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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jan 2, 2008 19:23:15 GMT -8
The beer & wine just reminds me of going on the boat tonight. People walking about the boat drunk. It seems as if my route is plagued (sp?) with at least one person who gets drunk and wants more. Then they go about the vessel outside of the galley area when they are supposed to be in it. It creates more problems and is not controlled well. It maybe an hour and a half long crossing, however, it may want to be controlled to one drink per person.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 2, 2008 19:46:28 GMT -8
I've reset the thread-name to make it more logical, seeing as we're also talking about drinking on ferries too.
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Let me sidestep the larger issue of "why", and comment on what they could do, if they decide to do it: - I think that they could go with general mass-produced beers, or perhaps they could do something "Coastal" and showcase local micro-brewery beers/ales from someone like Granville Island Brewery or Van Isle Brewery...or even FatCat Brewery (Nanaimo).
Granville Island already allows restaurants like Milestone's and WhiteSpot to put their restaurant labels on Granville's honey-lager and pale-ale. In the same way, BC Ferries could put their logo on a Granville-Island offering. Maybe we could have "Mating Slugs India Pale Ale" or "Coastal Porter".
And then there's the local vineyard opportunity. Salt Spring has 1 or 2 vineyards, and there's more on Vancouver Island....so we don't even need to consider the Okanagan.
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 2, 2008 21:23:22 GMT -8
^ These are provincial ferries. I don't see how you can justify giving Interior wineries/breweries the snub.
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Post by WettCoast on Jan 2, 2008 22:04:50 GMT -8
^ These are provincial ferries. I don't see how you can justify giving Interior wineries/breweries the snub. Very true! Consider for a moment the huge Okanagan vineyard currently decorating one side of the Coastal Renaissance. Just one minor item from a northern perspective that I would like to point out: Beer & wine has been available for a couple of decades on the long northern routes. My understanding is that alcoholic beverages have not been available on any of the southern routes because these are two hours or less in duration. I expect that this will change as one drink with your meal is not enough to send drivers away unfit for the task. They will have to consider carefully how to restrict consumption to the equivalent of one, maybe two, drinks.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 2, 2008 22:15:16 GMT -8
^ These are provincial ferries. I don't see how you can justify giving Interior wineries/breweries the snub. If promoting one region (the Coast) is snubbing another, then a snubber I am. But I'm just thinking while typing, and not too worried about whether someone is able to see any justification, or not. What are your ideas?
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 2, 2008 22:44:56 GMT -8
They will have to consider carefully how to restrict consumption to the equivalent of one, maybe two, drinks. Just stop serving alcohol 30 minutes into the sailing. Maybe 45 to be generous.
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 2, 2008 22:47:06 GMT -8
^ These are provincial ferries. I don't see how you can justify giving Interior wineries/breweries the snub. If promoting one region (the Coast) is snubbing another, then a snubber I am. But I'm just thinking while typing, and not too worried about whether someone is able to see any justification, or not. What are your ideas? Showcase the entire province's wineries/breweries. Give the customers more choice, in addition to being equitable to BC producers.
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Post by hwy19man on Jan 7, 2008 16:28:11 GMT -8
If promoting one region (the Coast) is snubbing another, then a snubber I am. But I'm just thinking while typing, and not too worried about whether someone is able to see any justification, or not. What are your ideas? Showcase the entire province's wineries/breweries. Give the customers more choice, in addition to being equitable to BC producers. BC made ferries get the BC stuff. The German made ferries can serve German wine instead as well as Becks undt Dab undt Warsteiner! ;D
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Post by BreannaF on Jan 7, 2008 16:39:32 GMT -8
If promoting one region (the Coast) is snubbing another, then a snubber I am. But I'm just thinking while typing, and not too worried about whether someone is able to see any justification, or not. What are your ideas? Showcase the entire province's wineries/breweries. Give the customers more choice, in addition to being equitable to BC producers. Resist the temptation to say it..... Resist..... Oooohhh..... To be fair, wouldn't we want to also showcase the entire province's most profitable agricultural crop? We wouldn't want to snub them now, would we? No! Forget I ever said that.......
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 7, 2008 17:01:46 GMT -8
^ I'm all for it. If only they could get it past the authorities.
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Post by Nickfro on Jan 7, 2008 18:29:35 GMT -8
Resist the temptation to say it..... Resist..... Oooohhh..... To be fair, wouldn't we want to also showcase the entire province's most profitable agricultural crop? We wouldn't want to snub them now, would we? No! Forget I ever said that....... Whenever I travel on a BC Ferry it seems that it is showcased every time I surface on the sun deck. ;D As for alcohol goes, I don't forsee it happening but when you think about how you can buy drinks on an airplane and then, upon arrival, hop straight into your car (or rental car) and drive off, it makes one think that the reality of it happening on a ferry is closer than one may think! There would definitely be a cut-off of a minimum of 45 minutes prior to arrival, I think.
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Post by kylefossett on Jan 7, 2008 18:44:26 GMT -8
as long as the price of a beer is compareable to the price i pay for a 6 pack in ladner before i get on the ferry then i am for it. until then i will keep stopping at the landing pub beer store.
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 7, 2008 18:58:04 GMT -8
I don't exactly agree with serving alcohol on board the ferries. If people can't last over an hour and a half with out a drink in their hand, they've got a problem. Alot of people know how to limit themselves, but alot of people also don't know how to hold their limit as well. There's nothing I find more aggivating, than being approached by an intoxicated person in public. I feel there's a time and place for this type of activity, and it's certainly not on public transportation.
About 2 years ago, I had been stuck in the Ferry lineup at Horseshoe Bay, and had missed 3 sailings. It was the 9:00pm sailing that I was finally on, and had narrowly missed the 7:00pm sailing by 5 cars. Needless to say, I was one of the first to board on the next sailing, and just my luck, that was the quietest sailing. Once I was able to drive aboard, I proceeded up the stairs from the Main car deck, so I could find a seat to fall asleep at. But an intoxicated aboriginal man approached me as I was coming up the stairs (his intoxication was more than evident in his breath), and was asking me to help him. By this point, I had a very short fuse temper after missing 3 sailings. So I found a crew member and notified them that this fellow was intoxicated and needed help. He was then escorted off the ship.
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 7, 2008 19:07:56 GMT -8
I don't exactly agree with serving alcohol on board the ferries. If people can't last over an hour and a half with out a drink in their hand, they've got a problem. It's not so much a matter of not being able to last the trip without alcohol. What could be more refreshing and romantic (if I may go there without sounding gay ;D) than to sail through the beautiful scenery with a glass of wine in hand? Not to mention the commercial and promotional opportunities already discussed.
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 7, 2008 19:25:43 GMT -8
I agree, it certainly would make it more romantic. Keep in mind though for when it all comes down to it, this is a public transportation system designed to get you from Point A to Point B. It's not meant for people to use as a cheap romantic holiday cruise. It's called "The Poor Mans Cruise" for a reason. ( ) . Besides, do we really want it to be that romantic? It's bad enough walking around on the car deck on the late night sailings.........
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 7, 2008 19:31:34 GMT -8
Keep in mind though for when it all comes down to it, this is a public transportation system designed to get you from Point A to Point B. It's not meant for people to use as a cheap romantic holiday cruise. It's called "The Poor Mans Cruise" for a reason. ( ) It's not just cheaper, but also more bearable than being confined to a boat on a multi-day cruise. Whatever can recover as much of the cost as possible is a good thing, no? I also even suggested slot machines and whatever other gambling activities are feasible on a 1h35 cruise.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jan 7, 2008 19:36:42 GMT -8
Maybe rather than a bar set-up that has to have children excluded etc. to be totally legal, maybe the idea of a tasting bar that would give small samples out like they do in the wine/liquor stores. No one could get inebriated that way, BC Wineries etc. could have a higher profile, and it would add something to the ferry experience. I know that in our paper on Saturday three vineyards that were branching out into producing Eau de Vie were profiled. For that matter they could do the same thing with smoked salmon or any other local product that didn't need special handling and refrigeration etc. Product could be available for purchase. Of course BC Ferries would get a cut. I don't know what the licensing procedure is like in BC but in Ontario it can be a huge pain. That may be the bigeest part of the obstacle. This would be an interesting test prior to the larger tourist crowds coming for the olympics. Airlines are just starting to capitalize on this with new onboard services where you can order tickets, flowers, and make reservations from the aircraft and the airline gets the commission. With reliable internet access BC Ferries could have terminals on the ship or even a desk where BC products and services could be bought and arranged.
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 7, 2008 19:44:52 GMT -8
Maybe rather than a bar set-up that has to have children excluded etc. to be totally legal, maybe the idea of a tasting bar that would give small samples out like they do in the wine/liquor stores. No one could get inebriated that way Unless they drink a sample of every BC wine/beer in existance. I prefer they take their drinks with a meal, be in in the buffet, a pub or beer garden type setting.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 7, 2008 19:46:20 GMT -8
^ I'm all for it. If only they could get it past the authorities. BC-bud is already pretty common on the outside decks of a Route-2 C-Class, at least on the night sailings.
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Post by kylefossett on Jan 7, 2008 20:09:39 GMT -8
Maybe rather than a bar set-up that has to have children excluded etc. to be totally legal, maybe the idea of a tasting bar that would give small samples out like they do in the wine/liquor stores. No one could get inebriated that way Unless they drink a sample of every BC wine/beer in existance. I prefer they take their drinks with a meal, be in in the buffet, a pub or beer garden type setting. If they were to license the ferries for alcohol sales this would probably be with a food primary license. Same kind of license as a Boston Pizza restaurant or a WhiteSpot restaurant. To be able to purchase a drink you would have to purchase a food item or at least show intent to purchase a food item.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,150
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Post by Neil on Jan 7, 2008 20:17:00 GMT -8
I don't really have strong feelings on this, but I more or less agree with Chris. There are enough opportunities for people to drink without introducing more. The southern routes have been alcohol free for 47 years- is there any compelling reason to change that, other than to make money? And please don't tell me that alcohol on the ferries is what a 'world class' tourist destination should offer.
My main beverage concern is that they stop watering down the Coke so much. And beer fumes in the seating areas is something that I could personally do without.
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Post by Mike C on Jan 7, 2008 20:21:45 GMT -8
Besides, do we really want it to be that romantic? It's bad enough walking around on the car deck on the late night sailings......... Oh that comment is just asking for attention But you're right - we don't want things to get like they are on the #3 bus... As for the Mary-J, that's usually spotted on BC's Party Boat: the Queen of Slurrey.
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Post by kylefossett on Jan 7, 2008 20:32:24 GMT -8
I The southern routes have been alcohol free for 47 years- is there any compelling reason to change that, other than to make money? And beer fumes in the seating areas is something that I could personally do without. Alcohol free? Open your eyes when you are travelling on the ferries on a friday afternoon of a long weekend in the summer. Beer fumes? From my experiences you can't really smell beer unless it is spilled or you are sitting right on top of the can or bottle.
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Post by ruddernut on Jan 7, 2008 20:39:53 GMT -8
I don't really have strong feelings on this, but I more or less agree with Chris. There are enough opportunities for people to drink without introducing more. You talk like we're selling alcohol to children. And beer fumes in the seating areas is something that I could personally do without. You could stay out of the designated drinking areas.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Jan 7, 2008 21:03:12 GMT -8
I The southern routes have been alcohol free for 47 years- is there any compelling reason to change that, other than to make money? And beer fumes in the seating areas is something that I could personally do without. Alcohol free? Open your eyes when you are travelling on the ferries on a friday afternoon of a long weekend in the summer. Beer fumes? From my experiences you can't really smell beer unless it is spilled or you are sitting right on top of the can or bottle. Just sit right next to a drunk guy and listen to him for an hour and thirty-five minutes plus and you will want to have someone deal with him within ten minutes.
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