Horsehoe Bay to Departure Bay Ferry

[timetravellers]

We are spending a few days on Vancouver Island before joining our cruise ship to Alaska and we have a reservation for the ferry.

 

Can someone please let me know the queueing system for the ferry? As we have a reservation, do we drive past the queue?!

 

Thanks for any help.

[Rickey 88]

When you arrive at Horsehoe Bay, you should tell the toll booth attendant that you have a reservation and for which sailing. He will then direct you to the appropriate lane for your car.

[timetravellers]

We are watching the webcam and couldn't work it out. Thank you for solving that for us!

Two weeks to go! Can't wait!

[Earl Rosebery]

We are spending a few days on Vancouver Island before joining our cruise ship to Alaska and we have a reservation for the ferry.

 

Can someone please let me know the queueing system for the ferry? As we have a reservation, do we drive past the queue?!

 

Thanks for any help.

 

You need to arrive 30 minutes before sailing time. There will be lots of people there to direct you. No worries.

[timetravellers]

You need to arrive 30 minutes before sailing time. There will be lots of people there to direct you. No worries.

Thanks for that. The whole thing is bit of a worry. We shall be flying in from London, driving on the right in a rental car we have just picked up right through the middle of a city and then I have to navigate onto a ferry!! Scary stuff.

 

Out of interest, if we get there in time for an earlier ferry, will they let us on that?

[Katie Lou]

You can take the earlier ferry, but you would not be able to use your reservation and you cannot get a refund. Just asking, but where on Vancouver Island are you visiting? Asking because Tswassen terminal (ferry to Victoria) would be closer and you wouldn't have to drive through the city.

[timetravellers]

You can take the earlier ferry, but you would not be able to use your reservation and you cannot get a refund. Just asking, but where on Vancouver Island are you visiting? Asking because Tswassen terminal (ferry to Victoria) would be closer and you wouldn't have to drive through the city.

 

Thanks for that. We are staying at Nanoose Bay which is about 30/40 minutes drive north from Nanaimo.

[Putterdude]

Out of interest, if we get there in time for an earlier ferry, will they let us on that?

 

Yes, they will if there is room on that sailing however, you will not receive a refund of your reservation fee. Another point is that most ferries sail full during the summer months and on weekends.

You do need to arrive at the terminal not earlier than 60 mins nor later than 30 mins pre sailing in order to claim your reservation.

Here is a link to FAQ about reservations.

 

http://www.bcferries.com/res/visc_faq.html