Seattle- Victoria Ferry Service Suspended As Canadian Border Remains Closed
The popular high-speed catamaran which has operated a Seattle -Victoria ferry route every day year-round to serve the interests of visitors travelling between the two cities, has temporarily ceased all operations.
For more than 20 years the clipper ferries have offered attractive Seattle - Victora ferry / hotel and attraction packages, but the continuing Covid pandemic has resulted in the continued suspension of all operations.
Riley Matson, speaking on behalf of Clipper president David Cudgel, has promised updates on when the Seattle - Victoria ferry and Victoria hotel & attractions package service will return to regular serevice.
For updated information on travel between Seattle and Vancouver Island email : info@ferrytravel.com
Seattle- Victoria ferry; Port Angeles -Victoria ferry; Anacortes - Sidney ferry
Alaska Sailing Schedule Proposal
Summer 2021 Proposed Alaska Sailings Mat 2021 - September 2021
MV Kennicott to sail Saturdays Bellingham - Whittier 2 x per month MV Matanuska to sail Inside Passage (Bellingham - Haines) every Wednesday, MV LeConte to sail Northern Panhandle ( Juneau, Haines Skagway ) MV Lituya to sail 5 days per week between Annette Bay and Ketchikan MV Tustumena to sail the Southwest Route ( Homer-Kodiak ) with one Aleutian chain trip per month MV Aurora to sail PWS ( Whittier - Valdez )
Ferry travel to Alaska: www.ferrytravel.com
Alaska Sailings and Fares
Summer Schedules Expected Soon
The long awaited schedules and fares for the summer 2021 season (May through September) are expected to be made available within the next two weeks.
Because the dynamic pricing* structure adopted by the state in 2019 is still in effect, making ferry reservations early will save substantial dollars.
For more information prior to the posting of the new schedules, call 1-800-686-0446.
When the summer sailings become available for booking they can be found by clicking on www.ferrytravel.com
* as space on any sailing decreases, the fare increases
Feberal Mask Requirement
Masks Are Required for Alaska Ferry Travellers
The Federal mask mandate requires Alaska ferry travellers to wear a mask for the duration of their presence both on vessels and while in a terminal building or on terminal premises.
Beginning February 1, 2021 and in compliance with the federal mandate, Alaska ferries will require persons two years and older to wear proper face coverings while using facilities and travelling on vessels. To the extent possible, reasonable accommodation for passengers unable to wear a face covering due to a disability, will be made.
The CDC order makes refusal to wear a face covering a violation of federal law.
All BC Ferry Travellers Are Required to Wear Face Masks
Manditory Masks for Ferry Passengers & Crew
Monday, 24 August 2020 saw the requirement for all BC Ferry passengers and all staff both at the B.C.
Ferries terminals, and aboard all vessels, to wear face masks.
Passengers either in a vehicle or while consuming food /drinks, are not required to wear
masks as long as they are two metres away from others.
Children younger than two years & people with underlying medical
conditions or a disability that prohibits mask wearing are exempt from the BC Ferry ruling.
For ferry updates, schedules and fares, visit www.ferrytravel.com or email info@ferrytravel.com
Mechnical Issue Causes Delay For Alaska Ferry
Juneau - Yakutat Ferry Service Delayed
Port engine mechanical issues have caused a delay in the MV Kennicott schedule between Juneau and Yakutat.
Once the issue is resolved an updated ferry schedule will be available.
For more information email info@ferrytravel.com or check Ferry news on the home page of www.ferrytravel.com
Ferry Update For Prince Rupert To Alaska
Ferry Service Cut Between Prince Rupert BC & Alaska
On Tues, 11 August 2020, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced that Alaska ferry service between Prince Rupert BC & Alaska has been put on hold indefinitely.
Alaska Ferry 2020/21 Winter Service Update
Alaska Ferry Service for Winter 2021 Diminshed
Gustavus, Angoon, Pelican & Tenakee There will be no ferry service from Feb. 15 2021 through April 11, 2021 for the communities of Hoonah, Gustavus, Angoon, Pelican & Tenakee .
Lack of service is attributed to the mechanical overhaul of the ferry MV LeConte.
Prince William
Sound, Homer & Kodiak There will be no ferry service from Jan. 7 2021 thru Mid-March 2021 for Prince William
Sound, Homer & Kodiak
Lack of service is attributed to the overhaul of the ferry MV
Kennicott
Chenega Bay, Tatitlek, Valdez,
Seldovia, Ouzinkie & Port Lions: There will be no ferry service from Oct. 01, 2020
until April 30, 2021 for Chenega Bay, Tatitlek, Valdez,
Seldovia, Ouzinkie & Port Lions
Prince Rupert BC to Alaska Ferry service to and from Prince Rupert BC to Alaska has been put on hold indefinately.
Canadian Border Crossing Update
Canadian Border Crossings Remain Restricted
On Thursday 30 July 2020, Canadian Border Services announced that ONLY the following crossings will be open to travellers entering Canada on the way to Alaska.
In British Columbia: Abbotsford; Huntingdon; Kingsgate & Osoyoos
In Alberta: Coutts
In Saskatchewan: North Portal
Entry into Canada from Alaska is not restricted to specific points
Alaska Day Ferry & Short AK Ferry Travel Trip Information
Covid-19 Details for Alaska Ferry Travellers
Neither Covid-19 testing nor a sworn statement of quarantine are required for short duration or day-boat passenger travel on the Alaska ferries.
The following protocols remain in effect for ALL Alaska ferry travel
All in-state passengers must complete the Passenger Screening Form before boarding and must be able to respond "no" to all questions.
All passengers (over 24 months of age) and crew are required to wear face coverings while onboard vessels, except when in a stateroom, in a designated smoking area or while eating. To the extent possible, AMHS will make reasonable accommodation for a passenger who is unable to wear a face covering due to a disability.
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.
Updated Covid-19 Regulations for Alaska Ferry Travellers
Ferry Travel Covid-19 Regulations
All travellers on Alaska ferries aged 11yrs and older are required to provide negative COVID-19 test results for a test taken no earlier that 5 days prior to travel.
For the August 3rddeparture date it will be a test taken no earlier than July 29th.
It is strongly suggested that would be passengers take their tests on the 29thas many providers are taking the entire 5 days to provide test results.
Travellers who have been quarantining for a minimum of fourteen (14) days can sign an affidavit and gain approval for boarding if a COVID-19 test cannot be taken.
All passengers must wear face masks while on board the ship at all times except while eating or while in their rooms.
Face masks are not provided by the terminal or the ship. Guests will need to provide their own.
Passengers will not be allowed to disembark at any port except the port of their final destination.
Alaska Ferry Schedule Update
Whittier Alaska Ferry Update
On August 3rd, 17th, 31st & on September 14th & 28, the ferries departing Whittier to Bellingham (including Yakutat, Juneau, Ketchikan) will now be departing at 9:45pm.
That is a delay of 7 hours from the original departure time.
Travellers reserved on these sailings should arrive 3 hours prior to departure: ie arrive at approximately 6:45pm, for ticketing and loading.
Th terminal will however be available all day for anyone wishing to arrive earlier than 6:45pm.
Ferry Access To Alaska Limited
Update On Current Ferry Access Bypassing Canada
The Alaska ferries travelling the Bellingham to Whittier route is currently sold out for the balance of the year.
That route, which avoids travelling through Canada, will reopen in April 2021.
US-Canada Border Closure Results in Cancelled Sailings
As a result of the Covid-19 virus and the resulting Canada - US border closure, the high-speed Clipper ferry has now suspended
all sailings between Seattle & Victoria until 30 April 2021.
The
popular passenger-only ferry operated by Clipper Vacations in Seattle
has transported visitors between Seattle & Victoria every day, year-round, since July 1986.
With up to 3 daily sailings between the two cities during the
summer season, the service is a wonderful 2hr and 45 minute mini
cruise.
Information on the Seattle-Victoria ferry service, scheduled to restart 30 April, 2021, will be posted on www.ferrytravel.com when available.
New Covid-19 Regulations for Alaska Travellers
When Travelling By Ferry To/From Alaska
Departing Alaska by ferry
When departing the State of Alaska by ferry, ie going south to Bellingham Washington, proof of having had a Covid-9 test showing negative results within 7 days of travel commencement is required .
Travel to Alaska by ferry
When arriving in Alaska (ie travelling North from outside the state) proof of having had a Covid-9 test showing negative results within 3 days of travel commencement is required
Canadian Border to Remain Closed
Canadian Border Now Expected To Open 31 July
Canada today extended their closed border policy untii the end of July.
With the recent success British Columbia has enjoyed in reducing COVID-19 through both social distancing and the wearing of masks, the BC government is extending the provinces closed border policy to try to ensure that the virus stays under control and new cases diminish.
It is anticipated that the country will reopen the Canada -US border on 01 August.
BC Ferries Add Sailings
BC Ferries Adding Sailings
Commencing July 2, BC Ferries will add 33 additional round-trips each week between Tsawwassen (Vancouver) & Swartz Bay (Victoria).
Eight additional ferry sailings will be added between Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Duke Point (Nanaimo south)
Between Horseshoe Bay & Departure Bay( Nanaimo north), 30 round trips will be added and eight additional
round-trips will be added between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale.
