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Still No word on Alaska Marines Delayed Fall-Winter Schedule Release

Image result for mad Hatter Late
Frustrated Travellers Seek Alternatives to Alaska Marine

Cruise Ships, Air Lines and BC Ferries continue to be the beneficiaries of the delayed Alaska Marine Fall/Winter schedule/ fare release.

Traditionally released in early July to enable October-April planning, to date there is still no word on either the Alaska Ferry schedules or fares for the end of 2016 or early 2017.

The result is a boon for BC Ferries as mainland Alaska travellers board the BC Ferry in Port Hardy, disembark in Prince Rupert, and carry on to Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Kenai Peninsula by road. 

The BC Ferry schedules and fares have been available for some 8 months and with the Canadian dollar significantly lower than the USD, its a win win situation for ferry travellers holding US currency.

Alaska Marine has undergone several major changes since December 2015: most significant certainly being that after 7+ years of frozen fares, Alaska Marine implemented serious cost hikes and reduced service.
 
From the WA terminal at Bellingham, motorcyclists saw their motorbike transportation cost rise almost 100%.   A motorcycle Bellingham WA to Haines AK was traditionally under $500: it is currently just under $1,000.  The driver is extra.

2016 also saw introduction of a per foot fare calculation replace the category calculation for all vehicles.
Previous years saw Alaska Marine vehicle fares based on incremental lengths: i.e. vehicles up to 15' were charged "x" dollars;  vehicles between 16'-19' were charged "y" dollars, RVs etc opver 20' have always been charged incrementally.

 Fingers crossed in hope that Alaska Marine releases its upcoming sailing /fare information soon.  






Alaska Marine Cost Policy Change

Alaska Ferries Take Tough Stance

Alaska Marine has introduced a recent policy change which now sees travellers being assessed a % charge rather than a flat fee charge for any changes and amendments.

Alaska Marine is going through a number of policy changes and price increases in an effort to try to stem some of the heavy losses experienced as a result of holding fare prices at the same level for the last number of years.


   

ALERT: Washington State & Clipper Ferry Travellers

The Alaskan Way Viaduct now carries traffic along Seattle's waterfront. It is slated for demolition.

Seattle Viaduct Detour May Affect Ferry travellers
Beginning Friday, April 29, the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for approximately two weeks as a precautionary measure while Bertha, the SR 99 tunneling machine, travels beneath the structure.
The viaduct will be closed between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit  99closure.org
If catching a Clipper ferry to Victoria or a Washington State ferry from Alaskan way, please plan for additional travel time.  

Seattle-Victoria Ferry Gift Cards


Happy Easter !
Gift Cards for Seattle-Victoria ferry travel - with or without a hotel package, are always a great treat.
Available for Easter, or year-round.
E-mail info@ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446 for details

 

BC Ferries Upgrades Spirit Class ferries



Spirit Class ferries to be upgraded by 2019
With an expected completion date of 2019, two BC Ferries Spirit vessels are scheduled to receive refreshed interiors, updated safety systems and conversion to duel fuel which will enable operation on LNG and diesel

Huge Savings on Ferry/Hotel Packages in Victoria

Ferry / Hotel Package Savings Guarantee


If travelling between Seattle & Victoria & staying one or more nights in a hotel be sure to check the ferry/hotel packages.

SAVINGS are GUARANTEED & the choice of downtown Victoria hotels extends from the most expensive to the more modest.

Use the dollars you save on a ferry/hotel package to visit Butchart Gardens, to enjoy High Tea at the famous Empress ( shown above and included in a package) or perhaps to stay an extra night in BCs capital city.

Email info@ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446 for details

BC Ferries Passes Along Savings

No Ferry Fare increase in April for BC Ferries

There will be no increase in the cost of BC ferry travel this spring.

BC Ferries has just announced that the scheduled April 1 tariff increases will be offset by the lower cost of fuel - great news for ferry travellers.



Congratulations BC Ferries !




Well Done BC Ferries
Recognizing that pets are a part of the family, BC Ferries has upgraded their pet bareas to include kennels, radient heating,comfortable benches, hygene products and have added powerful new speakers to ensure safety and special announcements can be easily heard


Alaska Ferry Sailings Revised



High Winds Again Delay Alaska Marine Ferry MV Tustumena
As a result of expected high winds, the MV Tustumena will follow a revised schedule Sunday 28 Feb 2016:
06:00h (6 am)   Depart Kodiak
19:00h (7pm)    Arrive Homer
22:00h (10)pm  Depart Homer

Alaska Marine Cancels Sailings due to Rough weather


Alaska Marines MV Tustumena

A forcast of hurricane force winds and heavy seas has caused Alaska Marine to cancel the sailings between Homer and Kodiak Island for Feb. 23 and 24.
The MV Tustumena will sail between Homer and Seldovia Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Regular schedules are expected to resume Feb 25, 2016.

Victoria Harbour will be Hopping with Ferry Services this Spring

Clippers Seattle-Victoria ferry service just got a boost.
With the recent purchase of a majority share in Clipper Vacations, the German owned Förde Reederei Seetouristik has announced that they will begin a new service between downtown Victoria & downtown Vancouver this spring.

The 3 hr route has been tried several times in the past but has always suffered stiff competition from the much faster downtown to downtown air services: float plane service provided by Harbour Air, and for those with deep pockets (or on a company expense account) the equally fabulous Helijet.

Fun to see who posts what fares to entice passengers but almost certainly travellers between the two cities are going to be big beneficiaries.  

Clippers Seattle -Victoria Ferry Service Expanding

German Company Acquires Victoria-Seattle Ferry Service


Seattle - Victoria Ferry

Förde Reederei Seetouristik (FRS), a global ferry and shipping company based in Flensburg Germany has just purchased a majority share in the year round ferry service between Seattle & Victoria.

Clipper who for some 30 years has operated a year-round ferry service between Elliott Bay in Seattle to Victoria, is about to launch a new route connecting downtown Victoria to downtown Vancouver. 

 Schedules, fares and service details re due soon but it is expected the service will launch this spring

Sita Residents Happier with Latest Ferry Schedule Release

Sita Will Enjoy Increased Ferry Service

MV Fairweather

Alaska Ferries today announced that the fast ferry MV Fairweather will serve Juneau, Haines, Skagway and Sitka four days a week this summer.

This in response to public comment from Sitka residents who had previously been looking at significant reductions in their ferry service.

Alaska Ferry Fare Increases Dismay Motorcyclists

An Acceptable Detour

BC Ferries Northern Expedition

Earlier this week motorcyclists planning to start their summer vacation by boarding an Alaska ferry in Bellingham saw their 1st leg costs double.
The price to transport a motorcycle & rider from Washington into Alaska on the ferry went from under $500.00 to just under $1,000.00.

Ever resourceful, this group of "2 wheelers" have discovered that by crossing the Canadian boarder only 30 Minutes N of Bellingham, they could still enjoy the spectacular Inside Passage trip by travelling from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert aboard a BC Ferry.

Optional private cabins at 105.00 are available for the trip or for 35.00, a seat in the Aurora Lounge where the restricted swipe card entry ensures a spectacular 280 degree view & a reserved recliner chair.

The upscale Northern Expedition makes the 15 hour trip between Port Hardy & Prince Rupert every other day thru the summer and the roads from Rupert into Alaska are motorcycle friendly.

The Port Hardy - Prince Rupert route fare (motorcycle & rider @ $232.25) is a fraction of the recently released Alaska ferry costs and the low Canadian dollars adds additional savings to anyone travelling with Euros or US Dollars.

It should however be noted that passports are required whenever crossing a border; that Canadian law prohibits the entry of weapons into the country and, that a DUI is considered a felony which can result in being denied entry into Canada.


New January Schedule For Alaska Ferry MV Tustumina

Revised Alaska Ferry Schedule
Alaska Marine has released a new January schedule for the MV Tustumena cross-gulf sailings.

The vessel will sail as follows through Jan. 28, 2015.

13 Jan Midnight  –  Arrive Juneau - Departs 07:30 am
15 Jan 08:15 am – Arrive Homer -   Departs 12:15 pm
15 Jan 13:45 pm – Arrive Seldovia -Depart 3:15 pm
16 Jan 12:45 am – Arrive Kodiak -   Depart 4:45 pm
16 Jan 14:30 pm – Arrive Homer -   Depart 6:00 pm
18 Jan 07:00 pm – Arrive Juneau -  Depart 7:00 pm
21 Jan Midnight  – Arrive Homer -    Depart 4:00 am
21 Jan 13:45 pm – Arrive Kodiak -   Depart 7:45 pm
22 Jan 05:30 am – Arrive Homer -   Depart 12:30 pm
24 Jan 13:30 pm – Arrive Juneau -  Depart 5:30 pm
26 Jan 14:30 pm – Arrive Seldovia- Depart 4:30 pm
26 Jan 18:00 pm – Arrive Homer -   Depart 10:00 pm
26 Jan 11:30 pm – Arrive Seldovia -Depart 1:30 am
27 Jan 11:15 am – Arrive Kodiak -   Depart 9:45 pm
28 Jan 07:30 am – Arrive Homer

Clipper Packages Provide Fantastic Savings

Unbeatable Seattle-Victoria Ferry Packages

Victoria Seattle Ferry

Starting at 270.00 for 2 days and 1 hotel night in downtown Victoria, the ferry/hotel packages offered by Clipper are a travellers dream. 

If staying at Victoria's famous Fairmont Empress is on your bucket-list board the ferry in downtown Seattle and head to Victorias inner Harbor before the end of April to take advantage of Clippers
Fairmont Empress Special which includes:
Fairmont Empress Victoria-Round trip Seattle-Victoria ferry
-1 night at the Fairmont Empress
-a souvenir book
-all applicable taxes  
Package total $ 332.00 for two adults
(Stay an extra night for a package price of 456.00)

Call 1-800-686-0446 to book a Fairmont package or discover other package specials

Alaska Ferries Has A New Res system & Revised Fare Structure

Good News / Bad News for Alaska Ferry Travellers

Working between the "old reservation system" for reservations up to the end of April, and the new res system for bookings between May - September, has caused a bit of confusion and some lengthy phone waits as Alaska bound travellers try to secure the latest ferry fares.

The hardest hit under the recently increased fare table seem to be the motorcyclists.
In 2015 the cost of taking a motorcycle up the Inside Passage from Bellingham Washington to Haines Alaska on an Alaska ferry has been raised approximately 60%

The good news however is that longer vehicles ( RVs and vehicles over 15' in length) got major reductions.
A truck and trailer (40' combined length) travelling Bellingham to Whittier this spring was approximately $400.00 dollars more than that same trip will cost this summer.


 

  

BC Ferries sells Ferry to Fijian Firm

1st of 3 BC Ferries sold

BC Ferry Queen of Chilliwack

BC Ferries serving 47 communities along the west coast is both one the largest & best operated ferry systems in the world.

Constantly maintaining and upgrading their fleet of 35 vessels, September 2015 saw the sale of the Queen of Chilliwack (renamed the Lomaiviti Princess) to an retired BC Ferry engineer who now owns an Inter-island ferry service in Fiji. 

With the limited market for used ferries every sale contributes to a ferry companies coffers and recaptures dollars for overhauls and new vessels

Two more ships, the Queen of Burnaby and the Queen of Nanaimo are slated to go up for sale within the next 6 months.

3 new ships are on order and delivery is expected within the year.

Alaska Ferry Sailing Delayed 24 hrs

Severe Weather Delays the Jan. 11 MV Tustumena Sailing


Alaska Marine Vessel MV Tustumina

The Jan. 11 cross-gulf sailing between Homer and Juneau has been delayed approximately 24 hours.

Severe weather in the Gulf of Alaska at this time of year often results is ferry delays so please call the terminal to check bookings.

The estimated arrival time in Juneau from Homer is now  Tuesday, Jan. 12 at 23:45 p.m.

Homer Terminal phone: 907-235-8449

Alaska Marine Ferry Travelers See Substantial Fare Increases

Significant Summer Fare Increases for Alaska Ferry Travellers

 
Rising Ferry Fares

Alaska Marine released their summer tariffs today and the fare increases are both complicated and substantial.

Roughly, but depending on routes chosen, travellers will now pay up to 21% more to transport their vehicles on the Alaska ferries and passengers on many routes are looking at +13% more than last week.

Cabins costs are up by route and the cost to take your pet on your ferry trip has also gone up.

Summer 2016 booking waitlists are being filled today and new bookings can be made by calling 1-800-686-0446 or e-mailing info@ferrytravel.com

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