BC Ferry Sailings
BC Ferry sailings between Vancouver Island and the Mainland post Christmas continue to be busy.
Additional sailings have been added at the Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen, Duke Point, Departure and Horseshoe Bay terminals.
For up-to-the hour sailing conditions and possible wait times please call 1-888-223-3779
Bellingham Ferry to Alaska on December 30, 2016
The sailing schedule for the Alaska bound ferry departing Bellingham WA on 30 December 2016 has been changed to depart at 16:00h (4pm).
Be advised that vehicle check-in in Bellingham, is 2 hrs prior to sailing.
For aditional information please call the Bellingham terminal at 1-360-676-8445
Relieve the Stress and Book a reservation
Christmas is a busy time and with more than normal traffic expected BC Ferries have prepared a calendar showing the dates expected to have the heaviest traffic.
Heaviest Sailings: Tsawwassen (Vancouver) > Swartz Bay (Victoria)
Dec 16th , 17:00
Dec 17th, 11:00 &13:00
Dec 18th, 13:00 thru to 17:00
Dec 19th, 13:00 thru to 17:00
Dec 20th, 11:00 thru 17:00
Dec 21st, 11:00 thru 17:00
Dec 22nd, 11:00 thru 17:00
Dec 23rd, Noon thru 21:00
Dec 24th, Noonb & 13:00
Dec 25,26, Busy all day
Dec 27th, Expected to be busiest day of the holidays.
Although not required on this route, reservations relieve the stress and anxiety of ferry travel
Conditions of Passage
Every transportation company around the globe ( including ferry operators ) have specific "Conditions of Passage or Terms and Conditions". Sometimes these terms & conditions are long and extremely detailed: sometimes they are short & obvious - no loaded guns- no pets above the vehicle deck - etc.
Each operators conditions of passage are shown in several places on this site so that prior to booking, travellers can determine if they are comfortable complying with the terms of both specific ferry operators and of this site use.
Conditions of Passage appear on the FAQ page; the Terms and Conditions page; on all booking references/receipt emails and on all itineraries.
BC Ferries Christmas Promotion: 50% off all standard vehicles-all routes
Between 14 Nov and 18 Dec 2016 save up to 50% on select sailings between Vancouver - Vancouver Island; the Sunshine Coast; Southern and Northern Gulf Islands. While this discount doesn't apply to passengers, it does apply to standard vehicles to 20'
AND that not all !!!
BC Ferries has extended the savings to cover the Inside Passage; Haida Gwaii; the Discovery Coast connector; Skidegate & Allford Bay
Below are the BC Ferries Terms & Condition for this promotion
"50% Off Standard Vehicles" promotion is applicable to standard vehicles (excludes driver & passenger fares) up to 20 feet in length including motorcycles.
*South Coast Routes: Offer valid on select sailings November 14 – December 18, 2016 on the following routes: Metro Vancouver; Vancouver Island; Sunshine Coast; Southern Gulf Islands; Northern Gulf Islands, in either direction. †Savings reflect Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route. **North Coast Routes:
Offer is valid on all sailings November 14 – December 18, 2016, on the following routes: Inside Passage; Haida Gwaii; Discovery Coast Connector; Skidegate – Alliford Bay, in either direction. ††Savings reflect Port Hardy to Prince Rupert route.
Discount does not apply to extra foot charges for over-length vehicles. Not applicable for buses, commercial vehicles and bicycles
Experience Card and Northern Resident discounts will be increased to match the promotional discount on promotional sailings. "50% Off Standard Vehicles" promotion is available on BC Ferries Vacations™ packages. Promotion cannot be applied retroactively to existing BC Ferries Vacations™ package bookings. Limited time offer. Other conditions may apply. Please visit bcferries.com for full details on applicable sailings. BC Reg. 48839.
The Salish OrcaHaving departed Poland on 22 November, BC Ferries 1st natural gas-powered vessel is expected to arrive in BC in January 2016.
Scheduled to begin service in the spring of 2017, the Salish Orca will serve the Comox - Powell River route.
The 1st of three Salish class vessels ordered by BC Ferries, the Salish Orca will be followed by the Salish Raven and Salish Eagle. These two vessels will replace the retiring Queen of Nanaimo and Queen of Burnaby.
Alaska Marine Sailing Changes
MV Kennicott: 02 Dec 2016 thru 09 Dec 2016The MV Kennicott schedule has been revised commencing Friday December 2nd through Friday December 9th. For more information please email info@ferrytravel.com.
MV Fairweather: 26 Dec 2016
To accommodate high-school basketball players travelling to a tournament,
the Fairweather schedule has changed for one day only.
24 October 2016
Whittier ferry sailings have been cancelled due to a rockslide blocking the Whittier Tunnel
Call 1-877-611-2586 ( Alaska Hwy Dept) for updates
2017 Alaska Festivals
Extra Alaska ferry sailings will often be scheduled to accommodate special community events & festivals. Double check by calling 1-800-686-0446
May 2017
May 04-07: in Cordova - Shore Bird Festival
May 18-21: in Petersburgs - Little Norway Festival
May 25-29: in Kodiak - Crab Festival
May 26-27: in Haines - Craft Beer & Homebrew Festival
June 2017
Jun 15-18: in Whittier - Dustball Tournament
Jun 16-17: in Cordova - Copper River Nouveau
Jun 17 : in Haines - Kluane Bike Relay
July 2017
Jul 14-15: in Cordova - Copper River Wild Festival
July 15-18: in WhiteHorse - Dustball Tournament
July 27-30: in Haines - Alaska State Fair
August 2017
Aug 04-07: in Annette - Bay Founder's Day
September 2017
Sep 04 : in Sitka - Mudball Tournament
Sep 08-09 : in Skagway - Klondike Road Relay
Alaska Ferry (FVF Fairweather) Sailings Cancelled
Due to closing of the Whittier Tunnel the Thursday 27 Oct sailing to Whittier has been cancelled.
The revised ferry sailing schedule for the FVF Fairweather follows:
10/27 8:30 am Depart Cordova
10/27 11:15 am Arrive Valdez
10/27 3:30 pm Depart Valdez
10/27 6:15 pm Arrive Cordova
Revised schedule for Alaska Ferry MV KennicottThe Alaska ferry MV Kennicott recently experienced mechanical issues which resulted in delayed sailings for 17 October 2016
The ferry departed Wrangell approximately 12 hours behind schedule so will sail a revised ferry schedule through Oct.19
The scheduled ferry sailing to Sitka has been cancelled.
Revised Schedule for the Alaska ferry MV Kennicott:
NorthBound
Depart WRG 17-Oct at 09:00A Arrive PSG 17-Oct at 12:00P
Depart PSG 17-Oct at 12:45 P Arrive JNU 17-Oct at 20:45 (8:45P)
Depart JNU 17-Oct at 10:15 P Arrive HNS 18-Oct at 2:45A
Depart HNS 18-Oct at 04:15 A Arrive SGY 18-Oct at 05:30A
Southbound
Depart SGY 18-Oct at 07:30 A Arrive HNS 18-Oct at 08:30A
Depart HNS18-Oct at 10:30A Arrive JNU 18-Oct at 15: 00 (3P)
Depart JNU 18-Oct at 17:00 (5P) Arrive PSG 19-Oct at 01:00A
Depart PSG 19-Oct at 01:45A Arrive WRG19-Oct at 04:45A
Depart WRG19-Oct at 05:30A Arrive KTN 19-Oct at 12:00P
Depart KTN 19-Oct at 17:00 (5P)
Moving by Ferry Can Be Easy
Using the Alaska ferries to move from the Lower 48 to Alaska is not only a relaxing & time saving alternative to driving, but provides some of the most remarkable scenery found anywhere. It's important however to be prepared and follow the guidelines.
Also note that many Inside Passage ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell) are located on islands, so if moving to Anchorage or Fairbanks between Oct and Feb you will need to travel to Haines & then drive through Canada after disembarking.
Between March and September travelling through Canada can only be avoided by taking the cross-gulf ferry from Bellingham to Whittier
Crossing the US /Canada Border
Canada has very strict regulations border crossing regulations and being prepared will make the crossing quick & easy.
Always answer any border officers' questions politely, completely and honestly. Do not be chatty or evasive.
Passports
Anyone over 18 yrs crossing any border anywhere, now needs a valid passport. Children under 18 yrs & travelling with their parents do not require passports.
Firearms:
The Alaska Marine ferry system allows passengers to travel with sealed, empty weapons. Any ammunition must be stored in a place separate from the gun.
Handguns and any automatic or semi-automatic guns are illegal in Canada & can result in both confiscation & entry refusal
Unloaded rifles & ammunition can be taken across the Canadian border but must be declared at the time of crossing
DUI Convictions (driving under the influence)
Canada considers a DUI conviction a felony and may refuse entry into the country. Travellers with a DUI are advised to call their State Justice Department to get the charge expunged so there are no disappointments at the border.
A handy site is http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/prior-criminal-offenses/resolving-criminal-inadmissibility-to-canada/#.V-yuWNze70o
Pets
Pets must have a certificate of good health ( done within 30 days of travel & have a current rabies tag.
Open dog food is ok to take into Canada from the US but it is not OK to take that same open food into the US from Canada
Active Duty Military
Soldiers on active duty and being transferred to a base in Alaska can present their Transfer Orders at the boarder in lieu of a passport.
50% Discounts for Vehicle Drivers Using Alaska Ferries
Vehicle drivers using the Alaska ferries between 01 October 2016 and 30 April 2017 pay only 50% of the regular driver fare.
May 2016- Sept 2016
Bellingham - Haines: Driver + 15' vehicle = 1,719.00
Winter Special: (01 Oct 2016 - 30 Apr 2017 )
Bellingham - Haines: Driver + 15' vehicle = 1,479
All driver discounts are automatically calculated when ferry bookings are made on www.ferrytravel.com
Alaska Ferry Travel Notes
Ferry trips between Bellingham and Whittier are seasonal & are now sold out of vehicle
space through September 2016.
Service on this cross-gulf route is
scheduled to resume in March 2017 but booking is expected to begin in
late November /December 2016.
Note that the cross-gulf sailings must be reserved months in advance to ensure space as they are historically sold out for each summer by March/April.
Currently service to
Anchorage, Fairbanks , Homer etc is available from the lower 48 between Bellingham WA and Haines AK.
Passports are required as the Hwy from Haines takes drivers through Canada.
Active military can show their orders at the border in place of a passport.
Alaska Ferry Definition of Changes vs Cancellations
The Alaska Marine ferry management has re-emphasized that "if a customer is changing the city pairs on their ferry booking - they will be assessed the appropriate cancellation penalty for the sailing they are canceling, regardless if they are increasing the value."
That means for example that if a passengers books a trip Bellingham-Whittier (or between any ports), and then changes the destination- e.g.
-changes their trip from Bellingham-Whittier to Bellingham-Haines, the new request will NOT be treated as a change, but as an original booking cancellation and so will be subject to a cancellation penalty.
The request change, i.e. now Bellingham - Haines, will be treated as a new booking.
Change penalties have always been lower than the penalties for cancellations so it is important to be aware of this Alaska Marine Ferry System policy prior to booking
21 August 2016: Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria
This world class cycling event will result in numerous road closures around the city as the cyclists travel the routes and breathtaking scenery that contribute to the popularity of the event.
Vehicle traffic on Belleville Street (location of both the Clipper ferry & Port Angeles ferry terminals) will be re-routed by traffic control personnel between 04:00am - 18:00 PM.
It is imperative to arrive early for any scheduled ferry sailings
Ferry traffic from both Seattle and Port Angeles will enter off Oswego St
The Belleville St located Hotel Grand Pacific can be entered off Oswego until 10:30am - after 10:30am all entry to the hotel will be off Quebec Street
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 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.
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.
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
