Bainbridge vs. Bremerton Ferry

[cardamon]

We are coming back to Seattle from Olympia Park the day of the cruise. A few questions:

How early should we get a ferry on the day of our cruise? We sail at 4:00, I do not want to rush, and I cannot make ferry reservations: it is first come, first serve.

Second, how far is the ferry taxi from Royal Caribbean's pier? Our friends are dropping us off before they return to the airport.:confused:

Edited June 27, 2014 by cardamon

[mapleleaves]

if you sail at 4, what time do you need to be onboard ?

 

The ferry will arrive to the Coleman Dock, Pier 52. Your ship departs from Pier 91, which is about 5-6 miles north.

[Gardyloo]

8/29/14 (assuming that's when you're sailing) is the Friday of Labor Day weekend, and traffic everywhere, on every conveyance - ferry, roads, etc. - will be really bad from noon on, as people do their getaways early.

 

Olympic National Park is a very big area, and not knowing where you're starting that day, all I can say is the earlier ferry the better.

[mapleleaves]

yikes, Labor Day weekend changes everything !

 

On the DOT web site there's a chart showing average traffic conditions. Looks like things start backing up at 8am on a typical Friday. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/traffic_stats/congestion/summer/SeattleBainbridgeSummer2014.pdf

 

On the plus side, if you're at the dock by 9am and have to wait for a ferry or even 2, you still have plenty of time to get to your ship.

 

If you have a smartphone you can check the space available for the next sailing as you head for the dock.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/TerminalDetail.aspx?terminalid=3

[abcmom123]

I <3 CC! Today's cruise prep was searching and setting up ferry. (We're going to Olympic AFTER our cruise-I know more expensive direction ;)) Thank you OP for the post and thanks mapleleaves for the great link. Done and done !!! I don't suppose anyone out there has insight on camping in or around Olympic NP? Thanks!

[mapleleaves]

I don't suppose anyone out there has insight on camping in or around Olympic NP? Thanks!

 

Sorry, I do most of my camping on Vancouver Island. I've done a few weekend trips to the Olympics, usually when I have out of state guests and we hike the Lake Ozette loop to the ocean. In which case I camp on the Dungeness Spit near Port Angeles.

You might want to post on tripadvisor.com. But you'll need to indicate your plans. Where to stay depends on where you're going. Instead of dragging all your camping gear on the plane and cruise, consider cabins at Kalaloch to make it easy. Do day trips. http://www.thekalalochlodge.com/

[cardamon]

yikes, Labor Day weekend changes everything !

 

On the DOT web site there's a chart showing average traffic conditions. Looks like things start backing up at 8am on a typical Friday. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/traffic_stats/congestion/summer/SeattleBainbridgeSummer2014.pdf

 

On the plus side, if you're at the dock by 9am and have to wait for a ferry or even 2, you still have plenty of time to get to your ship.

 

If you have a smartphone you can check the space available for the next sailing as you head for the dock.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/TerminalDetail.aspx?terminalid=3

Thanks for the info. When I made our plans, I never thought of Labor Day!! Now I am really concerned , and the couple we are traveling with are not easy to get moving in the AM.

We are in Sol Duc Wed. And Thurs. nights, leaving on the Rhapsody OS on Friday 8/29, sailing at 4:00. Any suggestions on driving time from Sol Duc to Bainbridge? We are planning on using that ferry- larger, crosses more often (I think?).

The other couple is dropping us off at our pier, they are not cruising with us. Is it an easy drive from Pier 52 to Pier 91, or should we expect lots of traffic with the holiday?

I am getting very concerned!!

[mapleleaves]

Sol Duck Hot Springs, or Sol Duck in Forks ?

 

It will be very congested in and around Seattle, especially near pier 52 as ferries load and off load, and people line up to get on. On a typical day it's only a 10 minute drive from the ferry terminal to pier 91.

 

You still haven't said what time you need to be on the ship ???

[mapleleaves]

I wouldn't be overly concerned ... you can always drive to Seattle instead of taking the ferry. Or your friends can drop you at the airport and you can take Light Rail $3 pp to downtown then catch a taxi for the last short leg.$15

[Gardyloo]

Most 4 PM sailings would like you on board before 2 or 3 PM. The ship will probably be available for boarding around noon or a bit before.

 

Starting on the northwestern part of the Olympic Peninsula, you're probably looking at ~3 hours to get to the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, then I'd provide a one-sailing cushion (probably won't need it) but for planning purposes I'd add another 2 hours to wait for the ferry and to cross the Sound to Seattle, so call it 5 hours all in. If you want to be at the ship by 2, then you'd want to leave Sol Duck by 9; if you want to get there by 1, then 8. Neither scenario is impossible, and it might be a bit conservative, but remember Dirty Harry's words...

[cardamon]

Most 4 PM sailings would like you on board before 2 or 3 PM. The ship will probably be available for boarding around noon or a bit before.

 

Starting on the northwestern part of the Olympic Peninsula, you're probably looking at ~3 hours to get to the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal, then I'd provide a one-sailing cushion (probably won't need it) but for planning purposes I'd add another 2 hours to wait for the ferry and to cross the Sound to Seattle, so call it 5 hours all in. If you want to be at the ship by 2, then you'd want to leave Sol Duck by 9; if you want to get there by 1, then 8. Neither scenario is impossible, and it might be a bit conservative, but remember Dirty Harry's words...

 

This helps me plan a time schedule. We will be on the road by 7AM 8/29 for the 4:00 sail time. it is Labor Day weekend, which I did not realize when I planned the trip.

We are staying at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. We are traveling in Washington with another couple who are not taking the cruise, so they will drop us off at Pier91.

Someone told me that if the lines were too long, we could walk on with our luggage and then take a taxi to Pier 91, friends could wait . It is another emergency plan.

I hope Dirty Harry is not coming on this trip!!

[kiwimum]

The earlier the better to catch the Bainbridge ferry on a weekend wait times can be long. I would be prepared to walk on, no ticket needed for the direction you are traveling.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[mapleleaves]

Under perfect circumstances, it's a 2 hr drive from Sol Duc HS to Bainbridge Is.

 

I think a 7am departure is a little excessive, especially when you can board any ferry as a foot passenger, or drive around if you want to stay with your friends.

 

You've never said what time you MUST be on board so I assume you don't know. You need to find out ... if you're late you'll be denied boarding. People are left behind every weekend .

 

Have a great time!

[Casagordita]

Under perfect circumstances, it's a 2 hr drive from Sol Duc HS to Bainbridge Is.

 

I think a 7am departure is a little excessive, especially when you can board any ferry as a foot passenger, or drive around if you want to stay with your friends.

 

You've never said what time you MUST be on board so I assume you don't know. You need to find out ... if you're late you'll be denied boarding. People are left behind every weekend .

 

Have a great time!

 

...Of course, you have to get reasonably close to the ferry dock in order to walk on. I have been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic in places on Hwy 3 and Hwy 305, between the Hood Canal Bridge and the ferry dock. Leaving at 7 am might be overkill, but I wouldn't count on getting there in two hours, either. Granted, more traffic will be headed away from Seattle than towards it, but it's still Labor Day weekend.

[mapleleaves]

...Of course, you have to get reasonably close to the ferry dock in order to walk on. I have been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic in places on Hwy 3 and Hwy 305, between the Hood Canal Bridge and the ferry dock. Leaving at 7 am might be overkill, but I wouldn't count on getting there in two hours, either. Granted, more traffic will be headed away from Seattle than towards it, but it's still Labor Day weekend.

 

My statement started with "under perfect conditions". A holiday weekend obviously doesn't qualify as perfect.

They also have a few different times that will get them to Seattle well before 2pm . ... 10:25a, 11:30a, 12:20p. Personally I'd leave at 8:30/9 with the intent of catching the 11:30, knowing that the 12:20 is still a safe option.

[cardamon]

My statement started with "under perfect conditions". A holiday weekend obviously doesn't qualify as perfect.

They also have a few different times that will get them to Seattle well before 2pm . ... 10:25a, 11:30a, 12:20p. Personally I'd leave at 8:30/9 with the intent of catching the 11:30, knowing that the 12:20 is still a safe option.

 

I don't want to ruin everyone's vacation by worrying about this connection, but I've never done such poor precruise planning. We have to board our ship by 3:30. We are not familiar with Sesttle, and being stuck in traffic, in holiday weekend traffic, scares me already.i've actually been thinking about canceling one night in Sol Duc and staying closer to the ferry. What does anyone think? Am I just worrying too much?

[nna]

I would catch the ferry thursday night or drive around thursday night and stay somewhere on the way...I would not want to catch a ferry labor day weekend. the only saving grace is you will be traveling opposite most traffic....

[mapleleaves]

I'd rather be a foot passenger on the 11:30 or 12:20 ferry than drive around the Sound . Traffic is ugly thru Tacoma and Federal Way, then Seattle to Pier 91. It will be easier on your friends with the car too.

 

You need to go with whatever makes YOU comfortable. Have a good trip.

Edited July 9, 2014 by mapleleaves

[kiwimum]

Second the midday foot ferry idea. Will give you ample time to find a cab and get to Pier 91. Friday coming off the island is definitely better than trying to get onto the Island on a holiday weekend.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Casagordita]

Second the midday foot ferry idea. Will give you ample time to find a cab and get to Pier 91. Friday coming off the island is definitely better than trying to get onto the Island on a holiday weekend.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

If your friends are just dropping you off at the dock on Bainbridge, they can bypass the ferry line on the right (which may be quite long) and drive up to a passenger drop-off zone. There may still be heavy traffic, but that will help some.

[cardamon]

I would catch the ferry thursday night or drive around thursday night and stay somewhere on the way...I would not want to catch a ferry labor day weekend. the only saving grace is you will be traveling opposite most traffic....

 

We are still considering changing our plans, canceling one of our 2 nights in Sol Duc and staying Thursday night near the Bainbridge or Bremerton ferries. Any suggestions?

[Gardyloo]

We are still considering changing our plans, canceling one of our 2 nights in Sol Duc and staying Thursday night near the Bainbridge or Bremerton ferries. Any suggestions?

The early morning ferries from BI or Bremerton are commuter boats and can be quite crowded. You might look at staying in Poulsbo, a nice little town on the Kitsap Peninsula, which would put you in range for a Bainbridge boat at, say, 10-ish, after the morning crowds but before any likely get-away holiday traffic. Or there are a couple of motels on BI itself (a decent Best Western sticks in my mind.) Or there's a nice upscale tribal casino/resort right on the water next to the bridge to Bainbridge (Agate Pass) which gets pretty decent reviews. http://www.clearwatercasino.com/hotel/

[mapleleaves]

Have you considered flipping your itinerary, so that the SolDuc portion is at the beginning and you're IN seattle at the end? This would eliminate your need to travel TO downtown on a holiday weekend.

Edited July 16, 2014 by mapleleaves

[cardamon]

We are still considering changing our plans, canceling one of our 2 nights in Sol Duc and staying Thursday night near the Bainbridge or Bremerton ferries. Any suggestions?

To all who gave me advise on travel times- thank you! We have changed our plans. We are staying in Sol Duc Resort 8/27, then moving to Poulsbo for 8/28. We will be only 7 miles from the ferry. Any suggestions on place to eat in Poulsbo? How are the breweries?

[cardamon]

I would catch the ferry thursday night or drive around thursday night and stay somewhere on the way...I would not want to catch a ferry labor day weekend. the only saving grace is you will be traveling opposite most traffic....

 

We changed Thursday night reservation to spending that night in Poulsbo ( night before we have to board our cruise from Seattle by 2:30). We will enjoy Poulsbo Thursday night, then take the 11:25 ferry to Seattle. I feel better. Then our friends will drive us in the rental car to our cruise port ( RCI- Smith's Cove). Any recommendations for route to the pier and time?