Victoria Ferry Traffic detours: Sun 21 August 2016Friday, August 19, 2016

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
 

Still No word on Alaska Marines Delayed Fall-Winter Schedule ReleaseTuesday, August 16, 2016

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.