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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2008 7:04:01 GMT -8
- in the Deck-7 end solariums, noise carries loudly re natural amplification. I think that's to give you more of an experience of Coastal BC, kind of like if you're on a pleasure boat on the Strait. Except that the noise being naturally-amplified was of people talking, kids screaming, those kinds of distractions. But then again, the solarium's not a talk-free zone (only a smoke-free zone at one end), so peace & quiet will get interrupted..... But the smoke-free end of Deck-7 was a great place to sit and read a book. On my return trip on the C'Inspiration yesterday (12:45pm sailing), I was actually considering trying out the SeaWest Lounge. The sailing was full, I was tired, and I just wanted to be quiet and read. But the lounge was closed..... Now the SeaWest Lounge was closed on the earlier 5:15am sailing, and I thought that was ok, as the entire ship was basically 1 big SeaWest Lounge (so sparsely populated and quiet). But I had thought that the SeaWest would at least be open later in the day. So I'm wondering: Will the SeaWest ever be used on Route-30? I hope so, as it is an area of refuge for some......
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 27, 2008 7:28:24 GMT -8
Mr. Horn, Was the "TV Lounge" on Deck 5 at the Nanaimo end open at least? I've noticed during the past few times when I've been on the CR when Deck 5 is closed, but that TV Lounge stays open. This can sometimes be a good place to hideout, seeming everyone would just assume that all of Deck 5 would be closed. But that wasn't the case when I was on her for the last sailing of the day, because and NBA basketball game was on, and the lounge was full of people watching the game. It was neat though, because all of the PA speakers in that lounge was playing the tv sounds, so it has surround sound. Next thing we'll know is BC Ferries will start advertising people to come and ride the Coastals during the Canuck games, similar to Boston Pizza, and other restaurants/pubs/etc.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2008 7:35:26 GMT -8
Was the "TV Lounge" on Deck 5 at the Nanaimo end open at least? I didn't notice the TV lounge open. And I think that I checked out all 3 interior staircases, and all 3 had the closed-off doors.
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 27, 2008 7:40:26 GMT -8
Ah, I see! It probably was closed off then. But I've also had to access that lounge from the outside promenade decks before, seeming the doors inside were closed. Oh well, I'm looking forward to comparing the differences between her and the CR myself on Sunday night, seeming I'll be doing a round trip on her for 5 hours.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2008 8:25:08 GMT -8
Perhaps BC Ferries should market the Coastal Inspiration on Route-30 as "Coastal Lite".
....if they keep the SeeWeed Lounge closed, keep deck-5 closed, etc. This Coastal-Lite issue will be interesting for us to monitor in the coming months, as it might be an indication of BCFS's long term plans for this ship's placement.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 27, 2008 12:47:36 GMT -8
An employee in the steward's office told me deck five would be open if they had more than 950 passengers on board, at which point they would also have more crew. Perhaps that applies to the SeaWest Lounge as well.
Chris, other than the wall murals, I think you'll be hard pressed to find any differences between the two. They're carbon copies.
One thing I found amusing; we were going by the women's washroom (on the CI), and heard a pounding, and pleas to open the door. The knob or handle (can't remember which) wouldn't open it, but some pushbutton type thingy did, at which point a rather harried looking elderly lady emerged and thanked me for freeing her.
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 27, 2008 15:50:16 GMT -8
Fluge, would you say that we are seeing Coast Boat amenities being 'wasted' on route 30?
Also, would you care to make comparisons with the Spooks?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2008 16:10:53 GMT -8
Fluge, would you say that we are seeing Coast Boat amenities being 'wasted' on route 30? Also, would you care to make comparisons with the Spooks? I think the Deck-5 is wasted for now on Route-30. If the route grows, then it will be available for use. But for now, Route-30 definitely felt Coastal-Lite to me. And the closed SeaWest Lounge reinforced that feeling. Now the truckers probably liked the straight main car deck. The passengers surely liked the views from the cafeteria and coffee-bar. So not all the amenities are wasted, but the ship isn't being used to it's full potential, like it would be on Route-2. I'll be very interested to see the ridership stats on Route-30, to see if the CoastSavers and new-ship-draw have had a positive impact on traffic. So, while the Coastal Inspiration has the potential to draw more riders to Route-30, with the possibility of maybe being able to fully utilize the ship as a result, the same ship could be fully utilized today on Route-2. (But then Route-30 loses out on truck space with the non-truck-friendly car-deck of the Oak Bay or Cowichan/Coquitlam instead). Lots of pros cons either way, but that doesn't change fact that Route-2 would be perfect for 2 Coastals now. -------------- re the comparison of the Spooks to the U-733, U-734, U-735 wolf-pack, I think the main thing was the interior staircases and the width-wise corridors on the ship. These are the 2 things that both seemed to be non-V and non-C on both ships. Those were the 2 things I first noticed about the Spirits being different from the Cs & Vs, and same with the Coastals.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jun 27, 2008 17:22:42 GMT -8
U-733? You're comparing the Super C's to U-boats???
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 27, 2008 18:07:01 GMT -8
U-733? You're comparing the Super C's to U-boats??? Not so much as comparing them, as simply giving them a U-Boat themed nickname. They were built by the same shipyard.... Similar to calling SOBC & SOVI the Kermode-Ferries. I'm not saying that the ferry is a bear.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 27, 2008 18:52:13 GMT -8
Bad Flugel Horn. Mustn't confuse the troops. Route 30 customers have been putting up with the ' Alberni, and it's smallest major ship passenger facilities, for years. I'm sure I'm not the only person who avoids using it, especially during busy times, if at all possible. Since BC Ferries wants to grow the route, giving people a good choice is not a bad idea, and the overheight vehicle capacity of the CI will not be wasted.
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Post by Scott on Jun 28, 2008 18:34:56 GMT -8
I was on the CI today and deck 5 was closed, the seawest lounge was closed, and all the outside stair cases were closed. Hardly anyone found the outside deck areas of deck 5 though... we had it all to our own. One of the ferry guys even came and suggested we'd get a better view on deck 7;) Not sure if they wanted us out of there or not... maybe my girl jumping between life jacket containers contributed to that;)
I can hardly forsee deck 5 being open on route 30 ever. Today it was nearly full of cars... and you'll rarely get a lot of walk-ons on that route. There was still ample room on Deck 6 and a few of the open areas of deck 5 (there are a few seats not behind doors).
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Post by DENelson83 on Jun 28, 2008 18:38:59 GMT -8
Well, if the RDN started transit service from Downtown Nanaimo to Duke Point, you'd see plenty more walk-on passengers on route 30. But is there demand for such a transit route?
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Post by yyjguy on Jun 28, 2008 19:28:46 GMT -8
I understand PCL may start Nanaimo to Vancouver service via route 30 in a few weeks
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jun 28, 2008 19:33:34 GMT -8
I understand PCL may start Nanaimo to Vancouver service via route 30 in a few weeks They want to do up to 4 trips per day with PCL service to YVR airport. Introductory price of $39, and then up to the $45 regular price starting in the autumn.
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Post by Dane on Jun 28, 2008 19:37:31 GMT -8
That's quite interesting to hear - should be good to watch and see how it goes over. We have discussed the lack of transit and associated variables on that route and I hope this will work. I also wonder if the impending BC Transit competition in Victoria has them rushing for new service?
I saw the CI tonight while flying into YVR, she certainly has a commanding image, even next to a large S Class.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jun 28, 2008 20:43:34 GMT -8
If you want to see deck 5 on the CI used more often, why not have the CI and CR periodically switch routes? That would make them see an equal amount of long-term wear and tear.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jun 28, 2008 20:58:16 GMT -8
Here is why this is a bad idea.
#1 Waste of time for the crews to pay them for an extra few hours or work and for all the readjustments for each route. Maybe for refits but that is about it #2 Waste of money to pay those crews along with the fuel just to do that #3 Is it really necessary?
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Post by Ian on Jul 5, 2008 20:22:37 GMT -8
Talking about all the wasted space and such with the CI on route 30, I will bet that within the next year it will be moved over to route 1 and the QofNewWest will be back on route 30.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jul 5, 2008 20:32:31 GMT -8
What may be really needed is a modified Super C vessel that can carry more overheight vehicles and has on-board amenities tailored especially to truckers—maybe one that combines a Super C with the Queen of Alberni.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jul 5, 2008 22:28:47 GMT -8
Maybe we just need a fourth Super C. The purpose of the Super Cs was for flexibility between routes. Probably the only thing that is needed is to develop the route a bit with certain peak sailings during the weekends to utilize capacity better.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jul 5, 2008 22:35:12 GMT -8
All right then... BCF, if you're reading this, get FSG to build us the Coastal Experience!
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Post by Hardy on Jul 5, 2008 22:36:38 GMT -8
Talking about all the wasted space and such with the CI on route 30, I will bet that within the next year it will be moved over to route 1 and the QofNewWest will be back on route 30. Wouldn't this then make the enormous refit/rebuild of the QoNW a vast waste of time/money? Was the purpose of the refit/rebuild not to make her more suitable for Rte-1 traffic, including adding a buffet and other passenger amenities? I have no doubt that the assignment of the CI to Rte-30 is a temporary one, UNLESS volumes go way up on that route. I find it interesting that BCFS has been relatively successful with its Coast Savers program, and that traffic volumes do indeed seem to be up on Rte-30. Another thing to consider is that BCFS is indeed aware of the limitations aboard the other Rte-30 vessel, QoA, and that there may indeed be some plans to address the passenger area deficiencies.
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Post by DENelson83 on Jul 5, 2008 22:44:41 GMT -8
How about when the QoA is at her next refit, her main passenger deck gets stretched to the same length as the superstructure below? Or is it too late for that after her MLU?
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Post by Dane on Jul 6, 2008 7:44:24 GMT -8
Or is it too late for that after her MLU? That would probably cost almost as much as a new Coastal.... The money being dropped into the QoNW also seems excessive given the reasonably "low" cost of the Coastal vessels. I think BC Ferries is about to put themselves into a "rock and a hard place" situtation. That said, BC Ferries isn't rich with capital to just purchase new ships such as a fourth Coastal. It's a predicament to be sure - and brings together several "issues" which are going on currently, but let's all just take a moment and be happy we finally got new vessels that work well and are appropriate for their routes! more or less....
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