Ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria

[suziehmkr]

Hello!

 

I was wondering if anyone can tell me about the ferry ride to Victoria from Vancouver? DH tends to get sick on smaller boats if there is alot of movement - especially since this seems to be 90-min each way. Are the waters from the ferry ride pretty smooth, or will I need to cut this visit to Victoria out of our pre-cruise exploring?

 

Thanks for that help!

[catfluff]

Hi there! I live in Victoria and travel that particular ferry route frequently. The vessels that sail that route on are very large and not susceptable to a great deal of movement - unless there is some really nasty weather. They carry 470 vehicles and 2100 passengers - pretty big. If you have the time, I recommend taking the trip. The sailing through the Gulf Islands is fantastic and of course, my home town is worth the trip as well!

 

Mike

[suziehmkr]

Thanks Mike..... these answers will decide if I plan an extra day pre-cruise to make the trip over. I just don't want him miserable for 3 hours out of the day. He does well on cruise ships and was only sick one day on the way to Hawaii with 12 ft swells and high cross winds. The smaller boats seem to really get him, but this ferry sounds like it would be fine. Since we would be there in late June, I would think the weather would be nice.

 

On a side note, do you suggest that I pre-order my tickets? Do they seem to sell out each ferry that sails in the mornings & evenings during the cruise season?

 

Thanks again... this ferry stuff is all so new to us.

 

Smiles - Tina

[trixie54]

Hi Mike! Since you're a "local", I'm wondering if you can help us with a disability question? My DH has a very weak heart & cannot do much walking; I've been to your lovely home, & want him to see all of its beauty that he can. What do you suggest at the best way for him to see the harbor area - are those pedicabs available all day? Other options? Then I think I noted that Butchart Gardens (a must see for us) doesn't rent wheelchairs - any ideas for this dilemma? Thanks!

[newbiefromvancouver]

 

On a side note, do you suggest that I pre-order my tickets? Do they seem to sell out each ferry that sails in the mornings & evenings during the cruise season?

 

Thanks again... this ferry stuff is all so new to us.

 

Smiles - Tina

 

Hi there. You can check out http://www.bcferries.bc.ca

 

If you are taking a car on the ferry there are sometimes waits. Most days there are sailings almost every hour. (Tsawwassen to Victoria) I think its approx $15 extra to reserve a spot. Definitely reserve if you're traveling over a holiday weekend.

[suziehmkr]

Thanks! I did have the website, but wasn't sure how busy the ferries really get. We would be doing this on a Friday in late June and definitely taking our car over for the day. Guess it is probably better to be safe than sorry and go ahead and reserve once our plans finalize.

 

You will be in my neck of the woods in a few weeks. Looks like the rains have subsided and hopefully you will have a nice sail away under the Golden Gate!

 

Thanks!!

[catfluff]

Hi Trixie,

 

Sorry for the delay in responding. The Kabuki Cabs are a pretty decent way to see the downtown and harbour area. They run all day every day during the summer and are quite entertaining. Plus, the pace is relaxing, which sounds like it might fit the bill for you.

 

As for the wheelchair at Butchart Gardens, see this link regarding some info on it: http://www.butchartgardens.com/media/wheelchair.php .

 

They note they have a few available first come first served. It involves a fair amount of walking so if they can't have one there for you, they suggest tracking one down from a rental place in Victoria. Try this site out: http://www.accessvictoria.com/tours.html . It has some good resources for those with mobility impairments and you might find it helpful.

 

Enjoy your visit to Victoria. Bon voyage!......Mike

[catfluff]

Hi Suzie,

 

Sorry it took so long to respond. Newbie's comments are good. I recommend reserving your vehicle space during the summer. It can be a very busy route!

 

Have a safe trip!.........Mike

[suziehmkr]

Thanks! I have decided we will DEFINITELY reserve a spot on the last ferry of the night. ;) And the paranoid person that I am will probably make me reserve both ways! :) We are looking forward to our day, for sure!

[Keishaw]

What do you suggest at the best way for him to see the harbor area - are those pedicabs available all day? Other options? Then I think I noted that Butchart Gardens (a must see for us) doesn't rent wheelchairs - any ideas for this dilemma? Thanks!

Another local jumping in here... you may want to check with your hotel, they may offer the use of a wheelchair for you while you're here, which you could maybe take with you to BG. And if you're staying in a hotel in the inner harbour area, that may solve half your problem.

And I'm not positive, but the prices for the pedicabs MAY be flexible. You could make a driver an offer for a 3 or 4 hour stint (or longer of course), and see what you get. I just know there can be a lot of them looking for fares, so it might be worth a try? It worked that way years ago (a friend of mine drove one), but they may have regulated the price now.

Karen

[Blamar]

Hi

I checked the Butchart Gardens website and it listed the following about wheelchairs.

 

Do you have wheelchairs and strollers available? Yes, there is a limited number of wheelchairs available, free of charge (but requiring a $10 refundable deposit), on a first-come, first-served basis. The refundable deposit may be paid with cash, debit or credit card. We do not take reservations at any time of the year, nor can we provide an escort/assistant to help push the chair. Strollers are available, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not take reservations at any time of the year.

For more information on wheelchairs and strollers click here.

 

http://www.butchartgardens.com/admission/

 

However, coming over to do the gardens in one day will be very tiring. I am from Victoria and I wouldn't recommend it. So give a thought to staying overnight.

 

Also, about reserving a ferry. Just remember that you must be at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time. I keep missing the time and loosing my $15 reservation. Oh, on long weekends (July 1, Aug 1 and Sept 1) the rate goes up to $17.50.

 

Have a great holiday,

[suziehmkr]

Also, about reserving a ferry. Just remember that you must be at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time. I keep missing the time and loosing my $15 reservation. Oh, on long weekends (July 1, Aug 1 and Sept 1) the rate goes up to $17.50.

Thanks for that information. I was more concerned about there being room for us on the last ferry back and then being stuck.... well, it would be a nice place to be stuck, wouldn't it? ;)

[flip]

Good information from the locals of Victoria and Vancouver. I have several more questions, if you don't mind answering them. We are planning a cruise to Hawaii which ends in Vancouver in early May, 2007. We were thinking of staying in Vancouver for a couple of nights post cruise. We for sure want to go to Butchart Gardens. After reading some of the info, I'm more inclined to go over to Victoria and stay the two nights instead of Vancouver. My questions are mostly about transportation. What are the best means of transportation from the cruise ship to the ferry docks? We will not have a car. What location around Victoria does the ferry dock? What are the best means of transportation from the ferry docks in Victoria to the hotel? What hotels would you recommend? When we return to Vancouver for our flight home what means of transportation would be best? I was in Victoria 30 years ago and really look forward to returning, it is such a beautiful place. Some of these questions may have been answered before, if so I apologize for the repeat.

 

Ginger

[Nilla]

Hello Ginger, the easiest thing to do is there is a shutle that leaves from the Cruise ship terminla that will take you to the fery and right into downtown Victoria. It is with Pacific coachlines, there website is http://www.pacificcoach.com/ this way you give the driver your luggage when you get off the ship and you will get it back when you get to the depot in Victoria. That way you have no worries when you are on the ferry you can go enjoy yourself, and realise just how splendid the crusie ships are in comparison.

 

As for hotels there are many nice ones around Victoria, it all depends on what you are looking for, and if you are eligible for any sorts of discounts. The ferry docks out in Sidney it is nice there but if you want to enjoy the heart of downtown I really suggest coming the 30 minuntes into downtown. There are shuttle services with Grayline which you may book to tae you to the Gardens, then you do not need a car at all. Hope this helps you out a bit!

[flip]

Thanks Nilla, your information is exactly what I needed. Of course I have more questions if you don't mind answering them. I understand there are two cruise ship piers in Vancouver. Are they close together? In Blamar's earlier post, he mentions the inner harbor is an interesting place to go. Is the Empress Hotel around that area? Do you know of any hotels around the Empress that might be a little less expensive?

 

Ginger

[flip]

Sorry Nilla, the questions about the inner harbor are in Victoria, but of course you probably already figured that out.

 

Ginger

[Nilla]

Hello Flip, yes there are two ports in Vancouver Canada Place the main one and Balantyne, which is about a 5 minute cab ride away. I think that the bus picks up at Canada Place. So if you come into the other one you may catch a cab to meet up with the bus.

The Inner Harbour in Victoria is right across from there. Yes I believe there are cheaper hotels in town you coudl stay at. I know last year the Marriot just opened and they had reasonable deals, as well there are a few other places I know that are not as expensive as some of the huge hotels in town. Since you are coming in Early May, I think you should be able to get a good deal. Do you have any disounts AAA, entertainment, governemnt etc, if you do you may be able to find a good deal. If you require more hotel info please let me know. Thank you!