V2V Vacations Ferry Goes Seasonal
V2V Vacations the newest ferry service operating between downtown Vancouver & downtown Victoria has cancelled its winter sailings and determined that it can provide the best & most comfortable service on a seasonal basis.
The 254-seat, high-speed passenger-only jet ferry, travels each way between the downtown Vancouver/Victoria city cores in approximately 3.5 hours.
In 2019, a daily round trip is possible.
Although approximately priced at the same level as a Harbour Air flight, V2V Vacations bill themselves as a “mini- cruise”
V2V offer 2 classes so are able to accommodate their 1st class with a complementary full meal, wine etc.
The same is available for the standard fare paying passenger, but the meal is not complimentary.
The 2019 V2V ferry schedule will begin in April
The 1st of Two New Alaska Ferries
Named after the Alaska glacier, the Tazlina is the newest ferry in the Alaska Marine fleet.
Able to carry 300 people and 53 vehicles, the 280-foot vessel, is expected to begin Lynn Canal ferry service in May 2019.
BC Ferries adds extra Thanksgiving Sailings
To accommodate the increased travel demand between the mainland and Vancouber Island, over 80 extra ferry sailings have been added to the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay) route.
On October 5, 6, 8, and 9 there will be an extra sailings from both sides at 6:00 AM
Increasing Demand for Port Accommodation Information
Due to the increasing demand for ferry served port accommodation, ferrytravel.com will be updating each port page with a limited # of live links to local hotels, B&Bs, RV locations and Points of Interest.
If you have a favorite property or attraction please feel free to send us your recommendations (info@ferrytravel.com) so we can try to share your information.
Important to Know Vehicle Height
The BC Ferry Queen of Surrey was delayed 40 Minutes today as the result of an Asphalt truck getting stuck on the loading ramp.
Because the on/off ferry ramps rise & fall with the changing tides, it is essential to know the height of your truck when using a ferry. An extreme low tide can cause issues.
Getting stuck on the ramp can not only cause ferry delays but can be expensive to both the stuck vehicle, and the ferry - know your vehicle height prior to boarding !
BC Ferry Summer Savings
BC Ferries are discounting the passenger vehicle & driver on select sunrise/sunset sailings to either $49 or $59 OW on the Mainland -Vancouver Island routes.
(Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay; Tsawwassen-Duke Point, and Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay)
Select return trips are also available for $49 on the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route.
For more information call BCF at 1-888-223-3779
V2V Ferry Service Enjoying Great Popularity
The newest ferry service, V2V Empress, operating between Vancouver & Victoria is enjoying increasing popularity these days as sightings of the resident Orca pods in the Sailish Sea become more active.
With the ability to slow down to allow passengers to watch the Orcas, the 3hr 15min trip seems more like a mini-cruise than a ferry service.
For more information on the high-speed V2V cat call 1-800-686-0446
Prince Rupert to Alaska Sailings Cancelled for April
Prince Rupert ferry service will be as scheduled until 26 March when the ferry goes into dry-dock until the end of April.
Sailings from / to Prince Rupert and the Alaskan ports of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines & Skagway will resume 28 April 2018.
For updates & further information email info@ferrytravel.com
Checked LuggageEach passenger can check in up to 2 pieces of luggage: each piece to weigh no more than 50 lbs
The linear dimensions including handles and wheels, must not exceed 62” (length + width + height)
Carry-On Luggage
Limited to one piece (less than 20 lbs) without a fee:
Dimensions must not exceed 24” x 16” x 10” (including wheels and frame)
Personal Items
One personal item without a fee, can also be carried on.
e.g. Purse / Briefcase / Camera bag / Diaper bag / Small backpack / Tote bag / Standard size laptop computer case
An ongoing mechanical issue with the M/V LeConte has resulted in the cancellation of the following ferry sailings:
- the January 31 ferry sailing to Sitka
- the Feb 01 ferry sailing from Angoon and Tenakee Springs.
The M/V Tustumena Modified Schedule
The ferry schedule for January 24 thru January 27 has been modified.
Please check the website for updated information.
Storm Damage Affects M/V Columbia Ferry Sailings
The ferry scheduled to sail from Bellingham to Alaska on Friday, January 26th has been cancelled as ship repairs resulting from the recent Alaska storms are not yet completed.
Ferry service from Bellingham is expected to resume next week - February 2nd, 2018.
09 January Storm Warnings for Lynn Canal
50-knot storm force winds and predicted high seas for the Northern Lynn Canal have caused Alaska to cancel the Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Juneau-Haines-Juneau sailings on the MV LeConte.
The MV LeConte will continue regularly scheduled ferry service with her Juneau to Kake sailing, which is scheduled to depart Juneau on January 9, 2018 at 11:45pm.Alaska Just Sold the ferry MV Taku
The MV Taku - a 55 year old 352' long ferry belonging to the State of Alaska has been sold to Dubai based Jabar Al Lawz Trading.
With only a balance of $171,000 owing on the sale & the remaining paperwork to be signed, the MV Taku has completed her ferry service in Alaska and now both residents and visitors can only remember with fondness, the grand old lady who served the Ketchikan - Skagway ferry route for so many years.
The retired ferry will soon head to Seattle, then across the Pacific to the Philippines and then on to her final destination.
Whether she will be scrapped or refitted or perhaps even returned to service as a ferry, is still undecided - but either way, we wish her good luck and a Bon Voyage.
Awww - She's Gone
Sold to the highest bidder, the BC ferry Queen of Burnaby is leaving BC.
Bragging rights to owning that 400+' vessel now belong a new owner who paid $653k (incl taxes).
Six Hundred & fifty-three thousand is less, but much roomer, than the cost of a small Vancouver condo - but like everything else in BC, even an old ferry has increased in value!
The BC Ferries Corp realized an extra couple of hundred thousand from a few years ago when the Queen of Burnaby was 1st put on the market and a $400,000k bid was turned down by BC Ferries.
Happy Sailing or, whatever.
Northern Sea Wolf will serve the North Coast in 2018
BC Ferries new ferry the Northern Sea Wolf will restore direct summer service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola and will provide a
weekly service between Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Shearwater and Ocean
Falls.
The name Sea Wolf was chosen because First Nations legends say the sea wolf, a manifestation of the orca, symbolizes family, loyalty and protection of those travelling in its waters.Bragging Rights
High School reunion coming up? Trying to impress future in-laws?
Depending on your degree
of believability this might just be an opportunity to brag about ownership of a super
yacht.
After all, the Queen of Burnaby is in fact 426 feet -and that ranks
right up with Paul Allen's 414 foot Octopuss. And, its much longer longer than Oprah's MV HARPO.
Currently the Queen of Burnaby is not quite as pretty as either of those - nor does she have the same amenities - but we're talking bragging rights not ferry service, correct?
There are however a few important issues with the retired BC Ferry, Queen of Burnaby.
1) The vessel had experienced periodic leakage of hydraulic oil from controllable pitch propeller hub.
2) she has hazardous materials from new build
3) there are operations which must
be managed in accordance with environmental regulations
4) there is an asbestos issue
5) there are also known issues with diesel fuel, petroleum based lubricants, wiring and
insulation products, paints, refrigerants, plus other chemical issues
5) the ships sailing license had also expired
However, if you had a place to dock the Queen and, were willing to take on the responsibility of owing an aging vessel with many, many, many issues, the Queen of Burnaby could be yours. And how many people own a 426 foot vessel anyway?
BC Ferries has only received a bid of 5,720 CAD on an ask of 6,000 - so the Queen Of Burnaby is still up for grabs!
BC Ferries No Smoking Ban
Commencing 22 January 2018, BC Ferries will implement its No Smoking Ban. The ban applies to both the inside and outside decks of any BC Ferry Vessel.
The new policy supports the health and
wellness of customers and employees by reducing exposure to second-hand
smoke and it aligns with other transportation services to ensure everyone BC Ferries can breathe smoke-free air.
The
new smoke-free policy applies to tobacco and any other substance
including e-cigarettes, and is expected to reduce the number of
complaints BC Ferries receives from customers related to second-hand
smoke. Extreme Weather Causes Alaska Ferry Cancellation
The Dec 18-19th sailings for the MV Aurora is cancelled due to forecasted extreme winds and rough seas.
Alaska Marine notes the ferry (MV Aurora) will have to transit the Gulf before continuing on to service in Prince William Sound.
Ferries to Alaska Must be booked Early
Every year travel disappointment results from having waited too long before booking the ferry to Alaska.
Because there are so few ferry sailings from Bellingham to Whittier ( Whittier is the ferry port closest to Anchorage and the only port that bypasses travel through Canada), space will be sold out within the next few weeks.
To enquire about the schedules, fares etc for the ferries to from and throughout Alaska call toll free 1-800-686-0446.
It costs nothing to build a file which would ensure that you are contacted the moment your requested space is available.
