Alaska Cancels Early April Ferry Service: A delay in departing the drydock has once again caused the cancellation of service on a major Alaska ferry route. A recent announcement from Alaska Marine notes that the April 4-7, 2019 sailings between Ketchikan and Bellingham are now canceled as the MV Kennicott requires more drydock time. It is anticipated that the MV Kennicotts' northbound ferry service from Ketchikan will resume 08 April |
BC Ferry Freezes Fares & Considers Extending Summer Sailings
Ferry Fares to Stay the Same:
BC Ferries has announced it will both freeze and reduce some of their route fares.
At the same time, the corporation is considering extending their summer sailing schedule into the 2019 fall season.
BC Ferries to Increase ferry sailing schedules 01 April, 2019
BC Ferries has committed to increasing service to its coastal communities and Islands
Commencing 01 April, 2019 ferry service will increase through the addition of some 2,700 sailings.
In an effort to serve the needs of Islanders and the BC coastal communities, the BC Ferry corporation will reinstate most of the sailing cuts made on 10 routes in 2014 .
April 01, 2019 The following routes will see increased ferry service:
May 01, 2019 Increased ferry service will commence between:
Crofton & Vesuvius
Once new crews are hired later in the year, increased ferry service for the following ports will be announced & implimented.
Port Hardy & Prince Rupert
Skidegate & Allford Bay
Ferry Delay: Horseshoe Bay to Langdale
Queen of Surrey Experienced Docking Issues
Expect delays in the Vancouver - Sunshine Coast ferry schedules as a result of docking issues suffered by the Queen of Surrey at the terminal near Gibsons this morning.
A tugboat is on the way to help the ferry which is currently caught on a berthing pontoon.
A schedule update can be secured by calling BC Ferries at 888-223-3779 however the next expected sailing from Langdale is at 6:40 p.m. PT.
Ferry Bust or Boom ?
Alaska Ferry Service Debate
As the Alaska State Legislature grapples with their transportation budget & decides whether or not to abandon the Bellingham WA - Alaska ferry route as they restructure their system, it might be asked whether this would provide a revenue generating opportunity for both British Columbia and for the BC Ferry Corporation ?
With Vancouvers' Tsawwassen Terminal only some 20-25 minutes north of Bellingham, a BC ferry offering service between Vancouver & Prince Rupert would enable travellers to still enjoy the beauty of the coast; to enjoy the trip in Canadian dollars, and to avoid the long drive alternative.
The 5 hr Alaska ferry from Prince Rupert to Ketchican, would enable visitors seeking access to the State to still enjoy a ferry route that should include the islands of Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka & Juneau before reaching Haines - where the Alcan Hwy provides access to the rest of Alaska
The 5 hr Alaska ferry from Prince Rupert to Ketchican, would enable visitors seeking access to the State to still enjoy a ferry route that should include the islands of Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka & Juneau before reaching Haines - where the Alcan Hwy provides access to the rest of Alaska
The downside of this thought is the knowledge that to enter Canada, any US citizen travelling to Alaska via Vancouver would need to carry a valid passport and must not be a convicted felon. ( DUI's are considered a felony in Canada)
Too, transporting weapons could be an issue as neither handguns nor automatic / semi-automatic weapons are allowed into Canada.
Too, transporting weapons could be an issue as neither handguns nor automatic / semi-automatic weapons are allowed into Canada.
Currently it is estimated that some 30,000 passengers a year use the Alaska ferry system to travel between Washington & Alaska: a number that brings with it serious dollars for any community.
BC Ferries Building Spree
Five New Ferries Planned for the BC Ferry Corporation
Designed to add capacity to the popular Vancouver –
Vancouver Island routes, the new BC ferries are planned to replace the aging Queen of New Westminster, Queen
of Alberni, Queen of Coquitlam & Queen of Cowichan vessels.
With a focus on working toward keeping fares affordable, to reducing the environmental impact of the vessels, to planning for flexibility to meet changing future demands and, to enhancing the passengers' onboard experience, BC Ferries expects the new ferries to start arriving in 2020
Alaska Ferry System Schedule Debate Continues
Alaska Ferry Schedules for Winter 2019
The State legislature continues to debate both the frequency of and ports to be served by, the Alaska Marine ferries during the winter season ( Oct 2019 -March 2020).
A combination of budget cuts and ferries requiring longer than expected drydock time continues to plague the system.
The Alaska ferry system has struggled over the years to provide confirmed schedules far enough in advance to satisfy travel agents, tour group operators & independent travellers trying to secure Alaska ferry reservations as they make summer plans to explore the State.