To minimize transmission of COVID-19 the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) announced new operational protocols to protect against the transmission of COVID-19 on vessels.
These protocols apply to: 1. All passengers (over the age of 2) on the mainline ferries Kennicott, Matanuska and Tustumena are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before boarding.
2. All passengers on the day vessels LeConte and Lituya must complete a Passenger Screening Form (click to download) before boarding. They must respond "no" to all questions.
3. Passenger boarding in Bellingham Washington must complete the mandatory State of Alaska Travel Declaration Form (Click to download) and provide these to AMHS crew at boarding. AMHS passengers must be able to select #1 (a) on the declaration form. 4. All passengers (over the age of 2) and crew are required to wear face coverings while onboard mainline vessels Kennicott, Matanuska and Tustumena, except when in a stateroom, in a designated smoking area or while eating.
Accommodations will be made for passengers who are unable to wear a face covering due to medical conditions.
5. All passengers (over the age of 2) and crew are required to wear face coverings while onboard the day vessels LeConte and Lituya, except when in a designated smoking area or while eating.
Accommodations will be made for passengers who are unable to wear a face covering due to medical conditions.
- Passengers and crew will not be allowed to go ashore during port calls. - Passengers will be allowed ashore only upon arrival at their destination port. - All passengers and crew will practice social distancing.
The safety of passengers and crew is the highest priority for the Alaska Marine Highway System. AMHS continues to work closely with Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to establish protocols intended to protect everyone during sailings, especially sailings that are longer in duration.
For more information please email info@ferrytravel.com
BC Ferries Unveils The Ferry " Island Discovery "
Hybrid-Electric Ferry For Texada Island – Powell River Route
The Island Discovery, BC Ferries' latest addition to the fleet, will begin regularly scheduled service between Texada and Powell River with the 3 p.m. sailing on Wednesday, June 10, .
With a capacity of 47 vehicles and 392 passengers, the Island Discovery is the first of a series of hybrid-electric ships
designed for future full electric operation. Her launch will see the 59-year-old North Island Princess retired.
The hybrid technology enables the ferries to bridges the
gap while waiting for shore charging infrastructure and funding to become available.
Replacing the Quadra Queen II ( which will become a relief ferry) on the Port McNeill – Alert Bay – Sointula route
later in June, will be the Island Aurora, the second vessel in the Island Class series.
To book ferry travel, go to ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446
BC Ferry Passage Requirements
Face Masks A Must For All Ferry Passengers
As of 15 June, 2020, all passengers travelling onboard BC Ferries, on routes longer than 30 minutes are required to be in possession of a face mask that covers their mouth and nose.
Passengers must agree to wear the covering when they cannot maintain two metres (six feet) of physical separation from other people onboard.
This directive applies to all passengers over the age of two, including those passengers travelling in a vehicle.
Customers must bring their own face coverings as BC Ferries will not be supplying them to travellers.
For all questions or to book the Port Hardy - Prince Rupert ferry, please email info@ferrytravel.com
Alaska Cancels The Tustumena Ferry Sailings
MV Tustumina Ferry Sailings Postoned Due To Covid-19
While AMHS had planned to resume the MV Tustumena ferry service Saturday, June 13, a crew member on the vessel has tested positive for COVID-19.
This has resulted in 35 crew members now going into quarantine thereby causing all Tustumina sailings to be cancelled until the crew shortage can be rectified.
All AMHS passengers who are impacted by the canceled sailings are being notified.
Alaska Ferries Restrict Space
Ferries To Alaska Booking At 33% Capacity
For the protection of both passengers and crew through working to ensure safe distancing practices, the Alaska ferries have reduced the ridership on each ferry by 66%.
This means that almost every sailing sells out very quickly and that dynamic pricing goes into effect almost immediately.
To secure space on any sailing it is essential to book as far in advance as is possible. If a sailing needs to be changed later, the fee is modest and is certainly less that booking late at a higher fare.
For more information on specific sailings ( note that the fare quote is the base price) go to www.ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446 to make a booking.
Passport Reminder For Alaska Ferry Travel
Bellingham - Whittier Passengers Do NOT Require Passports
Passengers boarding the Alaska ferry in Bellingham and travelling to Whittier ARE NOT REQUIRED to carry passports as that ferry does not stop in Canada.
Passengers travelling on the Bellingham - Haines ferry ARE REQUIRED to carry passports as the ALCAN Hwy from Haines AK to Anchorage, Fairbanks etc, dips into Canada for a short time before re crossing the border back into Alaska.
Note: Canada does not allow entry with either handguns, semi automatic or automatic rifles.
(Weapons can be sent by Fed-X to Alaska)
Canada also deems a DUI conviction ( Driving Under the Influence) to be a felony & may refuse entry.
For more information check the FAQ page on Ferrytravel.com
Alaska Ferries Implement COVID-19 Protocols
Alaska Ferry Protocols
Capacity on all Alaska ferries has been reduced by 66% to protect both passengers and crew.
The objective is to enable easy social distancing: distancing which will be enforced.
Face coverings arestrongly recommended for all passengers.
Enhanced COVID-19 protocols have been implemented at all terminals and aboard all vessels.
Passengers will be required to complete a health screening form prior to boarding and people who are ill,or have recently had contact with an infected person, will not be permitted to travel.
All passengers & AMHS employees are instructed to: 1. practice good hygiene 2. follow social distancing guidelines 3. ensure social distancing in food service spaces
Ferry Port Hardy to Prince Rupert
Discovery Coast Is There To Explore
The BC Ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert is currently operating & offers a fabulous opportunity to explore the BC coastline with your camera.
Sailing every Wednesday and Saturday from Port Hardy at 5:15pm, the ferry will arrive in Prince Rupert the next day at 11:00am.
From Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, the ferry sails each Tuesday & Friday and departs Prince Rupert at 8:00pm arriving in Port Hardy the next day at 1:45pm
To explore this trip go to www.ferrytravel.com to secure your reservation.
Clipper Postpones Seattle - Victoria Ferry Service Till July
Clipper to Commence Ferry Service In July
The popular and much missed 2-3/4 hr ferry trip between Seattle & Victoria is expected to return to service with a reduced Friday - Monday only schedule on July 3, 2020.
It is expected that as a result of Covid-19, Clipper will operate only 4 days a week (Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon) with one round-trip sailing from Seattle and one round-trip sailing from Victoria.
July 03 - July 31 Depart Seattle 8:00AM Depart Victoria 6:00PM
Aug 01 - Sep13
Depart Seattle 8:00AM Depart Victoria 6:00PM
Sep 14 - Jan 03, 2020
Depart Seattle 8:00AM Depart Victoria 5:00PM
Schedules will however depend on the expected reopening of the border between Washington and BC.
Alaska Pulls The MV Columbia From Service
Alaska Marine Ferry Updates
The MV Matanuska will replace the MV Columbia & will return to service 01 July. She will provide ferry service for the Inside Passage from Bellingham WA to Skagway AK.
The MV Kennicott is
schedules to return to service June 25. She will depart Ketchikan to
Bellingham WA to begin the cross-gulf run which will include stops at Ketchikan; Juneau; Yakutat and Whittier. On alternated weeks she will provide
ferry service to the communities of Prince William Sound
The MV Tustumena
is due to return to service 02 June. The ferry will depart from Homer
round-trip to Seldovia with a late evening departure to Kodiak.
The MV LeConte is due to return to service 17 June with ferry service to the Northern Panhandle Pelican; Hoonah; Gustavus; Tenakee; Angoon and Kake.
The Covid-19 situation could cause schedule changes at any time.
Alaska Ferries : Understanding Dynamic Pricing
OnLine Pricing Quotes Show Base-Only Fares Dynamic pricing can be frustrating because on any route, the Alaska ferry fares can change several times a day, or remain constant for several days. The following should help by detailing the online booking process.
Prior to payment of an online booking request, the following pop-up will appear:
This is essentially a note to advise that because of dynamic pricing, the fares delivered on-line may vary from the constantly changing dynamic or staircase fare. By clicking OK, a prospective traveller is able to proceed with a space request - but is not committed to purchase until the requested space is confirmed with an email or phone call.
On completion of an online booking request, 3 things happen.
1) an immediate email is sent confirming that the request has been received, and noting that a space confirmation will follow shortly.
i.e. Thank you for booking with the Ferry Travel Gateway.
Your Booking Reference number is *******
The Alaska Marine Highway System confirmation is to be confirmed. Please note: this booking is provisional depending on availability. An email confirming your booking and providing your confirmation # will be sent shortly."
2) Payment of the base fare is held ( the credit card will show a "Pending" charge.)
3) The booking and pricing as requested, is either confirmed with a confirmation number ( the credit card charge will then complete) - OR - if either the requested space is unavailable, or the fare has changed, the prospective traveller will be contacted BEFORE the charge to their credit card has completed.
Dynamic pricing is employed by Alaska
Marine only . Pricing for BC Ferries between Port Hardy & Prince Rupert; Inter Island Ferries between Ketchikan & Hollis;
Clipper Navigation between Seattle WA and Victoria BC; Black Ball between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC & Washington State Ferries through WA and to Sidney BC as show on-line, is accurate.
AMHS TO THE RESCUE
Temporary Service between Ketchikan & Hollis
AMHS has stepped in to provide temporary service between Prince of Wales Island and Hollis as the Inter Island Ferry, MV Prince of Wales, suffered engine issues.
Repairs are currently underway and it is anticipated that the MV Prince of Wales will be back in service on June 11.
It the interim the Alaska Marine vessel MV Lituya will step into the gap providing round trip Ketchikan-Hollis service on Thursday 28 May and on Saturday May 30.
Additional Ferry Stops Added
MV Tazlina Added Ferry Stops
On Thursday May
21st & Thursday June 4th the MV Tazlinahas added stops to Angoon.
There will also be a stop at Hoonah on Thursday May
28th.
Four Alaska Ferry Vessels Expected To Resume June July Service
An updated summer schedule to provide what the state believes to be an appropriate level of ferry service based on demand and Federal guideline for the CPVID-19 virus is now in place.
NOTE: The schedules shown are tentative and could change based on the demand of travellers. Please confirm scheduled sailings at info@ferrytravel.com
The following ferry vessels sailings are current, although tentative: 02 June: The Tustumina sail to Southwest Alaska (Kodiak & the Aleutian chain) 1x per month. 25 June: the Kennicott will resume service Ketchican to Bellingham. She will travel the cross-gulf route (Juneau - Whittier) on alternate weeks. 17 June: the LeConte will commence the Northern Panhandle service. 01 July: the Columbia is scheduled to commence service for Southeast Alaska ( Bellingham, Ketchican, Wrangell, Sitka Petersburg, Juneau, Haines, Skagway)
For the quickest, easiest way to get back to the site to either plan or book your ferry trip, bookmark (or put into favourites) the home page www.ferrytravel.com
Alaska Ferry Overhaul Update
Alaska Ferry Maintence Update
The Alaska ferries Columbia, Kennicott, and Tustumena are all in the completion phase of their yearly overhauls.
The LeConte has completed extensive steel repairs and is expected to be back in the water this week.
The Aurora is expected to be ready to return to service in the late fall of 2020 after enjoying a complete overhaul.
The Matanuska experienced mechanical failure in January and this has now been completed.
Alaska Ferries are planning a return to service based on both demand & the current COVID-19 situation.
Ferry service from Juneau to Haines & Skagway, and to Angoon and Hoonah continue their 3 day a week sailings.
Tentative early June schedules for ferry service from Homer are currently being drafted, and a modified cross-gulf route is anticipated commencing in July.
Ferry service from Bellingham Washington to Alaska (Ketchican, Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines and Skagway ) is scheduled to begin July 10.
Ferry service from Bellingham Washington to Whittier Alkaska (this route avoids travelling through Canada ) is scheduled to begin July 25.
For ferry sailings over 30 minutes in length, BC Ferries will be screening
passengers prior to boarding a ferry .
Terminal signage will show a simple list of questions that will be asked by the ticket agents.
The 4 screening question are: 1. Do you have a fever and a cough? 2. Do you have a fever and breathing difficulty? 3. Have you been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID-19? 4. Are you the subject of a provincial / territorial or local public health order?
Anyone answering "yes" to any of the 4 questions will be denied boarding
Prince Rupert Ferry Update
Alaska Cancels Prince Rupert Ferry
The ferry between Prince Rupert & Ketchikan has now been cancelled until further notice.
Resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic, a reduced service plan throughout the Alaska ferry system has been introduced.
Ferry sailing updates can be found by looking at either the Get Quote box on the right side of the page on this site or sending an email to info@ferrytravel.com
Passport Requirements
Passports Are Required When Crossing Any Border
If travelling from on country to another whether by land sea or air, a current passport is required.
The only way to avoid travelling through Canada to get into Alaska, is either by air or by booking an Alaska ferry to Whittier.
To get from the Lower 48 to Alaska by ferry one would need to book Bellingham - Whittier
(Bellingham WA is the most southern terminal for the Alaska ferries)
It is important to note that the Bellingham - Whittier ferry only 2x per month and only between April and September.
