BC Ferry Essentials: Everything you need to know before you set sail 9 Dec 2024 5:36 AM (3 months ago)
BC Ferry Essentials: Everything you need to know before you set sail Serving the needs of visitors and coastal residents in British Columbia, BC Ferries is a publicly owned company which changed from a crown corporation in 2003 to an independently managed company. Having begun operation under the eye of WAC Bennett, leader of the BC SOCRED government in 1958, BC Ferries is today the second largest ferry system in the world. In 2003 the corporation moved from a government owned Crown Corporation to a regulated, independent company falling under under the Companies Act. Because BC Ferries connects the mainland to the provincesâ capital in Victoria on Vancouver Island, it is considered to be an extension of the Trans Canada Hwy: a highway that runs the length of the country from the east coast in Halifax, to the west coast in Victoria. Since its conception in 1958 and the start of operation in 1960, BC Ferries has moved from a two ship operation to a company with more than 45 ships. Some of those ferries carry only passengers, but on most of the 25 routes passenger/vehicle ferry service is provided. Where in the early 1960s the ferries serving BC carried some 1,600 passengers, they now move over 22 million passengers and approximately 8 million vehicles annually. With todayâs numbers, it is important to note that it is now absolutely essential to plan any BC ferry travel early, and to know that there are choice as to how to secure tickets. One can buy BC Ferry tickets online through either any one of several sites, or a BC Ferries ticket booking can be completed by phone. 1-800-686-0446 enables BC Ferries ticket purchases for the longer northern routes like Port Hardy & Prince Rupert. 250-381-1401 is the number for the Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Gulf Island bookings. The most important thing to remember to avoid any disappoint from a finding your desired sailing in a sold-out position, is to buy BC ferries tickets in advance. This can be done online or by phone. BC ferry routes to book in advance Perhaps the most important of the BC ferry routes to book in advance are the Northern routes. This would include BC Ferries to Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, Shearwater, Bella Bella & Bella Cola. Each of these northern sailings provide the best views on the BC Ferry routes. This, especially between June & September, has one travelling through pristine waters where whales, dolphins and numerous sea birds are a common sight. The islands with their spectacular 1st growth forests, the rugged coastline all contribute to a photographer's dream. The BC Ferries routes and schedules for the Discovery Coast passage are determined and published 2 times a year but the pretty much follow a historical pattern with the summer sailings departing in the early morning and the winter sailings departing later in the day. The most heavily used of the ferry routes The most heavily used of the ferry routes are those connecting the Vancouver mainland to Vancouver Island. There are 2 terminals in Vancouver & 4 terminals (to the Vancouver Island side): The Tsawwassen terminal, which is the closest to the US border, provides ferry transportation from the mainland to either Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, or just south of Nanaimo, at Duke Point. The Tsawwassen terminal sailings to Victoria travel through the Gulf Islands and this is undoubtedly one of the most scenic 90-minute ferry trips anywhere in the world. Whales, sea birds, close-up views of Gulf Island resident homes, coupled with the BC Ferries onboard amenities, all contribute to what amounts to a mini cruise. The second Vancouver terminal is located in Horseshoe Bay, in West Vancouver. Ferries sailing from the Horseshoe Bay terminal deliver passengers & vehicles to Departure Bay which is located just north of Nanaimo. BC Ferries reservations for Vancouver Island sell out year-round for most sailings. Fortunately, as there are some 18 Tsawwassen sailings per day starting at 7:00 AM & ending at 9:00 PM in the summer months, and provided one buys their BC ferries tickets in advance, travelling is easy. Buying advance BC Ferries tickets is important because nothing is as discouraging as sitting in one of the terminal parking lots watching as ferry after ferry after ferry sails away without you. Cheap BC Ferries Tickets Occasionally, and at specific times, Vancouver - Vancouver Island âfare saver ferry ticketsâ are available provided the booking is made in advance. These cheap BC Ferries tickets start at $15 for a foot passenger and can be as low as $49 for a car and driver. To secure up-to-date information on the schedules for these âfare saverâ trips, call BC Ferries at 250-381-1401. Note: Discounted fares are only for Vancouver - Vancouver Island sailings, never for the BC Ferries Prince Rupert-Port Hardy sailings. Parking lot and boarding tips If not taking a vehicle on one of the BC Ferries but instead walking on, there is seldom need to pre-book a ticket (except on the Northern routes where booking as either a foot passenger or as a passenger with a vehicle, is essential). Whether travelling with a vehicle or on foot, the check-in time is typically 1 hour prior to sailing, and there are both waiting rooms and usually cafes, in all major terminals. Vehicles with reservations are loaded on a first-come basis, which means if those travellers with reservations take up all available space on the ferry, anyone without a reservation must wait until there is a ferry with unbooked space available. This might not be the next ferry, or the next, or even the nextâwhich is why BC Ferries reservations for and from Vancouver Island, in particular, are so important. For those travelling as foot passengers, there are parking lots located at or near the major BC Ferries terminals. It should be noted, however, that terminal parking at about $20 for 24 hours & $10 for every 12 hours after the first 24, can become quite expensive. BC Ferries Travel Tips for First-Time Riders BC Ferries ships are very stable and in wanting to ensure their passengers have a positive onboard experience, it is rare for anyone onboard a BC ferry to get seasick. High winds and stormy seas combined with perhaps an overabundance of caution will often prompt ferry delays or cancellations because BC Ferries want to ensure that riders have the most positive experience possible. The mainland route ferries (Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo) all have full-service cafeterias offering everything from salads to hamburgers to food bowls to seafood platters. There are also onboard ânewsstandsâ selling everything from childrenâs âsea-focusedâ toys to hand creams, souvenirs, chocolates, snacks, as well as some superb clothing.
Transporting Vehicles to Alaska 1 Oct 2024 10:24 AM (6 months ago)
Just Imagine An Easier Move: Ferry ? Barge? Plane? A Combination?
Well in truth, no move is easy: it's rarely fun and itâs almost always, stressful.
Decisions about what to do with Grandmamas old rocking chairâ¦.take it? leave it ?
Whatâs the right answer ?
Itâs been in the family for 2 generations, but actually looks like its been well used by five generations.
New home, new city, new job, new friends - so much much to consider and time is running short⦠what to do?
Well, while we canât decide what it might that you should take, or leave or to store, we can sympathize.
And importantly, we can help with any transportations needs if they involve sea travel.
Ferries from Bellingham travel each week up the Inside Passage stopping at the Islands of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines and Skagway.
The Alaska ferries operate year-round and take both foot passengers and vehicles measuring up to seventy (70â) long and 12-1/2 feet high.
The ferry doors are 13â high but the ships take into consideration the tides, so always call 1-800-686-0446 if unsure your vehicle will fit.
If you donât like sea travel, no problem because you can also transport you vehicle/s by barge.
Barges typically carry cars, trucks, trailers, RVs and even boats, between Alaska & the Lower 48.
The barges from Seattle stop to pick up and drop off vehicles in every port along the Inside Passage - Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines, & Skagway. And they make this journey 2x a week, every week, year-round.
In addition to serving the islands along the Inside Passage, barges from Seattle to Anchorage and Fairbanks also travel every week, year-round.
The beauty of barging is that barges are typically on schedule, and their sailing dates are rarely cancelled.
This is reassuring if relocating during the winter months !
And the bonus is that as long as there is a 360° view from the drivers seat, & the vehicle being transported has no more that 1/4 tank of gas, they can be loaded with all your treasures. Yep - even Grandmamas old rocking chair !
A big question is always about weapons. As long as the chambers are empty & the guns are locked, they can be transported in your vehicle travelling to Alaska on a barge.
So let's talk a little more about barges.
They make any winter move to or from Alaska easier because they remove both the stress of a long, sometimes difficult drive and, they eliminate the often considerable wear & tear on any vehicle driving the AlCan in nasty weather.
In choosing to barge a vehicle to Alaska and to fly instead of driving, any worries about needing to have a current passport for getting through Canadian customs are removed.
Any worries about having had a skirmish with the law in ones' youth, or having a DUI charge left over from University, is eliminated.
If barging to Alaska you just need to hop on a plane, get settled in your new home, & wait for the call saying the barge with your vehicle has arrived. Easy Peasy.
So whether PCSing, moving to a new job, retiring, or simply unable or unwilling to pass through Canada, barging might not make the move exactly easy, but it will certainly make it considerably easier.
Ferry Operators Donât Have An Easy Job 19 Sep 2024 12:23 PM (6 months ago)
BC Ferries Shares Exciting News.
When the ships are late, ferry passengers waiting to board get angry.
When ferries experiences unexpected mechanical issues & are delayed or pulled from service, the passengers with ferry reservations booked, get angry.
When a ship is tired and needs to be retired or replaced, taxpayers get angry.
To offset all this anger, and with an eye to the future, BC Ferries has researched and is now in the process of not only upgrading a couple of the traditional âoldies but goodies,â but getting ready to build 5 new ferries with all the technological advantages.
The 43 year old C-class Ro/Ro Queen of Oak Bay which serves the Vancouver - Nanaimo ferry route is scheduled for an upgrade.
And so too, is the double ended Queen of Surrey which serves as the main Vancouver- Sunshine Coat ferry.
In addition to the âoldie but goodyâ upgrades, BC ferry passengers can look forward to travelling on new clean & quiet, energy efficient and environmentally sustainable double-ended ferries that in size, will be amongst the largest in the world.
The call for RFPs has gone out and the responses are being waited for & weighed so that budget approvals can be had from the BC Ferries Commissioner.
Once budgets are secured, travellers taking ferries along the BC coast in the future can look forward to boarding and travelling on hybrid vessels that are not only more fuel efficient, but involve less maintenance.
When fuel consumption is improved and when less maintenance is required, costs go down, the pressure on fare increases is reduced, the ferries are on time more often, and passengers are much happier.
So far, no Northern Route ferry to Prince Rupert nor the ferry to Port Hardy are scheduled to be replaced, but the ferry world is changing - so watch for any chatter and ferry updates on the spectacular Norther Route
Thank you BC Ferries !
As Bad Weather Approaches, KIS 18 Sep 2024 10:28 AM (6 months ago)
Thereâs An Acronym Known As KIS*â¦..So What ? You Say.
Well, if youâre smart & are unexpectedly (or maybe expectedly) faced with a move between October & March to or from Alaska, it might, just might be smart to consider letting us barge your vehicle to Alaska. Barges to & from Alaska, unlike ferrie are never cancelled & they are rarely delayed.
Instead of fighting shortened daylight hrs, icy road conditions & a long, long, long cold drive, before having to go through the Canadian border where you may, depending on the agent, have to wait while your vehicle is checked for weapons or fruit or whatever might be in contravention of the custom regulationâ¦..Just KIS*.
Bad weather forces one to not only be an extra diligent driver, but to put aside the urge to see how quickly getting from A to B can be achieved.
With the temptation to make that ALCAN winter drive, just consider the motto of the Boy Scouts & Girl Guides: âBe Preparedâ. You can certainly drive it - but be prepared.
Driving in bad weather is always stressful & in the colder climes like northern BC & Alaska, it's not much fun.
So one answer is just KIS* ( Keep It Simple)
In staying with the KIS theme, itâs helpful to know that if choosing to send your vehicle by barge to Alaska, one can fully pack the vehicle (including those favourite treasures) and as long as there is 360 degree visibility from the drivers seat and no more than 1/4 tank of gas, we can KIS by loading your vehicle onto a barge and delivering it safely & efficiently to any one of several coastal barge terminals: North, South, East or West.
Depending on where the vehicle is travelling from & to, the barge will take between 3 days to 2-1/2 weeks.
Think about relaxing as we take over the driving & send your vehicle by barge to Seattle, Anchorage, or Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau or Skagway.
Barges deliver to most Alaska ports which enable us and you, to KIS.
That's Pretty Rude 12 Sep 2024 11:30 AM (6 months ago)
BC Ferries Gives Pre-Paid Reservation Ticket To Wrong Passenger.
Tragic Wildfire Decimates 30% of Jasper 25 Aug 2024 11:51 AM (7 months ago)
Jasper Alberta Remains Closed.
BC Ferries Passenger Reports Troubled Humpback Whale 27 Jul 2024 11:56 AM (8 months ago)
Fisheries Rescue Distressed Humpback:
Catching A Ferry To Alaska With an RV or Passenger Truck & Trailer ? 26 Jul 2024 1:24 PM (8 months ago)
Alaska Ferry Frustration ?
But guess what ?- that doesnât need to be !
If using ferrytravel.com you wont even need to take an Aspirin!
Just go to the Home Page and fill in what it is you want to book or simply get the cost for.
Quick Tip: if pulling something behind your RV or if you have truck pulling a boat /trailer or anything, you still choose 1 Vehicle.
On the next page enter when it is you hope to travel ( remember some ferries often sell out of vehicle space months in advance)
It is on this 2nd page that you enter what you need for deck space.
The widget asks for the total number of feet, from the front bumper of whatever you are driving to the back bumper of any tow.
The accurate answer to these questions is needed so that two things can be checked.
- If there is enough deck space for your vehicle/s
- The cost charged for the trip based on the deck space, number of people in the party and cabin space ⦠if a cabin, which is optional, is requested.
Pretty simple .. but if you need help, we are happy to help⦠either by e-mail or phone.
If emailing always include your phone number # as we love to chat with ferry travellers
If by by phone at, 1-800-686-0446, please speak clearly
Winter Sailing Schedule for Alaska Ferries 22 Jul 2024 10:05 PM (8 months ago)
Coming Soon To A Port Near You
Sounds a bit like the announcement of a long anticipated movie, but it's more exciting !
Well, more exciting if one is planning a fall /winter ferry holiday, or a move to Alaska from the Lower 48.
The ferry schedules for October 2024 through and inclusive of April 2025 are expected to be released & posted on ferrytravel.com in the next 2 weeks.
Given that all vehicle & cabin space on the sailings both North (from Bellingham WA ) & South ( from Haines AK) have been sold out for weeks, this is great news.
Sadly however, it is not anticipated that the popular Prince Rupert to Ketchikan ferry route will be reinstated until 2025: nor the cross-gulf route between Juneau & Whittier which enables travellers to bypass Canada .
The State of Alaska is however cognizant of the demand for the return of those popular ferry routes, & the department of transport has been working to secure enough crew to once again return those crossings to the regular schedules.
In the mean time, always remember that barges sail from Washington each week, year-round making it always possible to ensure sea transportation for vehicles between the Lower 48 and Alaska.
Twice each week the barges sail north and south along the Inside Passage to serve the ports of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Sitka, Petersburg, Juneau, Haines and Skagway.
Once a week year-round, barges ply the waters to transport vehicles between Seattle, Anchorage & Fairbanks and like the ferries, can be booked on ferrytravel.com.
Remember it's always a good idea to put ferrytravel.com into your favourites so that if you suddenly decide you want or need a ferry trip ⦠whether in North America or in Europe, you simply need to go to your favourites, click on PORTS in the blue header and there it is .... information on ferries around the globe at your fingertips.
Happy planning & if travelling, Bon Voyage
And The Transportation Winners Are ...... Ferries ! 20 Jul 2024 5:16 PM (8 months ago)
Take A Ferry to France for the 2024 Olympics
Once every 4 years, athletes from around the globe travel to compete in the Olympic Games: and this year "The Games" will take place in France.
Commencing on July 26 & running through August 11th when the Paralympic Games begin, France expects to welcome some 11.5 million tourists.
And to help move those visitors to & from France, there will be some 118 daily ferry sailings.
In addition to the tourists, there are reported to be some 10,500 athletes, 45,000 volunteers & 20,000 journalists who will look after the 35 venues spread throughout the country (including Tahiti & French Polynesia).
Part of the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony will be held on the water with more than 10,000 athletes expected to be on boats cruising the River Sein.
In keeping with this water theme, perhaps the best, most relaxing and lest crowded way to travel to the Olympics, might be by taking a ferry to France?
Because of the countriesâ proximity to the sea, there are a multitude of ferry routes - all of which are reservable from the drop-down menu in the blue header at the top of the Home Page on The FerryTraveller site.
Bookings on FerryTravel.com are made in real-time, and one can compare and choose the prices & sailing times that best fit their needs, from the presented page.
Just some of the Fifteen ferry operators sailing to France are noted below.
All 15 however, can be found on FerryTravel.com under the header PORTS, then Ferries to France.
From England there are ferries to France departing from Dover; Folkstone, Guernsey, Jersey, Portsmouth, Newhaven, Plymouth & Poole
From Ireland, the sailings depart from Dublin, Cork & Rosslaire, and the ferries from Spain to France include departures from Mallorca to Toulon & Sete.
Whichever route or form of transportation chosen to visit the 2024 games - enjoy all that France has to offer.
And remember, the French claim that if a baguette is more than 6 hrs old, it is not no longer fit to eat !
So shop early, enjoy the culinary delights that so much a part of French life, & then relax while riding a ferry home.
Bon Appetite & travel safe.
Military Personnel Travelling To or From Alaska By Sea 20 Jul 2024 11:00 AM (8 months ago)
Nine Military Bases In Alaska Mean the MIlitary Is Often On the Move
Sometimes the move orders come through just a little to late too enable the booking of a ferry from Alaska.
Youâe been enjoying the State of Alaska for the last few years, and suddenly the orders come through and you only have a few weeks to gather the family, pack your possessions and report for duty in another state; or perhaps even overseas.
Getting a vehicle out of Alaska during the summer can be tricky because normally the ferries to and from Alaska are booked months in advance and sell out of space quickly..
Now youâre faced with 2 alternatives: the long drive through Canada to the Lower 48, or barging your vehicle/s into Seattle.
Barging is extremely popular because one can pack & load their possessions, including any weapons (chambers empty) into their vehicle and leave the "driving" to us.
When the vehicle arrives in Seattle it has already been organized for the continuation of the trip & is ready to go.
Because barges do not take passengers, one can sit back, relax and enjoy the flight from the 49th state before setting off to a new post providing new experiences.
Alaska Airlines often runs specials on their early morning flights and they are significantly less expensive than those flights departing later in the day. Always check competitive airlines as they may do the same.
PCSing is always exciting, but like any move anywhere it can be a bit stressful.
Our job, if anyone is using a ferry or barge, is to try and make the transportation part of a move as easy & worry free as possible.
To do that, FerryTravel.com has been designed to try and ensure all the information needed to take care of the sea portion of any trip, is straight forward & easily accessible .
Details on the port stops, sailing times & onboard accommodations, whether travelling in North America or overseas, are all available at the touch of a keyboard.
We donât collect or share data so one never has to provide their names or personal information simply to get a price.
Vehicle details (make, model, length and height), number of passengers in the party plus everyones ages (so that any applicable discounts can be automatically applied) are all that are necessary to deliver the best fare available.
Sites requiring the disclosure of personal information ( name, contact details etc) before providing the requested information, may well be data collecting.
And if you have any difficulty in using FerryTravel.com we are here to help through either e-mail at info@ferrytravel.com, or by phone at 1-800-686-0446.
(Outside N, America call 1-604-733-9113)
Travel safe & although we might not say it enough - Thank - You for your service
Moving by Barge to Alaska Is Easy 19 Jul 2024 5:28 PM (8 months ago)
Moving From Bellingham to Alaska ? â¦.. or Visa Versa ?
Did you know that if you canât get your vehicle on the ferry to Alaska from Bellingham this summer because the vehicle space on the ferry sailing you want is sold out ? - DONâT WORRY !
And DONâT WORRY if, or whatever reason, you canât, or donât want to go thorough Canada.
Not a problem.
If you are moving so can wait a few days for your vehicle, we can barge it from Seattle to Ketchikan, or Wrangle, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines or Skagway.
And the 1st few morning flights on Alaska Airlines (because barges do not take any passengers), seem to be around $110. Not so bad.
It will take only 3 days to get your vehicle up the Inside passage and the barges depart of every week, year-round.
Click on the drop down menu on ferrytravel.com & choose Seattle Barge to ???- wherever
We can also pop your car, truck or RV onto a barge from Anchorage or Fairbanks.
You can load up your vehicle with household goods & we only need to be able to see out the windows. So no worries about having to separately ship your treasures or leave behind your weapons. ( just make sure gun chambers are empty )
Everything can go into your vehicle
No driving - just drop your vehicle off in Seattle or any of the Alaskan ports and let us take care of the rest
Ferry Travel is The Best Way to See The Inside Passage 19 Jul 2024 2:45 PM (8 months ago)
Where Do You Want To Go ?
If planning ferry travel in the USA, or perhaps between Canada & the United States; or England & France or in Ireland, Greece & Italy, or even if planning too use one of the ferries between Denmark & Sweden, you only need toclick on www.ferrytravel.com and from the blue menu bar at the top of any page, click on PORTS
Making practically any ferry reservation for any sailing in North American, Britain, France, Finland, Holland, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Sweden or Spain quickly, easily and safely, has never been easier. (Over 58,992 Trust Pilot reviews attest to this)
You can now look at, play with, and even book your ferry trip in the middle of the night, at high noon,k or at whatever time of day you feel like planning a holiday, or securing transportation for a move that involves using a ferry.
We didnât facilitate this extraordinary ferry information/reservation ability ourselves - it is a huge undertaking and every operator had to be negotiated with to ensure the best possible experience & pricing.
Through our British based partner, ferrytravel.com can now provide not only the ability to book North American ferries, but virtually every major ferry operator throughout Britain and Europe.
Soon, the ferries operatiing in Asia, Africa, Australasia, China & Japan will be on site and available for you to research or if desired, complete a reservation.
Complete security, data protection, ease of use, real time reservations where available, and equally important so you donât have to search here & there & everywhere, the best possible pricing is available by using www.FerryTravel.com.
Yikes-
If you are planning a holiday, just dreaming about being on the sea, taking a new job - or are active military PCSing.... one URL, one secure site & loads of information is now available at the touch of your fingers.
The site is an encyclopedia of ferry information on your desk
Questions & reservation support is always available through either e-mail (info@ferrytravel.com) or by phone.
In North America call 1-800-686-0446 : from outside NA, call 1-733-9113.
We are always happy to help with any ferry travel, anywhere.
Happy exploring -
Introducing European, British & African Ferry Ticketing 6 Jun 2024 7:22 PM (10 months ago)
Just like the most well stocked candy shops, or an ice cream store with every possible flavour, weâve made the FerryTravel.com site a place where you can find & make reservations on just about any major ferry system and route in Britain & Europe. In other words .. This site is well stocked ".
Soon, FerryTravel.com will provide both information & the ability to book or if you prefer, just research, the ferries & their routes in Africa, China & Australasia.
For years we only provided the ability to book (and get information on) the ferries in Alaska, the ferries in British Columbia and the high-speed passenger-only Washington ferry serving the Seattle - Victoria route.
But we've stepped up and are currently in the process of adding the ability to book the ferries that serve both the East Coast of North America and the Caribbean.
By clicking on any route on the ferrytravel.com site, you can now see route maps, gather port information and start planning a holiday. Or perhaps an escape !
Every port listed on ferrytravel.com has a short but detailed description & the ferry information & most bookings are not only delivered real-time, but offer the best pricing available.
Oh - time for a quick confession.
We didnât do all this ourselves - itâs a lot of work - and to compile everything required not only serious brain power, but also some clever negotiating skills to get all 270+ ferry operators âonboard.â
So weâve âlinkedâ up with some of the smartest International ferry ticket retailers in England & in the Netherlands - just to be able to present you with the ability to explore the ferry world from your favourite seat at home.
One of the advantages of using a single site that links to various aggregators is the speed with which you can gather information relative to your particular interest of the moment.
Aggregators by the way, are companies or people who negotiate, & then present some type of service.
This means that in using an aggregator you know you are getting the fastest, the easiest, and the most reliable information in the safest possible way - along with the best negotiated price.
So enjoy the site. Play with the options.
Dream about ferrying to some exotic place - or just across a small body of water to get to the candy shop or ice cream store.
It's A Bargain: The Ferry from Seattle to Victoria + a hotel night For Under $600 ! 3 Jun 2024 8:35 AM (10 months ago)
Where Else Could you get a Mini -Cruise + One Hotel Night in a Beautiful City ?
Oh Happy Day !!
Take a couple of days to experience not only an overnight stay in downtown Victoria BC, but a 2-3/4 hr mini cruise that takes you there on a "state-of-the art" high-speed catamaran.
The ferry-hotel specials include both the ferry from Seattle to Victoria plus one nightsâ accommodation in a downtown Victoria hotel - all for under $600.00*
The ferry travels though the Salish Sea which is home to seals, sea birds and 3 resident Orca pods. Since the birth of 2 baby Orcas last year, the pod numbers have increased to 75 !
On arrival in to the Inner Harbour, you disembark on the Harbours south shore in front of the BC Parliament Buildings and the BC Royal Museum.
The 5 start Hotel Grand Pacific & the Pendray Inn and Tea House are opposite the ferry terminal, and the famous Empress Hotel sits at the head of the Harbour .
Only a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal, the shopping along both Government & Douglas Street begins. Numerous art galleries & craft shops, clothing shops and fine china shops serve to entice visitors to take advantage of a strong US dollar.
Also close to the Harbour is Beacon Hill Park. Here one can watch peacocks spread their spectacular tails & laugh at the little goats as they stand on their roof tops & beg for a treat. Beacon Hill park is where Victorians go to feed the ducks.
Victoria is located on Vancouver Island and is the capital city of British Columbia. Many people describe the city as a "wee bit of Old England. "
That description is a little less accurate today, but in the past, the city was reputed to be more English than the English.
Hanging baskets, high tea and numerous shops selling British woolens, Scottish tartans, Irish linens and yummy British confectionaries serve to preserve the "English" feeling in this capital city.
Just 45 minutes from the city is the world famous Butchart Gardens - 55 acres of fabulous gardens started back in the 1800s by Jenny Butchart.
The land was once a cement quarry but 115 years ago Jenny Butchart began what is now recognized as one of the "Great Gardens" of the world.
The "Gardens" provide almost a million visitors each year with the ability to not only enjoy the horticultural experience of what is now a National Historic Site of Canada, but to also visit the gift shop to purchase experience reminders, (more often referred to as souvenirs); or to snack on a scone or other bakery treat in the casual Blue Poppy.
To enjoy a more serious meal or plan a special celebration, one can make a reservation for in The Dining Room at the gardens.
Once you visit Victoria, you will be enticed to visit again and again.
The ferries to Victoria from Seattle, from Vancouver and from Port Angeles operate year-round and because of the Islands temperate climate, every season on the Island holds special appeal
For more information on booking one of the high-speed ferry /hotel packages, email info@ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446.
* hotel prices rise depending on available vacancies so always try to book a hotel/ferry package special as spoon as you know your travel dates.
Easy Peasy Ferry Planning & Booking 31 May 2024 12:01 PM (10 months ago)
Don't 2nd Guess The Process Of Booking Of A Ferry
Because the FerryTraveller enables ferry travellers to book a number of operators on a single site and to do so in different currencies, the process can seem confusing at first.
It is not.
The only important thing to remember is that you must not rush to "second guess" the booking widget.
The programers have worked hard to make booking on www.ferrytravel.com simple, quick and easy, provided one moves forward 1 step at a time and does not try to 2nd guess anything.
The booking widget on www.ferrytravel.com is designed to ask only the questions required to provide an accurate ferry trip cost. By using the widget, one can see the trip total both BEFORE making any ferry reservation and BEFORE sharing personal information like names, phone numbers etc etc.
This is really important because using any site that requires you to disclose personal details ( names, emails, phone #s etc) before it provides the information you are seeking, may be data collecting and you may be opening the door to uninvited & unwanted email solicitations when all you wanted was information or costs for using the Alaska ferries or BC ferries or just the Seattle ferry.
So onward we go.
1) From the drop menu, simply select the route, the number of passengers in your party and whether or not you will be travelling with a vehicle
(If driving any vehicle with a tow - just enter 1 vehicle).
Then click "Get Priceâ. Easy Peasy.
Page 2 will ask you to select the month, day and time you wish to sail plus the passengers ages ( so that any age discounts can be applied and reflected when the trip price is delivered). And finally, the type of vehicle you will be taking including its length, height & width. For travellers pulling a tow, choose âPassenger vehicle pulling a trailerâ when defining your vehicle type
The widget will also ask if you have any pets. After answering , just click âContinueâ
Page 3 shows all cabin types on the ferry you would be sailing on - Remember that cabins are optional â¦.but if desired, can be chosen here. Note that all beds are singles so 2 in a single bunk is very very squishy. !
Page 4 Shows a funny little boat searching for the space you have said you wanted.
Page 5 Phew .. nearly there !
Page 5 page summarizes what it is you said you wanted and it gives you the cost. ( If you get a pop up saying "Space is Lmited"and you were planning to ferry one way & drive the other, perhaps think about taking the ferry in the reverse direction or just call 1-800-686-0446)
If you want to make the reservation, hit the red "Click Here to Book" button at the bottom right of the page.
( The sample below looks expensive but you will see it is for a 4 day trip with a vehicle pulling a trailer so this trio requires requires a lot of deck space)
Quick note - if you get a pop-up saying "space is limited" and if you have chosen a cabin, hit the back button & remove the requested cabin to see if that is that is causing the pop up or, if in fact there is not enough deck space for your vehicle an that ferry sailing date.
If you get a price then carry on .. and remember you can always call us at toll free 1-800-686-0446 if you get confused or need help.
Happy travels
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Alaska Ferry Space Very Tight for Summer 2024 12 May 2024 10:12 AM (10 months ago)
Think "Out of The Box" for Alaska Ferry Travel In 2024
Alaska Ferry Travelers Need To Be Flexible 5 May 2024 10:46 AM (11 months ago)
A Month of Changes for Alaska Marine Ferry Travellers
As one ferry after another in the Alaska Marine fleet experiences mechanical issues and is pulled from service, the impact on state visitors, seasonal workers, tour operators, accommodation owners and tourist reliant businesses, is devastating.
When the ferries donât operate as scheduled because they are unexpectedly either sent into or delayed exiting dry dock, entry to Alaska is severely compromised. The ripple effect, particularly to the inside Passage Islands of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka and Juneau, is economically disastrous.
Earlier this spring the MV Columbia which is the largest vessel in the Alaska fleet and which was fully booked between Bellingham and Haines for much of the 2024 summer was pulled from service with unexpected mechanical issues.
The Kennicott was moved in to take over the route but sadly she has neither the same type or number of cabins, nor does she have the same vehicle capacity as the larger MV Columbia.
Many travellers who had made summer reservations & had set their holiday plans months in advance were disappointed as they lost their reservations.
While the state provides refunds for any cancelled sailings, the consistent inconsistancy of the Alaska ferry sailings means that those planning a trip on any ship in the Alaska Marine fleet, should always, absolutely always carry trip cancellation insurance to protect against unexpected transportation changes.
When the ferry from Bellingham is full until August, as is the case this year, the only access to the Inside Passage Islands is either by plane or if taking a vehicle, by barge.
Barges travel from Seattle 2x a week and can be booked through www.ferrytravel.com ...... but barges are only for vehicles - no passengers, so one must fly to their destination to meet their vehicle.
For current information on the Alaska Ferries, Barge transportation to and from Alaska, or help in planning an Alaska trip, either e-mail info@ferrytravel.com or call 1-800-686-0446.
BC Ferries Lead The Way For Coastal Ferry Operators 3 May 2024 12:53 PM (11 months ago)
Forward Thinking Ferry Operators Ordering Electric - Hybred Ferries
Reservations for Ferries & Barges Made Easy 15 Apr 2024 10:58 PM (11 months ago)
The FerryTraveller Site is Focused On Ferry & Barge Tansportation
www.ferrytravel.com is not about where to stay, what to do, or the tours available in ones destination of choice.
For the most helpful information on that area of travel planning, ones local AAA or BCAA office is better informed, and can be the most insightful.
This site, "The FerryTraveller" was created to help anyone planning to use the ferries operating in Alaska, Washington and in Northern BC to quickly, easily and securely get the transportation information that will get them them into, out of and around Alaska, BC & Washington State, by sea.
While the site provides details on each port stop, that information is included mainly to help 1st time travellers taking a ferry or using a barge, decide which ports may be of interest.
The very best information on the tours, accommodations and things to see throughout Alaska can be found in a detailed book called "The Milepost."
The book covers Alaska ...mile by mile.. gas stations, restaurants, campgrounds, shops, galleries .. in short, everything mile by mile, that a visitor to the State might want to know. It's popularity as a worthwhile "travelling companion" is absolutely justified.