Live review, not fake, completely possible, cruise trip report.

[Tree_skier]

 

Inspired by @twangster ’s totally amazing fake review I have decided to do a live review of our cruise alternative that includes an actual cruise to a popular cruise port, Victoria.  We will be embarking BC Ferries pride and joy Coastal Celebration on Sunday. There is only one port of call on the itinerary, Victoria.  Fortunately we will be overnighting at this port for three nights so we will have lots of opportunity to explore this familiar port and the surrounding areas in the North Island.

 

 

First a little about the MV Coastal Celebration.  She is 549 ft long so that puts her just a little shy of Empress in overall length.  She was constructed by German shipbuilder Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft  and put into service November 2008.  It’s been a long time since I have “cruised” over to Victoria but in the 90’s I was a regular, making the journey at least once a week.  In 1993 BC Ferries introduced the S-class of ship which offered services and amenities BC Ferries had never offered before. All geared to be demonstrably more tourist friendly with dining, shopping and entertainment.  Coastal class ships continue that tradition. Typical ferry food included packaged sandwiches, coffee and tea from a machine and assorted soda and chocolate bars for dessert. However, with the launch of BC Ferries new S-class Ferry and now Coastal Class came Pacific Buffet, a whole new level of dining and service.  We’re looking forward to a gluttonous buffet lunch once we get on board. I’m not sure about the level of service currently being offered but I’m sure they’ll have some food offerings. My experience from the 90’s was the buffet was pretty good. I’ll let you know how it compares to the Windjammer.

 

 

Comfortable seating and a large open deck to enjoy the sunshine and views of the sea and wildlife is what we have to look forward to.  Perhaps a go in the Kiddie casino (arcade) There is no Broadway entertainment and there no Ice show unfortunately but we are very much looking forward this cruise.   2020 has been a tough year for everyone, ourselves included, so to be able to experience a little cruising, some good food and some great site seeing at any kind of cruise port is something to look forward to.

 

While overnighting in Victoria we will be staying in the luxurious Coast Hotel by the Marina.

 

 

Typically, when staying in a hotel, we stick to Hilton properties. However, my objective for this trip is to replicate the cruising experience as much as possible so sea views are essential.  DW must have a balcony on the cruise ship so we needed a hotel that offered rooms with not just an ocean view but actually right on the ocean.  This fits the bill.  The property is in the inner harbor, the water taxi pulls right up to the hotel and with the water taxi all of downtown is walking distance. Also, they are pet friendly so we can bring my therapy cat along with us as well. Please excuse the fence in the background.  It has since been replaced.

 

 

We are not party people so there will be no late night periscopes of me doing shots in a nightclub, there will be no bellyflop contest or worlds sexiest man (I’d lose any way).  It might be a bit of a boring adventure for some but I’ll try and spice it up with some good pictures. I know this isn’t Royal specifically but I hope the mods will allow it to stay on this forum since Royal is the only forum I post on and the folks on this forum are the only folks I interact with about cruising.

 

Skål

[Sea Dog]

I'm in!

[retiredgram]

This sounds like fun.

 

[shipgeeks]

I'm in!

The super-magical thing about this is that I can be "on" this cruise and Twangster's cruise at the same time.  I'm looking forward to the days to come.

Your description of the ferry reminds me of the ships I sailed on between mainland Australia and Tasmania many years ago.

Your cat looks just like our cat, Halifax.  So handsome!

[Tiggerontheseas]

I'm in too!  We've been thinking about doing this 'cruise' as well so I'm interested in hearing first-hand what procedures they have in place and what food and drink options are available.  Of course, even no food options wouldn't worry us a whole ton - I have occasionally managed to survive without eating for 90 minutes if I've had to.  But eating while cruising is better.  😁  

 

Curious, if you don't mind my asking, is this a BC Ferries Vacation Package or a DIY trip?  

[Milwaukee Eight]

Sounds good. Just how long is the ride over?

[Tree_skier]

24 minutes ago, Tiggerontheseas said:

I'm in too!  We've been thinking about doing this 'cruise' as well so I'm interested in hearing first-hand what procedures they have in place and what food and drink options are available.  Of course, even no food options wouldn't worry us a whole ton - I have occasionally managed to survive without eating for 90 minutes if I've had to.  But eating while cruising is better.  😁  

 

Curious, if you don't mind my asking, is this a BC Ferries Vacation Package or a DIY trip?  

It is a DIY trip. I’m suspecting that the buffet is closed but I’m hoping that the offerings that they usually have at the buffet are available on an a la carte basis. They used to have great crepes and made to order omelettes. I’ll let you know what i find. 

[Tree_skier]

3 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

Your cat looks just like our cat, Halifax.  So handsome!

Thank you, Basil has travelled across the US with us. Whenever we travel in the truck he comes along. He’s been in 31 states and 2 provinces. This’ll be his first boat ride. I’m expecting a lot of objections. 

[Tree_skier]

33 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Sounds good. Just how long is the ride over?

95 minutes usually. 

[Lorey2007]

What a lucky kitty!

[Tree_skier]

Chaos for the last couple of days has prevented me from doing a proper preliminary introduction to this trip.  Embarkation is tomorrow 🙂.  So far our shore excursions include a guided tour of Craigadarroch Castle on Monday afternoon and a walking tour of Butchart Gardens as well their Afternoon Tea in the original family residence on Tuesday.

 

Outside of that I expect, drinking, dining, walking, shopping and relaxing on the patio overlooking the harbor and doing more of the first thing I mentioned.  

 

I'll insert other activities as time, energy and motivation allows.  Food porn will be plentiful, drink porn will be limited as I don't have a drink package and I'm trying to cut down.  I must now pack... We'll see you all tomorrow.  

 

 

Edited August 16, 2020 by Tree_skier

[Tree_skier]

Embarkation day!!  Change of plans... Basil the wonder kitty will not be joining us on this journey.  We have instead chosen to book him in to Club Cat.  He will enjoy 4 days of pampering instead of a road trip and being confined to a hotel.

 

Departure time is 2PM and we need to be at the port between 1pm and 1:30pm. We are packed and ready to go.  

 

I'll be leaving to drop Bas off in a few minutes and return to pick up DW and the luggage.

 

She has vetoed formal night so I will not be packing a suit. I think this is a mistake but I have been overruled.

 

Pictures to come from the port.

[Tree_skier]

Waiting for our turn to board

 

 

[Tree_skier]

All aboard 

 

[Tree_skier]

From around the Lido deck 

 

 

[Tree_skier]

Sailaway

[A&L_Ont]

Tsawwassen.  I know someone who used to live there from my University days here in SW Ontario. She used to work at a Golf course there, and looking at Google Earth it was Tsawwassen Springs. 
 

Little known fact, some filming for the original Jumanji took place there in an empty mall. The set location was The Sir Save a Lot store. 

Edited August 16, 2020 by A&L_Ont

[Tree_skier]

31 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Tsawwassen.  I know someone who used to live there from my University days here in SW Ontario. She used to work at a Golf course there, and looking at Google Earth it was Tsawwassen Springs. 
 

Little known fact, some filming for the original Jumanji took place there in an empty mall. The set location was The Sir Save a Lot store. 

 

 

Great trivia, thanks.  Tsawwassen Is a great little town. I often thought that if I ever moved back to Metro Vancouver, Tsawwassen would be a choice. 

[A&L_Ont]

13 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

Great trivia, thanks.  Tsawwassen Is a great little town. I often thought that if I ever moved back to Metro Vancouver, Tsawwassen would be a choice. 

I visited for a few days and flew to visit her back in the days when WestJet flew from Clargary to Edmonton to Vancouver and that was the round trip. $59 one way.  What I liked, it was a quick drive to downtown Van.  This would have been in 1995 or so. 

[Tree_skier]

Active pass is one of the most gorgeous places in all the world you can travel through by ship. It’s a hidden jewel. About 40 minutes of 95 minute total journey.  Gorgeous views and often you can see marine life. Today I was only seals. But in years gone by occasionally you could see Orca’s. 
 

My photos don’t do justice to it by any stretch. Where is  @twangster when you need him. 

[Tree_skier]

It’s 5 o’clock

 

 

 

 

[Tree_skier]

And with this I say goodnight. 
 

 

[Missusdubbya]

Love this review, thank you!

[perfect match]

I’m loving being able to travel along with you on your trip, @Tree_skier! It sounds like a fun getaway. 
 

Now I’m off to try and catch up with Twangster  to see where he’s taken us since I last checked in there. 😀 

[bobmacliberty]

Thank you so much for this.  I'm desperate for anything even remotely cruising related.