TheSamba.com :: View topic - Want to ferry Westy to Nova Scotia / info/tips

Tue Apr 22, 2014 4:51 pm

:idea: looking for info
want to ferry from Portland to Halifax ?
westy full camper
Wife son chihuahua

Someone must have done this 8)

Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:16 pm

Not in 10 years - has not run for all that time. But you can be the first in a decade as service resumes May 15th this year - opening day!

Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:34 pm

Some good reading....

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Nova_Star_s_doors_open_for_hundreds_in_Nova_Scotia_port_.html

http://www.novanewsnow.com/News/2013-12-11/article...rossings/1

Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:40 am

Wow good timing
I'll look into pets and vw campers-should fall into the car $
Wonder if you could stay in the westy instead of a cabin?

Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:46 am

the joker wrote: Wow good timing
I'll look into pets and vw campers-should fall into the car $
Wonder if you could stay in the westy instead of a cabin?

I've been on a bunch of car ferries, and I wasn't allowed on the car decks on any of them while the ferry was underway.

Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:41 am

C'mon over!

To be clear the ferry lands in Yarmouth. It's a 3 hr drive to Halifax from Yarmouth. :)

We are planning a camp out at Graves Island PP July 25th weekend. More than welcome!

Any more info needed for NS just send me a PM.

Brian

Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:53 am

jackbombay wrote: the joker wrote: Wow good timing
I'll look into pets and vw campers-should fall into the car $
Wonder if you could stay in the westy instead of a cabin?

I've been on a bunch of car ferries, and I wasn't allowed on the car decks on any of them while the ferry was underway.

Ya, the 2 people that were never found when the Queen of the North sank were apparently in their camper contrary to regulations. Everyone else was in their cabins or the lounges, and got out.

Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:03 am

Ferries in the PNW will sometimes allow you to stay in the car decks--this is especially the case with dogs out here.

I have slept on the ferry in the back of the brave little toaster a number of times. These are short ferry trips though.

Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:22 am

We use the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system all the time. You cannot access your vehicles during sailing. If you have pets, they stay in your vehicle and every 4 hours or so you are allowed to go down to your vehicle for 15 minutes or so and pee them. No staying in the vehicle though. There are employees working the car deck during sailing so you cant break the rules either. I assume all long distance ferries follow a similar mandated regulations.

Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:05 am

HAHAH.. do you really want to ride on a ferry that allows [people]
to stay/camp in their vehicles while you are underway in a 12hour voyage?
oh it was just a little cooking accident or space heater or just the things that [people] do

whether or not your a responsible person or [people] isn't for us to judge

the joker wrote: Wow good timing
I'll look into pets and vw campers-should fall into the car $
Wonder if you could stay in the westy instead of a cabin?

Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:00 pm

I'm happy to hear this as I've wanted to go to NS for a while. It's about a 16-18 hour drive from where I live. Going to start planning a visit. The ferry ride would break things up a bit.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 3:13 am

the joker wrote: :idea: looking for info
want to ferry from Portland to Halifax ?
westy full camper
Wife son chihuahua

Someone must have done this 8)
There's no ferry to run from Portland to Halifax... It comes to Yarmouth NS, about 4 hours from Halifax, more importantly it's only 3 hours from Graves Island Provincial Park. Free JOVH Tee-shirt on the weekend of July 25-27 for all those who register at the camp ground for our camp-out weekend.
Jeff

Thu Apr 24, 2014 4:21 am

Sadly, i never knew the line had ceased operation!
It's great to hear of its resurrection though.

I tend to hang onto old maps for trip planning! I was just looking at them last month talking about a trip to Newfoundland....... That ferry crossing is on my map! I guess all things old come back into style?!?

Looks like a floating casino, drink your way to Canada!
I wonder if there is a sobriety check stop at the terminal exit? :oops:

Maybe Someday....... Though my wife tends to fear open water! The 750 mile drive is more likely in my future rather than the 200 mile boat ride.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is too much open water for her! She does it.... But under protest!
The Cape May / Lewes Ferry?...... Ain't happening! :roll:

Ferries on OBX...... No problem! Short, small, can see land.

Dave

Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:21 am

the joker wrote: :idea: looking for info
want to ferry from Portland to Halifax ?
westy full camper
Wife son chihuahua

Someone must have done this 8)

Stay south for now, we having the worse winter-spring ever. I'm sure NS is still full of snow. But men do I love this province. Been there 11 time. Got to go die there...

Thu Apr 24, 2014 7:34 am

Planning on late July August time frame
Kicky around driving home thru Canada/Maine?
But I thing the driving time should be used for exploring all of. NS

Still wondering about our chihuahua don't leave her alone much
Found out you don't need a passport - just a birth certificate - hell I'm have Canuck 8)

Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:38 am

My sister lives on Peaks Island off of Portland. It is cheaper to take our vanagon to the island on the ferry than to park it in town if we are there more than 3 days. You can ride in the Van or go into the lounge area. It is a short trip for to Peaks Island. Dogs ride for free. You also drive your Van on to the Ferry.

I guess you will have to find out when you get there what the deal is. I have sat in the Van and on deck. On deck is actually nicer. When we stayed in the Van, we were at the front of the line and it was interesting to be in the van moving over the water.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 10:15 am

No you need a passport to get back into the US if that is your plan. I think you can use the little "ID card" for driving or on a boat. Keep in mind that if you have ever had a DUI or similar, you will not get into Canada.

I would suggest taking the ferry in one direction and driving the other. Your choice.

I enjoy that area up around Harpswell Rocks in New Brunswick as well as the NS side with the bay of Fundy tidal areas. The people are nice also. That helps.

I also like Acadia National Park and getting my 10 pound yearly stash of real wild blueberries when I am up there.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:35 am

Randy in Maine wrote: Keep in mind that if you have ever had a DUI or similar, you will not get into Canada.

You can apply for a pardon, but best to do that well in advance of your trip.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 1:38 pm

the joker wrote: Wow good timing
I'll look into pets and vw campers-should fall into the car $
Wonder if you could stay in the westy instead of a cabin?

I just checked the Nova Star website FAQ and they said you cannot stay in the vehicle or access the vehicle during the voyage. I sent them and email asking if a Westy can go on the ship with our propane tanks we have mounted under the vehicle.

Regarding the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, I thought we weren't allowed in tunnels with our propane tanks in the Northeast since the tunnels go down and then up (propane is heavier than air) usually under a body of water. If there is a leak it would create and explosive environment. Out West the tunnels usually bore through a mountain with one end lower than the other and no drop in the middle to trap the propane.

Thu Apr 24, 2014 1:50 pm

I removed my tank years ago just for that reason- my was an oversized? European model - at the time was full- took 3 hours to bleed out on a windy day.
Mostly cook out doors with a Colman or the campfire coals
Plus cooking in the westy -not to good for the interior

No DUI on my record - that's the whole reason to have a westy - drink eat sleep , repeat 8)
Still need to work out the dog thing , can't leave her alone .