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Post by WettCoast on Aug 16, 2023 20:36:31 GMT -8
I have now made five bookings, four of which were cancelled and very quickly refunded. The process itself was fine, there seems to be a few extra steps; the amusing one being selecting the number of seats you need after you've selected the number of passengers. But I'm sure that's just come with whatever software they've purchased. The only actual substantive issue I've had, at least twice, was the website crashing after I made the actual reservation. In one case, the booking was actually made, and in the other case it wasn't. The only way to tell was whether I got an email confirmation as in both cases my credit card was actually billed as a hold. When the booking didn't go through, the hold did release in about 12 hours. -- Right now, I am booked for tomorrow. But I'm pretty seriously considering canceling that. Today's cancellation still are not showing on their website, so how can I have any idea that they are operating tomorrow? Driving from Victoria, to Nanaimo simply to have a canceled sailing is rather ridiculous. (And, I had gone to Vancouver for the first set of canceled sailings at fairly significant expense). Thanks for the reply, Dane. I assume you created an account. That is the only way you can get $10 off on your first sailing. I created an account and was confused about how to get the discount code. It eventually arrived in an email. I have not made any bookings and won't until I see some prospect of stability coming from Hullo's operations.
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 16, 2023 21:48:58 GMT -8
Marine Traffic shows the same info. Both boats tied up in Nanaimo. Has anyone here gone through the complete online booking process? What are your thoughts on the ease of use? Better, worse or about as good/bad as the BCF process?
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I feel as if Hullo should have gone with a few days or maybe a week of 'soft sailings' rather than 'in service' scheduled sailings only to have to cancel most of them.
I have now made five bookings, four of which were cancelled and very quickly refunded. The process itself was fine, there seems to be a few extra steps; the amusing one being selecting the number of seats you need after you've selected the number of passengers. But I'm sure that's just come with whatever software they've purchased. The only actual substantive issue I've had, at least twice, was the website crashing after I made the actual reservation. In one case, the booking was actually made, and in the other case it wasn't. The only way to tell was whether I got an email confirmation as in both cases my credit card was actually billed as a hold. When the booking didn't go through, the hold did release in about 12 hours. -- Right now, I am booked for tomorrow. But I'm pretty seriously considering canceling that. Today's cancellation still are not showing on their website, so how can I have any idea that they are operating tomorrow? Driving from Victoria, to Nanaimo simply to have a canceled sailing is rather ridiculous. (And, I had gone to Vancouver for the first set of canceled sailings at fairly significant expense). Dane, I just signed up, and tried the booking process. They are showing two sailings from Vancouver tomorrow. I did have problems adding my phone number as they require the +1 before the number. I am going to try and get on tomorrow for the noon sailing, but won't try that until I see that they are actually sailing. The plan is to meet up with Jim tomorrow in Nanaimo for a random to Gabriola.
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Post by articulated on Aug 17, 2023 7:37:08 GMT -8
Was waiting in Vancouver yesterday for the evening trip; the second round trip was cancelled in Nanaimo due to "mechanical difficulties" according to a Hullo staffer around the terminal. Will have to try my luck again for one of the sailings today. I think this puts Hullo at a 90% cancellation rate for their first 3 days.
I was looking to do a traditional "triangle" day trip (Vancouver -> Nanaimo -> Victoria -> Vancouver) using Hullo while I'm in town this week, but the reduced schedule no longer makes this a viable option. Although I am thankful I didn't prebook anything, since it seems like I would've just gotten a refund anyway.
But yes, given how frequent cancellations are I do not seem them lasting very long at all. Impossible to attract any dedicated clientele if they can't be sure your service will operate, especially something like a long-distance ferry where you might get stranded on your return trip. It's unfortunate, they certainly have the right idea from a market (and marketing) perspective, just they cannot get the operations side sorted out at all.
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Post by Dane on Aug 17, 2023 9:31:58 GMT -8
I made it on Hullo. Hopefully I make it home 🤣. But seriously if there's any questions let me know, I'll post some detailed thoughts soon. This post is largely to test the Wifi, which is pretty decent.
We left a bit late because of slow boarding, but there must be 75%+ seats filled. Pretty smooth out here. And already learned by first hack, if you're in business (and traveling alone) select seat C or H. They're singles with no one on either side. Was bummed out I didn't get a window seat, until I got onboard. In seat 2H living the high life!
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 17, 2023 10:46:16 GMT -8
15 minutes to sailing!
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 17, 2023 11:15:50 GMT -8
I made it on Hullo. Hopefully I make it home 🤣. But seriously if there's any questions let me know, I'll post some detailed thoughts soon. This post is largely to test the Wifi, which is pretty decent. We left a bit late because of slow boarding, but there must be 75%+ seats filled. Pretty smooth out here. And already learned by first hack, if you're in business (and traveling alone) select seat C or H. They're singles with no one on either side. Was bummed out I didn't get a window seat, until I got onboard. In seat 2H living the high life! Lots of empty seats on the 12pm sailing. Upgraded myself to a window seat. Looks like you cannot go outside during the voyage.
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Post by Dane on Aug 17, 2023 18:38:14 GMT -8
Some general thoughts in no particular order, with an overall comment that today's round trip was very pleasant.
- I was in business class. I would have booked business, anyways, but I actually had to on my 6pm return as whatever downstairs is called was sold out! (I booked twice for this sailing, chickened out because of reliability concerns, cancelled and then booked again about 150 minutes before the first sailing).
- hypothetically Premium class (that's the middle class) doesn't get snacks and drinks. Today they were. I didn't measure but honestly the seats look very close in size to business. I don't think premium or business are worth it, personally if you're using your own money. I was able to make this a work trip, and could claim the whole cost of business so that was nice. The snacks I consumed were worth about $8, total. The priority exit was nice too, but again whatever. No priority boarding.
- lots of "it's obvious this is brand new things". Crew everywhere. Customer service reps not knowing some things. Scanning in Nanaimo took quite awhile to get everyone on the boat. It was all fine though.
- 2 people with bikes were turned away. That was really disappointing, and they (Hullo) were kind of passive aggressive about it. That was the only thing today that I was a bit taken back by.
- Nanaimo terminal has 22 seats, few of which look comfortable. There are literally four conventional chairs, that's it. When the weather gets back they'll absolutely need a heated tent or something to get passengers out of the weather. Vancouver actually has no seating, but huge under cover areas and a ton of various businesses to hide. Unlike BC Ferries you can, so far, really show up last minute at least.
- Nanaimo terminal needs some sort of connection to downtown. It's a parking lot to the South of downtown that's absolutely car dependent, particularly because they're being silly with bikes. Whether this is a shuttle (like HeliJet) or BC Transit? The walk to the boats is actually kind of far from an accessibility standpoint, but nothing that can be done about that.
- I had thought I read somewhere that the boats are actually six years old, and this was confirmed by the builders plaque. You'd never know, though. Clearly new inside.
- the food selection could stand significant improvement, and I bet they'd do okay with a liquor license. But I am pretty confident that will come.
- sailing time over was 72 minutes all in. Impressive. We are on track for the same with the sailing I'm on now; we just ripped past the Cowichan.
- they're getting a lot of heat online for saying "don't bring luggage". They deserve that, IMO, as airport travelers are probably going to be huge for them. Anyways, I am a bit unclear on why Hullo had adopted that position. Lots of people brought large luggage. It all fit in the luggage storage. I would happily disregard that direction in the future.
- tons of splash comes onto the windows, which restricts the view and makes photos essentially impossible for the exterior.
- this was my fifth attempt to get on, and I've already received three of my four refunds. I'm happy with that despite being annoyed at the cancellations.
- the ride was generally very smooth, and today was a bit windy.
I was quite annoyed at Hullo for not publishing anything about yesterday's cancellations as it felt very bad faith. Today was very pleasant though, and they're clearly working hard to get their sea legs. A soft launch like they've ended up doing will probably really help. People on board seemed very happy.
I'm trying to book myself to work in Vancouver next Friday so I can try whatever the downstairs is called? Steerage?
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 17, 2023 18:50:58 GMT -8
Some general thoughts in no particular order, with an overall comment that today's round trip was very pleasant. Thanks Dane. I appreciate your live-experience reporting on this, same as your V2V reporting a few years ago.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 17, 2023 18:58:49 GMT -8
I'm trying to book myself to work in Vancouver next Friday so I can try whatever the downstairs is called? Steerage? The lower-class for Hullo is probably called "Hey" or "Yo"
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 17, 2023 19:16:55 GMT -8
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 17, 2023 19:32:18 GMT -8
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 17, 2023 20:01:00 GMT -8
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QoNW Fan
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Queen of New Westminster fan!
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Post by QoNW Fan on Aug 17, 2023 20:02:40 GMT -8
Let's go!!!! Victoria to Vancouver would be PERFECT for my situation. Being able to catch a Canucks game and then sail back to Victoria the same night with no hotel costs.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 17, 2023 20:03:52 GMT -8
Let's go!!!! Victoria to Vancouver would be PERFECT for my situation. Being able to catch a Canucks game and then sail back to Victoria the same night with no hotel costs. I think that route will bankrupt Hullo because every other attempt has failed within a few years.
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 17, 2023 20:11:30 GMT -8
They are very forward-thinking on this, but I can see how they can make this work. Personally speaking, as long as the price is reasonable, I would definitely consider going over to Victoria for a couple of days just to reconnect with Floyd's and the Beacon Drive-in. I could see how you could run this to YVR, but nothing works until they get an overnight moorage lease.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Aug 17, 2023 20:33:00 GMT -8
I'd like some confirmation or dismissal of Dane's report of a builder's plaque that says these vessels are six years old. We had been told they were purpose built. In any event... this service certainly seems to have renewed discussion on this Forum.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 17, 2023 20:34:22 GMT -8
They are very forward-thinking on this, but I can see how they can make this work. Personally speaking, as long as the price is reasonable, I would definitely consider going over to Victoria for a couple of days just to reconnect with Floyd's and the Beacon Drive-in. I could see how you could run this to YVR, but nothing works until they get an overnight moorage lease. I think they going to need gain back trust first, get misses out the way, way clearer communication before expanding to Victoria.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Aug 17, 2023 20:35:26 GMT -8
Has Spuhéls entered service yet?
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Post by Dane on Aug 17, 2023 21:02:29 GMT -8
Has Spuhéls entered service yet? Apparently it's been out of service for a couple days, but should be repaired imminently.
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Post by Dane on Aug 17, 2023 21:04:19 GMT -8
I'd like some confirmation or dismissal of Dane's report of a builder's plaque that says these vessels are six years old. We had been told they were purpose built. In any event... this service certainly seems to have renewed discussion on this Forum. Neil you have such a way with words. Anyways for whomever is on next, it's next to the door to the bridge. I was trying to Google (and failed) but I remember that the hulls were bought out from something else, or something to that general effect. I should have asked the Damen staff today but didn't think much of it.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Aug 17, 2023 21:18:11 GMT -8
I'd like some confirmation or dismissal of Dane's report of a builder's plaque that says these vessels are six years old. We had been told they were purpose built. In any event... this service certainly seems to have renewed discussion on this Forum. Neil you have such a way with words. Anyways for whomever is on next, it's next to the door to the bridge. I was trying to Google (and failed) but I remember that the hulls were bought out from something else, or something to that general effect. I should have asked the Damen staff today but didn't think much of it. For what it's worth, the TC registry shows both Hullo vessels as built in 2023.
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Post by Dane on Aug 17, 2023 21:19:22 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Aug 17, 2023 21:38:11 GMT -8
Hullo ferry Sthuqi' on the high seas off Gabriola Galleries at the north west end of Gabriola Island en route to Vancouver with afternoon sailing.
17 August 2023
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Post by Dane on Aug 17, 2023 21:44:46 GMT -8
Was just playing with the booking tool for the next week and a lot of level-of-service specific sell outs; looks like every sailing for the next week has some sort of availability. Nonetheless that's pretty good that they've got at least partial sell outs going on!
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 18, 2023 16:16:40 GMT -8
Looks like they got two sailings in two days in a row! I had an excellent afternoon shooting with WettCoast, and here is my contribution. Thanks again for everything, Jim.
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