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A New Revenue Stream For The Ferries In Alaska ?

A Potential New Revenue Stream For The Ferries In Alaska ?

While Alaska State laws do not currently allow casino gambling, it has been suggested that there might be an opportunity for those Alaska ferries that travel 3 miles offshore, to skirt that law and to explore slot machine gambling as a new revenue stream.

After many years of not raising fares to keep pace with either fuel increases or inflation, the Alaska ferry system has found itself heavily in debt, totally underfunded, and due in part to the costly maintenance of an aging fleet, unable to provide the reliable ferry services expected by both the states' residents and visiting tourists.

A litany of events including heavy "catch-up" fare increases,  a short lived dynamic pricing policy,  the consistent delay in the release of each new seasons sailing schedules, all coupled with the peculiar decision to disconnect from the once broad international travel agency support, has 
combined to contribute to the
 beleaguered ferry system loosing ridership.

Would the introduction of slot machine gambling make up for lost ridership revenue by providing a worthwhile revenue stream?   
Would onboard gambling contribute to increasing tourist ridership?  
Would slot machines be enough of an entertainment enticement for resident Alaskans to pay the ferry ticket cost simply to play the slots?  
The Wasilla Republican Jesse Summer believes the answer to all those questions is Yes. 
And to that end Mr Summer has reintroduced HB 197 saying that the benefit to be derived from the taxes and gaming on the ferries could generate a new revenue stream of 20+million.    

Perhaps better odds might be achieved if the state simply released each seasons' schedules in a timely manner;  worked toward reinstating the popular Cross-Gulf and Prince Rupert ferry routes, and then began repairing their fractured relationship with travel agencies who, by being convinced to again promote exploring Alaska by ferry, could undoubtedly increase ridership.   



The Convenience Of Barging To or From Alaska

Barges: A Wonderful Alternative to Driving or Ferrying

Every week, year-round barges carrying vehicles ply their way between Washington and Alaska.  No Passengers - only vehicles.

Barges are reliable, easy to book and are a cost efficient transportation alternative to either driving or ferrying into or out of Alaska for a number of reasons.
1) Barges are not subject to cancellation because of crew shortages
2) Barges depart evey week, year-round
3) Barges serve most Inside Passage ports + Anchorage & Fairbanks
4) Barge prices are comparable to those of the Alaska ferries
5) Barging saves wear & tear on ones vehicle

A barge travelling between Anchorage or Fairbanks and Seattle typically takes between 2-1/2 to 3 weeks.
And for those PCSing or relocating, there are virtually no restrictions with respect to loading your vehicle.

To book, get a cost or simply see barge schedules, go to alaskabarge.com and enter into the Outward Route (departure port) where you are starting from. 
Choose "Barge from X  to Seattle" and continue on - this will deliver the dates, travel time and costs, but will not commit you to a booking, unless you choose to complete the form by entering your name etc
 

Two Popular Alaska Ferry Routes Cancelled

Cross Gulf to Anchorage + BC to Alaska Routes Cancelled for 2024

The Alaska ferry route between Bellingham & Whittier has once again been cancelled.
Alaska Marine advised on Jan 19th, 2024 that they are unable to service either the Cross-Gulf or the Prince Rupert to Alaska routes this summer due to a shortage of crew.

The 5 day cross-gulf ferry trip between Washington and Whittier had enabled travellers taking vehicles to/from Alaska to avoid travelling through Canada. 

Without the Bellingham - Whittier ferry, all visitors and residents travelling to/from the state must have a valid passport as the only current access into Alaska, (other than by air) will involve travelling through Canada. 

For those people moving to or from Alaska, barges are a great option. Barges can carry all vehicle types and run weekly year-round Seattle to Anchorage (& most other Alaska ports) but they do not take passengers.
( Visit alaskabarge.com for costs and sailing dates or call 1-800-686-0446).

While barging a vehicle is perfect for those moving to or from Alaska, the 2-3 week travel time means barges are not practical for those planning to visit the state for a short holiday.  

For any questions regarding travel to Alaska send an email to info@ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446 

Demand For BC Ferry Northern Routes Heavy

BC Ferries Showing Sold Out For Port Hardy to Prince Rupert

Overheight vehicle space is currently showing as "Sold Out" between early July and early August for vehicles either over 7' high or 20' long.
RVers & Camper drivers seeking to travel during that period should immediately forward  their needs to info@ferrytravel.com so that they can secure space on the standby list.
 The ferry sails in both directions between Port Hardy & Prince Rupert on the odd days in both July & August ( eg 1,3,5,7 etc).

Standby waitlists are filled in order of request receipts, but this far in advance stand a good chance of being successfully filled.

For more information or to get onto the waitlist, Call 1-800-686-0446 or email info@ferrytravel.com  
  

25% Off Seattle - Victoria ferry

Save 25% On Ferry Travel March 01 thru December 31 2024
The 25% off ferry special applies to all Seattle -Victoria ferry travel between 01 March 2024 & December 2024 providing the reservation has been made prior to February 29 2024 through toll free 1-800-686-0446.

The fast ferry travelling between downtown Seattle and downtown Victoria takes approximately 2-3/4 hrs and travels through the Salish Sea.
If lucky, passengers might see the resident orca pods J, K & L foraging for their preferred salmon diet.
Regardless of this lucky sighting, the "mini cruise" is a wonderful way to visit Victoria on Vancouver Island.

And don't forget to visit the world renowned Butchart Gardens located just 45 minutes from where the ferry docks. 
A bus dedicated to transporting visitors to the Gardens will meet the ferry and take passengers out to the Gardens and then return to the city in good time for passengers to reboard the ferry back to Seattle. 
(Butchart Gardens will be closed between January 22 and February 05)
 

BC Ferries Cancels Sailings Due To High Winds

Ferry Passenger Safety & Comfort A Priority
The high winds and waves resulting from an approaching Arctic Front & which caused sailing cancellations between Vancouver Islands' Tsawwassen Terminal and Victorias' Swarts Bay terminal yesterday, continue. 
 Gale force winds and predicted high tides have resulted in the cancellation of the 7:00am and 9:am sailings today.

The Clipper Seattle to Victoria ferry is still in dry dock for her annual maintenance check and is not expected to return to service until February 16th.

The Coho serving passengers travelling between Port Angeles and Victoria is also in Drydock until the 7th of February.

Seattle - Victoria Ferry Out of Service

High-Speed Seattle to Victoria Ferry Service Update

The annual drydock service to ensure the ferry between Seattle & Victoria is in perfect shape for the 2024 season, means there will be no ferry service between the two cities from Jan 08 until Feb 16.

Spring / summer schedules can be found, and reservations from Feb 16 onward, can be made by clicking here.

The fares shown on www.ferrytravel.com are standard fares which can be cancelled or changed.
Discounted fares, which are fares that can not be changed, cancelled or refunded are available through the call centre at 1-800-686-0446

Crew Shortage Impacts Whittier Sailings

Gross Gulf Ferry Crew Shortage

For the second year in a row, it now appears (but is not yet confirmed) that the Alaska ferry route from Bellingham to Whittier may not be included in the summer schedule due to a shortage of crew.

The cross-gulf Bellingham - Whittier sailing was not only one of the most popular,, but most important visitor and resident routes to Alaska, because it enabled those traveling to the state to avoid acquiring a passport. 

Passports are required when changing countries, and without the Whittier ferry route, travellers are forced to pass through Canada if either driving the Alcan Hwy*, or taking the ferry to Haines. 
There is only one road into the State of Alaska so there is no alternative to travelling through Canada except by plane.

Canada has strict laws that prohibit the entry of hand-guns, automatic & semi-automatic guns and anyone with a felony conviction. 
And in Canada, a DUI is considered a felony, so travellers either without a passport, or transporting "unlawful" weapons, or having a felony conviction, are limited to flying if they want to enter Alaska.

For anyone moving to or from Alaska, and facing an inability to enter Canada, barging a vehicle makes sense.  
Vehicles with household goods, including weapons (but with empty chambers) can be loaded onto weekly barges which travel to and from Seattle WA to such Alaska ports as Anchorage, Fairbanks, Ketchikan etc

Barging vehicles to Alaska is easy, quick and a service much used by the military as they PCS with their families to or from the 49th state. 

For more information call 1-800-686-0446 
* About 80% of the Alaska Highway is in Canada
 

BC Ferry Fares On The Increase

BC Ferry Fare Increases In April

Commencing this April ( 01 April 2024) BC Ferries will raise their fares an average of 3.2% and that increase is expected to apply each year until 2028.  

In an effort to stay ahead of demand and minimize the rising cost of the necessary new ferry builds to support an aging fleet , BC ferries has committed to an order for 4 new hybrid vessels.

The company has additionally determined that if BC Ferries is to keep its employees happy and to attract new mariners so labor shortages are minimized, it needs to update its crewing model and raise wages.

All this takes dollars and while the Ferry Commission approved a 9% fare increase, that number was lowered to just above 3% when the BC Provincial Government made a 500 million contribution to the company.

That contribution is contingent on BC Ferries commitment to show a long term, reliable & sustainably affordable plan which will reduce their operating costs over the next 4 years by 10 million dollars.


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