Questions about Popular questions

We monitor changing weather conditions carefully to minimise any impact on our services.

Our Captains have many years of experience in navigating all kinds of weather and we do all we can to keep to our timetable, but we will always prioritise the safety of our passengers and staff.

Many factors can affect crossings including wind direction and speed, wave heights and thick fog which reduces visibility, as well as unexpected high or low atmospheric pressure which can cause higher or lower tides than predicted,

We may amend our services in advance to avoid disruption, although the weather forecast may not turn out to be as extreme on the day.

Despite the unpredictable nature of the weather, we continue to operate as one of the most reliable services to and from the Isle of Wight.

All Wightlink vessels are pet friendly, allow pets to travel for free and don’t need to be booked in advance. We do ask that all pets are secured in a suitable container or restrained in an appropriate way at all times. We would prefer that pets remain in vehicles with suitable water and ventilation but understand if this is not always possible.

We have pet friendly areas that are clearly marked, and these are to be used by all passengers travelling with pets and emotional support dogs. If you’re seated in a Pet Free area, our teams will direct you to the pet Friendly Area.

For the comfort and convenience of other passengers no pets are allowed on any of our seats.

Pets are not allowed in any of our retail outlets.

Owners are responsible for ensuring all pets are well behaved on board and all toilets accidents are the owner’s responsibility to clean up. If you require cleaning materials, please use our pet cleaning station or speak to a member of staff for help.

If you don’t clean up after your pet, we may charge you a £50 cleaning fee.

For more information on travelling with your pet, please click here.

Registered guide dogs are permitted in all passenger lounges and retail outlets.

If you’re travelling by foot you need to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled sailing with a valid ticket. If you have a Disabled or Accessible Travel foot ticket you will need to arrive 30 minutes before your sailing.

If you’re driving, you need to arrive at the port between 30 and 60 minutes before your scheduled sailing, even if we are experiencing delays.

If you have a Wightlink Pass of any type or have a discounted ticket you need to make sure you have photo ID available if requested.

If you need to amend your sailing for any reason, it’s easy to do.

You can change your booking online, by using the Wightlink App, by calling our Contact Centre or by visiting our Customer Service Point at the port up to an hour before your sailing time. Standard tickets are free to amend.

Economy tickets can be amended online or by using the Wightlink App with a £15.00 amendment fee and a £25.00 amendment fee using our Contact Centre or Customer Service Point at the port.

If you change your sailing time or travel details, then the new booking may cost more than your original Standard or Economy ticket. Any increase in cost must be paid when you change your booking.

If you’ve booked your travel through a holiday provider, you must contact them directly to make any changes to your booking. However, if it is less than two hours till your sailing and your holiday provider is not available then we will do our best to help.

Any requested change is subject to space being available and the booking restrictions of your ticket.

Late arrivals will be required to amend to an alternative sailing time and payment for any resulting increase in costs, and any amendment fees, will be required before your sailing time.

If you are en route and think you might miss your sailing let us know, if it is safe to do so, at least one hour before your scheduled sailing time and we may be able to amend your booking for you. Amendment fees may apply and must be paid at the time of amending.

Late arrivals travelling by foot can still travel on an alternate sailing if it’s on the same route and same day subject to availability/ should you wish to travel on a subsequent day or there is no availability on the scheduled day, you will need to buy a new ticket.

It’s really easy. When you arrive, our staff will ask for your ticket. Simply show your ticket from either your mobile phone, or a printed ticket and we’ll check you in. If you don’t have these to hand you can quote the booking reference number instead.

Now your journey begins!

If you’re in a vehicle our staff will direct to you to the correct lane to wait to board the ferry. It may take a while before you’re loaded. We always have a mixture of cars, vans, coaches and freight. It’s like fitting a jigsaw together and that’s why it’s important to arrive on time. Check out our travelling by car page for more information.

If you’re on foot simply wait in the seating area for our staff to check in your ticket, then they’ll advise you when you can board the vessel. Check out our travelling as a foot passenger page for more information.