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Summer 2020 Alaska Ferry Schedules Due Early February

Service Cuts and Fare Increases For Alaska Ferries
Deep ferry service cuts and fare hikes is the only way to drastically reduce the annual subsidy the system needs to operate, say state officials

The State operated Alaska ferry system currently operates as a sub-agency of the Department of Transportation but if providing ferry service toady at roughly 2018 levels, the ferry service would  require a $68 million state General Fund contribution.
That $68M contribution - something the Dunleavy government is not prepared to approve, is 40% more than the current budget combined with an overall 25% increase in fares over 2018 rates.

To get help or book summer passage into /out of Alaska visit www.ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446

BC Ferries Suffer Delays

Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Leaders Protest Coastal GasLink Pipeline

In solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, a portion of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal north of Victoria, B.C. was blocked this morning.

The demonstration caused the 7am sailing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen to depart 2 ½ hours late and the 11 a.m. sailing out of Swartz Bay to be cancelled.

Demanding respect for Wet'suwet'en sovereignty, the demonstration focuses on pushing back Coastal GasLink's 670-kilometre pipeline being built from B.C.'s northeast to Kitimat

Mechanical Issues Continue to Plague Alaska Ferry Vessels

Mechanical issues have caused the Alaska Ferry to be delayed in Bellingham

The Alaska ferry MV Matanuska is now expected to depart Bellingham WA at 5pm on Thursday, January 23rd.
This mechanical delay will impact both the Matanuskas' arrival & departure times in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, and Sitka.

Alaska anticipates the ferry will return to its regular Bellingham - Ketchican on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at 6 p.m. 



Prince Rupert - Ketchikan Sailings Reinstated

Alaska Reinstated Prince Rupert as a Port of Call
After much speculation, Prince Rupert BC will continue to be a port-of-call connecting the Alaska ferry system to British Columbia

Severe ferry budget cutbacks by Alaskas' Dunleavy government in the fall of 2019 resulted in a much diminished Alaska ferry service & while it appeared that Prince Rupert would be cut from the summer 2020 ferry routes operated by the State, a reprieve was announced early this week.

Summer schedules and fares for all 2020 Alaska ferry sailings are expected to be posted on www.ferrytravel.com early in February.

BC Ferries To Introduce Hybrid-Electric Ferries

Newest BC Ferries Arrived at Ogden Point on 18 Jan 2020

Called Island Class ferries, BC Ferries new battery-powered hybrid-electric vessels will commence service on the Campbell River-Quadra Island & Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island routes early this spring.

The ships are rated as being among the most efficient and quiet in the world; and each Island Class ferry is expected to have a service life of 40+ years.

The new ferries, which will carry up to 47 vehicles & 300 passengers and crew, are expected to provide the BC Ferry Corporation with a 10-20% saving in fuel costs.

Alaska Advises 2020 Summer Sailings Release

Long Wait for Alaska Summer Schedules Nearly Over
After months of budget restriction negotiations, the State of Alaska has at last provided a preliminary 2020 ferry schedule.

Although the fares are increasing and the sailing frequency to many ports has been reduced, it appears the Prince Rupert ferry service has been added back into the  mix.

It is anticipated that the full 2020 Alaska ferry schedule will be posted and available for booking on www.ferrytravel.com within the next 2 weeks.

For immediate information help call 1-800-686-0446
  

2020 Alaska Ferry Prices Already Climbing

2020 Ferry Alaska Bookings Have Started to Rise
If planning to ferry to Alaska in 2020, be aware that as a result of the States' new dynamic pricing policy ( prices go up as ferry space diminishes), many route prices are already starting to climb.

Today saw a $250 increase in travel from Bellingham to Wrangle for the 1st Jan, 2020 sailing

To try to secure the best possible pricing As people book the price can go up but when people cancel the price on a particular sailing can go down

BC Ferries Implements Travel Bans

BC Ferries Zero-tolerance Policy

On October 15th a passenger at the Langdale Ferry terminal forced a BC Ferry employee to jump out of the way of his vehicle. A one year travel ban has been handed to a man for reckless driving  .

On October 17th a person threatened to get a gun and go back to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. That person has also received a one-year ferry travel ban.

Under the law the BC Ferries has the right to refuse passage to anyone who threaten other passengers, the crew or terminal staff.

Weather Causes 25 October Alaska Ferry Schedule Change

Modified Ferry Schedule for October 25, 2019
To avoid forecasted heavy weather the ferry M/V Tustumena will depart Kodiak for Ouzinkie, Port Lions, and Homer on October 25 at 5:15 PM, 24 hrs earlier than scheduled.

The ferry will remain at the dock in Homer for one day before returning to regular service when it departs at 05:30 on October 27, from Homer to Seldovia.

Beleaguered Alaska Ferry System Loses Another Vessel

Alaska Ferry To Be Pulled From Service

As a result of a vessel inspection showing that the M/V Malaspina needs about $16 million worth of repairs, she will be pulled from service in December and will be stored in Ketchican until a decision about her future can be made. 

As there isn’t enough money in the Alaska ferry system’s budget to cover the repair costs, no long term decisions for the ferry have been made.   

DOT spokesperson Meadow Bailey says the current sailing schedule will not be impacted.

Alaska Ferries Resume Prince Rupert Sailings

AMHS Sailings to Prince Rupert will begin again in Oct. 29 and Nov. 25.

Reservations are now available for booking at www.ferrytravel.com or by calling the the Reservations Center at 1-800-686-0446

Alaska Governor Michael J. Dunleavy stated that “The State of Alaska recognizes that the AMHS presence in Prince Rupert is important & we are committed to maintaining this route if it’s logistically and fiscally feasible.”

Future sailings to Prince Rupert will depend on factors that include the necessary financial investment & the long-term requirements of the Canadian Border Patrol.


Event Pricing In Effect for Alaska Ferries

As The Alaska Ferries Fill The Fares, Cancellation & Change Price All Rise

Implemented on 01 October 2019, the State of Alaska commenced dynamic pricing.
This means as the ferry starts to fill up with reservations, the price will go up.

So if the ferry is 80% full, the fare for new passenger bookings in 2020 will be 30% higher, & prices for bringing a vehicle or securing a cabin the if the ferry is 80% full, will be 50% higher.


Other fare changes include event pricing (a 10% increase for special events at a specific port) and change fees, which go up as the travel date approaches.


Read more here: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/business/article234808612.html#storylink=cpy

Greening The Washington Ferry Fleet

Washington State Ferries Are Going Green

Washington State Ferries (WSF) will see Seattle’s Vigor shipyard build up to five 144-car Olympic class, hybrid-electric ferries over the coming years.

Vigor has built the last 12 ferries for Washington State and it is anticipated that the new hybrid-electric ferries will greatly reduce carbon emissions thereby resulting in a positive impact on the environment.


"The new hybrid vessels will benefit from an Olympic class hull form which has less drag through the water and a small wake for a positive environmental impact.
They will be capable of 100% electric operation on most routes once the infrastructure needed for charging is installed.
Over the life of the vessels, a 94% reduction in carbon emissions is anticipated along with the added benefit of significantly reduced operating costs for the ferry system".

Fast, Easy Ferry Schedule & Fare Reference

Find Ferry Schedules & Fares Quickly

If looking to get either the Alaska ferry sailing schedules and/or fares, but don't want to use the quote engine, you can simply click https://www.ferrytravel.com/alaskaferryschedules.htm.

By choosing the port you want to depart from & go to  ( eg Bellingham -Ketchikan) you will be able to select the month & year to see the schedule plus the basic* fare.

* Dynamic pricing is now in effect for the Alaska ferries. Dynamic pricing means that as ferry space decreases, the fares increase.

Allow Extra Time to Get to Victoria Seattle Ferry Terminal

Protesters May Cause Delays in Getting To The Victoria Ferry Terminal

A Climate change protest in downtown Victoria on Friday, September 27th, 2019 is scheduled to convene between approximately 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the area of the B.C. Legislature.


The B.C. Legislature is near both the Victoria Clipper Terminal (Victoria Seattle ferry) and the Blackball terminal (Victoria - Port Angeles ferry), and the protest could well see several thousand participants.


Traffic delays around the ferry terminals are anticipated, and the Victoria Police Department suggest that ferry travellers allow extra time to get to and from the downtown ferry terminals.


 

Alaska Marine Ending Ferry Service to Prince Rupert

No Alaska Ferry Service Resolution In Sight for Prince Rupert

Effective Oct. 1, 2019, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) is scheduled to end ferry service to & from Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Struggling with severe budget cuts and limited staff, Alaska Marine has not been able to secure the staff necessary to fulfill the Canadian requirement that there be a Canadian law enforcement presence in Prince Rupert. 

The enforcement presence would have the ability to make arrests in Canada, a duty that Alaska Marine staff are not able to perform.


Book Alaska Ferries to Secure Best Pricing

Alaska  Ferries Introduce Dynamic Pricing

To maximize & create a more self-sustaining system, the State of Alaska established a new fare structure commencing with the 2019-20 winter schedule.

 - Dynamic pricing: this means as space availability decreases, the published fares will increase.

- Event Pricing: for some special events there will be a 10% fare increase 4 days befor & 4 days after the evet in a port

- Change fees: change fees to existing reservations will increase as the scheduled travel date approaches.

Travellers are encouraged to book early for the best fares.
Additional details on pricing can be seen on the chart below.

Read more here: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/business/article234808612.html#storylink=cpy
Alaska Ferries Adopt Dynamic Pricing, table photo

For additional information or help with booking call 1-800-686-0446 or email info@ferrytravel.com

Alaska Ferry Update for College Fair

College Fair in Ketchikan

Extra sailings to Ketchikan have been added for Wednesday October 9th to accommodate students to the College Fair in Ketchikan.

To double check the Lituya schedules and fares call 1-800-686-0446

Seattle to Victoria Ferries Are Passenger-Only Ferries

No Vehicle Ferries Travel Seattle to Victoria

The ferry downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria is a passenger-only ferry.

There are NO VEHICLE FERRIES between Seattle and Victoria.

 There are however 3 ferry operators that carry vehicles & passengers to Victoria on Vancouver Island.  

1) Washington State Ferries:
These traditional vehicle/passenger ferries travel from Anacortes Washington, (about 30 mins N of Seattle) to Sidney BC (about a 25 minutes drive to downtown Victoria) on Vancouver Island.

2) BC Ferries
These ferries (vehicle/passenger) travel from Vancouver (the Tsawwassen Terminal about 40 minutes from downtown Vancouver or 2.5 hrs from Seattle) to Swartz Bay near Sidney (about a 25 minutes drive from downtown Victoria)

3) The Coho is a traditional passenger/vehicleferry that travels between Port Angeles (located about a 2.5 hr drive from Seattle) to downtown Victoria

Book a Seattle Victoria Ferry Package for the holiday weekend

Thanksgiving Is Coming: Book a Ferry - Hotel Package Early

The Seattle to Victoria ferry is always sold out of space for the Thanksgiving  long weekend: sold out both ways - Seattle to Victoria & Victoria to Seattle.
This year the US holiday falls on Thursday November 28th & not only the Seattle- Victoria direct ferries, but the Victoria hotels will book out by mid October.

If booked early, it is still possible to secure one of the Special “guaranteed lowest combination rate”  ferry /hotel booking packages.

The rate will vary depending on the hotel chosen - but almost all the downtown Victoria hotels participate in the specials, and accommodation can range from the 5 star properties to the 2 star properties

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