How you can travel with your pets in cabins on the Spirit of Tassie: Check out the cabins and kennels

Hounds will be all aboard on the Spirit of Tasmania’s new ships, with pet-friendly cabins, top notch kennels and even an outdoor exercise area — with high hopes the move will be a howling success.

After taking to the skies, dogs are taking to seas — and their accommodation won’t be half ruff.

Pooches will be welcome in cabins aboard Spirit of Tasmania’s two new ships, in a move the Bass Strait ferry line says acknowledges the growing trend of “cherished” pets travelling with their owners.

The new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V ships will each offer 18 dog-friendly cabins, as well as a secure, climate-controlled pet housing area, with a range of kennels to accommodate hounds of all breeds, shapes and sizes.

Rufus the poodle is ready to travel on the Spirit of Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A render of the new dog-friendly cabins coming to the Spirit of Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

The deck seven kennel area will only be accessible to crew and pet owners during the journey, with new technology ensuring only the owners are able to unlock their dog’s kennel.

It will also be fitted with CCTV video surveillance, with owners’ able to visit their pets during the journey between Geelong and Devonport.

The long-awaited new ships will also feature a designated outdoor area where passengers who are cosying up with their canine companions in a cabin can take Fido out, on a lead, for some sea air and to stretch their legs (as well as do other doggie business) if and when required.

Passengers must provide their own pet’s bedding.

The new kennel area on the Spirit of Tasmania’s new ships. Picture: Supplied

The Spirit of Tasmania passes Point Lonsdale Pier. Picture: Alan Barber

Spirit of Tasmania chief Bernard Dwyer said pets were “cherished members of the family” and many passengers had indicated they wanted to travel and holiday with their dogs or other pets.

“We have listened to the feedback from pet owners who want to travel with us and their pets, to make sure our new ships cater for all types of pets and provide more options for owners,” Mr Dwyer said.

The new ships are due to start sailing across Bass Strait in 2025.

Bookings for the pet cabins will open when the sailing schedule for the first of the ships, Spirit of Tasmania IV, is finalised.

The move comes after Virgin Australia announced in March it was set to become the first airline in the country to allow pets in cabins on domestic flights.

The change is set to come into effect next year, following regulatory approval.

While pets will have to remain in their approved carriers for the entire flight, many pet owners have said they are relieved their furry friends will no longer have to be transported in plane cargo areas.

Swinburne tourism expert Dr Ryan Jopp said the travel industry was increasingly embracing pet-friendly services because it increased customer loyalty and satisfaction.

But he warned some people, including those with allergies or scared of dogs, would think the idea was a howler.

Some pets, too, may not love the idea of sky or sea travel, becoming anxious or nauseous, “leading to less than ideal outcomes for everyone”, he said.