There's confusion among Jersey pet owners around booking their summer sailings to the UK.

It's the first day islanders can book DFDS' boat trips from the end of March, when the Danish ferry firm officially takes over as Jersey's operator. 

However, unlike the sailings dog and cat owners have experienced under Condor, aboard DFDS' crossing to Portsmouth pets can no longer be kept in the car overnight on the slow ferry.

The DFDS website says: Portsmouth - St Helier Jersey: Pets cannot stay in the vehicle during the sailing.

Passengers with animals can book a 'pet-friendly cabin' for a maximum of two cats or two dogs. On the first sailing of the new service they were being advertised at £82 for a sea view and £70 without.

Four pet-friendly cabins -  all of which sleep two people - are available on the crossing.

The alternative (for dogs only) is booking into a pet-friendly lounge, for a maximum of eight dogs.

Jersey Route Director Chris Parker tells us why there's been a change:

"It is a long crossing, a12-hour crossing, so there is an element of safety we need to consider for the dogs. We do have pet cabins on the overnight ferry where we would rather the dogs be because they will be much more comfortable and with their owners.

"We feel that is better. Whether its something we can review, I don't know, we can have a look at it. But really - the welfare of animals is really key.

"The last thing we want is for dogs to become unwell or distressed."

This new arrangement poses a problem for Jersey dog showjumper Andre Rees. He told Channel 103:

"There's quite a few people that do compete over here that go the UK. We often go on the night boat and we often have more than two dogs. 

"So getting a cabin is out of the question because you're only allowed two dogs in the cabin. I'm going in the end of March on Condor before it finishes so I'll be able to go to the UK.

"But I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get back (on a DFDS boat) as I've got three dogs."

Andre Rees and one of his first-prize pups

Another difference islanders have noticed is that, unlike on Condor Ferries, you can't book outbound to Portsmouth and inbound from Poole on a single booking.

A return from Jersey to Portsmouth for one person and a car departing on the first day of DFDS travel (28 March) and returning the day after is £73.80 each way. To go out to Portsmouth as a single ticket is £82 to Portsmouth, and £112 back the next day from Poole. 

Chris Parker said he would talk to the team about this and find out if it is a 'restriction of the system' or 'glitch'.

He also told Channel 103 he would 'look into' introducing the included breakfasts islanders are used to when they take the overnight ferry. 

In terms of pricing, people who have made bookings so far have commented on social media that fares are comparable to that which is offered by the current operator, Condor Ferries. 

DFDS currently has a 10% discount on bookings made until 27 March.

However, it has been noted that St Malo day-trip pricing has not yet been released on the website. Islanders can still book their trips to France, but not at the reduced price they might be used to.

Chris Parker said: "We want to offer day trips, we will be offering day trips but we haven't got the day trip product live on the website just yet. So although people can book a trip out and back on the same day, its not getting that lower day trip fare they are expecting.

"We will get that product up and running as soon as we possibly can. If anybody has booked a return trip, expecting a day trip and has booked that higher price before we launch this as a lower price product, of course if they get in touch with us, we will look at it and we will refund the difference."