Animalcouriers crossed from the Italian port of Brinidisi to Igoumenitsa in Greece on a handsome new ferry, operated by the European Management & Marine Company (EMMC), who are based at Igoumenitsa.
We met Mrs Emmy, who heads up the company’s marketing function — she remembered us from a few years ago when we first started operating our Greek route, and she was working for Hellas Ferries, our Athens agent. She recalled the problems and challenges we faced back then, and we discussed how good and friendly our partnership is today. We have all the right paperwork, and they ask us to source special dog leads and to provide advice from time to time.
EMMC have given us a promotional trip so that we can provide feedback on the service, especially its suitability for people travelling with pets. We’ve been met with nothing but kindness and an eagerness to know how we’re finding the experience and whether there are areas they can improve on. They offered us a reserved spot on the covered open deck, so the sun didn’t beat down on our van roof. There were also electrical points for us to hook up our fans to keep our passengers nice and cool.
It was a sharp — and welcome — contrast to some of the experiences we’ve had, where we’ve met with very negative attitudes when we’ve asked for special services for pets at ports and on boats.

On arriving at Igoumenitsa, we said goodbye to a very exuberant Zelda, who was collected by Christos, brother of Zelda’s owner Orestis.
On the beach at Glyfada we met up with our friend Akis, who runs a pet taxi service. Akis collected Coco, Clifford, Squash and Georgie from us, and looked after them overnight, ready to start the last leg of their journey to Paros this morning.
What a treat – a free ferry boat ride and happy pets..
It was such a pleasure having so many pet-friendly amenities on the ferry. They’ve set the bar high for their competition.
Love the ferry…so happy that things are improving for you and the critters over the years 🙂
Things have certainly come a long way since we started out!
5 star service for both two legged and four legged passengers wouldn’t it be great if all ferries operated in the same way
EMMC have certainly upped the ante on this route now – will be interesting to see if the competition takes action.
Cool looking ferry. Ferries are very foreign to me as a desert boy.
Very cool all round. We’d find desert quite foreign, we’re sure!
I first thought you have my brother Buddy on bord… Zelda could be the cousin :o) I had no clue that modern ferries look really comfy now… wow!
Is Buddy as bouncy? This is the kind of ferry we want all the time now!
What a cool ferry ride, my puppy went over to the UK, flew into Amsterdam and then took a ferry to yorkshire.
So pleased to hear that the pup made it safely – what a big adventure!
Happy to hear you had such a positive experience on the ferry…and WoW…what a ferry it is!!
Hey, nothing but the best for us and our passengers!
Just catching up with you today. Nice ferry! Good to hear they work with you regarding your needs for the animals. Beautiful passengers as always.
We were really rather surprised by the can do attitude and the real interest in our feedback. When ferries run in hot climates it’s very important that pets and animals are a high priority. Delighted with the service.
What a great ferry company! Love the happy pups 🙂
Aren’t they just Marty!
Hope alls going well on the return journey.Sarah
Had a little trouble posting about the return journey but we’ve managed to now. All going very well.
Such a beautiful ferry and amazing shots. Daisy is totally adorable and she looks so much like my little man. 🙁 Have a safe trip. ♥
Daisy is adorable – you must miss your little man very much 🙁
Mee-you Lady Annie can Zelda come play with mee?? Shee iss such a purrty doggie gurl!!!!
An that ferry iss luvley. LadyMum says it iss berry classy!
Wishin efurryone safe sailin… 😉
~~~head rubsss~~~ Siddhartha Henry~~~
You’d have to be very bouncy to keep up with Zelda Siddhartha Henry!
😉 Mee could keep up Lady annie!!
LadyMum sayss mee iss a tornado on four pawss, mew mew mew….