Wheelchair | Adapted Toilets | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| IJmuiden | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Newcastle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
On board DFDS we accept Assistance dogs who are recognised by the Assistance Dogs International, (ADI) and the International Guide Dogs Federation (IDGF) programmes. The above programmes ensure Assistance dogs are specifically trained to assist and support people with a disability.
Please notify our team if you are travelling with an Assistance Dog. You must ensure that the dog complies with the pet travel rules of the country they are travelling to. You will be asked to provide documentation.
There is no fee to bring your Assistance dog onboard and they are allowed in public areas on a harness/lead.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals are not legally recognised by the above organisations in the way that Assistance & Guide dogs currently are. Emotional support animals can travel with us, but they must follow the same rules as pets. Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets
Accessible travel on the UK - Jersey routes
We shall ensure that all relevant information and access conditions are available in appropriate and accessible formats.
For safety reasons we can only cater for up to five wheelchair passengers at once onboard our vessels.
Hearing impairment: If you or a member of your party has a hearing impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. The crew will make sure that you receive any important messages which are broadcasted during the crossing.
Visual impairment: If you or a member of your party has a visual impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. On arrival, our staff will help you to locate the passenger areas and assist wherever possible.
Carriage of Mobility & Medical Assistance: All mobility and medical equipment may be taken into the passenger accommodation or on the vehicle deck. Please notify us of any need to bring mobility and/or medical equipment at the time of the booking. You can travel with medical oxygen with written permission from a GP advising that medical oxygen is required. We need to be informed that medical oxygen will potentially be used on the voyage at the time of booking. We can carry a maximum of 6 x size F i.e. up to 60 litres aggregate water capacity.
In order to be able to make your journey with DFDS as comfortable as possible, we need to know any specific needs with regards to accommodation, services required or mobility and/or medical equipment ideally at the time of booking. You can also let us know up to 2 working days before you travel using the contact details below. This will ensure we can have the appropriate assistance in place.
If you would like to contact us, you can do so by visiting our contact page here.
If you have booked through a travel agent or a tour operator you should advise your booking agent that you will require assistance and ask to pass this information on to DFDS.
After assessing your specific requirements, DFDS may require that you are accompanied by an individual that can assist you during the journey. Before making this requirement, we will have a dialogue with you and always consider your wishes. Such an accompanying person shall be carried free of charge.
Once you have contacted us, a note will then be added to your booking which will ensure that where possible your needs are taken into consideration.
Any information relating to you will be obtained in a discreet manner and stored with a regard for confidentiality and in accordance with our privacy policy. This information will only be shared on an operational basis, necessary to the carrying out of the tasks required and to inform the ships if there are passengers in need of special assistance in case of any emergency.
If you have not contacted us before you travel to alert us of your needs we cannot guarantee you of assistance whilst travelling through our ports and onboard our vessels.
To help us make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible, we need to know your requirements at your earliest convenience, ideally when you make your booking, but no later than two working days before you travel. We will always try our utmost to accommodate all requests for travel with us.
Poole-Jersey: Levante Jet
Lift: Suitable for regular sized wheelchair.
Toilets: Located on deck 3.
Cabin: Not available on this route.
Portsmouth-Jersey: Stena Vinga
Lift: Suitable for regular sized wheelchair.
Toilets: Located on deck 7.
Cabin: Four-berth accessible cabin with two berths at ground level located on deck 8.
St Malo-Jersey / Guernsey: Tarifa Jet
Lift: No lift. Ramps onboard.
Toilets: One located Main Deck, Zone D.
Cabin: Not available on this route.
All public areas including the bars, shop and restaurants are accessible for wheelchair users and guide dogs.
You will be advised via your booking confirmation of your check-in time at the port. Our terminals are accessible friendly and have accessible parking. We can provide wheelchairs in some ports (see the list below) and onboard our vessels with advance notification at the time of booking and where available. Passengers travelling in vehicles can be parked close to a lift and assisted by our crew if required.
If you are travelling Guernsey - Jersey and you require onward travel on other DFDS routes to Poole, Portsmouth, or St Malo, a separate booking will be required. Please note that you must always disembark at your scheduled port of arrival before continuing your journey.
Our ports and terminals have the following facilities for passengers who require additional assistance:
| Route | Wheelchair | Toilets | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poole | Yes | Yes | N/A all on one level |
| Portsmouth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Jersey | Yes | Yes | N/A all on one level |
| Guernsey | Yes | Yes | N/A all on one level |
| St Malo | Yes | Yes | N/A all on one level |
On board DFDS we accept Assistance dogs who are recognised by the Assistance Dogs International, (ADI) and the International Guide Dogs Federation (IDGF) programmes. The above programmes ensure Assistance dogs are specifically trained to assist and support people with a disability.
Please notify our team if you are travelling with an Assistance Dog. You must ensure that the dog complies with the pet travel rules of the country they are travelling to. You will be asked to provide documentation.
There is no fee to bring your Assistance dog onboard and they are allowed in public areas on a harness/lead.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals are not legally recognised by the above organisations in the way that Assistance & Guide dogs currently are. Emotional support animals can travel with us, but they must follow the same rules as pets. Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets
Accessible travel on Dunkirk-Rosslare route
We shall ensure that all relevant information and access conditions are available in appropriate and accessible formats.
For safety reasons we can only cater for up to 1 wheelchair passengers at once onboard our vessels.
Hearing impairment: If you or a member of your party has a hearing impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. The crew will make sure that you receive any important messages which are broadcasted during the crossing.
Visual impairment: If you or a member of your party has a visual impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. On arrival, our staff will help you to locate the passenger areas and assist wherever possible.
Carriage of Mobility & Medical Assistance: All mobility and medical equipment may be taken into the passenger accommodation or on the vehicle deck. Please notify us of any need to bring mobility and/or medical equipment at the time of the booking. You can travel with medical oxygen with written permission from a GP advising that medical oxygen is required. We need to be informed that medical oxygen will potentially be used on the voyage at the time of booking. We can carry a maximum of 6 x size F i.e. up to 60 litres aggregate water capacity.
In order to be able to make your journey with DFDS as comfortable as possible, we need to know any specific needs with regards to accommodation, services required or mobility and/or medical equipment ideally at the time of booking. You can also let us know up to 2 working days before you travel using the contact details below. This will ensure we can have the appropriate assistance in place.
If you would like to contact us, you can do so by visiting our contact page here.
If you have booked through a travel agent or a tour operator you should advise your booking agent that you will require assistance and ask to pass this information on to DFDS.
After assessing your specific requirements, DFDS may require that you are accompanied by an individual that can assist you during the journey. Before making this requirement, we will have a dialogue with you and always consider your wishes. Such an accompanying person shall be carried free of charge.
Once you have contacted us, a note will then be added to your booking which will ensure that where possible your needs are taken into consideration.
Any information relating to you will be obtained in a discreet manner and stored with a regard for confidentiality and in accordance with our privacy policy. This information will only be shared on an operational basis, necessary to the carrying out of the tasks required and to inform the ships if there are passengers in need of special assistance in case of any emergency.
If you have not contacted us before you travel to alert us of your needs we cannot guarantee you of assistance whilst travelling through our ports and onboard our vessels.
To help us make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible, we need to know your requirements at your earliest convenience, ideally when you make your booking, but no later than two working days before you travel. We will always try our utmost to accommodate all requests for travel with us. Further information is available on our page dedicated to Accessible Travel.
| Ship | Lifts | Toilets | Cabins | Important info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athena Seaways | From deck 3 to deck 5 there are 2 escalators. A lift goes from deck 4 to deck 6 which is suitable for regular sized wheelchairs. | Located in the Reception Area. | 1 Cabin located on Deck 6. | During the sailing, lifts are switched off. To go from the your cabin on deck 6 to deck 5 simply speak to the Guest Service team onboard. |
| Optima Seaways | We have two lifts onboard. One operates between the main deck and Deck 5. One between Deck 5 and Deck 6 which are all suitable for regular sized wheelchairs. | Only available in accessible cabins. | 2 Cabins located on Deck 5. | Deck 6 remains accessible via lift at all times. |
Most public areas including the bars, shop and restaurants are accessible for wheelchair users and guide dogs.
You will be advised via your booking confirmation of your check-in time at the port. Our terminals are accessible friendly and have accessible parking. We can provide wheelchairs in some ports (see the list below) and onboard our vessels with advance notification at the time of booking and where available. Passengers travelling in vehicles can be parked close to a lift and assisted by our crew if required.
Car parking:
Rosslare port has 24-hour parking available within 5 minutes from the building. The port also offers accessible parking closer to the main terminal building, and a pick-up and drop-off zone directly outside the building. The cost of parking ranges depending on how long you’re staying. Website for more information.
Port facilities:
| Terminal/Port | Wheelchair | Adapted Toilets | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rosslare | Yes | Yes | No |
On board DFDS we accept Assistance dogs who are recognised by the Assistance Dogs International, (ADI) and the International Guide Dogs Federation (IDGF) programmes. The above programmes ensure Assistance dogs are specifically trained to assist and support people with a disability.
Please notify our team if you are travelling with an Assistance Dog. You must ensure that the dog complies with the pet travel rules of the country they are travelling to. You will be asked to provide documentation.
There is no fee to bring your Assistance dog onboard and they are allowed in public areas on a harness/lead.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals are not legally recognised by the above organisations in the way that Assistance & Guide dogs currently are. Emotional support animals can travel with us, but they must follow the same rules as pets. Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets
Accessible travel on the Baltic Sea routes
We shall ensure that all relevant information and access conditions are available in appropriate and accessible formats.
For safety reasons we can only cater for up to five wheelchair passengers at once onboard our vessels.
Hearing impairment: If you or a member of your party has a hearing impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. The crew will make sure that you receive any important messages which are broadcasted during the crossing.
Visual impairment: If you or a member of your party has a visual impairment, please mention this when making a reservation and report to the Information Desk when you board the ship. On arrival, our staff will help you to locate the passenger areas and assist wherever possible.
Carriage of Mobility & Medical Assistance: All mobility and medical equipment may be taken into the passenger accommodation or on the vehicle deck. Please notify us of any need to bring mobility and/or medical equipment at the time of booking. You can travel with medical oxygen with written permission from a GP advising that medical oxygen is required. We need to be informed that medical oxygen will potentially be used on the voyage at the time of booking. We can carry a maximum of 6 x size F i.e. up to 60 litres aggregate water capacity.
In order to make your journey with DFDS as comfortable as possible, we need to know any specific needs with regards to accommodation, services required or mobility and/or medical equipment ideally at the time of booking. You can also let us know up to 2 working days before you travel using the contact details below. This will ensure we can have the appropriate assistance in place.
If you would like to contact us, you can do so by visiting our contact page here.
If you have booked through a travel agent or a tour operator you should advise your booking agent that you will require assistance and ask to pass this information on to DFDS.
After assessing your specific requirements, DFDS may require that you are accompanied by an individual that can assist you during the journey. Before making this requirement, we will have a dialogue with you and always consider your wishes. Such an accompanying person shall be carried free of charge.
Once you have contacted us, a note will then be added to your booking which will ensure that where possible your needs are taken into consideration.
Any information relating to you will be obtained in a discreet manner and stored with a regard for confidentiality and in accordance with our privacy policy.
This information will only be shared on an operational basis, necessary to the carrying out of the tasks required and to inform the ships if there are passengers in need of special assistance in case of any emergency.
If you have not contacted us before you travel to alert us of your needs, we cannot guarantee you of assistance whilst travelling through our ports and onboard our vessels.
To help us make your journey as smooth and comfortable as possible, we need to know your requirements at your earliest convenience, ideally when you make your booking, but no later than two working days before you travel. We will always try our utmost to accommodate all requests for travel with us.
Baltic Sea Routes
| Ship | Lifts | Toilets | Cabins* | Important information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura & Luna Seaways | Suitable for regular sized manual wheelchairs. Two lifts. Dimensions: 215 cm x 140 cm, door width 110 cm. |
One located on deck 9. | 2 cabins, located on deck 7. | Restrictions: Two lifts available from deck 3 to deck 11. |
| Athena & Victoria Seaways | Suitable for regular sized manual wheelchairs. One lift. Dimensions: 203 cm x 180 cm, door width 93 cm. |
One Located on deck 5. | One cabin available. | Restrictions: Lift available from deck 4 to deck 6. Escalator can be used between deck 3, 4 and 5. |
| Sirena Seaways | Suitable for regular sized manual wheelchairs. One lift. Dimensions: 170 cm x 165 cm, door width 84 cm. |
Located on deck 8. | Two cabins available. | One elevator available from car decks 6 and 7. |
You will be advised via your booking confirmation of your check-in time at the port. Our terminals are accessible friendly and have accessible parking. We can provide wheelchairs in some ports (see the list below) and onboard our vessels with advance notification at the time of booking and where available. Passengers travelling in vehicles can be parked close to a lift and assisted by our crew if required.
Our ports and terminals have the following facilities for passengers who require additional assistance:
| Terminal/Port | Wheelchair | Adapted Toilets | Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kapellskar | No | Yes | Yes |
| Karlshamn | No | Yes | Yes |
| Klaipeda | No | Yes | Yes |
| Kiel | No | Yes | No |
| Paldiski | No | No | No |
On board DFDS we accept Assistance dogs who are recognised by the Assistance Dogs International, (ADI) and the International Guide Dogs Federation (IDGF) programmes. The above programmes ensure Assistance dogs are specifically trained to assist and support people with a disability.
Please notify our team if you are travelling with an Assistance Dog. You must ensure that the dog complies with the pet travel rules of the country they are travelling to. You will be asked to provide documentation.
There is no fee to bring your Assistance dog onboard and they are allowed in public areas on a harness/lead.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals are not legally recognised by the above organisations in the way that Assistance & Guide dogs currently are. Emotional support animals can travel with us, but they must follow the same rules as pets. Further information is available on our page dedicated to pets
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