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Post by ferryrider42 on Mar 19, 2008 18:49:44 GMT -8
Oh, another idea. How about free paper, and also pens / pencils (with BC Ferries logo of course). Then if I have to write a memo or something quickly during the trip I don’t need to lug anything up from the car.
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Mar 19, 2008 23:12:16 GMT -8
This is the first time i have seen this thread, Interesting comments have been made so far.
Personally I would never use this service as I cant sit for more than 5 minutes on the ferry.
I do have a comment to make of my own, I do understand the use of this service, I beleive it is to create a quite and peaceful environment for people to work or relax, of course for those who are willing to pay for it. I don't think that having pop in the lounge is going to help it meet its goal. I have never seen anyone under 20sh in the lounge, and I beleive there is one reason why. Children and Teens get thirsty and want something to drink therefore they usually want pop. If there was pop in the lounge I think it would invite larger amounts of younger people and children whom don't want to or can't be quiet.
Usually the seating areas are pretty noisy and even sometimes they are crammed with people. I was on a sailing a month ago on the SOVI where the chief steward came on the PA system and asked everyone to move their bags onto the floor and move closer together because to many people couldn't sit down. The Lounge was still quiet although loaded it was quiet.
Thats my idea.
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Post by Ian on Mar 24, 2008 22:54:44 GMT -8
I think I would use the Seawest if it was an even 5 bucks. Sounds silly being only 5 dollars less but it is just easier to hand a fiver over the counter rather than fiddle with coins. Then it would make more sense b/c it is easier to buy 5 dollars of newspaper coffee tea and pastries than 10 dollars. And yes, pop would be a plus being young but I have gravitated to coffee.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Mar 30, 2008 22:57:06 GMT -8
Here are a few ideas
#1, WiFi would attract any Internet addict to the lounge but may create mayhem from World of Warcraft users #2, 1 free coffee bar drink perhaps? #3 reclining seats?
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Post by Mac Write on Mar 31, 2008 19:39:01 GMT -8
If they served pop, I would go in there, put on some music and just mellow out for the trip (headphones of course) or work on a laptop (if I had one) etc.
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Post by kylefossett on Mar 31, 2008 19:50:29 GMT -8
some of the chairs to recline. the ones facing out the back. they are not catering to the kind of crowd that sits and drinks softdrinks. they are after the business people looking for somewhere quiet to catch up on some work. the coffee and pastries are for the crowd that is busy getting between meetings and such. if you are looking for all you can drink pop and other choices of food they will just tell you to go to the buffet
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Post by DENelson83 on Mar 31, 2008 19:58:50 GMT -8
Of course, the buffet is only on Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen. Discussion on why that is the case is reserved for another thread.
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Post by ruddernut on Apr 22, 2008 11:38:45 GMT -8
If they're going to have a user pay premium section, instead of making it a quiet zone (though it should still remain reasonably quiet), they should instead make it a comfy lazy zone, with steward service to deliver refreshments to your seat without having to get off your lazy big toes, while you're still free to talk business with your associates and the like.
There should also be a separate free quiet section, separated by closed doors, where people can go to read, sleep, study, use their computer and the like.
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Post by ruddernut on Apr 22, 2008 11:51:40 GMT -8
Here are a few ideas #1, WiFi would attract any Internet addict to the lounge but may create mayhem from World of Warcraft users They could have a non-quiet section with WiFi. Heck, they should even have Internet cafe space for those who did not bring a laptop. Perhaps an idea for the Sitka coffee lounge.
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Post by ruddernut on Apr 22, 2008 11:57:05 GMT -8
I don't get it. They're structurally identical vessels with the same capacity that will presumably carry the same approximate number of passengers per sailing, right?
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Post by cohocatcher on Apr 22, 2008 12:03:51 GMT -8
I don't get it. They're structurally identical vessels with the same capacity that will presumably carry the same approximate number of passengers per sailing, right? But they probably expect the CC to carry larger loads than the other two Coastals. And the customers on route 1 probably have gotten used to the buffets.
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Post by Dane on Apr 22, 2008 14:34:23 GMT -8
What I have heard, and I believe, and is supported by older BC Ferries' comments is that it's not a route use issue but rather a demographics issue; Rte 2 simply wouldn't support a buffet service is the belief.
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Post by ruddernut on Apr 22, 2008 14:49:00 GMT -8
I take it Route 1 carries more tourists, which the buffet is aimed at, whereas Route 2 is more for commuters and commercial traffic, who are more likely to bring their own lunch or get something quick at the cafeteria.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 22, 2008 15:38:55 GMT -8
I'm waiting for Mac Write to reply to this one... ;D
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 22, 2008 18:13:15 GMT -8
I'm waiting for Mac Write to reply to this one... ;D .....then you'll be waiting until May 1st, at the earliest. ;D
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Post by Mike C on Apr 22, 2008 18:55:07 GMT -8
I'm waiting for Mac Write to reply to this one... ;D .....then you'll be waiting until May 1st, at the earliest. ;D I have it marked on my calendar...
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 22, 2008 19:27:52 GMT -8
Route 1 has had enhanced food services since the late 1960's when the buffets first went onto the aft sundeck of the V's as they were stretched. The buffets on the Spirits today are arguably the best place in the entire fleet in which to dine (although that wonderfully located forward cafeteria on the QPR has the best view).
I am also fairly certain that the number of passengers carried per sailing on route 1 is greater than on any other route. As such, there is more demand for food services, including an enhanced service.
I do believe that a Coast Boat on route 1 without a buffet would definitely leave many (most?) route 1 customers thinking the new boats inferior to the Spirits.
BTW, I am also fairly sure that the great majority of buffet customers are locals, not tourists.
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Post by ruddernut on Apr 22, 2008 19:44:08 GMT -8
BTW, I am also fairly sure that the great majority of buffet customers are locals, not tourists. I was of the impression that the tourists feel they have to eat at the buffet for the full "experience" of the cruise, whereas the locals realize it's overpriced and are well past the novelty of it.
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 22, 2008 19:53:42 GMT -8
If you want a snack, go to the cafeteria. If you want a decent meal go to the buffet. I do not think of it as over priced (please don't breathe a word of this to Mr. Haun & co).
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Post by ruddernut on Apr 22, 2008 20:12:14 GMT -8
You have to stuff yourself like a pig to get your money's worth at a buffet.
I have a personal policy not to eat at buffets, so that I don't pressure myself to overeat. That's an example most people would be well advised to follow.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Apr 22, 2008 22:13:51 GMT -8
I eat breakfast at the buffet quite regularly. It is somewhat expensive, but not exorbitant. I also quite often don't eat lunch, so I eat a fairly substantial breakfast instead. I can count the number of times I have eaten dinner at the buffet on one hand.
I like it because a) it's something more substantial and wholesome than what is available in the cafeteria, and because it is a place to sit and enjoy the crossing without feeling pressured to vacate your seat for somebody else. And, for an extra $4 over the seawest lounge, you get a whole lot more than pastries and coffee.
And, even though I am a ferry nerd, there is only so many times you can walk around the spirits without getting bored. Any other ship and I am all over the place.
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Post by hightower on Jan 19, 2009 15:22:27 GMT -8
Hi All,
Long time lurker, first time poster.
I rode the CC for the first time on Saturday, the buffet had but 15 tables filled. Now I seem to remember that the Pacific Buffet on the Spirits was weekends only during the shoulder and off-season right through until the early 2000's. This coincided with the economic recovery out of the last recession.
My question therefore is this. With the current economic collapse, how long do you think we will see 365 day service in the Pacific Buffet?
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Post by johnnytindale on Jan 19, 2009 18:14:24 GMT -8
Although I'm not one of the long-time forum members, welcome aboard hightower.
You pose an good question. I'd be interested in the observation of others. As for myself, I was recently on a mid-week, mid-afternoon sailing on the SOBC and was in the buffet, where it was quite busy (say 80% occupied). I would estimate that given the higher price of admission and the mass-production of the food, that the buffet is one of the bigger (on board) revenue items on Rt.1 sailings. In less busy times, the kitchen staff and volume of food can be reduced to compensate for fewer customers. That being said, if the numbers drop significantly, it may raise more issues. It would be interesting to see what their profit margins and break even point is for the buffet (as well as other on board amenities).
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Post by ferryrider42 on Jan 19, 2009 19:14:46 GMT -8
I will continue to use the buffet. I don't travel all that often, and often alone, so in the grand schemes of things it doesn't add all that much to my costs of living life. I also like the large tables, and quiet atmosphere to work in.
But given we are in the off season, and a recession; a closure on some slow travel days could be a good way to save some cash.
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 19, 2009 19:49:22 GMT -8
I muchly prefer the buffet over the cafeteria. When I am on a Spirit, and it is meal time, I will usually choose the buffet.
Back on Thanksgiving Saturday in October, I found myself on the 8:30 sailing out of HSB. It was breakfast time and there was no choice - I had to go with the cafeteria. I waited in the queue for maybe 25 minutes only to be served up a soggy breakfast.
The price differential is not that great, either. If you are hungry and would be spending a fair amount anyways, the buffet will cost you little if any more. The buffet aesthetics are far better also.
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