QoNW Fan
Voyager
Queen of New Westminster fan!
Posts: 263
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Post by QoNW Fan on Oct 5, 2023 20:56:08 GMT -8
Hey how'd this go? I'd be interested to know the details. Hullo probably did a safety announcement of what might happen if the lights go out and you can't be saved, with the tides that you try to swim against. If that scenario would have brought you down upon your knees, then you'd be instructed to beg, to beg, to beg and plead. Well, if the captain has any trouble with directions, just be sure to tell them that lights will guide them home, and ignite their bones, and you will try to fix them.
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 8, 2023 9:54:58 GMT -8
So I am on board Hullo (Stuqui) for my first sailing, 11 AM to Vancouver. It’s going to be pretty much full but then again it’s Thanksgiving Sunday. Traveling on the upper deck (premium class). Steerage on the return trip. Attachments:
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on Oct 8, 2023 21:10:52 GMT -8
So I am on board Hullo (Stuqui) for my first sailing, 11 AM to Vancouver. It’s going to be pretty much full but then again it’s Thanksgiving Sunday. Traveling on the upper deck (premium class). Steerage on the return trip. Looking forward to your trip report, since I'm thinking of doing a round trip this month.
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 8, 2023 22:16:40 GMT -8
Looking forward to your trip report, since I'm thinking of doing a round trip this month. Will do so tomorrow evening after my return trip.
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Post by dofd on Oct 8, 2023 22:50:41 GMT -8
Well, I still can't see the joy from the Vancouver side. Wish them the best.
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Post by Dane on Oct 9, 2023 7:47:56 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on Oct 9, 2023 9:00:44 GMT -8
Seems like there's two separate issues going on here. TC wants seating to be fixed on high speed vessels... that's something we wouldn't be familiar with in BC because we've had so few fast ferry operations. But, secondly, there's what Dane called a strange decision to not allow battery powered chairs on board because of a fire hazard. That didn't come from TC, and as the woman in the story said, she's allowed on airplanes with hers. Hullo is definitely having a challenging break in period, sometimes for unexpected reasons.
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Post by Ferryman on Oct 9, 2023 12:59:55 GMT -8
Looks like Hullo has been running both vessels simultaneously this past weekend, including today. I haven't read the schedule close enough to know when two boats are running. Nice to see in any case.
Everyone that I've spoken to who have used it have said the sailings have been full or near full when they've gone.0
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 9, 2023 14:25:19 GMT -8
Looks like Hullo has been running both vessels simultaneously this past weekend, including today. I haven't read the schedule close enough to know when two boats are running. Nice to see in any case. Everyone that I've spoken to who have used it have said the sailings have been full or near full when they've gone.0 Hullo added two additional sailing on Friday and Monday while both vessels need to be used. I wonder what Hullo next move will be increase service or new route between Downtown Vancouver and Downtown Victoria. I wonder if they will compete with Victoria Clipper on Downtown Victoria to Downtown Seattle.
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Post by Starsteward on Oct 9, 2023 14:28:27 GMT -8
Looks like Hullo has been running both vessels simultaneously this past weekend, including today. I haven't read the schedule close enough to know when two boats are running. Nice to see in any case. Everyone that I've spoken to who have used it have said the sailings have been full or near full when they've gone.0 Hullo added two additional sailing on Friday and Monday while both vessels need to be used. I wonder what Hullo next move will be increase service or new route between Downtown Vancouver and Downtown Victoria. I wonder if they will compete with Victoria Clipper on Downtown Victoria to Downtown Seattle. And they are obtaining another 'Boat' from??
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 9, 2023 15:03:20 GMT -8
Hullo added two additional sailing on Friday and Monday while both vessels need to be used. I wonder what Hullo next move will be increase service or new route between Downtown Vancouver and Downtown Victoria. I wonder if they will compete with Victoria Clipper on Downtown Victoria to Downtown Seattle. And they are obtaining another 'Boat' from?? I believe the long term plan for Hullo is to have six boat fleet.
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 9, 2023 15:05:46 GMT -8
On my return to Nanaimo now. Smooth sailing, boat maybe half full.
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Post by paulvanb on Oct 9, 2023 16:51:28 GMT -8
And they are obtaining another 'Boat' from?? I believe the long term plan for Hullo is to have six boat fleet. First up, they need overnight mooring in Vancouver to make it viable long-term.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 9, 2023 17:02:31 GMT -8
I believe the long term plan for Hullo is to have six boat fleet. First up, they need overnight mooring in Vancouver to make it viable long-term. True but if think Vancouver mooring is hard to come by maybe the Nanaimo could be upgrade to handle four vessels while Victoria terminal could be upgraded to handle two or three vessels.
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Post by paulvanb on Oct 9, 2023 17:42:39 GMT -8
First up, they need overnight mooring in Vancouver to make it viable long-term. True but if think Vancouver mooring is hard to come by maybe the Nanaimo could be upgrade to handle four vessels while Victoria terminal could be upgraded to handle two or three vessels. Vancouver moorage would offer the possibility of travel to Gibsons or Sechelt. Bowen island has been tried in teh past by other companies, but this would be a definite step up in class.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 9, 2023 18:27:01 GMT -8
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Post by paulvanb on Oct 10, 2023 8:50:11 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 10, 2023 9:45:06 GMT -8
My report after my weekend round trip to Vancouver follows. I was with my wife going for a big family Thanksgiving dinner in North Van.
Disclaimer: - I like ferries that you can walk around on, that actually assist me in getting to my 10,000 foot steps per day. - I like ferries with stairways to where you can get a little extra exercise going up/down. - I like ferries with outside decks.
- I love ferries for use as a photography platform both for shooting other ferries, the passing scenery, birds & wildlife, and the the ferry that you are actually on. - I appreciate ferries with food service, especially reasonably good food.
IMHO, you get all of the above when riding BC Ferries. Not so much with Hullo ...
Notes I took yesterday, both positive & negative:
- Uniforms - who’s who is important. On Hullo the crew is dressed in T-shirts, often covered with something else, such as the rain wear worn yesterday, or sweaters worn over the T-shirts. To me it should be clear who is crew and who is not. Call me old school. - Clarity of announcements could be a lot better. This includes the safety spiel at the start of the trip. I am hearing impaired. What I heard was pretty much unintelligible. My wife's hearing is reasonably good and she says that she could not understand the announcements either. - Punctuality seems good. Voyage time is 75 minutes. Gets you downtown into Vancouver quickly. - Food/beverage service seems pretty much non-existent. Snacks & bubbly drinks upstairs (for the two higher classes) but nothing at all downstairs, inc nothing for purchase. No coffee or tea. Was told that they are working to change that.
- Save your money - 'Comfort Class' seems fine & the view is better. There is a forward facing view which there is not upstairs. We had seats 2L & 2M on the return trip which were auto assigned & are good for taking in what view there is. I have to check if you can select seating downstairs (no doubt for an extra fee). Also, there is a 'Senior's Fare', but only for comfort class. - Online booking needs work. At present it’s only marginally better than useless. - Marshalling areas both sides are outdoors (some cover in Vancouver). In poor weather conditions should be indoors or at least under cover. - Unlike conventional ferry you are pretty much confined to your seat. - There are locations for wheelchairs but no evident means of securing them. Looks like only two spots (maybe four if narrow chairs). There is no access to upper deck for people in wheelchairs. - Looks to me like opportunities for passenger experience enhancement (& revenue generation) going un-fulfilled (food sales, perhaps movies, etc) - A number of seats that face each other across a table - good for conversations, cards, laptop use etc.
- Crew super friendly! - Free parking on the Nanaimo side. Don't know about parking on the Vancouver side. I suspect it to be much more limited and not free. Free parking at Nanaimo is "until further notice". After that I hope rates will be no more expensive then at Departure Bay. - Transit system connections - Fair to excellent on the Vancouver side, poor on the Nanaimo side. We found the walk to from Waterfront (Skytrain, Seabus) station to be relatively short, and interesting. - Lengthy walk in Nanaimo from where you park to the terminal building and then to the boat. For me I appreciate the exercise opportunity but some may find it to be a bit of a negative, especially in lousy weather like it was yesterday. - Pretty much smooth sailing for us both coming and going. Seas in mid-strait were not flat calm and might have been a little rough for an open canoe. I'm fairly sure that really rough seas will yield a really rough ride, and cancellations ... - Luggage (thanks, Paul) - There is limited luggage storage available on the lower (main) deck. You are encouraged to only bring 'carry-on' type luggage, but I did see a few people with large luggage such as if coming or going from the airport or a cruise. Hullo needs to do some more work on this file. - Electrical outlets as well as USB A & C charging ports are everywhere (every seat, I am pretty sure). This is good.
Will I ride Hullo again? Yes, under some conditions where it makes sense. But it should be clear that my preference is for conventional ferries such as the ones BCF operates.
You are all welcome to ask questions about my report and challenge, if you wish, what I have written.
See attached photos, one of the view out the front in poor weather while passing under the LG Bridge, the other of the wheelchair spots.
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Post by Dane on Oct 10, 2023 13:37:36 GMT -8
You may have actually hit the last weekend of free parking, so well timed. Next weekend a shuttle bus is supposed to start running between the Nanaimo terminal and I'm-Not-Sure?
I have my next Hullo trip next Tuesday, will report back on parking and perhaps the shuttle if I can.
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Post by Starsteward on Oct 10, 2023 15:40:05 GMT -8
My report after my weekend round trip to Vancouver follows. I was with my wife going for a big family Thanksgiving dinner in North Van.
Disclaimer: - I like ferries that you can walk around on, that actually assist me in getting to my 10,000 foot steps per day. - I like ferries with stairways to where you can get a little extra exercise going up/down. - I like ferries with outside decks.
- I love ferries for use as a photography platform both for shooting other ferries, the passing scenery, birds & wildlife, and the the ferry that you are actually on. - I appreciate ferries with food service, especially reasonably good food.
IMHO, you get all of the above when riding BC Ferries. Not so much with Hullo ...
Notes I took yesterday, both positive & negative:
- Uniforms - who’s who is important. On Hullo the crew is dressed in T-shirts, often covered with something else, such as the rain wear worn yesterday, or sweaters worn over the T-shirts. To me it should be clear who is crew and who is not. Call me old school. - Clarity of announcements could be a lot better. This includes the safety spiel at the start of the trip. I am hearing impaired. What I heard was pretty much unintelligible. My wife's hearing is reasonably good and she says that she could not understand the announcements either. - Punctuality seems good. Voyage time is 75 minutes. Gets you downtown into Vancouver quickly. - Food/beverage service seems pretty much non-existent. Snacks & bubbly drinks upstairs (for the two higher classes) but nothing at all downstairs, inc nothing for purchase. No coffee or tea. Was told that they are working to change that.
- Save your money - 'Comfort Class' seems fine & the view is better. There is a forward facing view which there is not upstairs. We had seats 2L & 2M on the return trip which were auto assigned & are good for taking in what view there is. I have to check if you can select seating downstairs (no doubt for an extra fee). Also, there is a 'Senior's Fare', but only for comfort class. - Online booking needs work. At present it’s only marginally better than useless. - Marshalling areas both sides are outdoors (some cover in Vancouver). In poor weather conditions should be indoors or at least under cover. - Unlike conventional ferry you are pretty much confined to your seat. - There are locations for wheelchairs but no evident means of securing them. Looks like only two spots (maybe four if narrow chairs). There is no access to upper deck for people in wheelchairs. - Looks to me like opportunities for passenger experience enhancement (& revenue generation) going un-fulfilled (food sales, perhaps movies, etc) - A number of seats that face each other across a table - good for conversations, cards, laptop use etc.
- Crew super friendly! - Free parking on the Nanaimo side. Don't know about parking on the Vancouver side. I suspect it to be much more limited and not free. Free parking at Nanaimo is "until further notice". After that I hope rates will be no more expensive then at Departure Bay. - Transit system connections - Fair to excellent on the Vancouver side, poor on the Nanaimo side. We found the walk to from Waterfront (Skytrain, Seabus) station to be relatively short, and interesting. - Lengthy walk in Nanaimo from where you park to the terminal building and then to the boat. For me I appreciate the exercise opportunity but some may find it to be a bit of a negative, especially in lousy weather like it was yesterday. - Pretty much smooth sailing for us both coming and going. Seas in mid-strait were not flat calm and might have been a little rough for an open canoe. I'm fairly sure that really rough seas will yield a really rough ride, and cancellations ... - Luggage (thanks, Paul) - There is limited luggage storage available on the lower (main) deck. You are encouraged to only bring 'carry-on' type luggage, but I did see a few people with large luggage such as if coming or going from the airport or a cruise. Hullo needs to do some more work on this file. - Electrical outlets as well as USB A & C charging ports are everywhere (every seat, I am pretty sure). This is good.
Will I ride Hullo again? Yes, under some conditions where it makes sense. But it should be clear that my preference is for conventional ferries such as the ones BCF operates.
You are all welcome to ask questions about my report and challenge, if you wish, what I have written.
See attached photos, one of the view out the front in poor weather while passing under the LG Bridge, the other of the wheelchair spots.
Jim, I'm totally 'old school' with you with regard to the crew, mostly importantly 'bridge' crew wearing t-shirts!! Good grief, 'Hullo' is totally brainless in projecting that kind of image! Secondly, what's up with not allowing battery powered wheel chairs on board, totally ignorant in not doing their homework on that issue. I think there's something missing, (like marine experience at least), and make the necessary changes before this enterprise goes the way of the many players we've seen come and fail in this local market. Note to the folks at "Hullo", please see 1st line of this message
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 10, 2023 16:26:49 GMT -8
Jim, I'm totally 'old school' with you with regard to the crew, mostly importantly 'bridge' crew wearing t-shirts!! Good grief, 'Hullo' is totally brainless in projecting that kind of image! Secondly, what's up with not allowing battery powered wheel chairs on board, totally ignorant in not doing their homework on that issue. I think there's something missing, (like marine experience at least), and make the necessary changes before this enterprise goes the way of the many players we've seen come and fail in this local market. Note to the folks at "Hullo", please see 1st line of this message I am giving Hullo the benefit of the doubt and that they will fix things like the electric mobility scooter issue. That is somewhat of an embarrassment for them, I think. As for the T-shirt thing, I did not actually see the bridge crew people so I can't say for certain they too were wearing T-shirts. I hope they opt for a more (in my opinion) professional look.
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QoNW Fan
Voyager
Queen of New Westminster fan!
Posts: 263
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Post by QoNW Fan on Oct 10, 2023 16:58:05 GMT -8
My report after my weekend round trip to Vancouver follows. I was with my wife going for a big family Thanksgiving dinner in North Van.
Disclaimer: - I like ferries that you can walk around on, that actually assist me in getting to my 10,000 foot steps per day. - I like ferries with stairways to where you can get a little extra exercise going up/down. - I like ferries with outside decks.
- I love ferries for use as a photography platform both for shooting other ferries, the passing scenery, birds & wildlife, and the the ferry that you are actually on. - I appreciate ferries with food service, especially reasonably good food.
IMHO, you get all of the above when riding BC Ferries. Not so much with Hullo ...
Notes I took yesterday, both positive & negative:
- Uniforms - who’s who is important. On Hullo the crew is dressed in T-shirts, often covered with something else, such as the rain wear worn yesterday, or sweaters worn over the T-shirts. To me it should be clear who is crew and who is not. Call me old school. - Clarity of announcements could be a lot better. This includes the safety spiel at the start of the trip. I am hearing impaired. What I heard was pretty much unintelligible. My wife's hearing is reasonably good and she says that she could not understand the announcements either. - Punctuality seems good. Voyage time is 75 minutes. Gets you downtown into Vancouver quickly. - Food/beverage service seems pretty much non-existent. Snacks & bubbly drinks upstairs (for the two higher classes) but nothing at all downstairs, inc nothing for purchase. No coffee or tea. Was told that they are working to change that.
- Save your money - 'Comfort Class' seems fine & the view is better. There is a forward facing view which there is not upstairs. We had seats 2L & 2M on the return trip which were auto assigned & are good for taking in what view there is. I have to check if you can select seating downstairs (no doubt for an extra fee). Also, there is a 'Senior's Fare', but only for comfort class. - Online booking needs work. At present it’s only marginally better than useless. - Marshalling areas both sides are outdoors (some cover in Vancouver). In poor weather conditions should be indoors or at least under cover. - Unlike conventional ferry you are pretty much confined to your seat. - There are locations for wheelchairs but no evident means of securing them. Looks like only two spots (maybe four if narrow chairs). There is no access to upper deck for people in wheelchairs. - Looks to me like opportunities for passenger experience enhancement (& revenue generation) going un-fulfilled (food sales, perhaps movies, etc) - A number of seats that face each other across a table - good for conversations, cards, laptop use etc.
- Crew super friendly! - Free parking on the Nanaimo side. Don't know about parking on the Vancouver side. I suspect it to be much more limited and not free. Free parking at Nanaimo is "until further notice". After that I hope rates will be no more expensive then at Departure Bay. - Transit system connections - Fair to excellent on the Vancouver side, poor on the Nanaimo side. We found the walk to from Waterfront (Skytrain, Seabus) station to be relatively short, and interesting. - Lengthy walk in Nanaimo from where you park to the terminal building and then to the boat. For me I appreciate the exercise opportunity but some may find it to be a bit of a negative, especially in lousy weather like it was yesterday. - Pretty much smooth sailing for us both coming and going. Seas in mid-strait were not flat calm and might have been a little rough for an open canoe. I'm fairly sure that really rough seas will yield a really rough ride, and cancellations ... - Luggage (thanks, Paul) - There is limited luggage storage available on the lower (main) deck. You are encouraged to only bring 'carry-on' type luggage, but I did see a few people with large luggage such as if coming or going from the airport or a cruise. Hullo needs to do some more work on this file. - Electrical outlets as well as USB A & C charging ports are everywhere (every seat, I am pretty sure). This is good.
Will I ride Hullo again? Yes, under some conditions where it makes sense. But it should be clear that my preference is for conventional ferries such as the ones BCF operates.
You are all welcome to ask questions about my report and challenge, if you wish, what I have written.
See attached photos, one of the view out the front in poor weather while passing under the LG Bridge, the other of the wheelchair spots.
For us whistle lovers on here, what do the Hullo ferries sound like? Single tone I'm assuming?
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 10, 2023 17:52:29 GMT -8
For us whistle lovers on here, what do the Hullo ferries sound like? Single tone I'm assuming? I am sorry to say that I did not pay attention to that and hopefully someone else can give you an answer. I am pretty sure it is single tone and not particularly distinctive. I should have also noted that the passenger cabin is reasonably quiet so outside noise including whistles is well dampened.
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Post by Ollie on Oct 10, 2023 18:21:33 GMT -8
My report after my weekend round trip to Vancouver follows. I was with my wife going for a big family Thanksgiving dinner in North Van.
Disclaimer: - I like ferries that you can walk around on, that actually assist me in getting to my 10,000 foot steps per day. - I like ferries with stairways to where you can get a little extra exercise going up/down.
For us whistle lovers on here, what do the Hullo ferries sound like? Single tone I'm assuming? They sound somewhat similar to the newer SeaBuses
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,196
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Post by Neil on Oct 10, 2023 20:35:29 GMT -8
Jim, I'm totally 'old school' with you with regard to the crew, mostly importantly 'bridge' crew wearing t-shirts!! Good grief, 'Hullo' is totally brainless in projecting that kind of image! Secondly, what's up with not allowing battery powered wheel chairs on board, totally ignorant in not doing their homework on that issue. I think there's something missing, (like marine experience at least), and make the necessary changes before this enterprise goes the way of the many players we've seen come and fail in this local market. Note to the folks at "Hullo", please see 1st line of this message I am giving Hullo the benefit of the doubt and that they will fix things like the electric mobility scooter issue. That is somewhat of an embarrassment for them, I think. As for the T-shirt thing, I did not actually see the bridge crew people so I can't say for certain they too were wearing T-shirts. I hope they opt for a more (in my opinion) professional look. Taking into account that this company has taken on the somewhat ridiculous name of 'hullo', I'm thinking that they're banking on their customer base being fine with a non old-school notion of how their staff should be attired. I agree with the sentiments expressed, but if there isn't any confusion from customers, this blurring of the lines between the public and the mariners is probably just going to have to be swallowed.
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