Cruising British Columbia's Inside Passage on BC Ferries (Full Review - Prince Rupert to Port Hardy)

[@DrifterDave]

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[@ericwasylenko6258]

Ferry seems like excellent value. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@DrifterDave]

It really is! One of British Columbia's must-do experiences 👍😎

[@patrickofreeman]

Great job with your video. You really showed all the key features of this trip, and the beautiful scenery. I'm very interested but would be 10x more if it had one or 2 stops at those amazing islands. I realize it's more efficient the way they do it, but man would that rock to be able to explore a little and make a vacation to never forget.

[@DrifterDave]

In the summer the boats run on a much more frequent schedule, so it's usually possible to disembark at Bella Bella and then take local ferries (or hired boats) to the nearby islands. Unfortunately, Bella Bella was under strict no-visitation orders due to the pandemic, so I wasn't able to alight & explore there. Thanks for checking out my channel!

[@BC250]

I hope to take that ferry route someday and especially now that I relocated to Nanaimo! The seas didn't look rough, so you lucked out! Late fall to early spring can get pretty windy on the coast.

[@DrifterDave]

It was very calm and relaxing for the most part - just the unprotected part was a bit rough. Definitely worth taking the journey - I loved the experience & how much it resembled a cruise, without the frills.

[@glenistergrotj3022]

What a beautiful ship.

[@DrifterDave]

Agreed!

[@Abbittibbi]

Would not live anywhere else in the world for the reasons you're showing up here, thank you for it. And that Northern Expedition is great too, been there once and going back in a very near future, already booked, can't wait.

[@DrifterDave]

Awesome!

[@Abbittibbi]

@@DrifterDave It's you that is awesome to share this solo journey, and a quick look at your channel, there seems to be much more from you! Thanks again!

[@DrifterDave]

@@Abbittibbi Thanks for the kind words

[@eunhyeshin4924]

wow! I love your video. The angle and quality are really great and it's as if I'm shooting myself. Thanks for the awesome images!

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you for the kind words! 🙏

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

I was born in Seattle in 1973, where I grew up. Since 2012, Vancouver BC has been my favorite vacation spot. Since 2013, I've wanted to drive from Prince Rupert to Prince George. I would visit Victoria more often, if it wasn't for long ferry rides, and long ferry line waits. Before the pandemic, I discovered this Port Hardy to Prince Rupert Ferry. I know that it's costly. I thought that it would be neat to see the inside passage. I'm afraid that I would waste a lot of time, sleeping in the cabin! Part of this trip should be looking at the scenery. It's essentially a cruise. I have only one flaw as a human being, but it's a big one: I'm not a dog person. I hear that dogs are allowed on certain decks. Did you see a lot of dogs on your ride?

[@DrifterDave]

Dogs are only allowed in the pet storage area, not around the ship. So, you won't see any unless you choose to go into the kennel area. Yes, it's costly - maybe do the day sailing of the inside passage (summers only), or break your trip in Bella Bella. That way, you can see everything during daytime hours!

[@unappealingundesirable2826]

@@DrifterDave Dave, thank YOU, for all of your awesome info, and awesome videos! I'll reference it on your Prince Rupert video, but I thought about sleeping in the car on the ferry deck, since a cabin costs 110-150 CAD. Even though I would actually prefer having that "hotel" room on the ship. Considering it's not a true cruise ship, those beds look very decent and adequately comfortable! I've toured submarine bases in the USA, and those beds look more comfortable than some of those submarine ship beds.

[@DrifterDave]

Yes, they're very comfortable and well worth the extra bit of money. You're not able to sleep in your car - no one is allowed on the car deck during sailing. So it's either sleep on a chair in the common area, or get a berth and enjoy the journey being well-rested. It's definitely worth the price.

[@ATRMvideos]

Thanks for posting this! It is novel to see that you stayed at the Glen Lyon. It is my favourite hotel in Port Hardy, and the restaurant there is good too. I have visited there for work a few times. It has the best views.

[@DrifterDave]

Absolutely agreed! It was one of those hotels that was very hard to leave...I still can't get that view out of my mind. Perfect location and incredibly reasonable in terms of price.

[@brandonpeniuk]

Hey Dave, this is a fantastic Vlog. I have always wanted to go up to Prince Rupert by way of ferrie. I am actually coming to the island in September. I can't wait to go. I watched a previous video of you taking the ferrie from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. It was great.

[@DrifterDave]

Awesome! Definitely check out the journey from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert - it’s an incredible trip!

[@nobodythatyouknow241]

The best part of the ferry trip is between Prince Rupert and Bella Bella. To bad you missed it in the dark.

[@DrifterDave]

Agreed - what can you do? Thankfully I experience the full passage along that section when I was on an Alaska cruise when I was younger. Gorgeous stretch of coastline 👌

[@NormanSilv]

The Straits of Texada are spectacular.

[@DrifterDave]

I didn’t make it quite that far south on this ride! We ended at Port Hardy 👍

[@Spanderson99]

From my experience on this ferry, it’s probably easier to hitch a ride into town from a local! Of course, 2021 was a different time. Did this both ways on my bike tour up to Haida Gwaii last year, the value for money is incredible!

[@DrifterDave]

That sounds like a great trip! Unfortunately I visited during the height of Covid and absolutely no one was offering rides. I’d like to go back and revisit these places now that restrictions have died down - next time in the summer ☀️

[@Truthseekers-ozx]

Wow, amazing content. Appreciate you making these videos. I will pass your chanel on to my friends. 🍻

[@DrifterDave]

Thank you!

[@larrymoore5778]

Great video! Question...are small dogs allowed to stay in the BC Ferries cabin (Prince Rupert > Port Hardy)?

[@DrifterDave]

No - they have to be kept in the kennel area, unfortunately. Though, you might be able to sneak one in when no one is watching… 🤷‍♂️ It’s fairly low key.

[@ChantelStays]

Gosh we live in a beautiful province ! I'm in Comox Valley...I want to take my girls on the inside passage

[@DrifterDave]

Do it! It’s an incredible trip and much cheaper than a cruise 👍 I’d love to take the same trip again in the summer!

[@Rutgerbrote]

Newcomer here. Nice videos. Very nice! Question: Why do you bleep "covid"?

[@DrifterDave]

Because the videos get demonetized & not promoted if Covid is mentioned. It labels it as "controversial material".

[@Rutgerbrote]

@@DrifterDave OK. Thanks for answer. Go on & take care!

[@MOI-qq8zc]

Wondered that too!

[@ryantheman27]

Does it have a bar ?

[@DrifterDave]

They offer a very limited alcohol selection in the restaurant (beer/wine only). The lounge was closed due to the pandemic, but I believe it serves spirits as well.

[@rolfkrajewski4975]

Is there wifi on board?

[@DrifterDave]

No, there didn't seem to be any wifi signal. I believe there is wifi on the smaller vessels, but not this one.

[@ChantelStays]

No wifi on BC ferries....

[@555pa555]

Are people able to sleep in their vehicles/ campers? Was there a spot for dogs to do their business ?

[@DrifterDave]

Yes and yes! I know the rules regarding remaining in vehicles have waxed and waned during the pandemic, so it's best to do research shortly before your trip. In February, several families stayed in their vehicles rather than renting cabins. As for pets, there are well-stocked pet areas. Information can be found here: www.bcferries.com/travel-boarding/travel-with-pets

[@ChantelStays]

You're not supposed to...but I'm sure people still do. There generally is dog/pet area.

[@lawrencewright2816]

The face diapers ruin everything.

[@DrifterDave]

Agreed - I was just thinking, I need to change the thumbnail on this video. My choice was to wear the diaper, or spend another 6 months locked inside my home & not take the trip. I'm glad those days are behind us!