Ferry Strike update 07-26-2019Due 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 .
Newest Seattle to Victoria Ferry Has Resulted in a Reduced Environmental Footprint.
The 52 metre, 579-seat catamaran sailing the year-round route between Seattle and Victoria is able to travel up to 36 knots and comfortably handle 6’ waves with no passenger issues.
While the previous vessels were rated for and could handle 6’+ seas, sometimes the passengers couldn’t - so sailing cancellations would occur.
With a motion-dampening system and wave-piercing bows that allow the new ferry to operate in weather that would otherwise have forced sailing cancellations, the new vessel can now provide comfortable service in what was once considered less that accommodating seas.
Because the Clipper V carries so many more passengers than previous vessels, (there used to be 3 vessels operating the route daily) the Seattle ferry company notes that with fewer trips now required between Seattle & Victoria because of the larger vessel, not only have the companies' operating costs been reduced, but there has been a reduction in both the environmental footprint and in traffic on the Salish Sea.
For reservatons on the Seattle & Victoria ferry go to www.ferrytravel.com or if trying to travel within the next 5 days, call 1-800-686-0446
Choose Standard, Vista or 1st Class seating on the ferry from Seattle to Victoria
Earlier this year 2 new classes of service were added to the Seattle - Victoria ferry route.
“Vista Class” - sitting between economy & 1st or "Comfort class" ( comparable perhaps to “premium economy” on a plane) is just $10 more per person each way & provides large leather seats with plenty of leg room; table seating for families or small groups; panoramic views & in-seat attendant service.
Vista seats are located the upper deck of the ferry and provide quick access to the vessel’s outside deck.
The new seating options also boasts “additional legroom” for window seats.
Passengers travelling between Seattle and Victoria on the newest clipper ferry have enjoyed the option of choosing the middle class Vista service since May 1.
For standard economy reservations go to www.ferrytravel.com or to upgrade to the Vista class ferry reservations ($10 more per person each way) call 1-800-686-0446
September Ferry Sailings Confirmed
The M/V Columbia will continue to service the Bellingham WA to Alaskan ports through the end of September 2019.
The M/V Malaspina will also continue to serve the Prince Rupert BC - Alaska routes through the end of September 2019.
The Seattle - Victoria ferry ( foot passengers only, no vehicles ) will continue to operate year-round as will the BC Ferry service between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert.
The Queen of Coquitlam out of Service Pending Mechanical Repairs
A mechanical problem yesterday (Tues) has caused the BC Ferry schedule for the Queen of Coquitlam (Vancouvers Horseshoe Bay - Sunshine Coast Langdale route ) to be altered for the 26th and 27th of June.
Until back in service, the Queen of Surrey will take her place and will operate on a modified ferry schedule ( see below).
Another Summer Passes Without Harbour to Harbour Ferry Service
Island Ferry Services has again delayed the much anticipated 2-1/2+ hr
ferry service designed to transport foot passengers ( no vehicles) from
Downtown Nanaimo to Downtown Vancouver.
David
Marshall, director of operations with Island Ferries has confirmed yet another delay saying that there will be no ferry service operated by Island Ferries in 2019. So another summer without the proposed foot ferry service between Nanaimo and Vancouver will come and go.
The Vancouver Harbour to Nanaimo Harbour passenger-only ferry service has been in the planning stages for more than a decade but vessel, terminal, monetary and management issues have combined to consistently plaque the proposed ferry service.
Maybe next year or, perhaps either the successful Seattle based Victoria Clipper foot passenger ferries, or the Australia-based Riverside Marine who currently operate the V2V Vacations passenger only ferry service between Victoria & Vancouver will step into the breach ?
Travel From Seattle WA to Victoria BC on Vancouver Island
In just 2 hours and 45 minutes you can cruise through the spectacular Salish Sea as you travel from downtown Seattle to downtown Victoria ( or downtown Victoria to downtown Seattle) on what is a unique mini-cruise.
But it's on a ferry; a very fast ferry - in fact, a high speed catamaran that carries 400+ ferry passengers between the 2 of the most fabulous west coast cities - Seattle & Victoria.
The ferry operates the year-round service daily, but in the summer months (mid-May through mid-September), increases the daily sailings from 1 to 2 round trip services.
The ferry offers three
classes of service: Economy on the lower ferry deck; Vista service on the upper ferry deck & Comfort Class also on the upper deck - but in a spacious private cabin with leather seating, complimentary snacks, tea & coffee.
Call 1-800-686-0446; email info@ferrytravel.com, or go directly to www.ferrytravel.com to secure ferry reservations.
BUT Remember - with only 2 daily sailings, ferry space sells out well in advance so to avoid disappointment, reserve as soon as you can confirm your travel dates.
Canada Day Discounts & Activities on BC Ferries & at the Terminals
BC Ferries is offering Canada Day weekend sunrise & sunset sailing discounts on routes to & from the mainland.
Sailings for as low as $49 for a one-way standard passenger
vehicle & driver will be offered
Anticipating possible wait times on the busy holiday weekend, BC Ferries has arranged music performances, mascots and activities for kids and families waiting at the terminals.
An added bonus is that coastal naturalists will also be on hand to both tell stories and talk about the wildlife that can be seen from the ferry, .
Mayne Island Rescue
BC Ferries deployed rescue boats from 2 separate ferries to rescue a person from the frigid waters near Mayne Island on Saturday night.
The rescue boats were deployed at approximately 8:00pm from both the Queen of Cumberland & the Spirit of British Columbia.
Ferry Port Hardy to Bella Coola Direct
With the BC Ferries Northern Sea Wolf now full service, direct seasonal ferry service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola was
reinstated Monday.
Having what it claimed as millions of dollars in lost revenue annually as a result of the route having being once cancelled, the Cariboo-Chilcotin tourism industry celebrated the return of direct ferry service .
With the ability to carry up to 150 passengers and 35 vehicles on the 10-hour journey between northern Vancouver Island and B.C.’s Central Coast, the 246-foot-long Sea Wolf service will extend service through the summer & until Oct. 10
Alaska Ferries Winter Sailings
With the approval of a $46 million agreement between House and Senate lawmakers this week, it appears as if the state ferries will likely run through the winter months.
While the numbers (some 40M less than last year) are preliminary until the state budget is signed by Governor Dunleavy, it would seem a potential winter shutdown has been averted.
