For those thinking about driving a loop thru new found land and labrador I thought I'd post a few comments about the northern ferry connection. We recently (early Sept) tried to cross from lab to newf and this is what we learned and would have been useful to know beforehand :
1. The boat doesnt always sail. Weather dependent of course but it may be the case more than you might imagine.
2. 75% of the approx 120 vehicle spots are reservable. Costs $10 and that goes toward ~$35 fare - if you can use it.
3. The remaining 25% go to the old reservations first (from times the boat did not sail), IF they are claimed. And there could be a considerable backlog (see #1). Next up are the no reserves drop ins.
4. Everyone must check in ( this might be new). Reserves have an advance time requiremant to remain valid. The rest are first come first served but they are verbally called out some time after check in so you need to be waiting near the counter.
It's not always a perfect system but the Labraborians and Newfoundlanders were good as gold about it when we were there (day before Dorian was to hit the area). We were only tourists and knew our place.
Take away is to reserve 2 or 3 days sailings in advance - if you can. And be prepared to wait things out, or bail. If you've travelled cw thru lab first and bail, it's a 1700km, 3 day drive back to Baie Comneau. And further again to the Sydney crossing.
No complaints here, just an FYI.
HTH someone.
1. The boat doesnt always sail. Weather dependent of course but it may be the case more than you might imagine.
2. 75% of the approx 120 vehicle spots are reservable. Costs $10 and that goes toward ~$35 fare - if you can use it.
3. The remaining 25% go to the old reservations first (from times the boat did not sail), IF they are claimed. And there could be a considerable backlog (see #1). Next up are the no reserves drop ins.
4. Everyone must check in ( this might be new). Reserves have an advance time requiremant to remain valid. The rest are first come first served but they are verbally called out some time after check in so you need to be waiting near the counter.
It's not always a perfect system but the Labraborians and Newfoundlanders were good as gold about it when we were there (day before Dorian was to hit the area). We were only tourists and knew our place.
Take away is to reserve 2 or 3 days sailings in advance - if you can. And be prepared to wait things out, or bail. If you've travelled cw thru lab first and bail, it's a 1700km, 3 day drive back to Baie Comneau. And further again to the Sydney crossing.
No complaints here, just an FYI.
HTH someone.
