For Alaska Ferry, BC Ferries or Seattle Victoria ferry booking help call: FerryTravel online ferry booking for Alaska Ferry, BC Ferries or Seattle Victoria. Call us 1-800-686-0446
Get Quote / Reserve

All news

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.

For information & bookings on the Port Hardy ferry sailings and the Prince Rupert ferry sailings go to www.ferrytravel.com

Schedule A Covid-19 Test In The Bellingham WA Area

Northwest Laboratory on Meridian Street in Bellingham

To be tested for COVID-19, first contact your healthcare provider.
Testing locations are only accepting patients who have been referred by a health care provider.
Do not contact testing sites without first contacting your healthcare provider and getting a referral.  

Testing in Whatcom County is currently being performed at several locations.
Northwest Laboratory at 3548 Meridian Street, Suite 101 in Bellingham is the site with the greatest capacity.
They offer drive-through testing for patients who have referrals and have made appointments.

If you have a physician’s referral, call 360-527-4592 to schedule an appointment.

Alaska Implements changes to Operating Proceedures

AMHS Current Standard Operating Procedures

"Alaska marine has implemented changes to their standard operating procedures to protect against the transmission of COVID-19 on their vessels. The safety of passengers and crew is the highest priority for the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Alaska Marine continues to work to establish protocols intended to protect everyone during sailings, especially sailings that are longer in duration.
Alaska Marine highly recommends that all passengers make advanced reservations to ensure confirmed space for travel during this time as they are operating with reduced vessel capacity.

Travel protocols for the Alaska Marine Highway were developed specific to ferry travel and may be more restrictive than State of Alaska travel mandates. Please follow all Alaska Marine protocols when planning to travel by ferry and State guidance for all other travel.

Travel Advisories

Travel to Alaska – Beginning Friday June 5, 2020 at 11:55pm travelers arriving into Alaska from another state or country must follow new protocols. Read the new rules on the Traveler Information page.
For all the latest State of Alaska health mandate details, please see the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website: https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-mandates/.

Travel within Alaska – All travel to or from a community off the road system or marine highway system is prohibited, except as necessary for critical personal needs or critical infrastructure.
This mandate is in effect until rescinded.
For additional details on the definitions of acceptable travel, critical personal needs, or critical infrastructure, please see the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website: https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-mandates/.


Alaska Ferry Travel Protocol Requirements

AMHS Announces New Protocols

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.

To find testing in your location, visit:
Test site locator for the U.S. Alaska test site locator


Ferry Travel Update Re Covid-19

Alaska Ferry Covid-19 Update

Travel on any Alaska ferry now requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test completed within 7 days of travel.
Links are provided to both the State of Alaska COVID -19 declaration and to the test location sites.

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 are strongly 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.

Popular Categories

News

Popular author's