Travelling by ferry on a Monday in August proved to be a highly challenging experience. We typically make reservations and have done so for many years. However, on this occasion, we were unable to secure a booking for the required date. As a result, we arrived early and attempted to travel as standby passengers. This decision ultimately resulted in more than five hours of waiting before boarding. During this time, we spoke with many other passengers in similar circumstances, some of whom experienced even longer delays and greater inconvenience. One couple we encountered had arrived the previous evening with a valid reservation but missed their check-in by one minute. They were scheduled to report at 8:30 p.m. but arrived at 8:31 p.m., resulting in the cancellation of their booking. They were required to find an overnight accommodation, return at 6:00 a.m. the following morning, and ultimately boarded the noon sailing, only a short time before we did. This situation highlighted the extent of the delays and the level of disruption many travellers were experiencing. A significant concern throughout the process was the apparent lack of a clear and consistent system for managing standby passengers. From within our vehicles, it was difficult to determine how boarding priority was being established. There did not appear to be a transparent or consistently applied method for organizing lanes or respecting arrival times. Instead, different staff members provided varying directions, and vehicle movement between lanes appeared inconsistent. After approximately six to seven hours of waiting, one passenger travelling with his family became increasingly frustrated. He raised his voice and expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that they had been present since 6:00 a.m. and should have been boarded earlier. While his frustration was understandable given the circumstances, his conduct escalated to the point where management and security, including a police officer and a dog unit, were called to the scene. The individual and his family were told to leave and issued a refund. Although his behaviour was inappropriate, his underlying concern regarding the lack of an organized standby system was not without merit. The issue does not appear to rest with frontline staff, but rather with the broader operational procedures in place. Ultimately, responsibility lies with BC Ferries management to ensure that a clear, fair, and efficient system is implemented for standby passengers, particularly during peak travel periods. A transparent process based on arrival time, lane assignment, and available capacity would significantly improve fairness and reduce confusion. The experience was disappointing and, at times, difficult to observe, particularly given that BC Ferries represents a key transportation service within the province. There is a clear need for improved organization and operational consistency. BC Ferries can and should do better. read more

We accidentally took the Nanaimo ferry from Horseshoe bay instead of the Langdale ferry, We went to the Chief Stewards desk and the sweetest lady Carrie immediately helped us, she advised the rest of the crew to help redirect us around the boat throughout the trips and even gave us a free meal. Thank you Carrie! read more

I am disabled and my wife needs a new hip and can't walk/stand well. we have an appointment to get a new hip. we arrived at the docks and over the loud speaker they were saying people with disabilities can board. as we got to the front to board a woman says "you cannot board" i explained that she was calling for pre board. She asked me "whats wrong with you" ? We told her and then she rolled her eyes in discussed. "If you say so" and rolled her eyes again. First of all its none of your business whats wrong with me. Secondly, where did you get your medical degree to assess our disabilities. BC ferries should be ashamed with the quality of that hire. I spent over 40 years in customer service. If i saw that, she would have been fired on the spot read more

If I could leave ZERO stars I would! I don't know who the clowns are that designed and manage the B.C Ferries online booking website, but they need to be fired! I attempted 3 times today to book a ferry and EVERYTHING about their webpage form is ridiculous...from slow load times where you're not sure anything is happening, to clicking 'pay now' and waiting only to find out, that if you scroll up you find red type error that must be corrected before repeating this madness ad nauseam! Then there's the credit card form that is beyond confusing! Just a HORRIBLE experience!!! read more

Prices are absolutely ridiculous, island residents should receive discounts as it is our only highway to the mainland. There is no reason that it should cost me $235 for a round-trip. As for everyone booking reservations, it has completely changed the way that the system works. What happened to first come first serve? It blows me away that they can price hike like this. once again there's no way that it should cost anyone that dollar amount, last time I sailed my booking was $89 now it's 116 without taxes or fees, I don't see how it's justifiable that Nanaimo to Vancouver "81km", which would be about a 40 minute drive if it were pavement costs more than it would to drive a heavy duty pick up truck from Kelowna to Vancouver. read more

I had a fall on the b.c ferries terminal and they had the nerve to pass the blame onto me. They're lucky i wasnt an old lady and broke a hip or it would have been a massive lawsuit instead of the polite reachout they received from me. read more

I arrived at 6:32 with a prepaid reservation. they said I was "late" and was put in standby. Along with people with no reservation and even behind them. So was held back a sailing and lost my job because it was my second week. I took the ferry every day twice a day for a week. it was late 4/10 times... one was 45 minutes late. completely unreliable. overpriced and terrible attitude from staff. Need private services to compete. Embarrassing. read more

Arrived on time for 2pm reservation (paid $145 for one way ticket Victoria to Delta). was told our ferry was delayed by 1 hour and 40 minutes due to mechanical issues. When the next ferry arrived at the terminal, we sat in our car watching them load the 3pm ferry passengers and we had to wait for the next vessel. In conclusion, the fees are much too high for the service received. read more

I travel on bc ferries quiet a bit and I have discovered that it's definitely not the best food. It's pretty bland as I guess there's a lot of different guests the travel on bc ferries and it's probably pretty difficult to provide a high quality meal experience. I have to say the Mac and cheese is pretty bland but I like it better than a lot of other choices on their menu. read more

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BCF - Thank you for the dedication, training, and swift action that saved a life today (and just two days ago as well). Many of the issues people complain about--like macro costs or rising demand--are outside BCF's control. What they do control, they handle brilliantly. Day after day, they manage oversubscribed sailings, a complex fleet, and a large staff with specialized skills--all under constant pressure. Most importantly, they never compromise on safety. I feel safer on a ferry than I do driving the same distance. And as we saw again today, BC Ferries has the skill and professionalism to carry out a life-saving rescue. BC Ferries, you are outstanding read more

Dirty bathrooms, stuffing coming out of seats, terrible food. Overall dirty conditions. No pride in business noticed.

I had the best experience on BC Ferries today! Trip was from Duke Point to Tsawwassen at 3:15 today (July 26th). I was looking for an iced coffee for my daughter and Dawn at the cafe at the front of the vessel was sooo kind. She figured out a way I could make an iced coffee and she helped me in a friendly and lovely way! She made the trip amazing for me! read more

On August 13th our family was travelling back to Vancouver from Nanaimo when our two-year old developed an allergic reaction before the ferry left the island. We quickly looked for the first aid person onboard who advised that we get off the boat and go to the ER to be on the safe side. Our car would have to stay behind, so we left our car keys with one of the crew members and headed for the hospital. Thankfully my son's reaction subsided, and we were able to get on the last sailing that day. The ferry crew had already called the hospital and left a message of where/how to retrieve our car. In the end we were able to easily get on the boat with the assurance that our child was fine. Just yesterday, we received a call from BC Ferries just to check up on my son. I think that for me outstanding customer service comes down to to each individual human being putting in their best and being kind, considerate, and resourceful. The crew of BC Ferries, that day, did that and much more. read more

We made free reservations for the 4:00pm sailing from Victoria Swartz Bay to Vancouver Tsawwassen. Be sure to arrive 30-60 minutes prior to scheduled departure. There has been staff shortage and ferry maintenance covered on the news and this reservation gave us some peace of mind. We sat beside Sitka Cafe sign where the seating is facing each other with a ledge at the window which was perfect for placing snacks and drinks while watching the beautiful scenery go by. I even saw a seal swimming along with us! read more

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The stars are for the hard working crews. Management gets minus five stars. As of today I'm no longer able to make a reservation because apparently the 3D secure payment is blocking my credit card which I have used for years. No explanation, just declined over and over as I was some deadbeat. read more

This has happened a couple times to me. It is 5:23 and I am watching the ferry I was denied ticketing to prior to 5pm just depart. Now waiting for the next sailing in two hours. I understand protocols, when things are on time. However the ticketing staff should have the intuition to make choices based on current circumstances to better serve their customers. read more

BC Ferries - 5pm Coastal Celebration, photo taken at 5:23 - Ferries Near Me

A Review I booked a ferry ticket online from Duke Point to Twassan for the last 10:45pm sailing. We arrived at 10:20 and were told we missed the check-in and told to wait in lane 21- the stand-by lane.  Apparently, the lanes next to us were for bookings as they got on with no issue. Specifically, the lane next to us, lane 22, had quite a bit of room as it was half full. I thought it was incredibly odd that we, a car that had pre-purchases a ticket and therefore a confirmed spot on the ferry, were made to wait in line with non-booking passengers. What happened to the spot we bought? None of the cars in the stand-by lane made it on. Evidently, there must have been room as we had a confirmed purchase of a ticket... We were then turned away from the ferry as apparently it was somehow full. If this had been a plane it would have been the equivalent of arriving to the gate  before boarding and waiting 25 minutes then being told to leave as they had given away your seat because they liked it empty better. After facing our fate, a man waved at us to turn around back to the kiosk at the entrance, which was closed. At the kiosk, which was still closed, another man waved at us to loop back to the direction we had just been waiting. In confusion, we asked a nearby hi-vis man what it was we were supposed to do. He pointed to his right, another loop, and informed us it was the exit. Now I realize we were somehow supposed to be refunded for the  purchase of the confirmed ferry spot that, in reality, existed in a Schrodinger level of both existence and non-existance. A coveted space of reality I had only dreamed existed to the likes of partical physics, eccentric theoretical scientists, and now, as I have discovered, confirmed BC Ferries bookings.   If it is BC Ferries' goal to drive its patrons insane they have succeeded. Chutulu could not have constructed a better prison to torment the minds of the living. In the night, after having crawled into a motel, half asleep, I heard the soft mutterings of a man informing me to return to my vehicle. The words STAND BY branded into my forehead as my confirmed purchased ticket turned to dust while I was made to loop the parking lot in endless circles. This morning, after awaking and realizing my nightmare was, in fact, reality, we headed back to the ferry for the first sailing. I asked about a refund, and the kiosk lady handed me a card with a number to call. As I drove away, I looked down at the card and found not a number on either side, but a dog warmly reminding me not to turn on my car's alarm in a confirmed space. Instead of a mistake that perhaps she meant to give me another card with relevant information  I feel this was the kiosk lady's way of sending me a message. This is a reminder that we are all but border collies in a confined  space at the mercy of BC Ferries' car alarm. There is no escape. There is no hope. read more

BC Ferries - Ferries Near Me

Breakfast for $25 that comes on a paper plate and wooden cutlery. The wood knife couldn't cut through the ham or English muffin on my benny. It was absolutely brutal. Buy a bunch of cutlery and a few plates if you're going to charge me $100 each way from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay, and then another $25 for a subpar breakfast! read more

BC Ferries - Ferries Near Me

firstly, the pay parking meters don't read cards in the parking lot, so if you are in a hurry for your boat good luck with that. secondly, the food is disgusting! I paid $13 for a breakfast sandwich and hash browns, the eggs was cold, the bun was soggy, the bacon was burnt and the slice of cheese wasn't anywhere close to melted, the hash browns tasted like cardboard and 4 minutes after I ate I was in the toilet having the world fall out of my butt. read more

The coffee bar literally closed without warning at 4:10 pm. Maybe post the hours somewhere so people are not scrambling to grab a coffee and snack before you close up at such a ridiculous time of day ? Another thing that would be SUPER great is to have someone that making announcements over the speaker to ensure they speak clear English . It was absolutely horrendous for anyone to understand what the heck this guy was even trying to say !! We were all looking at each other completely confused at the ridiculousness of it all . The second announcement made we were at least able to make out a few key words , so that was progress I guess . Good thing it wasn't anything urgent because no one had a freaking clue ! Do better BC Ferries . read more

We were super impressed with the service / price / staff. Well worth paying the extra $14 to sit up in the front lounge with unlimited non-alcoholic drinks & snacks. So cheap for car & pax compared to Australia. read more

It's really a crime that bc ferries are the only service that connects the mainland to the islands. I was making a connection from Saltspring island to Vancouver, through Swartz Bay (Victoria). Typically they offer grace to people trying to make this connection as the Saltspring ferry gets in to Swartz Bay very close to when the ferry leaves for Vancouver. I gave my thru fare ticket to the guy at the booth and he put me in lane that he assured me was loading onto the sailing I had a reservation for. The ferry was loaded without me and I had to wait 2 more hours for the next one. I went to talk to the person working in the administration office who had absolutely nothing to offer other than an apology. She said that she couldn't turn back time and asked what I thought she could do. I had to leave because the disregard and completely reluctance to offer any kind of refund or even a food voucher was extremely frustrating. This companies customer service is abysmal and they should be held accountable for their lack of accountability. If you mess up like this and have nothing to offer for ruining someone's vacation, then you shouldn't be running a business. They take advantage of the fact that they are the only ferry service operation which is a bunch of BS to begin with. A nice and relaxing vacation was completely ruined by the idiot in the ticket booth and the idiot in the administration office at the Swartz bay compound. Total travel time from door to door was 10 hours because of their incompetence and lack of customer service. Screw BC ferries. read more

Duke Point traffic control is a joke. BCF, your responsibility doesn't end at the gate where you take our money. Get some folks out there to put all the entitled line jumpers in their place. Early for a reservation? Don't tell me there's no room and tell me to go out and wait for the boat to leave AND THEN GET BACK IN LINE!?!? Just where am I supposed to watch this boat leave from? The whole time (before entering and once inside) there were dozens of empty lanes. The real issue is, there's no staff nor organizational skills going on - THAT is the real issue. BTW - The 'Karen' wandering around telling folks the way it is (obviously a manager) just served to add to the frustration. Would have been more effective had they picked up some traffic control tools and managed the incoming masses. Do better. read more

You take the ferry because you need to get across the ocean.... not because it has amazing service or food. It is better than some other ferries I've taken but the for the price - it is steep for what it is and seems to be always increasing. It gets up there esp with vehicle + person. The newer ferries are okay for amenities. But if you're not as lucky and get stuck on an older ferry - the bathroom smells and seating is limited. But it's not like other method of transportation is easier to access so it is what it is. read more

BC Ferries - Ferries Near Me

Why are we watching American T.V On BC ferries? This is not acceptable. Otherwise a fantastic experience. Beautiful scenery spoiled by the garbage on the American News Channels. read more

Prices keep going up, wait times keep getting longer. Soon, it's going to be completely unaffordable for anyone who lives on the island to leave . We need a non-government regulated transportation system that doesn't rip us off. I write this out of boredom as I've been sitting 6.5 hours waiting to get on a ferry to go visit a friend. Sure won't be coming back here anytime soon. Anyone who plans on bringing their car on these Ferries should either be prepared to pay extra for their booking fee , or spend their whole day waiting to get where they're going read more

BCferries is terrible to work for, they expect you to work on call, with only a guarantee of 8 shifts a month. If you are unavailable because you will obviously need to be working another job, they will not keep you. Not only are they an awful employer, they also do refund passengers who make a mistake on their bookings. This way BCferries makes lots of extra money as they keep what is not theirs. read more

Just booked a return trip via BC Ferries to Prince Rupert and back from Port Hardy. Had a wonderful experience booking with Candace at Customer Service in Victoria I believe. Hope the trip is as wonderful as our experience was booking the trip. read more

BC ferries is worse at running the ferry system then Justin Trudeau is at running Canada. It is the worst marine transportation service I have ever taken on this planet, I have had better marine transportation service in poverty stricken communist countries. They provide no commitment to keep their schedule. read more

Gratitude post With all the complaints we hear about our BCFerry I felt like saying something positive... Yesterday we caught the ferry to Victoria from Galiano for some shopping When we got to Victoria I realized that I had forgotten I my nice scarf on the boat. On our eay back I went to the boat steward to inquire about it. It had been found and sitting in, yes Victoria but they would forward it to Galiano for me to pick up And so it was, earlier this morning I got the call and went to retrieved it. Thank you to the BC Ferry Staffs who made this possible read more

2nd person in reservation line by nearly missed the ferry, they have no concept of order... missed and entire sailing due to mechanical BS with no communication, honestly so many inefficiencies it's typical Government run garbage... the only reason I sail with B.C. ferrys is because there are no other option. terrible overall service! read more

Congratulations to BC Ferries for it's retro look into the 1970's and the all day waits to catch a ferry. Currently hunkered down in the ferry lineup for a minimum 7 hour wait on a Monday afternoon that is not part of a long weekend. They are running the same schedules as they did when I was a kid and while many of the ferries are larger now it's not in relation to the population growth. I have made approximately 600 crossings in the last dozen years as part of my business and can honestly state that BC Ferries is the worst thing in my life. I have seen and experienced it all and watch the operation closely. Most trips I just shake my head. Two days ago (Saturday) it took 6 hours from my arrival at Tsawwassen to arrival at Swartz Bay. I missed the 3pm sailing by one car. There was no 4pm and the 5 pm was running over an hour late. From my front row seat I watch as they have the upper deck almost completely loaded but couldn't start loading the lower deck because their commercial trailer service was still trying to get trailers in and out. When they did load the lower deck (past 6:15 on a 5 pm departure schedule) it was sloppy and inefficient. I have watched this repeatedly during long weekends and peak sailing times. I realize there is good revenue from this service, and perishable goods must travel, but it seems having a dedicated ferry for this service would require minimal employees and free up large amounts of deck space for travelers. Whatever the answers are they should stop promoting travel adventures until they can manage essential traffic and stop spending money on advertising to try and create a better image. Regular users know what this service is and ads won't change the opinion. I do believe that Ferry executives believe they are doing the best the can. The job of fixing it however is just simply above them. read more

Bunch of assholes, arrived within our specified time for our reservation and was told the boat is full.... Should have been full with me because I had a fucking reservation. Now sitting through a multiple sailing wait with a car full of kids. Fuck you BC ferries read more

Be prepared to spend several more hours (possibly days) than what is scheduled when travelling on bc ferries. Only the most incompetent dregs of the proletariat make their living fumbling around on these vessels. They are seldom on-time, extremely unhelpful, and alarmingly lazy. If there is in-fact a 'staffing shortage' (a commonly used excuse for their tardiness) then bc ferries should consider drafting those currently serving time in penile colonies or school-age children as they would certainly exceed the utility of their current employment base. read more

I have never before taken time to write a negative review on Yelp - only used it when someone has been AWESOME and deserves a shout-out. But BC Ferries has made trips miserable for not only me, but my family. Their reservation system is a nightmare. What was once a form of public transport is a corporate $hitty money grab. When you make a reservation, you have a 1/2 hour window to arrive. A friend recently arrived during that window, but when the extensive line-up AT THE TERMINAL took them 6 minutes past the cut-off, they were denied the reservation they'd made. Take a ferry trip just across the border in Washington State (I'm a Canadian resident), and the ferries functionally get you from pt. A to pt. B for about 1/3 the cost. Their ferries regularly run 20+ minutes late, but if you're even a minute late for a reservation, you will lose it - part of their financial plan. read more

I only write 5 Star reviews, but BC Ferries is a massive fail. If this had not happened to me, I would have never believed it.  If you ever have a issue with British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. pray that you don't have Cheryl Forsyth as your Customer Relations Advisor. My mother and I had a small issue with BC Ferries that left my mother in the cold on a snowy Dec 26, 2021 morning even though she had a ticket that I had purchased for her. Rather than issuing an apology, or a refund for $17.85, Cheryl Forsyth who's their Customer Relations Advisor has told countless untruths and has spent hours fighting tooth and nail to not issue a refund even though she said she would. Click https://tinyurl.com/57v6k9mw for the full story. read more

BC Ferries - Ferries Near Me

ugh, took forever and totally agree with Cheryl W... take the plane! The bus dumps you in this alleyway and there is mass confusion where to board the ferry. People are shoving and stepping all over you as they scramble up the crazy steep stairs. Once we fought our way to our seats mobs of kids running around. read more

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i would like to commend the excellent service i have been fortunate to experience today and yesterday July.28 & July 29, 2023 i am on a wheelchair and i am so thankful to the wonderful person , named , Milo, Riley and the other 2 person who helped me when i got on Departure Bay( forget to ask their names) I wish those boys , to have a success in life for they deserved ti be a good example. they make my day so wonderful & happy. thank you for your good staff. Amelia Que 604-879-7269 read more

Yesterday I was travilling with my senior mother and ask customer service for a wheel chair on horseshoe bay, this was at 1 pm and the lady very rudely inform me that there is none , I asked her politly if I wait and she can get one and she point blankly refuse that all wheel chairs are gone to Nanaimo and she cannot help. And then she said that the terminal don't have any chairs, it was very strange that a big company like BC ferries don't provide wheel chair, Then when I went to ticket counter the nice gentleman told me to wait and he will bring one, and magically the wheelchair came. -lease couch your customer service people to be polite and ask them to at least show a little respect towards seniors thank you read more

Unreliable, inconsistent, impossible to reserve MORE THAN A WEEK IN ADVANCE on some routes. Hostage-holding when you live on Vancouver Island. read more