Newly Released Alaska Ferry Information
The State of Alaska and Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific (IBU) reached a tentative agreement late Thursday night on a new three-year contract.
The agreement allows the Alaska Marine ferries to begin preparations to resume ferry service to coastal communities.
Bringing ferries back into service takes time as Alaska Marine moves crew and supplies back to the ships where they are docked.
Alaska Marine is resuming ferry operations as follows:
Lituya – Will begin with Ketchikan – ANB ferry run at 10:45am on Sunday, August 4th.
Tazlina – Will begin with a revised schedule of the Juneau-Haines-Juneau ferry run at 7:00am on Sunday, August 4th.
LeConte – Will begin a Juneau- Gustavus ferry run at 7:00am on Sunday, August 4th.
Aurora – Will begin with a revised schedule of Valdez-Whittier-Cordova ferry run at 7:30am on Sunday, August 4th.
Malaspina – Will begin with a Juneau Petersburg ferry run at 5:45pm on Sunday, August 4th.
Tustumena – Will begin with Kodiak– Homer ferry run at 10:15pm on Wednesday, August 7th.
Columbia – Will begin with Ketchikan – Bellingham ferry run at 3:00pm on Wednesday, August, 7th.
Kennicott – Will begin with a Ketchikan– Bellingham ferry run at 3:00pm on Thursday, August 8th.
AMHS is still refunding passengers for sailings canceled through service resumption dates. AMHS staff will never request credit card information from passengers. Refunds are automatically returned to the credit card on file.
To inquire about your refund, or rebook/schedule a new sailing, please send an email to info@ferrytravel.com. The Reservations Call Center is open Monday-Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m..
To better serve displaced passengers, calls will answered from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. this Saturday & Sunday.
Due to the high volume of calls, it may take time to connect with a customer service representative. Passengers may also call ferry terminals if hold times are too long at the call center.
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Alaska Ferries Being Scheduled to Return to Work
Although there are currently no explicit details, the Juneau office announced this morning that the ferry strike has been settled & that theAlaska ferries will be gin operating as soon as the vessels are restaffed, repositioned & new adjusted schedules are in place.
Because ferries (and occasionally planes,) are often the only method of transportation for both residents and visitors to/from the coastal communities, the stike which began on Wednesday July 24, saw literally thousands of travellers stranded throughout the State.
Fisheries, transport trucks, health officials, RV &car rental companies were all left struggling to find aternate transportation as the strike entered its 7th day.
It is estimated that some 7,000 would be passengers were impacted by the IBU strikers As both sides dug in their heels, the state had, at last count, to refund some 3.1+ million dollars in pre-booked reservations.
Updates will be postedon the www.ferrytravel.com site as soon as they are confirmed
Alaska State Security Department Bulletin (Anchorage, Alaska) –
"The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) was notified of a report of fraudulent text message targeting AMHS passengers impacted by the ongoing Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific strike.
The State Security Office alerted AMHS to fraudulent text messages targeting AMHS customers waiting for a refund due to canceled sailings.
These text messages instruct recipients to call a phone number.
After dialing the phone number, recipients are then asked to provide a credit card number over the phone.
Be aware that these text messages are fraudulent and should be ignored or deleted". Refunds for cancelled Alaska ferry sailings are processed automatically ( average time is 5-7 business days) to the credit card used to purchase the fare & credit card numbers will never be requested.
Incidents can be reported by emailing infosec@alaska.gov or dialing 907-269-5000.
Alaska Ferry Strike Information
Everyone involved in the booking of Alaska ferry reservations shares in the disappointment caused to so many, by the Alaska ferry strikers.
Too, we hope that sometime in the future you might have an opportunity to again visit the spectacular Alaska communities by ferry.
With respect to refunds, please be assured that full ferry reservation refunds for the boat/s cancelled will be automatically applied to all credit cards as soon as processed.
Please note however that although the banks are very quick to charge ones’ card, it does take them between 5-7 working days to process refunds.
Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience, disappointment and worry the strike has caused.
If you have any questions we can be reached through info@ferrytravel.com or by calling 1-800-686-0446 .
Please be aware that close to 7,000 travellers have been affected by this strike so patience, although frustrating, is much appreciated.
Ferry Reservation Refunds
Be aware that banks can take up to 7 business days to process credit card refunds.
While occasionally it may be faster, the typical time frame is 5-7 working days.
Patience is requested as the Alaska ferry system moves as quickly as possible through the process of refunding close to 7,000 bookings.
July 30 News Release Taken from the Alaska Ferry Office
"Due to the ongoing strike by employees represented by the Inlandboatmen's Union, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) announces the following cancellations.
As of today, future vessel sailings are canceled according to the following schedule:
- MV Columbia: canceled through Wednesday, August 7.
When service resumes it will be a Ketchikan to Bellingham run that day, then resumption of the normal schedule. - MV Malaspina:
- canceled through Sunday, August 4.
When service resumes it will be the Juneau to Petersburg run that day, then resumption of the normal schedule. - MV Aurora & LeConte canceled through Friday, August 2.
Service may resume on Saturday, August 3. - MV Tazlina & Lituya (day boats) canceled through Friday, August 2.
Service may resume on Saturday, August 3. - MV Kennicott: remains canceled through August 7.
When service resumes it will be the resumption of the normal schedule, departing from Ketchikan. - MV Tustumena: canceled through August 7.
When service resumes it will be the Kodiak to Homer run on August 7, then resumption of the normal schedule.
The above schedule takes into consideration where each ship is docked, where it should leave to according to the published schedule & it gives AMHS time to get the vessels fully crewed and provisioned and the ships ready to sail."
Passenger fares for canceled sailings are being refunded. Please note that credit card refunds can take up top 7 days to process.
More than 6,554 Alaska Ferry Passengers Looking for Refunds
As of Monday evening, refunds totaling some $2.8 million are in the works to the more than 6,554 travellers who had booked passage on the 11 Alaska ferries now tied up ion various ports as a result of the Inland Boatmans Union (IBU) strike started last Wednesday.
The strike has caused chaos throughout the state and amongst global travellers trying to meet plane / accommodation etc commitments, but now caught in more than 33 Alaska coastal communities.
Most of Alaska’s ferry-served communities, including Juneau the state capital, can be reached only by boat or plane and so depend on the ferries
for not only passenger travel, but the delivery of groceries, seafood catches,
vehicles and other items.
The IBU’s last contract with the state expired in mid-2017 & the union has accused the Dunleavy administration of bad-faith in
negotiations and labor violations.
Gov Dunleavy, who has expressed a desire to privatize the state operated ferry system, had, last month, announced both deep budget cuts, and at the end of September, the cancellation of ferry service to
several Alaska communities until summer 2020.
www. ferrytravel.com provides information on & secure online
reservations for: the Alaska Ferries: BC Ferries, Seattle Victoria Ferries
and Vancouver Victoria passenger ferry.
Northern Sea Wolf Responds to Crash
The BC Ferries vessel Northern Sea Wolf, was among the
respondents to a float plane crash north of Port Hardy & south of Bella Bella on Friday July 26.
The Sea Wolf, part of the
northern Discovery Coast Connector ferry route, joined the Coast Guard & other vessels in
responding to news of the crash.
The float plane, operated by Seair Seaplanes out of Richmond BC,
had been headed to Calvert Island. An investigation by the Transportation Safety Board is being conducted into what caused the accident.
www. ferrytravel.com provides information on & secure online
reservations for: the Alaska Ferries: BC Ferries, Seattle Victoria Ferries
and Vancouver Victoria passenger ferry.
Refunds for Cancelled Ferry Sailings
27th July, 2019 5:50PM
Due to the ongoing Inlandboatmen's Union strike, Alaska Marine Highway System vessels are still currently not sailing.
All vessel sailings are cancelled through Tuesday, July 30, with the exception of the MV Kennicott, which is cancelled through Wednesday, August 7.
Passenger fares for these affected sailings are being refunded.
The call center will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 29 from 7:30am – 4:00pm.
www. ferrytravel.com provides information on & secure online
reservations for the Alaska Ferries: BC Ferries, Seattle Victoria Ferries
and Vancouver Victoria passenger ferry.
Biden Tweets in Support of Alaska's Ferry Workers
Democratic presidential front runner Joe Biden, who has cast himself as a man of the people in the primary
campaign, tweeted that the "IBU is on strike to ensure this lifeline
for Alaskans." *
Bidens' tweet on 26 July
"The marine transit system in Alaska is vital to rural communities—but
faces draconian cuts in funding. IBU is on strike to ensure this
lifeline for Alaskans will continue to serve communities from Ketchikan
to Kodiak.
The governor must restore full funding immediately. "
Quote taken from KTUU site
www. ferrytravel.com provides information & secure online reservations the Alaska Ferries: BC Ferries, Seattle - Victoria Ferries and Vancouver- Victoria passenger ferry
Due to the
ongoing Inlandboatmen's Union strike, Alaska Marine Highway System
vessels are currently not sailing.
All vessel sailings are cancelled through Tuesday, July 30,
with the exception of the MV Kennicott, which is cancelled through
Wednesday, August 7.
The Alaska Reservations Call Center will be open limited hours
from 10:00am - 2:00pm, Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28.
The
call center will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 29
from 7:30am - 4:00pm.
www. ferrytravel.com provides information &
secure online reservations the Alaska Ferries: BC Ferries, Seattle -
Victoria Ferries and Vancouver- Victoria passenger ferry
No Update on Alaska Ferry Strike
On 24 July 2019 the Alaska State Ferry System was shut down by the Inlandboatman's Union of the Pacific.
The State is currently working to reschedule, reroute or to offer refunds for ticketed passengers.
Because Alaska is dependent on the ferry system to transport not only residents and visitors, but exports headed to market, it is anticipated that the strike should be resolved as quickly as is possible
www. ferrytravel.com provides information &
secure online reservations the Alaska Ferries: BC Ferries, Seattle -
Victoria Ferries and Vancouver- Victoria passenger ferry
Alaska Marine Ferry Press Release: July 24, 2019 4:30 p.m.
The following was just released by the Alaska Marine Highway System PR department.
"This afternoon, the Inland boatman’s Union of the Pacific initiated a strike. Alaska Marine Highway Vessels will not be sailing until further notice.
At this time, we are focused on the safety of passengers, crew and vessels. We are reaching out to ticketed passengers to work with them to reschedule, or offer refunds for tickets. We are working to return ships to safe harbor with adequate shore side support.
Your patience is appreciated as we work through the logistics of getting passengers rerouted. There is a heavy volume of calls right now, we are doing our best to reach everyone as quickly as possible".
Gift Cards for the Seattle Victoria ferry
Give that special someone a Gift Card for the Seattle Victoria ferry.
Printable cards are available & can be used anytime.
The cards are redeemable at any Clipper ferry office ( however not once onboard) & can be used towards the products or services of your choice.
Although they are non refundable, the cards never expire.
Alaska Ferry Schedules Not Yet Confirmed
The proposed Alaska ferry schedules for October 2019 through April 2020 are currently being discussed and public teleconferences re the Southeast sailing times/frequencies are scheduled for 10:00 am July 29, 2019 & the Southwest &
South central schedules will commence at 1:30 PM.
At 1st glance it would appear that there will be service gaps for the following regions :
- the Southwest (Kodiak island, Ouzinkie, and Port Lions) 12 Jan to 30 April;
- the Northern Panhandle 01 Nov to 14 Nov & 15 Jan -01 March;
- the Southeast (Bellingham,
WA; Prince Rupert BC, through the Inside Passage, to Yakutat) 01 Oct -30 April
Opinions will be sought & participation can be had by calling 1-515-604-9000, access code 279613.
Alaska Marine operates 10 ferries serving 35 communities.
Standard, Vista and 1st Class on Seattle Victoria Ferry
The enormously popular Seattle -Victoria ferry crossing often - (& expecially on holiday weekends)sells out of the standard fare seats HOWEVER when this happens it is always wise to email info@ferrytravel.com to see if seats are still available in the other classes.
Victoria Pride Parade 07 July
Because of the Victoria Pride Paradeadditional travel time may be required if taking the Victoria Seattle ferry on Sunday 07 July.
The parade will begin at the corner of Pandora and Government, continue
south on Government, turning west on Belleville, south on
Menzies where it will turn west at Kingston.
The parade will then move southon Oswego
& end at MacDonald Park (corner of Oswego and Simcoe).
The Seattle Victoria ferry terminal is located on Belleville street so may take longer than normal to access during the parade time.
2019 Scouts Canada Pacific Jamboree in Sooke
On Saturday 06 July it is anticipated that the 08:00 am ferry sailing Tsawwassen (Van) - Swartz Bay (Vic) will be filled with hundreds of scouts travelling to Sooke to attend the Scouts 2019 Canada Pacific Jamboree.
And on Saturday 13 July the majority of those scouts will return to the Mainland via the 10am Swartz Bay - Tsawwassen ferry route.
What will be the impact?
It means that if planning ferry travel (either with or without a vehicle) to Victoria or Vancouver on the 6th July or 13 July respectively, it is essential that reservations be made - or alternate sailings planned.
Established in 1994, Ferrytravel.com serves travellers planning to secure information on the following ferry routes. On-line ferry reservations can be made for travel between Seattle-Victoria;
Port Hardy-Prince Rupert, all Alaska ferry ports including Ketchikan,
Wrangell, Sitka, Petersberg, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Valdez, Whittier,
Cordova & Kodiak.
Hop on the Seattle ferry to Victoria for a day trip or a longer stay
Over 900 bedding plant varieties spread across stunning 22 hectares; a nightly live entertainment show from the outdoor stage on the Concert Lawn and on Saturdays from June 29 through August 31, a spectacular fireworks display, all contribute to make the Butchart Gardens in Victoria a treat for all ages.
The Gardens, aside from all other attractions in the BC capital city should, even by themselves, be reason enough to visit Victoria..
Combine either a day visit or a ferry / hotel package to the Gardens with a the high-speed passenger ferry from downtown Seattle & you’ll make a memory not soon to be forgotten.
Established in 1994, Ferrytravel.com serves travellers planning to use the following ferry routes:
Seattle-Victoria;
Port Hardy-Prince Rupert, all Alaska ferry ports including Ketchikan,
Wrangell, Sitka, Petersberg, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Valdez, Whittier,
Cordova & Kodiak.
Canada Day Phone Outage
With apologies we need to report a temporary outage of the Ferrytravel.com phone line.
The phone company is working on the repair but because it is the July holiday, the fix might not be completed until Tuesday. ( Keep trying in case its fixed earlier )
While reservations can be made at www.ferrytravel.com, any ferry related questions can always be forwarded to info@ferrytravel.com.
Again please accept our apologies for any inconvenience.
Ferrytravel.com serves travellers wishing to use the following ferry routes:
Seattle-Victoria; Port Hardy-Prince Rupert, all Alaska ferry ports including Ketchikan, Wrangell, Sitka, Petersberg, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Valdez, Whittier, Cordova & Kodiak .
