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Alaska Ferries Implement COVID-19 Protocols

Alaska Ferry Protocols
Capacity on all Alaska ferries has been reduced by 66% to protect both passengers and crew. 
The objective is to enable easy social distancing: distancing which will be enforced.

Face coverings are strongly recommended for all passengers.

Enhanced COVID-19 protocols have been implemented at all terminals and aboard all vessels.
Passengers will be required to complete a health screening form prior to boarding and people who are ill,or have recently had contact with an infected person, will not be permitted to travel.

All passengers & AMHS employees are instructed to: 
 
1. practice good hygiene
2. follow social distancing guidelines

3. ensure social distancing in food service spaces

Ferry Port Hardy to Prince Rupert

Discovery Coast Is There To Explore
 The BC Ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert is currently operating & offers a fabulous opportunity to explore the BC coastline with your camera.
Sailing every Wednesday and Saturday from Port Hardy at 5:15pm, the ferry will arrive in Prince Rupert the next day at 11:00am.
From Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, the ferry sails each Tuesday & Friday and departs Prince Rupert at 8:00pm arriving in Port Hardy the next day at 1:45pm

 To explore this trip go to www.ferrytravel.com to secure your reservation.

Clipper Postpones Seattle - Victoria Ferry Service Till July

Clipper to Commence Ferry Service In July
The popular and much missed 2-3/4 hr ferry trip between Seattle & Victoria is expected to return to service with a reduced Friday - Monday only schedule on July 3, 2020.
 
It is expected that as a result of Covid-19, Clipper will operate only 4 days a week (Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon) with one round-trip sailing from Seattle and one round-trip sailing from Victoria.
July 03 - July 31
Depart Seattle 8:00AM                Depart Victoria 6:00PM
Aug 01 - Sep13
Depart Seattle 8:00AM                Depart Victoria 6:00PM  
Sep 14 - Jan 03, 2020
Depart Seattle 8:00AM                Depart Victoria 5:00PM  

Schedules will however depend on the expected reopening of the border between Washington and BC.


Alaska Pulls The MV Columbia From Service

Alaska Marine Ferry Updates
The MV Matanuska will replace the MV Columbia & will return to service 01 July.
She will provide ferry service for the Inside Passage from Bellingham WA to Skagway AK.

The MV Kennicott is schedules to return to service June 25.
She will depart Ketchikan to Bellingham WA  to begin the cross-gulf run which will include stops at Ketchikan; Juneau; Yakutat and Whittier. On alternated weeks she will provide ferry service to the communities of Prince William Sound

The MV Tustumena is due to return to service 02 June. The ferry will depart from Homer round-trip to Seldovia with a late evening departure to Kodiak.

The MV LeConte is due to return to service 17 June with ferry service to the Northern Panhandle Pelican; Hoonah; Gustavus; Tenakee; Angoon and Kake.

The Covid-19 situation could cause schedule changes at any time.


Alaska Ferries : Understanding Dynamic Pricing

OnLine Pricing Quotes Show Base-Only Fares
Dynamic pricing can be frustrating because on any route, the Alaska ferry fares can change several times a day, or remain constant for several days.   The following should help by detailing the online booking process.

Prior to payment of an online booking request, the following pop-up will appear:
 This is essentially a note to advise that because of dynamic pricing, the fares delivered on-line may vary from the constantly changing dynamic or staircase fare.
By clicking OK, a prospective traveller is able to proceed with a space request - but is not committed to purchase until the requested space is confirmed with an email or phone call.

On completion of an online booking request, 3 things happen.
1) an immediate email is sent confirming that the request has been received, and noting that a space confirmation will follow shortly.
i.e.   Thank you for booking with the Ferry Travel Gateway.
Your Booking Reference number is *******
The Alaska Marine Highway System confirmation is to be confirmed.
Please note: this booking is provisional depending on availability.
An email confirming your booking and providing your confirmation # will be sent shortly."

2) Payment of the base fare is held ( the credit card will show a "Pending" charge.)

3)  The booking and pricing as requested, is either confirmed with a confirmation number ( the credit card charge will then complete)  - OR - if either the requested space is unavailable, or the fare has changed, the prospective traveller will be contacted BEFORE the charge to their credit card has completed.

Dynamic pricing is employed by Alaska Marine only .
Pricing for BC Ferries between Port Hardy & Prince Rupert; Inter Island Ferries between Ketchikan & Hollis; Clipper Navigation between Seattle WA and Victoria BC; Black Ball between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC & Washington State Ferries through WA and to Sidney BC as show on-line, is accurate. 



AMHS TO THE RESCUE

Temporary Service between Ketchikan & Hollis
AMHS has stepped in to provide temporary service between Prince of Wales Island and Hollis as the Inter Island Ferry, MV Prince of Wales, suffered engine issues.

Repairs are currently underway and it is anticipated that the MV Prince of Wales will be back in service on June 11.
 It the interim the Alaska Marine vessel MV Lituya will step into the gap providing round trip Ketchikan-Hollis service on Thursday 28 May and on Saturday May 30.
 

Additional Ferry Stops Added

MV Tazlina Added Ferry Stops
On Thursday May 21st & Thursday June 4th the MV Tazlina has added stops to Angoon.
There will also be a stop at Hoonah on Thursday May 28th.

For ferry sailing updates, visit Ferry News or email info@ferrytravel.com

Alaska Ferry Summer Schedules Updated

Four Alaska Ferry Vessels Expected To Resume June July Service

An updated summer schedule to provide what the state believes to be an appropriate level of ferry service based on demand and Federal guideline for the CPVID-19 virus is now in place.

NOTE: The schedules shown are tentative and could change based on the demand of travellers. 
Please confirm scheduled sailings at info@ferrytravel.com

The following ferry vessels sailings are current, although tentative:
02 June: The Tustumina sail to Southwest Alaska (Kodiak & the Aleutian chain) 1x per month.
25 June: the Kennicott will resume service Ketchican to Bellingham.  She will travel the cross-gulf route (Juneau - Whittier) on alternate weeks.
17 June: the LeConte will commence the Northern Panhandle service.
01 July: the Columbia is scheduled to commence service for Southeast Alaska ( Bellingham, Ketchican, Wrangell, Sitka Petersburg, Juneau, Haines, Skagway)

For the quickest, easiest way to get back to the site to either plan or book your ferry trip, bookmark (or put into favourites) the home page www.ferrytravel.com

Alaska Ferry Overhaul Update

Alaska Ferry Maintence Update

The Alaska ferries Columbia, Kennicott, and Tustumena are all in the completion phase of their yearly overhauls.

The LeConte has completed extensive steel repairs and is expected to be back in the water this week.
The Aurora is expected to be ready to return to service in the late fall of 2020 after enjoying a complete overhaul.
The Matanuska experienced mechanical failure in January and this has now been completed. 

For for ferry sailing updates, visit Ferry News or email info@ferrytravel.com

Alaska Ferries To Slowly Get Back to Normal

Alaska Slowly Reopens

Alaska Ferries are planning a return to service based on both demand & the current COVID-19 situation.

Ferry service from Juneau to Haines & Skagway, and to Angoon and Hoonah continue their 3 day a week sailings.
Tentative early June schedules for ferry service from Homer are currently being drafted, and a modified cross-gulf route is anticipated commencing in July.

Ferry service from Bellingham Washington to Alaska (Ketchican, Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines and Skagway ) is scheduled to begin July 10.

Ferry service from Bellingham Washington to Whittier Alkaska (this route avoids travelling through Canada ) is scheduled to begin July 25.

Email info@ferrytravel.com with any questions or booking requests.

BC Ferries Continue Screening

BC Ferries Implements Screening 

For ferry sailings over 30 minutes in length, BC Ferries will be screening passengers prior to boarding a ferry .

Terminal signage will show a simple list of questions that will be asked by the ticket agents.

The 4 screening question are:
1. Do you have a fever and a cough?
2. Do you have a fever and breathing difficulty?
3. Have you been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19?
4. Are you the subject of a provincial / territorial or local public health order?

Anyone answering "yes" to any of the 4 questions will be denied boarding


Prince Rupert Ferry Update

Alaska Cancels Prince Rupert Ferry

The ferry between Prince Rupert & Ketchikan has now been cancelled until further notice.
Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic, a reduced service plan throughout the Alaska ferry system has been introduced.

Ferry sailing updates can be found by looking at either the Get Quote box on the right side of the page on this site or sending an email to info@ferrytravel.com

Passport Requirements

Passports Are Required When Crossing Any Border

If travelling from on country to another whether by land sea or air, a current passport is required.
The only way to avoid travelling through Canada to get into Alaska, is either by air or by booking an Alaska ferry to Whittier.
To get from the Lower 48 to Alaska by ferry one would need to book Bellingham - Whittier
(Bellingham WA is the most southern terminal for the Alaska ferries)

It is important to note that the Bellingham - Whittier ferry only 2x per month and only between April and September.

Foe more information email info@ferrytravel.com or visit www.ferrytravel.com


Alaska Ferry Sailings Updates

Alaska Ferry Sailings Postponed

Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 virus, both the repair & staffing of much of the Alaska ferry fleet has been delayed for the summer season.

The Alaska ferry schedules have been updated and as of 16 April, the current sailing Dates & times can be seen at www.ferrytravel.com/alaskaferryschedules.htm

Increased Sailings for Alaska Ferries

State Increases Alaska Ferry Budget

In early April, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a significantly increased budget for the Alaska ferry system.
With a budget injection of $108 million, 23 weeks of additional service has been made possible.  

In addition to increased Alaska ferry service, the budget injection includes funds to complete repairs on the M/V Aurora. The Aurora, together with her sister-ship the M/V LeConte, will return service to the northern panhandle and Prince William Sound.

It is the intention of the State of Alaska to provide both Alaskans & visitors to the state with a marine highway that is both reliable and predictable. 

For further information or reservations on the Alaska ferries please visit www.ferrytravel.com or email info@ferrytravel.com


Alaska Ferry Cancellation Fees

Ferry Fees Cancelled Until May 11, 2020

Alaska has waived its cancellation fees until May 11.  Any revisions on this announcement will be posted as soon as recieved.


For current information on BC, Washington and Alaska ferry services, go to www.ferrytravel.com or send an email to requests@ferrytravel.com


Ferry Traffic Down

When Is Bad News, Good News ?

Bad news is that Easter Weekend traffic on the major ferry routes between Vancouver and Vancouver Island experienced a 92% decline over the previous Easter weekend. This represents a strong hit to the BC Ferry budget.

Good news is that a 92% decline in ferry traffic means only a few people are defying orders to socially distance &/or to travel only when essential.  This represents a strong commitment to beat the COVID-19 Pandemic.


For information on BC, Washington and Alaska ferry routes, schedules, costs and updated information, go to www.ferrytravel.com or send an email to requests@ferrytravel.com

Non Essential Travel Is Irresponsible Travel

BC Ferries Report Heavy Easter Weekend Traffic

BC Ferrries reported full or nearly full sailings on many routes Thursday afternoon and evening, and although repeated warning to avoid non-essential travel were broadcast, it seemed to make little difference.

Every scheduled ferry sailing between Vancouvers' Horseshoe Bay terminal and the Sunshine Coast was full Thursday. By Thursday evening, 2 Friday ferry sailings to the Sunshine Coast were sold out.

Stay Home !   The Premier of British Columbia has said it, the Prime Minister of Canada has said it; the President of the US & the Governors of Washington and Alaska have said it.   The World Health Organization has implored it .
We are in the midst of a global Pandemic which calls for self isolating except to complete essential service chores as quickly as possible.

Do not take a ferry, a bus, a plane or even a car - if not absolutely necessary.

This means no visiting the cottage; no visiting the chalet; no trips on a private boat; stay away from campgrounds and stay away from parks. 

To fight this pandemic in the best & fastest possible way, it is important to self isolate, to go out only when necessary.
Good news is that the weather is great -  so clean up the garden, sit on the patio, open some windows to let the fresh air in.

In the evening clean out that sock drawer, sort photographs, write a journal, hop onto the internet & check out Our Planet on Netflix.
Regard this period as bonus time - time to start or complete projects that have been on hold.

But whatever the choice, make sure you are staying home!

www.ferrytravel.com is updated daily and emails are answered within hours. 




Help Us To Help Yoiu

New Feature On FerryTravel.Com

The purpose of FerryTravel.com is to make both learning about or booking ferry travel, whether in British Columbia or Washington or Alaska, as easy as possible.

To ensure that the information provided on the site, through emails or on the phone is as helpful as possible, we have implemented a feedback section. This will enable site users to let us know if we are on track.

But a Feedback button only works if it is used.  On the right side of each page is a little red box that is marked FEEDBACK.


Please take a moment to click on it & provide feedback - good feedback we love; negative feedback we appreciate and will use to improve service.

Stay safe - and we look forward to welcoming you onboard in the not to distant future.

US Passport Update

Emergency Travel Only

The State Department has stopped issuing passports except for cases of a "life-or-death" emergency among family members abroad.

"Due to public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, effective March 20, 2020, we are only able to offer service for customers with a qualified life-or-death emergency and who need a passport for immediate international travel within 72 hours," the State Department says.

Emergencies that qualify for an immediate passport include serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths affecting a "parent, child, spouse, sibling, aunt, uncle, etc.," which require travel outside of the U.S.

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