Coastal Renaissance ferry

MS Coastal Renaissance 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 2007, she currently operates on the West Vancouver–Nanaimo ferry route (Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay, crossing time 1 hour 40 minutes during peak season) and on the Victoria–Vancouver route (Swartz Bay–Tsawwassen, crossing time 1.5 hours during low season).

Cabins

Coastal Renaissance has no cabins (passenger staterooms) due to the short crossing duration. Instead, the ship offers ample seating, including a Reserved Seating Lounge with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, satellite TV, its own bar, and comfortable leather recliners.

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

Life jackets are stowed in marked lockers on Deck 5 (outside) and Deck 6 (inside). The ferry provides two types of life jackets—adult and child (for up to 41 kg).

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

Facilities onboard Coastal Renaissance include:

• Sitka Coffee Place (forward on Deck 6) is a premium lounge with leather chairs, 4-seat tables, and a bar serving snacks and beverages. It offers 180-degree panoramic views and features Morning and Afternoon-Evening menus, including cereals, fruits, croissants, sandwiches, sushi, soups, desserts, and Starbucks Coffee.
• SeaWest Lounge (forward-portside on Deck 6) is a reserved seating area with reclining leather armchairs, large satellite TV, and complimentary drinks, baked goods, newspapers, and magazines.
• Coastal Cafe (aft on Deck 6) is a self-service buffet restaurant with panoramic views. Menu items include paninis, burgers, wraps, sushi, salads, entrees from the "White Spot" station, Pirate Paks (kids meals), carving station, desserts, and beverages including beer and wine.
• Coast Cafe Express (forward-midship on Deck 5) offers snacks, baked goods, and hot/cold beverages, including Starbucks drinks.
• Passages Gift Shop (forward-midship on Deck 6) sells gifts, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, cosmetics, clothing, toys, books, and premium brands such as 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 assistance, purser services, and information on destinations and ferry amenities.
• Kids Zone (midship on Decks 5 and 6) are indoor play areas with nautical themes, leather seating, toys, and TVs.
• Work/Study Stations (midship on Deck 5).
• Video Zone (midship on Deck 6) is a small cinema room.
• Passenger elevators access all decks.
• Parents Room (forward-portside on Deck 5) is a baby changing room.
• Sun Deck 7 features a Pet Area, outdoor space, and two indoor lounges (forward and aft) with 270-degree panoramic views.

The top deck is equipped with 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). The ferry is monitored by 36 CCTV cameras located throughout onboard areas.

Fire protection includes fire extinguishers, manual pull stations, the "HI-FOG Water Mist" system on passenger decks, and deluge/drench systems on vehicle decks. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for passengers with disabilities (reservations required 24 hours in advance).

Service dogs are permitted in terminals and onboard.

Emergency instructions are displayed on TV screens, in assembly stations (muster stations), and on signage. Elevators must not be used during emergencies.

BC FERRIES deals

Gift certificates (in denominations of CAD 10, 25, 50, and 100) are available for purchase online and onboard (at the Gift Shop). They can be used for ferry fares, onboard purchases (Gift Shop, restaurants, SeaWest Lounge), and for BC Ferries Vacations packages.

• BC Ferries Vacations combine roundtrip ferry travel with 1-night hotel stays at discounted rates.
• Most packages include 2- to 4-night accommodations (hotels, inns, resorts), with extended stays up to 10 nights available.
• Many 3-night packages offer the "3rd Night FREE" deal.
• Packages include ferry tickets for 2 adults and 1 car.
• Most deals also include complimentary parking.

Vacation 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) offer overnight crossings between:

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

Holiday Fare Discounts are offered during the Christmas season for early morning and late evening sailings, with fares starting from CAD 39 (for 1 standard car with driver). These apply to 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 with disabilities or special assistance needs should visit the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Engage handbrake, place vehicle in park or 1st gear, turn off ignition, alarms, electronics, and headlights. Shut off gas cylinders and lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage.
• Note your vehicle's location and garage/stairway number before leaving the deck.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks, in cabins, and lounges.
• Wait for an onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle.
• Do not start the engine until instructed to reduce air pollution.

The shipowner, BC Ferries (fleet, founded in 1960, headquartered in Victoria, BC, Canada), is a Canadian state-owned company providing daily scheduled passenger and vehicle (Ro-Pax) ferry services between mainland Canada and the islands of British Columbia. The company is North America's largest ferry operator and the third-largest globally, following only two other systems.