Plan ahead and reserve your spot, BC Ferries expecting busy Thanksgiving long weekend

Already, days out from travel, reservations are nearly sold out for some sailings beginning Sunday night, through Monday and into back-to-work Tuesday.

She said last year they welcomed 430,000 passengers over the Thanksgiving long weekend, and this year will be no exception.

She said sailings leaving Nanaimo’s Departure Bay heading into Horseshoe Bay are booking up fast, with reservations for Friday, Oct. 11 still available for vehicles on only the first two sailings of the day and the 10:45 p.m. sailing as of Thursday morning.

It’s a similar story heading back to Nanaimo on Monday, with space for additional vehicles only available on the first two sailings of the day and the final sailing.

Plenty of foot passenger reservations were still available throughout the weekend, but those are expected to be spoken for quickly.

Yuzda said students travelling home for the weekend add to the increased amount of foot passengers and one of their vessels still being out of service all contribute to the high passenger volume.

The ongoing repair work of one of their oldest vessels is why BC Ferries was unable to add additional sailings travelling the Horseshoe Bay routes.

“The Queen of New Westminster, our 60-year-old vessel, is undergoing repairs and is going to be out of service. This is going to mean increased pressure right across the system, so we really want people who are travelling on BC Ferries to plan ahead, and especially if you’re travelling on the major routes.”

She said they encourage everyone to book a reservation, whether they’re on foot or in a vehicle, to ensure they make their desired sailings.

She also encourages passengers to arrive at the terminal early and consider leaving their vehicles at home if they’re travelling by foot.

“Better yet, plan on taking public transit or get someone to drop you off at the terminal,” said Yuzda.” It is going to be busy, and to remind people as always, to get to the terminal early on these busy days so that you don’t have to worry if there’s a line-up or anything of that sort.”

More information on ferry routes can be found here on the BC Ferries website, or follow them on Twitter @BCFerries for up-to-date information.

— with files from Jon De Roo, 97.3 The Eagle.

BC Ferries has put together a chart of what they expect to be their busiest routes over the Thanksgiving long weekend. (BC Ferries)

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by Jordan Davidson

Plan ahead and reserve your spot, BC Ferries expecting busy Thanksgiving long weekend

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