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Alaska Ferry Dining

Alaska Ferry Smorgasbord Offerings: From Meats to Pastas to Salads


The self-serve dining areas on all Alaska ferries are open throughout the day and the menu, ranging from sandwiches to hamburgers, salads to pastas, is varied and plentiful. 


Both hot and cold drinks are available in the cafeteria and both snacks & cold drinks are always available through vending machines. 


The 2 certified ocean class Alaska ferries, offer passengers a full service, sit down dinning room with a menu that includes not only fresh seafood from Alaska, but a variety of entrees.

The ocean class vessels are the Columbia* which travels the Inside Passage and the Tustumena** which provides summer ferry service 2x a month to the Aleutian Islands.


Passengers are always welcome to bring their own snacks, treats & spirits should they wish, the enjoyment of spirits however is confined to the passengers' cabin. 


Although microwave use in the cafeterias is available to passengers, anything that needing refrigeration must be kept in a personal cooler.     Ice vending machines are available 24/7.


* Bellingham, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersberg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines and Skagway

**  Kodiak, Seldovia, Port Lions, Ouzinkie & Homer

BC Ferry Schedule Change Notice

Quadra Island Residents & Visitors Should Note BC Ferry Schedule changes

One of the two ferries serving the Campbell River - Quadra Island route requires repair to of one of its thrusters.

The repair, taking place at Buckley Bay should be quick, but until the return of the MV Island Nagalis at the end of October, the route will be served by only one ferry.

The modified schedule (see BCFerries.com) could result in line-ups between Campbell River & Quathiaski Cove so it would be wise to arrive for a chosen sailing well in advance of the scheduled departure time.


BC Ferry Fare Reduction

BC Ferry Specials

BC Ferry fare savings can be had on specific sailings (both directions) between Vancouver and Vancouver Island at the Swartz Bay, the Duke Point, Departure Bay and the Tsawwassen terminals.

Reservations through 1-800-223-3779 must be made in advance of a chosen sailing as the discounted fare can not be bought at the terminals. 

The BC Ferry fare savings including reservation costs, start at $49 for a standard car & driver.
If made more than an hr prior to sailing, changes to a reservation are possible for a $5 charge.

Updated Bellingham to Alaska Ferry News

Ferry From Bellingham To Alaska To Undergo Repairs

MV Columbia, the largest ferry in the Alaska fleet will be pulled from service to enable work on the vessels steering components.

Expectation is that the MV Columbia will be out of service for 1 week commencing 01 November.  The ferry is expected to resume her weekly route from Bellingham to Haines and Skagway on 07 November.

The ferry departing from Bellingham each Wednsday will head north with stops in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersberg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines and finally Skagway, before turning around to return to her most southern port of Bellingham.

The Columbia can accommodate nearly 500 passengers and approximately 181 standard 16' vehicles.
The sleeping cabin configuration on the Bellingham ferry to Alaska is divided into 2 berth and 4 berth cabins (one  &  2 bunk beds respectively ).
All cabins are private and have bed linens, sink, shower & a toilet   

Reservations or quotes can be secured by using the widge on the Home Page at www.ferrytravel.com or by calling 1-800-686-0446

Seattle - Victoria Ferry Fare Confusion

Explanation of Seattle - Victoria Ferry Fares 

When booking the popular Seattle to Victoria ferry be aware that there are a number of different fare categories. 

Costs reflect the:

- ticket type (discounted or standard)

- travel date ( weekend travel costs more)

- season 

Example

Discounted fares between Seattle and Victoria cost less, BUT are non-changeable, non-cancelable and non-refundable.

Standard fare tickets are changeable, cancelable and refundable provided a cancellation or change request is received 2 or more days prior to sailing.


Ticket fares shown on this site include all port taxes & fees and are changeable, refundable & cancellable. 


To upgrade, or secure a ferry/hotel package or secure a discounted ticket call 1-800-686-0446


Seat Classes

1) Comfort Class: leather seating, private cabin, complimentary snacks/beverages

2) Vista Class: Spacious upper-deck section:leather seats, top deck panoramic views, table seating for small groups

3) Standard Class: Main deck seating (with or without windows)


Seattle to Victoria ferry     Seattle Ferry Victoria Ferry  Victoria Island Ferry
Victoria to Seattle ferry       Ferry to Victoria  Seattle to Vancouver Island


 

Bellingham Ferry to Whittier Sailing Update

Alaska Cross-Gulf Sailings Expected to Resume in 2024

It is currently anticipated that ferry reservations for Alaskas' Cross-Gulf route on the MV Kennicott will soon be reservable for sailings commencing March of 2024. 

Early entry of your information on www.ferrytravel.com for the 2024 Bellingham - Whittier ( & the reverse, Whittier to Bellingham) ferry route/s will enable us to contact you as soon as the proposed cross-gulf sailings & schedules are confirmed.  

Demand for the cross-gulf sailings which avoid the otherwise necessary entry into Canada & resulting need for a passport, is extremely popular. 
Historically reservations, especially for cabin & vehicle space, sell out early in the year.

Always stay on the Home Page and use the widget ( marked Get Quote or Book Ferry Here) to secure a quote. 
Using the widget does not commit you to a reservation, but instead will provide full information on all routes, schedule times & costs relating to the details entered.( eg passenger ages, vehicle details, pets, cabin type request etc) 
Cabins are always optional but the lounges are available for sleeping
 have recliner chairs and there are public showers etc   

Remember - any site requesting your personal info ( name, email, phone # etc )  PRIOR to providing your requested travel information, is data collecting.  Move on.
You should never need to share your personal information if only seeking information on pricing, schedules, costs etc 




Alaska Ferry Ferries to Alaska Whittier -Bellingham Ferry Anchorage Ferry to WA

Prince Rupert & Port Hardy ferry Sailing Update

Update on BC Ferries Routes Between Prince Rupert & Port Hardy

Overheight vehicle space between Port Hardy & Prince Rupert in both directions is sold out through September 12, 2023

Commencing 01 October 2023 this route will change from the Summer schedule ( a 15 hr day time sailing)  to the Fall / Winter overnight schedule.  Times /dates are posted on www.ferrytravel.com

For further information call 1-800-686-0446

Alaska Ferry Staffing Issues Continue

AMHS Looking for Licensed Crew Members

Two of the more popular Alaska Ferry routes, Prince Rupert to Ketchikan & the cross gulf route that travels the Inside Passage (Bellingham to Whittier ) were put on hold in 2023 due to a shortage of crew.

It is hoped that by March 2024 the Alaska Ferry Systems' crew shortage will be satisfied & that all ferry routes will be restored.

Always check www.ferrytravel.com ( Stay on the home page and use the quote/booking widget) to see the most current active ferry schedules for ferries in Alaska, Washington & British Columbia


ACCEPTABLE ID US TO CANADA

Seattle Victoria Ferry Crossing the US / Canada Border

Th ferry between Seattle & Victoria is a high-speed catamaran designed for passengers only - No vehicles travel on this ferry.

To travel between Seattle in the USA & Victoria in Canada, you will be crossing a border and will be required to show either a Passpory;Passport Card; Enhanced Driver License; Enhanced ID Card, or a NEXUS Card is also acceptable.

ESTA... Who Needs It

Answers to the ESTA Question

WHO NEEDS  ESTA*
All travellers visiting the US under the Visa Waver Program need an ESTA authorization BEFORE starting their trip.

WHO DOES NOT NEED ESTA
Citizens of the following countries do NOT need ESTA authorization to enter the US:
the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Korea
* ESTA stands for  Electronic System for Travel Authoization, & is an electronic system which checks the eligibility of visitors wishing to travel to the US.

BC Ferry Mainland Service Resumes

Full Summer Ferry Service To Resume between Tsawwassen & Swartz Bay

The Coastal Celebration, the large ferry pulled from service to complete minor repairs 2 weeks ago, has a return-to-service date of Friday 29 July to continue serving Mainland - Vancouver Island travellers.

The ferry is one of the largest in the BC Ferry fleet & the unexpected need for repairs caused extended wait times and short tempers as would be passengers waited for passage at the Vancouver & Victoria terminals.

The Coastal Celebration operates 8 daily sailings & is able to carry up to 310 vehicles & 1,604 passengers including  crew.

Difference Between A Ferry & A Cruise Ship

Taking a Ferry vs Taking a Cruise
A ferry is a basic form of sea transportation & does not provide the amenities offered by a cruise ship. Ferries carry passengers and/or vehicles & cargo, from one port to another, have limited and very basic cabin space and usually only a single cafeteria.     Ferries should be thought of as sea buses .... designed to travel between port A & port B, (or on longer routes) stopping at each port for only a short time & simply to pick-up and drop-off passengers before proceeding to the next port. 
Cruise ships however are designed as resorts on the sea .... stopping in various harbours for extended periods so their passengers can disembark to explore the port.  Cruise ships typically have amenities like pools, spas, entertainment, multiple restaurants, hotel style cabins and they provide services geared to ensuring their passengers have access to most of the amenities that would be enjoyed if staying at an onshore resort.
Cruise ships often carry hundreds & some vessels even thousands of passengers, while the larger ferries typically accommodate only a few hundred passengers. 
Surprisingly, on longer trips, a cruise ship ticket which is typically all inclusive, can often be less expensive than a ferry ticket as the ferries charge for each component ( food, cabins, drinks, luggage storage, pet etc) and are not designed to be anything other than a basic mode of transportation.

Mechanical Difficulties Plague BC Skidegate Ferry

BC Ferries MV Northern Adventure Delayed

 The Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii  (Skidegte) ferry scheduled to depart mid morning on 05 July, was delayed after suffering a pump malfunction. 
 The delay was soon fixed.
 
 Call BC Ferries at 1 250-381-1401 for updated information

BC Ferries July Long Weekend Notice

BC Ferries cancels 48 daily sailingsbetween Mainland & Vancouver Island
Due to an unexpected maintenance issue on the Coastal Celebration (one of its largest ships) BC Ferries has had to reassign some 6,600 Bookings between Tsawwaseen & Swartz Bay ahead of the Canada long weekend 

Call 250 381 1401 for the latest sailing schedule information

Travelling with a Trailer on The Ferry

Canadian Border Entry Information

CANADIAN MARINE BORDER ENTRY:  

 

Effective October 1, 2022 

– all travelers entering Canada, regardless of citizenship, no longer have to provide proof of vaccination, self-isolate or quarantine, undergo any type of testing, monitor or report symptoms of COVID-19 or fill out the ArriveCAN app or website. 


Please click on the live link Transport Canada below for Canadian border entry ID requirements.


 Per: ( Transport Canada) 

Ferry Cancellation & Amendment Fees

Be sure you Are Booking Only the Travel Dates You Want 
Cancellation & Amendment fees are based on a number of factors but can be quite heavy depending on when they occur relative to the travel date. The closer to the travel date booked the higher the fees.
 Cancellation fees were introduced because it was discovered that when unsure of desired travel dates, people would often hold space on 2 or 3 dates. 
Because of the popularity of the ferries this often meant that a sailing would show sold out when in fact it might not be

If illness is the cause of a cancellation or amendment it is important to provide a doctors travel advice on official letterhead and often all but the credit card fees can be refunded

Ferry Help Hints

Did You Know This About The Ferries ?
In Alaska there is only one (1) passenger/ vehicle ferry system.
It operates year-round and is easy accessible through www.ferrytravel.com
In British Columbia there there is only one (1) passenger/ vehicle ferry system.
It is reputed but still unconfirmed, that there may soon be a passenger-only ferry system between Nanaimo, BC & Vancouver, BC
It operates year round and is easy accessible through www.ferrytravel.com
In Washington State there are 3 systems; the passenger-only one of which can be booked through this site
 
There is no need to go from one website to another if you have been advised that a particular sailing is sold out.

Bellingham Ferry Space Tight

Popular Inside Passage Ferry Sold Out of Vehicle Space Until late June

A number of factors have combined to make booking the Bellingham ferry into Alaska a less than easy task for those who have waited to secure vehicle reservations for summer 2023.
 
The MV Columbia with a 499 passenger & a 133 vehicle ( at 20' per) capacity, is Alaska Marines' largest vessel.
She travels north every week from Bellingham to make her way up the Inside Passage with stops in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines & finally arriving in Skagway before returning south. 

While all sailings North are currently sold out of vehicle space until mid-late June, it is always good to call 1-800-686-0446 or go onto www.ferrytravel.com to see if someone may have cancelled. 

Vehicle, passenger and cabin space is still available for travellers headed South from Alaska to Bellingham . 
The 2 Berth cabins from Bellingham (of which there are only two), are also sold out until late summer -  but 4 berth cabins ( ie cabins with 2 bunk beds ) are still available in both directions.

Sleeping accommodation is available on the Columbia on recliner chairs in any of the lounges  & many passenger like to pitch a tent on the aft deck in the solarium.

With public showers available, lack of a cabin should be no deterrent to the Alaska bound traveller. 

Access Alaska Without Travelling Through Canada

Barging to Alaska Avoids Travel Through Canada


 Because the Cross Gulf ferry route is not available this year, the only 2023 summer alternative to bypassing Canada to access Alaska with a vehicle, is to barge from Seattle. 


Barges departing every Tuesday, make the trip from Seattle WA to Anchorage or Fairbanks in approximately 2 to 2-1/2 weeks.


While barges are for vehicles only ( no passengers), Alaska Airlines has been running out early morning Seattle to Anchorage specials at a little over $110.


 For barge costs and sailing times go to www.ferrytravel.com and set the quote widget on the Home Page to Seattle barge to Anchorage. 



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