British Columbia

Hi I,m heading to Vancouver in Sept. I,m hiring a car and heading for
Vancouver Island then heading to Port Hardy.I,d like to get the Inside
Passage ferry to Prince Rupert and then drive down to Jasper,Banff and back
to Vancouver.Is it necessary to reserve ferry crossings or should I chance
turning up. I,d also be very grateful if any of the group could give me any
advice on accommodation and also I, d like to do a bit of fishing while I,m
there.
Many Thanks
M Rowlands

"Michael Rowlands" <rowlands@brickfieldst.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:cc93g5$u7$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Hi I,m heading to Vancouver in Sept. I,m hiring a car and heading for
> Vancouver Island then heading to Port Hardy.I,d like to get the Inside
> Passage ferry to Prince Rupert and then drive down to Jasper,Banff and
back
> to Vancouver.Is it necessary to reserve ferry crossings or should I chance
> turning up. I,d also be very grateful if any of the group could give me
any
> advice on accommodation and also I, d like to do a bit of fishing while
I,m
> there.
> Many Thanks
> M Rowlands

When it comes to the ferry, you will need to plan. I suggest that you book
in advance. During September the ferry runs from Pt. Hardy to Prince Rupert
on even numbered days.

It's also a 15 hour trip. The ferry leaves Pt. Hardy at 07:30hrs. So you
will want to be there at least an hour before, even with an advanced
booking. You will arrive in Pr. Rupert at 22:30hrs the next day, so it would
be wise to have an accommodation secured there prior to arriving, unless
you're into looking for a place to stay at that time of night.

Sorry, but I can offer no help when it comes to fishing.

Judy

"Michael Rowlands" <rowlands@brickfieldst.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:cc93g5$u7$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Hi I,m heading to Vancouver in Sept. I,m hiring a car and heading for
> Vancouver Island then heading to Port Hardy.I,d like to get the Inside
> Passage ferry to Prince Rupert and then drive down to Jasper,Banff and
back
> to Vancouver.Is it necessary to reserve ferry crossings or should I
chance
> turning up. I,d also be very grateful if any of the group could give
me any
> advice on accommodation and also I, d like to do a bit of fishing
while I,m
> there.
> Many Thanks
> M Rowlands


I'm just a little bit envious -- all British Columbians would like to do
that trip, I'm sure. Some notes:

1) Your car rental bill isn't going to be cheap, just from time and
distance. However, you should do some research on the cost and coverage
of the accident & liability insurance the rental agency will try to sell
you -- it could end up being almost as bad! Rates can run anywhere from
$13.00 to $20.00 per day, and still leave you at risk for lots more.

You should look into the level of coverage that your major credit card
may offer; it might be all you need.

2) Yes, you should reserve your ferry passage wherever possible; the
relatively small surcharge will save you hours of deadly boredom in
crowded, stifling hot parking lots. Ditto a cabin on the Prince Rupert
passage. Reserve it NOW!

3) A day or two spent on Vancouver Island would be well rewarded.
Victoria is beautiful and drenched with charm, and has the outstanding
Royal BC Museum. The beach resort towns north of Nanaimo are sunny and
slow-paced, and the spectacular scenery of Long Beach (near Tofino) will
leave you breathless. Hotel or lodge reservations are a *must* in
September.
If you're a golfer, or an art collector, you'll be in paradise!

4) Salmon fishing, whale watching and "nature discovery" tours can all
be had in the Port Hardy - Telegraph Cove area. Native culture is on
display in Duncan (just south of Nanimo), and in the U'mista Cultural
Centre at Alert Bay (on the road to Port Hardy). Also at K'san Village
in Hazelton, east of Prince Rupert.

Be sure to take along *lots* of film or extra memory modules for your
camera. A telephoto lens would be useful for wildlife encounters --
that's as close to some of them as you might wish to get!

The Best Western hotel / motel chain will more than serve youur needs
anywhere along your route.

Enjoy!

David Gee <scoop604@m> wrote:

> 2) Yes, you should reserve your ferry passage wherever possible; the
> relatively small surcharge will save you hours of deadly boredom in
> crowded, stifling hot parking lots. Ditto a cabin on the Prince Rupert
> passage. Reserve it NOW!

There's no surcharge for making reservations on this route. Reservations
are required so the cost is built in to the fare. If he misses the boat,
he'll be waiting for 2 days for the next one, not mere hours.

However, I did show up at the Port Hardy terminal one morning without a
reservation, the check-in agent was a little miffed but did let me on
board anyway. Mind you I was travelling as a foot passenger; I wouldn't
have attempted this had I been wanting to take a vehicle on board with me.

K.

"David Gee" <scoop604@m> wrote in message
news:jLnQc.35262$T_6.33712@edtnps89...
> "Michael Rowlands" <rowlands@brickfieldst.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:cc93g5$u7$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > Hi I,m heading to Vancouver in Sept. I,m hiring a car and heading for
> > Vancouver Island then heading to Port Hardy.I,d like to get the Inside
> > Passage ferry to Prince Rupert and then drive down to Jasper,Banff and
> back
> > to Vancouver.Is it necessary to reserve ferry crossings or should I
> chance
> > turning up. I,d also be very grateful if any of the group could give
> me any
> > advice on accommodation and also I, d like to do a bit of fishing
> while I,m
> > there.
> > Many Thanks
> > M Rowlands
>
>
> I'm just a little bit envious -- all British Columbians would like to do
> that trip, I'm sure.

I'm just a bit curious as to why your reply has been posted 6 times?