|
|
Post by WettCoast on Sept 5, 2013 20:38:02 GMT -8
I hope they have temporary food service on the Island Sky! Why not use the Wack for the replacement till March! Updrade compared to Island Sky! She even has reclining seats for the long 3 hour Departure Bay to Saltery Bay lol! haha, you had the same suggestion on February 2, 2013 (at 10:34pm). - you get full-marks for consistency (well, except for the reclining seats comment). The Wack has not been especially popular (with Powell Riverites) as a replacement vessel on route 17. It remains to be seen how much affection they might develop for the I-Sky when assigned to that route. It is clear, however, that the I-Sky will bring a 'whole new level of Creature Comfort' to the Powell River - Comox route. |
|
Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,171
|
Post by Neil on Sept 5, 2013 20:55:27 GMT -8
haha, you had the same suggestion on February 2, 2013 (at 10:34pm). - you get full-marks for consistency (well, except for the reclining seats comment). The Wack has not been especially popular (with Powell Riverites) as a replacement vessel on route 17. It remains to be seen how much affection they might develop for the I-Sky when assigned to that route. It is clear, however, that the I-Sky will bring a 'whole new level of Creature Comfort' to the Powell River - Comox route. At least the Island Sky can keep up the schedule, and is reasonably straightforward to load. And to be fair, I think they do have a soup option, and perhaps decent sandwiches. WSF regulars on some of their routes might not think the Island Sky 'galley' is so awful. I'm determined to do the Departure Bay- Saltery Bay crossing, as well as the Saltery Bay - Texada run, and I would like to do the Saltery Bay- Texada - Little River version as well. There is so much repetition in the ferry world... this is a novel opportunity not to be missed. Even if there is some microwaved dining to be endured. |
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Sept 6, 2013 10:44:42 GMT -8
BC Ferries reservations pages show the Burnaby's assignment to be different than reported by the Powell River Peak...BCF shows the Burnaby on route 9 from Oct 29-Dec 18. I remember reading that the Burnaby had bumped the Nanaimo's drydock time in November due to disrepair, and that the Nanaimo would be going in afterwards (as per the PR Peak article). Can anyone confirm/deny this? |
|
|
|
Post by Curtis on Sept 6, 2013 12:01:21 GMT -8
Service wise, the Island Sky offers most of the same Creature Comforts as the Burnaby except for a full service galley and separated lounges. For the usual 80 Minute Route 17 Crossing, I imagine the Island Sky's lack of a full service galley won't be a serious hinderance to most. (As long as the Thai Chicken Curry Soup is available  ) However, for the 2 1/2-3 Hour Temporary crossing, I imagine some passengers will wish they could order a bacon-cheddar burger instead of a hot dog or microwave mac-n-cheese. As much as it pains me to say it, I'm sure in a few years when the first ICF Vessel is put in service this will become the norm for Route 17. The Island Sky is essentially a trial run to see if the Coastal Express model is cost effective (no doubt it is) and to see how the open-deck I-Sky fares out in the strait during winter weather. Personally, I hope there's a bunch of backlash so we don't lose cafeteria service, but perhaps if they still sold fries that might be a fair compromise. |
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Sept 6, 2013 12:56:47 GMT -8
As much as it pains me to say it, I'm sure in a few years when the first ICF Vessel is put in service this will become the norm for Route 17. The Island Sky is essentially a trial run to see if the Coastal Express model is cost effective (no doubt it is) and to see how the open-deck I-Sky fares out in the strait during winter weather. Personally, I hope there's a bunch of backlash so we don't lose cafeteria service, but perhaps if they still sold fries that might be a fair compromise. Something to bear in mind that the exact same downgrade in food service took place on Route 7 with the removal of the Queen of Tsawwassen, and nobody really said anything. With the duration of Route 17 just 30 minutes longer (perhaps less with the ICF?), I am skeptical of them pursuing food options beyond Soup-At-Hand and stale danishes. I do, however, think they will have problems getting away with that kind of service on Route 9, which will make relief challenging... |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2013 16:17:03 GMT -8
I am certainly interested in riding the temporary routes this winter; spending 3 hours on the Island Sky is a different story. As for the Burnaby's placement...her refit is likely going to be longer than a month.
One side benefit of this temporary service is that Texada Islanders will be able to go directly to Comox, once little river is reopened.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 6, 2013 17:07:14 GMT -8
spending 3 hours on the Island Sky is a different story What's your I'Sky tipping point? 2.5 hours? 1.5 hours? 1 hour? |
|
|
|
Post by ferryfanyvr on Sept 6, 2013 20:16:47 GMT -8
BC Ferries reservations pages show the Burnaby's assignment to be different than reported by the Powell River Peak...BCF shows the Burnaby on route 9 from Oct 29-Dec 18. I remember reading that the Burnaby had bumped the Nanaimo's drydock time in November due to disrepair, and that the Nanaimo would be going in afterwards (as per the PR Peak article). Can anyone confirm/deny this? I had also heard that the Burnaby had bumped the Nanaimo's refit and was being drydocked first, which is why I'm surprised at what BCF reservations page is now showing. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2013 7:09:32 GMT -8
spending 3 hours on the Island Sky is a different story What's your I'Sky tipping point? 2.5 hours? 1.5 hours? 1 hour? Around 1 hour |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 7, 2013 9:39:16 GMT -8
I wanna do the route cause it would be different riding a ferry from Departure Bay up to Saltery Bay. I would do it on the Chilliwack if I could. I spent 3 days on the Chilliwack up north so I think I could spend 3 hours on the Island Sky. It aint as bad as people say. I would like to do the Departure Bay to Saltery Bay then Saltery Bay to Earls Cove and back a few times on the Chilliwack! Well I would like to do all the temporary routes but I will have to see. Might only be able to do one or two!
|
|
|
|
Post by Kahloke on Sept 7, 2013 13:50:17 GMT -8
I wanna do the route cause it would be different riding a ferry from Departure Bay up to Saltery Bay. I would do it on the Chilliwack if I could. I spent 3 days on the Chilliwack up north so I think I could spend 3 hours on the Island Sky. It aint as bad as people say. I would like to do the Departure Bay to Saltery Bay then Saltery Bay to Earls Cove and back a few times on the Chilliwack! Well I would like to do all the temporary routes but I will have to see. Might only be able to do one or two! One good way to do the temporary Saltery Bay to Nanaimo route would be to drive up to Powell River the day before via the Sunshine Coast, which would get you a ride on 'Wack, then do the 8:35am Island Sky sailing to Nanaimo in the morning. That would mean staying overnight in Powell River so it wouldn't be a day trip, but that would be the only way to get a day sailing on Island Sky's 3-hour route. |
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 7, 2013 14:01:09 GMT -8
or the 5am from Nanaimo to Saltery Bay then a couple of trips on the Wack then come back on the late boat!
|
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 7, 2013 16:18:02 GMT -8
spending 3 hours on the Island Sky is a different story What's your I'Sky tipping point? 2.5 hours? 1.5 hours? 1 hour? I am going to say 90 minutes on the Island Sky for my tipping point. |
|
|
|
Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 7, 2013 16:20:41 GMT -8
Service wise, the Island Sky offers most of the same Creature Comforts as the Burnaby except for a full service galley and separated lounges. For the usual 80 Minute Route 17 Crossing, I imagine the Island Sky's lack of a full service galley won't be a serious hinderance to most. (As long as the Thai Chicken Curry Soup is available ) However, for the 2 1/2-3 Hour Temporary crossing, I imagine some passengers will wish they could order a bacon-cheddar burger instead of a hot dog or microwave mac-n-cheese. As much as it pains me to say it, I'm sure in a few years when the first ICF Vessel is put in service this will become the norm for Route 17. The Island Sky is essentially a trial run to see if the Coastal Express model is cost effective (no doubt it is) and to see how the open-deck I-Sky fares out in the strait during winter weather. Personally, I hope there's a bunch of backlash so we don't lose cafeteria service, but perhaps if they still sold fries that might be a fair compromise. I agree with about the Coastal Express and the food on an 3 hour crossing; I think they have some hot food but limited of amount of it. I am just good with Harsh browns and flies to eat. |
|
Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886 
|
Post by Mill Bay on Sept 7, 2013 16:29:27 GMT -8
The Island Sky's lounges are separated well enough... One at each end connected by the passages. Each one also has it's own exit to the outer decks. I would say that three hours on board the Chilliwack would a pretty significant knee jerker. If they operate it the same way they do on Jervis Inlet, it may not be possible to walk off of the ship when it gets to the terminal. I would rather spend 3 hours on the I-Sky, actually, but this idea of driving up the night before to get a daylight trip sounds good. Reverse CirclePac anyone... ? |
|
|
|
Post by Mike C on Sept 7, 2013 16:38:53 GMT -8
In terms of planning to ride the ships, I think the best way to do this is to make a Circlepac out of it - find accommodation in Powell River for one (or two) nights (depending on how you want to do it), and travel that way. The Sky schedule is a bit obnoxious, but not impossible to work with. I would also like to ride the NIP, which will be trickier.
The goal would be to ride all of the temporary routes, but that might not be realistic.
|
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 7, 2013 17:17:47 GMT -8
I think they have some hot food but limited of amount of it. I am just good with Harsh browns and flies to eat. Interesting dietary choices. I wonder if they can be served with BC Ferries special raspberry sauce. But I'd be creeped-out eating them, with all those eyes staring back at me as I raised my fork to my mouth... |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 7, 2013 17:35:08 GMT -8
What's your I'Sky tipping point? 2.5 hours? 1.5 hours? 1 hour? I am going to say 90 minutes on the Island Sky for my tipping point. For me, I think I could go all day, or at least a round trip on the Departure-Saltery route. I've never gotten bored on a ship, even doing a 48-hour Route-40 weekend on the Queen of Chilliwack. I don't like being in crowded rooms, and so I usually find a more comfortable place (comfortable, for me) in an open-air space. On the I'Sky such an open-air space would be the sundeck. But on a cold and rainy January day, my open-air space would probably be on the outer lanes of the cardeck, where there are open windows on the side of the ship. Either on the main car deck or on the fixed ramp deck. |
|
|
|
Post by WettCoast on Sept 7, 2013 18:44:38 GMT -8
The real challenge is not the Wack, or even the I-Sky. It in in fact the Nimpkish doing its long trip from BB to BC (or vice versa) via Shearwater & Ocean Falls.
Who's up for a mid-coast Voyageur trip on the Mighty Nimpkish?
|
|
|
|
Post by Variable Pitch on Sept 7, 2013 20:17:32 GMT -8
I rode the Nimpkish when the Quinsam sprung a leak and was gone for several weeks. Nothing too exciting unless they have made some dramatic changes since then....
|
|
Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
|
Post by Mill Bay on Sept 8, 2013 4:50:06 GMT -8
Riding the Nimpkish on the Quinsam's route would be fun. Maybe even more so for a temporary Route 17/18 Alternative service. A lot of us have been hoping for a long time that the Nimpkish would fill in somewhere, again.
|
|
Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886
|
Post by Mill Bay on Sept 9, 2013 8:55:53 GMT -8
I think they have some hot food but limited of amount of it. I am just good with Harsh browns and flies to eat. Interesting dietary choices. I wonder if they can be served with BC Ferries special raspberry sauce. But I'd be creeped-out eating them, with all those eyes staring back at me as I raised my fork to my mouth... We actually do need to thank him about this particular choice of wordings. It provided us with a great deal of humour on the trip yesterday: much better than Efac Latsaoc fare. Although compare that to my previous review of the harsh browns: A slightly mitigating factor: the hash browns with my 'all aboard' breakfast this morning actually tasted like oniony potatoes and not so much like deep fried hockey pucks, so the Universe was obviously working to even things up. I am not sure if that is actually a positive element. I have long been of the notion that any of the premade deep fried hash browns from fast food places, and even a BCFerries breakfast should be classed as bio-hazards Oniony potatoes: now that's harsh  . |
|
|
|
Post by compdude787 on Sept 9, 2013 10:20:11 GMT -8
Interesting dietary choices. I wonder if they can be served with BC Ferries special raspberry sauce. But I'd be creeped-out eating them, with all those eyes staring back at me as I raised my fork to my mouth... We actually do need to thank him about this particular choice of wordings. It provided us with a great deal of humour on the trip yesterday: much better than Efac Latsaoc fare. I completely agree with you! Thank you Blue Bus Fan for your misspellings! |
|
|
|
Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 23, 2013 18:20:43 GMT -8
A bit of information gathering re the upcoming temporary routes:
During the Departure Bay - Saltery Bay route schedule (January 12 to February 7):
First sailing from Departure Bay is 5:00am to 8:00am.
- Sunrise at Nanaimo is 8:06am on January 12, and is 7:36am on February 7th.
Last sailing from Departure Bay is 6:35pm to 9:35pm.
- Sunset at Nanaimo is 4:42pm on January 12, and is 5:23pm on February 7th.
----------
Ok, so this means that, with regards to daylight on each of the 4 sailings between Departure Bay & Saltery Bay:
1) 5:00am sailing from Departure Bay is in darkness, until the final hour as you approach Saltery Bay
2) 8:35am sailing from Saltery Bay to Departure bay is in daylight (or fog) for the entire sailing.
3) 6:35pm sailing from Departure bay is in darkness the entire time.
4) 10:00pm sailing from Saltery Bay - total darkness and fog.
So, for this Nanaimo resident, my best chance to enjoy daylight hours on this sailing would be to take a round-trip on the first 2 sailings of the day.
|
|
Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
|
Post by Koastal Karl on Sept 23, 2013 18:33:25 GMT -8
I dont mind the Island Sky but I dont know if I want to spend 6 hours on that boat all at once. I would if it was the Chilliwack.
|
|
) However, for the 21/2-3 Hour Temporary crossing, I imagine some passengers will wish they could order a bacon-cheddar burger instead of a hot dog or microwave mac-n-cheese.
.
