Coastal Inspiration ferry

MS Coastal Inspiration is a Ro-Ro passenger ferry owned and operated by the Canadian company BC FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 1,650 passengers and 370 cars. Launched in 2008, she currently operates on the Nanaimo–Vancouver route (Duke Point–Tsawwassen), with a crossing time of 2 hours.

Cabins

Coastal Inspiration has no cabins (passenger staterooms) due to the route’s short duration. Instead, the ship provides ample seating, including a Reserved Seating Lounge with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, satellite TV, a private bar, and comfortable leather recliners.

Reserved seating is available for pre-booking. SeaWest Lounge access includes Starbucks Coffee, assorted teas, juices (orange, apple), fresh pastries, newspapers, and popular magazines. A Morning Menu package (available at an additional fixed price) includes baked goods, fresh fruit, a cheese platter, crackers, hot oatmeal, and yogurt.

Life jackets are stored in marked lockers on Deck 5 (outside) and Deck 6 (inside). Two types are provided—adult and child (up to 41 kg).

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities onboard Coastal Inspiration include:

• SeaWest Lounge (forward-portside on Deck 6): Reserved seating with leather recliners, large satellite TV, bar service, complimentary drinks and snacks, newspapers, and magazines.
• Coastal Cafe (aft on Deck 6): Self-serve buffet with 2-seat tables and panoramic views. Menu includes paninis, burgers, wraps, sushi, salads, hot/cold entrees (White Spot station), dinner plates, Pirate Paks (kids menu), carving station, desserts, and beverages (beer/wine by the glass).
• Coast Cafe Express (forward-midship on Deck 5): Offers snacks, baked items, hot and cold beverages, including Starbucks drinks.
• Passages Gift Shop (forward-midship on Deck 6): Sells gifts, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, cosmetics, clothing, toys, books, magazines, and aboriginal silverware. Brands include Killtec, Helly Hansen, FarWest, and Nine West.
• ATM located in front of the Gift Shop.
• Reception Desk (Chief Steward’s Office, midship on Deck 6): Provides passenger assistance, purser services, and tourist information.
• Kids Zone (midship on Decks 5 and 6): Two nautically themed indoor play areas with leather seating, toys, and TVs showing cartoons and DVDs.
• Work/Study Stations (midship on Deck 5).
• Video Zone (midship on Deck 6): Small cinema room.
• Passenger elevators accessing all decks.
• Parents Room (forward-portside on Deck 5): Baby changing facility.
• Sun Deck 7: Pet Area, outdoor deck space, and two indoor lounges (forward and aft) with 270-degree panoramic views.

The top deck features a helipad (helicopter landing area) for emergency use.

Safety equipment includes 22 liferafts (20 with 100-person capacity, 2 with 50-person capacity) and 4 inflatable marine evacuation slides deployed from Deck 5.

Each Coastal-class ferry is equipped with 36 CCTV cameras monitored from the Navigation Bridge for onboard surveillance.

Fire protection includes fire extinguishers, manual pull stations, and the HI-FOG Water Mist system on passenger decks. Vehicle decks feature deluge and drenching systems.

A limited number of wheelchairs are available for passengers with disabilities. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours before departure.

Service dogs are permitted in terminals and onboard.

Emergency instructions are displayed throughout the vessel. Elevators must not be used in emergencies.

BC FERRIES deals

Gift certificates (CAD 10, 25, 50, 100) are available online and onboard (Gift Shop). They can be used for fares, onboard purchases, and BC Ferries Vacations packages.

• BC Ferries Vacations: "Ferry and hotel" packages include roundtrip ferry travel and 1-night hotel stays at discounted prices.
• Packages range from 2 to 10 nights and often include resort, hotel, or inn accommodations.
• Many 3-night packages offer a “3rd Night FREE.”
• Ferry tickets included for 2 adults and 1 car.
• Most packages include complimentary parking.

Destinations include: Campbell River, Cowichan Bay, Victoria, Richmond, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Courtenay, Chemainus, Nanaimo, Sooke, Tsawwassen, Langley, Burnaby, Parksville, Ucluelet, Salt Spring Island, Madeira Park, Powell River, Mayne Island, Pender Island, Quadra Island, Galiano Island, Qualicum Beach, Kelowna, Whistler, Brentwood Bay, Kamloops, Penticton, Vernon, Tofino, Osoyoos, Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, and Haida Gwaii.

Inside Passage 1-day cruises (June–September, overnight crossings):

• Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Klemtu
• Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, Bella Bella, Klemtu, Bella Coola, Ocean Falls, Shearwater
• Bella Coola to Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Ocean Falls, Shearwater
• Bella Bella to Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Bella Coola, Ocean Falls, Shearwater
• Klemtu to Port Hardy, Prince Rupert
• Ocean Falls to Port Hardy, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Shearwater
• Shearwater to Port Hardy, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Ocean Falls

Holiday Fare Discounts are offered during Christmas for early morning and late evening sailings. Fares start at CAD 39 (for 1 standard car with driver) for routes: Vancouver–Victoria (Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay), Vancouver–Nanaimo (Tsawwassen–Duke Point), and West Vancouver–Nanaimo (Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay).

Car decks

Car deck safety procedures:

• Passengers needing assistance should visit the 24-hour Information Desk.
• Apply handbrake, place vehicle in park or 1st gear, turn off ignition, alarms, electronics, and headlights. Shut off gas cylinders and lock the vehicle.
• Bring only valuables and essential hand baggage.
• Note vehicle location and garage/stairway number.
• Access to vehicle decks is prohibited during the voyage.
• Smoking is not allowed on vehicle decks, in cabins, or lounges.
• Wait for announcement before returning to your vehicle.

Do not start the engine until instructed, to avoid air pollution.

BC Ferries (fleet, founded 1960, based in Victoria, BC) is a Canadian state-owned company operating scheduled passenger and vehicle (RoPax) ferry services between mainland British Columbia and surrounding islands. It is the largest ferry operator in North America and the third-largest globally.