Questions about a Northern positioning cruise...

[markkarj]

Hi folks:

I've been thinking about seeing whether I could do one over the next few years... when either the Sonia or the QPR 2 comes into service.

What I'd probably do is:
1) Fly from PG (home town) to Vancouver
2) Take the ship north (I suppose from Tsawassen)
3) Take the Via rail train from Rupert to PG.

My questions are:
1) When do the northern positioning cruises typically happen?
2) How long is the sailing?
3) Any idea on the cost for a passenger with a single berth?

Thanks for your help.

M

[Mike C]

Well, the positioning cruises usually run between Vancouver and Port Hardy. So you would probably be able to stay overnight, then get back on the ferry and continue northbound on the same vessel to Prince Rupert.

The positioning cruise usually happens around this time of year, then again in May. However, the Sonia will not be arriving until next year, so I think you'll have to hold back for maybe a year or so.

Cheers,
-Michael

[Low Light Mike]

Your trip plan sounds great. The Skeena rail service sounds like a great trip too.

For me, the rail trip would be just as exciting as the ferry trip.

RE the specifics re "when", well the Q-North sinking has obviously thrown off the regular seasons of refit & placement of northern vessels. Normally, we'd be able to say that the QPR does a positioning cruise southbound every year in March.

Interesting that Q-North did a northbound positioning cruise in March 2006 (or late February)......she hadn't done such a northbound cruise for a few years.

So, who knows when the next positioning cruise will be. Eventually the QPR will need an annual refit......

For me, if I was living in PG, I'd consider taking a Via trip either west or east (to Jasper), regardless of a ferry trip. Train trip to Rupert, spend a few days exploring rupert by foot (Cow Bay, cruise ships, etc), then train back to PeeGee.