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Alaskas Inside Passage vessel, Delayed

Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:22:00 -0800

Late Evening Ferry Sailing Update from AMHS: 08 August, 2025

The M/V Columbia is experiencing a delay in its departure from Bellingham and is now scheduled to depart early Saturday morning, August 9. This delay will significantly affect port call times throughout the following week and will include a cancellation of the Skagway stop.
The delay is due to an issue with readings on the starboard main engine. These readings triggered an automatic engine shutdown while the vessel was underway 8/7. Upon inspection, a faulty wire was identified and reinsulated, which tentatively resolved the issue.
As a precautionary measure, a second technical representative will join the vessel to monitor and troubleshoot during the upcoming voyage, ensuring the issue has been fully resolved. The delayed departure is necessary to accommodate the technicianâ€™s arrival in early Bellingham Saturday morning.

The Columbia will now be departing:
Haines to Bellingham at 3:00 pm instead of 6:15 am on 12th ofAugust
Check in for this sailing will be 1:00 pm.
If booked on this sailing but are unable to make it or, this sailing time change does not work with your travel plans, or, if preferring a different sailing, please call at 907-766-2111 EXT 3 and we can cancel this booking for you with zero penalty or move you to a sailing that fits with your plans.

Delays Continue on Both the Cross-Gulf and BC to Alaska Ferries

Wed, 21 May 2025 14:18:00 -0800

Update on Alaska Marine Ferries to Whittier and to Prince Rupert

2025 will unfortunately see no Alaska ferries sailing between Juneau and Whittier, nor any ferry service between Ketchikan & Prince Rupert BC

The cancellation of those routes by Alaska Marine began during COVID when the state system lost a number of their mariners to other jobs.

In addition to the loss of crew however, the statesâ€™ ocean certified ship remains in dry dock awaiting generator upgrades

Alaska Marine is working hard to find qualified mariners to rectify the crew issue & has advised that they see the cancellation of these two popular routes as only a temporary measure.

While the cross-gulf ferry is in dry dock, travellers using the Inside Passage sailings to access Alaska from the Lower 48, need to be aware that on disembarking in Haines AK in anticipation of driving on to Anchorage, Fairbanks etc, will require a current passport for everyone 18+ years old.

This is because the AlCan Hwy from Haines dips into Canada on the way to South Central Alaska .

There is currently no way to drive or ferry to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Whittier etc without travelling through Canada.

Big Savings Offered by BC Ferries

Wed, 21 May 2025 13:50:00 -0800

Yippee - BC Ferries Is Offering Special Discounts

BC ferries has introduced two terrific "Over-Height & Over-Length Fares" for vehicles over 7â€™ high & over 20' long.

That means campers, RVâ€™s & vehicles pulling trailers can all save $$$ when sailing between Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Be aware however that any discounts must be made in advance & must be made online.

The discounts are offered on specific sailings ( usually late night and early morning) & apply to the routes between Vancouver - Victoria ( Tsawwassen & Swartz Bay terminals ), and Vancouver - Nanaimo (Tsawwassen & Duke Point terminals).

The savings are offered in both Vancouver mainland - Vancouver Island directions.

Important Note: Be sure to book any desired sailings as far in advance of the desired travel date as soon as possible because space, not only during holiday periods but year-round, is in heavy demand on those important routes.

BC Ferries has determined that by providing discounts mid-week; on selected weekend sailings, & on early morning and later evening sailings, travellers with flexible schedules can enjoy a bit of fare relief.

BC Ferry Essentials: Everything you need to know before you set sail

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 06:36:00 -0800

BC Ferry Essentials: Everything you need to know before you set sail

Serving the needs of visitors and coastal residents in British Columbia, BC Ferries is a publicly owned company which changed from a crown corporation in 2003 to an independently managed company.

Having begun operation under the eye of WAC Bennett, leader of the BC SOCRED government in 1958, BC Ferries is today the second largest ferry system in the world.

In 2003 the corporation moved from a government owned Crown Corporation to a regulated, independent company falling under under the Companies Act.

Because BC Ferries connects the mainland to the provincesâ€™ capital in Victoria on Vancouver Island, it is considered to be an extension of the Trans Canada Hwy: a highway that runs the length of the country from the east coast in Halifax, to the west coast in Victoria.

Since its conception in 1958 and the start of operation in 1960, BC Ferries has moved from a two ship operation to a company with more than 45 ships. Some of those ferries carry only passengers, but on most of the 25 routes passenger/vehicle ferry service is provided.

Where in the early 1960s the ferries serving BC carried some 1,600 passengers, they now move over 22 million passengers and approximately 8 million vehicles annually.

With todayâ€™s numbers, it is important to note that it is now absolutely essential to plan any BC ferry travel early, and to know that there are choice as to how to secure tickets.

One can buy BC Ferry tickets online through either any one of several sites, or a BC Ferries ticket booking can be completed by phone.

1-800-686-0446 enables BC Ferries ticket purchases for the longer northern routes like Port Hardy & Prince Rupert.
250-381-1401 is the number for the Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Gulf Island bookings.

The most important thing to remember to avoid any disappoint from a finding your desired sailing in a sold-out position, is to buy BC ferries tickets in advance. This can be done online or by phone.

BC ferry routes to book in advance

Perhaps the most important of the BC ferry routes to book in advance are the Northern routes.

This would include BC Ferries to Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Shearwater, Bella Bella & Bella Cola. Each of these northern sailings provide the best views on the BC Ferry routes.

This, especially between June & September, has one travelling through pristine waters where whales, dolphins and numerous sea birds are a common sight. The islands with their spectacular 1st growth forests, the rugged coastline all contribute to a photographer's dream.

The BC Ferries routes and schedules for the Discovery Coast passage are determined and published 2 times a year but the pretty much follow a historical pattern with the summer sailings departing in the early morning and the winter sailings departing later in the day.

The most heavily used of the ferry routes

The most heavily used of the ferry routes are those connecting the Vancouver mainland to Vancouver Island.

There are 2 terminals in Vancouver & 4 terminals (to the Vancouver Island side):

The Tsawwassen terminal, which is the closest to the US border, provides ferry transportation from the mainland to either Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, or just south of Nanaimo, at Duke Point.
The Tsawwassen terminal sailings to Victoria travel through the Gulf Islands and this is undoubtedly one of the most scenic 90-minute ferry trips anywhere in the world.

Whales, sea birds, close-up views of Gulf Island resident homes, coupled with the BC Ferries onboard amenities, all contribute to what amounts to a mini cruise.

The second Vancouver terminal is located in Horseshoe Bay, in West Vancouver. Ferries sailing from the Horseshoe Bay terminal deliver passengers & vehicles to Departure Bay which is located just north of Nanaimo.

BC Ferries reservations for Vancouver Island sell out year-round for most sailings. Fortunately, as there are some 18 Tsawwassen sailings per day starting at 7:00 AM & ending at 9:00 PM in the summer months, and provided one buys their BC ferries tickets in advance, travelling is easy.

Buying advance BC Ferries tickets is important because nothing is as discouraging as sitting in one of the terminal parking lots watching as ferry after ferry after ferry sails away without you.

Cheap BC Ferries Tickets

Occasionally, and at specific times, Vancouver - Vancouver Island â€œfare saver ferry ticketsâ€ are available provided the booking is made in advance.

These cheap BC Ferries tickets start at $15 for a foot passenger and can be as low as $49 for a car and driver. To secure up-to-date information on the schedules for these â€œfare saverâ€ trips, call BC Ferries at 250-381-1401.

Note: Discounted fares are only for Vancouver - Vancouver Island sailings, never for the BC Ferries Prince Rupert-Port Hardy sailings.

Parking lot and boarding tips

If not taking a vehicle on one of the BC Ferries but instead walking on, there is seldom need to pre-book a ticket (except on the Northern routes where booking as either a foot passenger or as a passenger with a vehicle, is essential).

Whether travelling with a vehicle or on foot, the check-in time is typically 1 hour prior to sailing, and there are both waiting rooms and usually cafes, in all major terminals.

Vehicles with reservations are loaded on a first-come basis, which means if those travellers with reservations take up all available space on the ferry, anyone without a reservation must wait until there is a ferry with unbooked space available. This might not be the next ferry, or the next, or even the nextâ€”which is why BC Ferries reservations for and from Vancouver Island, in particular, are so important.

For those travelling as foot passengers, there are parking lots located at or near the major BC Ferries terminals.

It should be noted, however, that terminal parking at about $20 for 24 hours & $10 for every 12 hours after the first 24, can become quite expensive.

BC Ferries Travel Tips for First-Time Riders

BC Ferries ships are very stable and in wanting to ensure their passengers have a positive onboard experience, it is rare for anyone onboard a BC ferry to get seasick.

High winds and stormy seas combined with perhaps an overabundance of caution will often prompt ferry delays or cancellations because BC Ferries want to ensure that riders have the most positive experience possible.

The mainland route ferries (Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo) all have full-service cafeterias offering everything from salads to hamburgers to food bowls to seafood platters.

There are also onboard â€œnewsstandsâ€ selling everything from childrenâ€™s â€œsea-focusedâ€ toys to hand creams, souvenirs, chocolates, snacks, as well as some superb clothing.

Transporting Vehicles to Alaska

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:24:00 -0800

Just Imagine An Easier Move: Ferry ? Barge? Plane? A Combination?

Well in truth, no move is easy: it's rarely fun and itâ€™s almost always, stressful.

Decisions about what to do with Grandmamas old rocking chairâ€¦.take it? leave it ?

Whatâ€™s the right answer ?

Itâ€™s been in the family for 2 generations, but actually looks like its been well used by five generations.

New home, new city, new job, new friends - so much much to consider and time is running shortâ€¦ what to do?

Well, while we canâ€™t decide what it might that you should take, or leave or to store, we can sympathize.

And importantly, we can help with any transportations needs if they involve sea travel.

Ferries from Bellingham travel each week up the Inside Passage stopping at the Islands of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines and Skagway.

The Alaska ferries operate year-round and take both foot passengers and vehicles measuring up to seventy (70â€™) long and 12-1/2 feet high.

The ferry doors are 13â€™ high but the ships take into consideration the tides, so always call 1-800-686-0446 if unsure your vehicle will fit.

If you donâ€™t like sea travel, no problem because you can also transport you vehicle/s by barge.

Barges typically carry cars, trucks, trailers, RVs and even boats, between Alaska & the Lower 48.

The barges from Seattle stop to pick up and drop off vehicles in every port along the Inside Passage - Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines, & Skagway. And they make this journey 2x a week, every week, year-round.

In addition to serving the islands along the Inside Passage, barges from Seattle to Anchorage and Fairbanks also travel every week, year-round.

The beauty of barging is that barges are typically on schedule, and their sailing dates are rarely cancelled.

This is reassuring if relocating during the winter months !

And the bonus is that as long as there is a 360Â° view from the drivers seat, & the vehicle being transported has no more that 1/4 tank of gas, they can be loaded with all your treasures. Yep - even Grandmamas old rocking chair !

A big question is always about weapons. As long as the chambers are empty & the guns are locked, they can be transported in your vehicle travelling to Alaska on a barge.

So let's talk a little more about barges.

They make any winter move to or from Alaska easier because they remove both the stress of a long, sometimes difficult drive and, they eliminate the often considerable wear & tear on any vehicle driving the AlCan in nasty weather.

In choosing to barge a vehicle to Alaska and to fly instead of driving, any worries about needing to have a current passport for getting through Canadian customs are removed.

Any worries about having had a skirmish with the law in ones' youth, or having a DUI charge left over from University, is eliminated.

If barging to Alaska you just need to hop on a plane, get settled in your new home, & wait for the call saying the barge with your vehicle has arrived. Easy Peasy.

So whether PCSing, moving to a new job, retiring, or simply unable or unwilling to pass through Canada, barging might not make the move exactly easy, but it will certainly make it considerably easier.

Ferry Operators Donâ€™t Have An Easy Job

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 12:23:00 -0800

BC Ferries Shares Exciting News.

When the ships are late, ferry passengers waiting to board get angry.

When ferries experiences unexpected mechanical issues & are delayed or pulled from service, the passengers with ferry reservations booked, get angry.

When a ship is tired and needs to be retired or replaced, taxpayers get angry.

To offset all this anger, and with an eye to the future, BC Ferries has researched and is now in the process of not only upgrading a couple of the traditional â€œoldies but goodies,â€ but getting ready to build 5 new ferries with all the technological advantages.

The 43 year old C-class Ro/Ro Queen of Oak Bay which serves the Vancouver - Nanaimo ferry route is scheduled for an upgrade.
And so too, is the double ended Queen of Surrey which serves as the main Vancouver- Sunshine Coat ferry.

In addition to the â€œoldie but goodyâ€ upgrades, BC ferry passengers can look forward to travelling on new clean & quiet, energy efficient and environmentally sustainable double-ended ferries that in size, will be amongst the largest in the world.

The call for RFPs has gone out and the responses are being waited for & weighed so that budget approvals can be had from the BC Ferries Commissioner.

Once budgets are secured, travellers taking ferries along the BC coast in the future can look forward to boarding and travelling on hybrid vessels that are not only more fuel efficient, but involve less maintenance.

When fuel consumption is improved and when less maintenance is required, costs go down, the pressure on fare increases is reduced, the ferries are on time more often, and passengers are much happier.

So far, no Northern Route ferry to Prince Rupert nor the ferry to Port Hardy are scheduled to be replaced, but the ferry world is changing - so watch for any chatter and ferry updates on the spectacular Norther Route

Thank you BC Ferries !

As Bad Weather Approaches, KIS

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 10:28:00 -0800

Thereâ€™s An Acronym Known As KIS*â€¦..So What ? You Say.

Well, if youâ€™re smart & are unexpectedly (or maybe expectedly) faced with a move between October & March to or from Alaska, it might, just might be smart to consider letting us barge your vehicle to Alaska. Barges to & from Alaska, unlike ferrie are never cancelled & they are rarely delayed.

Instead of fighting shortened daylight hrs, icy road conditions & a long, long, long cold drive, before having to go through the Canadian border where you may, depending on the agent, have to wait while your vehicle is checked for weapons or fruit or whatever might be in contravention of the custom regulationâ€¦..Just KIS*.

Bad weather forces one to not only be an extra diligent driver, but to put aside the urge to see how quickly getting from A to B can be achieved.

With the temptation to make that ALCAN winter drive, just consider the motto of the Boy Scouts & Girl Guides: â€œBe Preparedâ€. You can certainly drive it - but be prepared.

Driving in bad weather is always stressful & in the colder climes like northern BC & Alaska, it's not much fun.

So one answer is just KIS* ( Keep It Simple)

In staying with the KIS theme, itâ€™s helpful to know that if choosing to send your vehicle by barge to Alaska, one can fully pack the vehicle (including those favourite treasures) and as long as there is 360 degree visibility from the drivers seat and no more than 1/4 tank of gas, we can KIS by loading your vehicle onto a barge and delivering it safely & efficiently to any one of several coastal barge terminals: North, South, East or West.

Depending on where the vehicle is travelling from & to, the barge will take between 3 days to 2-1/2 weeks.

Think about relaxing as we take over the driving & send your vehicle by barge to Seattle, Anchorage, or Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau or Skagway.

Barges deliver to most Alaska ports which enable us and you, to KIS.

That's Pretty Rude

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 11:30:00 -0800

BC Ferries Gives Pre-Paid Reservation Ticket To Wrong Passenger.

Mistakes happen, but when they involve transportation tickets, a mistake can be not only costly, but serious on a number of levels.

Recently a passenger heading home to the Sunshine Coast tried to claim her pre-paid reservation ticket at a BC Ferry terminal only to be told that the reservation had already been claimed.

Long story short, the lady was made to pay for another ticket & then made to prove through an email to customer relations, that she had now paid twice for her ferry ride.

Mistakes happen, but the it is the responsibility of every company, no matter the size, to ensure customers are taken care of quickly efficiently and politely.

While this "ticket error issue" was eventually resolved, the passenger had had to spend time chasing a resolution in order to claim her not insignificant credit for the double payment .

This is pretty rude as one would think the onus for that mistake, & the subsequent follow-up on the issue, should fall on the shoulders of the customer relations department ?

So a word of caution.

When making a ferry reservation - ensure that the toll-booth agent double checks not only your name but secondary ID like your email address or ph number.

That way, the attendant can know that they are giving the ticket to the correct passenger (eg Joe William Blow & not to Joe Harry Blow), and the upcoming trip can be both relaxing & fully enjoyed.

Tragic Wildfire Decimates 30% of Jasper

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 11:51:00 -0800

Jasper Alberta Remains Closed.

As of August 25 2024, Jasper National Park and the township of Jasper remain closed to all but residents and business owners as the popular area tries to recover from the devastating lightning fire that began around 7:00 PM on the evening of July 22.

It is guessed that the fire that tore through the townsite burning between 30- 50% of the towns' buildings resulted from the drought like conditions being ignited by lightning.

Residents and visitors were advised only around 2 hrs later....around 9:00PM, that the fire was out of control and evacuations might become necessary. This proved true as an evacuation order covering the town and park was sent out at 10PM.

The fire which raged through almost 123 square miles, caused not only the Park & town, but Highway 16 to be closed.

While Hwy 16 has now been reopened, Lake Annette, Lake Edith Road, & Old Fort Point Road are closed.

For more information on access to or through the park, township and surrounding areas, go to parks.canada.ca.

BC Ferries Passenger Reports Troubled Humpback Whale

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 11:56:00 -0800

Fisheries Rescue Distressed Humpback:

A BC Ferries passenger called Fisheries & Oceans this week to report a Humpback whale caught up in fishing gear.

Trailing more than 50 meters of line, the whale was eventually spotted off Texada Island and fisheries began the task of freeing the distressed mammal.

Over the last few years there have been hundreds of humpbacks travelling the Salish Sea and sadly entanglements are all to common.

Earlier this year, and near San Juan Island, a humpback calf was spotted with its mother.

Typically humpbacks are born in the warmer waters of Mexico & the Hawaiian Islands and then return to the northwest in the fall to feed on the smaller fish & crustaceans.

Catching A Ferry To Alaska With an RV or Passenger Truck & Trailer ?

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 13:24:00 -0800

Alaska Ferry Frustration ?

Planning a trip to Alaska with what is classified as an â€œoversizedâ€ vehicle can lead to frustration and even a headache.

But guess what ?- that doesnâ€™t need to be !

If using ferrytravel.com you wont even need to take an Aspirin!

Just go to the Home Page and fill in what it is you want to book or simply get the cost for.

Quick Tip: if pulling something behind your RV or if you have truck pulling a boat /trailer or anything, you still choose 1 Vehicle.

On the next page enter when it is you hope to travel ( remember some ferries often sell out of vehicle space months in advance)

It is on this 2nd page that you enter what you need for deck space.
The widget asks for the total number of feet, from the front bumper of whatever you are driving to the back bumper of any tow.
The accurate answer to these questions is needed so that two things can be checked.

If there is enough deck space for your vehicle/s
The cost charged for the trip based on the deck space, number of people in the party and cabin space â€¦ if a cabin, which is optional, is requested.

Pretty simple .. but if you need help, we are happy to helpâ€¦ either by e-mail or phone.

If emailing always include your phone number # as we love to chat with ferry travellers

If by by phone at, 1-800-686-0446, please speak clearly

Winter Sailing Schedule for Alaska Ferries

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 22:05:00 -0800

Coming Soon To A Port Near You

Sounds a bit like the announcement of a long anticipated movie, but it's more exciting !
Well, more exciting if one is planning a fall /winter ferry holiday, or a move to Alaska from the Lower 48.

The ferry schedules for October 2024 through and inclusive of April 2025 are expected to be released & posted on ferrytravel.com in the next 2 weeks.
Given that all vehicle & cabin space on the sailings both North (from Bellingham WA ) & South ( from Haines AK) have been sold out for weeks, this is great news.

Sadly however, it is not anticipated that the popular Prince Rupert to Ketchikan ferry route will be reinstated until 2025: nor the cross-gulf route between Juneau & Whittier which enables travellers to bypass Canada .

The State of Alaska is however cognizant of the demand for the return of those popular ferry routes, & the department of transport has been working to secure enough crew to once again return those crossings to the regular schedules.

In the mean time, always remember that barges sail from Washington each week, year-round making it always possible to ensure sea transportation for vehicles between the Lower 48 and Alaska.

Twice each week the barges sail north and south along the Inside Passage to serve the ports of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines and Skagway.

Once a week year-round, barges ply the waters to transport vehicles between Seattle, Anchorage & Fairbanks and like the ferries, can be booked on ferrytravel.com.

Remember it's always a good idea to put ferrytravel.com into your favourites so that if you suddenly decide you want or need a ferry trip â€¦ whether in North America or in Europe, you simply need to go to your favourites, click on PORTS in the blue header and there it is .... information on ferries around the globe at your fingertips.

Happy planning & if travelling, Bon Voyage

And The Transportation Winners Are ...... Ferries !

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 17:16:00 -0800

Take A Ferry to France for the 2024 Olympics

Once every 4 years, athletes from around the globe travel to compete in the Olympic Games: and this year "The Games" will take place in France.

Commencing on July 26 & running through August 11th when the Paralympic Games begin, France expects to welcome some 11.5 million tourists.

And to help move those visitors to & from France, there will be some 118 daily ferry sailings.

In addition to the tourists, there are reported to be some 10,500 athletes, 45,000 volunteers & 20,000 journalists who will look after the 35 venues spread throughout the country (including Tahiti & French Polynesia).

Part of the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony will be held on the water with more than 10,000 athletes expected to be on boats cruising the River Sein.

In keeping with this water theme, perhaps the best, most relaxing and lest crowded way to travel to the Olympics, might be by taking a ferry to France?

Because of the countriesâ€™ proximity to the sea, there are a multitude of ferry routes - all of which are reservable from the drop-down menu in the blue header at the top of the Home Page on The FerryTraveller site.

Bookings on FerryTravel.com are made in real-time, and one can compare and choose the prices & sailing times that best fit their needs, from the presented page.

Just some of the Fifteen ferry operators sailing to France are noted below.

All 15 however, can be found on FerryTravel.com under the header PORTS, then Ferries to France.

From England there are ferries to France departing from Dover; Folkstone, Guernsey, Jersey, Portsmouth, Newhaven, Plymouth & Poole

From Ireland, the sailings depart from Dublin, Cork & Rosslaire, and the ferries from Spain to France include departures from Mallorca to Toulon & Sete.

Whichever route or form of transportation chosen to visit the 2024 games - enjoy all that France has to offer.

And remember, the French claim that if a baguette is more than 6 hrs old, it is not no longer fit to eat !

So shop early, enjoy the culinary delights that so much a part of French life, & then relax while riding a ferry home.

Bon Appetite & travel safe.

Military Personnel Travelling To or From Alaska By Sea

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0800

Nine Military Bases In Alaska Mean the MIlitary Is Often On the Move

Sometimes the move orders come through just a little to late too enable the booking of a ferry from Alaska.

Youâ€™e been enjoying the State of Alaska for the last few years, and suddenly the orders come through and you only have a few weeks to gather the family, pack your possessions and report for duty in another state; or perhaps even overseas.

Getting a vehicle out of Alaska during the summer can be tricky because normally the ferries to and from Alaska are booked months in advance and sell out of space quickly..

Now youâ€™re faced with 2 alternatives: the long drive through Canada to the Lower 48, or barging your vehicle/s into Seattle.

Barging is extremely popular because one can pack & load their possessions, including any weapons (chambers empty) into their vehicle and leave the "driving" to us.

When the vehicle arrives in Seattle it has already been organized for the continuation of the trip & is ready to go.

Because barges do not take passengers, one can sit back, relax and enjoy the flight from the 49th state before setting off to a new post providing new experiences.

Alaska Airlines often runs specials on their early morning flights and they are significantly less expensive than those flights departing later in the day. Always check competitive airlines as they may do the same.

PCSing is always exciting, but like any move anywhere it can be a bit stressful.

Our job, if anyone is using a ferry or barge, is to try and make the transportation part of a move as easy & worry free as possible.

To do that, FerryTravel.com has been designed to try and ensure all the information needed to take care of the sea portion of any trip, is straight forward & easily accessible .

Details on the port stops, sailing times & onboard accommodations, whether travelling in North America or overseas, are all available at the touch of a keyboard.

We donâ€™t collect or share data so one never has to provide their names or personal information simply to get a price.

Vehicle details (make, model, length and height), number of passengers in the party plus everyones ages (so that any applicable discounts can be automatically applied) are all that are necessary to deliver the best fare available.

Sites requiring the disclosure of personal information ( name, contact details etc) before providing the requested information, may well be data collecting.

And if you have any difficulty in using FerryTravel.com we are here to help through either e-mail at info@ferrytravel.com, or by phone at 1-800-686-0446.

(Outside N, America call 1-604-733-9113)

Travel safe & although we might not say it enough - Thank - You for your service

Moving by Barge to Alaska Is Easy

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 17:28:00 -0800

Moving From Bellingham to Alaska ? â€¦.. or Visa Versa ?

Did you know that if you canâ€™t get your vehicle on the ferry to Alaska from Bellingham this summer because the vehicle space on the ferry sailing you want is sold out ? - DONâ€™T WORRY !

And DONâ€™T WORRY if, or whatever reason, you canâ€™t, or donâ€™t want to go thorough Canada.

Not a problem.

If you are moving so can wait a few days for your vehicle, we can barge it from Seattle to Ketchikan, or Wrangle, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines or Skagway.

And the 1st few morning flights on Alaska Airlines (because barges do not take any passengers), seem to be around $110. Not so bad.

It will take only 3 days to get your vehicle up the Inside passage and the barges depart of every week, year-round.

Click on the drop down menu on ferrytravel.com & choose Seattle Barge to ???- wherever

We can also pop your car, truck or RV onto a barge from Anchorage or Fairbanks.

You can load up your vehicle with household goods & we only need to be able to see out the windows. So no worries about having to separately ship your treasures or leave behind your weapons. ( just make sure gun chambers are empty )

Everything can go into your vehicle

No driving - just drop your vehicle off in Seattle or any of the Alaskan ports and let us take care of the rest

Ferry Travel is The Best Way to See The Inside Passage

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:45:00 -0800

Where Do You Want To Go ?

If planning ferry travel in the USA, or perhaps between Canada & the United States; or England & France or in Ireland, Greece & Italy, or even if planning too use one of the ferries between Denmark & Sweden, you only need toclick on www.ferrytravel.com and from the blue menu bar at the top of any page, click on PORTS

Making practically any ferry reservation for any sailing in North American, Britain, France, Finland, Holland, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Sweden or Spain quickly, easily and safely, has never been easier. (Over 58,992 Trust Pilot reviews attest to this)

You can now look at, play with, and even book your ferry trip in the middle of the night, at high noon,k or at whatever time of day you feel like planning a holiday, or securing transportation for a move that involves using a ferry.

We didnâ€™t facilitate this extraordinary ferry information/reservation ability ourselves - it is a huge undertaking and every operator had to be negotiated with to ensure the best possible experience & pricing.

Through our British based partner, ferrytravel.com can now provide not only the ability to book North American ferries, but virtually every major ferry operator throughout Britain and Europe.

Soon, the ferries operatiing in Asia, Africa, Australasia, China & Japan will be on site and available for you to research or if desired, complete a reservation.

Complete security, data protection, ease of use, real time reservations where available, and equally important so you donâ€™t have to search here & there & everywhere, the best possible pricing is available by using www.FerryTravel.com.

Yikes-

If you are planning a holiday, just dreaming about being on the sea, taking a new job - or are active military PCSing.... one URL, one secure site & loads of information is now available at the touch of your fingers.

The site is an encyclopedia of ferry information on your desk

Questions & reservation support is always available through either e-mail (info@ferrytravel.com) or by phone.

In North America call 1-800-686-0446 : from outside NA, call 1-733-9113.

We are always happy to help with any ferry travel, anywhere.

Happy exploring -

Introducing European, British & African Ferry Ticketing

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 19:22:00 -0800

Hooray, Hooray ... It's A Ferry Planning Day

Just like the most well stocked candy shops, or an ice cream store with every possible flavour, weâ€™ve made the FerryTravel.com site a place where you can find & make reservations on just about any major ferry system and route in Britain & Europe. In other words .. This site is well stocked ".

Soon, FerryTravel.com will provide both information & the ability to book or if you prefer, just research, the ferries & their routes in Africa, China & Australasia.

For years we only provided the ability to book (and get information on) the ferries in Alaska, the ferries in British Columbia and the high-speed passenger-only Washington ferry serving the Seattle - Victoria route.

But we've stepped up and are currently in the process of adding the ability to book the ferries that serve both the East Coast of North America and the Caribbean.

By clicking on any route on the ferrytravel.com site, you can now see route maps, gather port information and start planning a holiday. Or perhaps an escape !

Every port listed on ferrytravel.com has a short but detailed description & the ferry information & most bookings are not only delivered real-time, but offer the best pricing available.

Oh - time for a quick confession.

We didnâ€™t do all this ourselves - itâ€™s a lot of work - and to compile everything required not only serious brain power, but also some clever negotiating skills to get all 270+ ferry operators â€œonboard.â€

So weâ€™ve â€˜linkedâ€ up with some of the smartest International ferry ticket retailers in England & in the Netherlands - just to be able to present you with the ability to explore the ferry world from your favourite seat at home.

One of the advantages of using a single site that links to various aggregators is the speed with which you can gather information relative to your particular interest of the moment.

Aggregators by the way, are companies or people who negotiate, & then present some type of service.
This means that in using an aggregator you know you are getting the fastest, the easiest, and the most reliable information in the safest possible way - along with the best negotiated price.

So enjoy the site. Play with the options.

Dream about ferrying to some exotic place - or just across a small body of water to get to the candy shop or ice cream store.

It's A Bargain: The Ferry from Seattle to Victoria + a hotel night For Under $600 !

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 08:35:00 -0800

Where Else Could you get a Mini -Cruise + One Hotel Night in a Beautiful City ?

Oh Happy Day !!

Take a couple of days to experience not only an overnight stay in downtown Victoria BC, but a 2-3/4 hr mini cruise that takes you there on a "state-of-the art" high-speed catamaran.

The ferry-hotel specials include both the ferry from Seattle to Victoria plus one nightsâ€™ accommodation in a downtown Victoria hotel - all for under $600.00*

The ferry travels though the Salish Sea which is home to seals, sea birds and 3 resident Orca pods. Since the birth of 2 baby Orcas last year, the pod numbers have increased to 75 !

On arrival in to the Inner Harbour, you disembark on the Harbours south shore in front of the BC Parliament Buildings and the BC Royal Museum.

The 5 start Hotel Grand Pacific & the Pendray Inn and Tea House are opposite the ferry terminal, and the famous Empress Hotel sits at the head of the Harbour .

Only a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal, the shopping along both Government & Douglas Street begins. Numerous art galleries & craft shops, clothing shops and fine china shops serve to entice visitors to take advantage of a strong US dollar.

Also close to the Harbour is Beacon Hill Park. Here one can watch peacocks spread their spectacular tails & laugh at the little goats as they stand on their roof tops & beg for a treat. Beacon Hill park is where Victorians go to feed the ducks.

Victoria is located on Vancouver Island and is the capital city of British Columbia. Many people describe the city as a "wee bit of Old England. "

That description is a little less accurate today, but in the past, the city was reputed to be more English than the English.

Hanging baskets, high tea and numerous shops selling British woolens, Scottish tartans, Irish linens and yummy British confectionaries serve to preserve the "English" feeling in this capital city.

Just 45 minutes from the city is the world famous Butchart Gardens - 55 acres of fabulous gardens started back in the 1800s by Jenny Butchart.

The land was once a cement quarry but 115 years ago Jenny Butchart began what is now recognized as one of the "Great Gardens" of the world.

The "Gardens" provide almost a million visitors each year with the ability to not only enjoy the horticultural experience of what is now a National Historic Site of Canada, but to also visit the gift shop to purchase experience reminders, (more often referred to as souvenirs); or to snack on a scone or other bakery treat in the casual Blue Poppy.

To enjoy a more serious meal or plan a special celebration, one can make a reservation for in The Dining Room at the gardens.

Once you visit Victoria, you will be enticed to visit again and again.

The ferries to Victoria from Seattle, from Vancouver and from Port Angeles operate year-round and because of the Islands temperate climate, every season on the Island holds special appeal

For more information on booking one of the high-speed ferry /hotel packages, email info@ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446.

* hotel prices rise depending on available vacancies so always try to book a hotel/ferry package special as spoon as you know your travel dates.

Easy Peasy Ferry Planning & Booking

Fri, 31 May 2024 12:01:00 -0800

Don't 2nd Guess The Process Of Booking Of A Ferry

Because the FerryTraveller enables ferry travellers to book a number of operators on a single site and to do so in different currencies, the process can seem confusing at first.

It is not.

The only important thing to remember is that you must not rush to "second guess" the booking widget.
The programers have worked hard to make booking on www.ferrytravel.com simple, quick and easy, provided one moves forward 1 step at a time and does not try to 2nd guess anything.

The booking widget on www.ferrytravel.com is designed to ask only the questions required to provide an accurate ferry trip cost. By using the widget, one can see the trip total both BEFORE making any ferry reservation and BEFORE sharing personal information like names, phone numbers etc etc.

This is really important because using any site that requires you to disclose personal details ( names, emails, phone #s etc) before it provides the information you are seeking, may be data collecting and you may be opening the door to uninvited & unwanted email solicitations when all you wanted was information or costs for using the Alaska ferries or BC ferries or just the Seattle ferry.

So onward we go.

1) From the drop menu, simply select the route, the number of passengers in your party and whether or not you will be travelling with a vehicle
(If driving any vehicle with a tow - just enter 1 vehicle).
Then click "Get Priceâ€. Easy Peasy.

Page 2 will ask you to select the month, day and time you wish to sail plus the passengers ages ( so that any age discounts can be applied and reflected when the trip price is delivered). And finally, the type of vehicle you will be taking including its length, height & width. For travellers pulling a tow, choose â€œPassenger vehicle pulling a trailerâ€ when defining your vehicle type

The widget will also ask if you have any pets. After answering , just click â€œContinueâ€

Page 3 shows all cabin types on the ferry you would be sailing on - Remember that cabins are optional â€¦.but if desired, can be chosen here. Note that all beds are singles so 2 in a single bunk is very very squishy. !

Page 4 Shows a funny little boat searching for the space you have said you wanted.

Page 5 Phew .. nearly there !

Page 5 page summarizes what it is you said you wanted and it gives you the cost. ( If you get a pop up saying "Space is Lmited"and you were planning to ferry one way & drive the other, perhaps think about taking the ferry in the reverse direction or just call 1-800-686-0446)

If you want to make the reservation, hit the red "Click Here to Book" button at the bottom right of the page.
( The sample below looks expensive but you will see it is for a 4 day trip with a vehicle pulling a trailer so this trio requires requires a lot of deck space)

Quick note - if you get a pop-up saying "space is limited" and if you have chosen a cabin, hit the back button & remove the requested cabin to see if that is that is causing the pop up or, if in fact there is not enough deck space for your vehicle an that ferry sailing date.

If you get a price then carry on .. and remember you can always call us at toll free 1-800-686-0446 if you get confused or need help.

Happy travels

Alaska Ferry Space Very Tight for Summer 2024

Sun, 12 May 2024 10:12:00 -0800

Think "Out of The Box" for Alaska Ferry Travel In 2024

While the vehicle space on the Alaska Ferries from Bellingham Washington headed north through the Inside Passage port Islands of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau & Haines, are sold out until August 2024, it is still possible to do the Inside Passage this summer.

Think out of the box. Simply book the trip going South instead.

While the initial plan may have been to hop on the ferry in Bellingham and after exploring Alaska, drive home .... reverse that thought and board the ferry in Skagway or Haines instead.

Both the spectacular coastal sights and the ferry costs are the same: just the trip direction and sailing dates will have been reversed.

And perhaps this is a good thing.

By taking the Alaska ferry south and by leaving the "driving" to the ferry captain, you now have 4 easy days to take pictures, chat with people from around the globe, and to sit back to reflect on the time spent in Alaska.

You will arrive in Bellingham rested and in a relaxed state prepared for the drive home.

Remember, if you can not( or do not which to) go through Canada & whether travelling North or South, you can always call us (or go to Ferrytravel.com) & we will ensure your vehicle is loaded onto a barge for delivery to Seattle or your destination in Alaska.

Whichever route your take, and whether going north or south, & whether booking an Alaska ferry or sending your vehicle by barge, travel safely & have a great time.

NOTE:

"Sea travel" hints and questions about making Alaska ferry or barge reservations are always happily provided by the staff at 1-800-686-0446