An elderly Douglas couple say they have been unable to book a planned trip to the UK because reduced pet accommodation during the Steam Packet Company's current Manxman disruption means they cannot travel with their dog.

Joe Duffy, who has lived on the Isle of Man with his wife Chris for around 30 years, said the couple had hoped to travel off-island in the coming weeks to visit elderly relatives in the UK.

However, with the Manxman expected to remain out of service until at least the end of September, changes to accommodation on board the Ben-my-Chree - including converting some cabins for staff use - mean they can no longer make the trip.

Mr Duffy said the couple always require a dog cabin because his wife has a disability and their dog becomes distressed if left on the vehicle deck.

‘We've always needed a dog cabin because Tito [the dog] isn't happy in a car,’ he said.

‘If the workers for the Steam Packet have to wear earmuffs when they're working on the car decks, then how is it for dogs? Dogs have got far more sensitive hearing.’

Mr Duffy said he contacted the Steam Packet before making any travel arrangements to establish what options were available.

‘We were planning to have a holiday off-island over the next few weeks,’ he said. ‘But before we started to look, I said, “I need to just establish what the rules of the game are before I make any bookings.”’

He said he was told no dog cabins were available and that dogs would not be allowed in passenger seating areas.

He added that the company had made different arrangements during previous periods of disruption.

‘When they had the Manannan and the Ben, when the Ben went out of service they used to section off a portion of the front area of the fast craft for dog people,’ he said.

‘So they could do that now. It is obviously practicable and capable of being done if they've done it before.’

Asked whether it was possible for the couple to travel on the fast craft now, Mr Duffy said the current arrangements presented practical difficulties because of his wife's mobility needs.

‘I would have to go in the dog lounge and she would have to sit in a normal seat,’ he said.

‘I'd have to be available to wheel her to the disabled toilet when she needs to go, while also having Tito - it just becomes a little bit difficult to handle.’

The couple, both in their 80s, said they travel to the UK to visit elderly family members.

Reflecting on how travelling with a pet has changed over the years, Mr Duffy added: ‘We feel, as dog owners, that life has got worse for us since living on the Isle of Man, not better.’

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has previously apologised for disruption caused by Manxman's extended absence from service and says it continues to work to minimise the impact on passengers.