Spirit of Vancouver Island ferry

MS Spirit of Vancouver Island ferry is a Ro-Ro passenger vessel owned and operated by the Canadian company BC FERRIES. The ship has a maximum capacity of 2,100 passengers and 470 cars. The vessel was launched in 1994 and currently operates on the Vancouver Island route Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay / Victoria BC (crossing time approximately 1.5 hours).

Cabins

The ferry has no passenger cabins 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 programming, a dedicated bar, and comfortable leather recliners.

Reserved seats are available for pre-booking. These packages (SeaWest Lounge entry) include Starbucks coffee, a selection of teas, juices (orange, apple), fresh pastries, and a range of newspapers and magazines. At an additional fixed price, passengers can purchase a Morning Menu package that includes baked goods, fresh fruit, cheese platter, crackers, hot oatmeal, and yogurt.

Life jackets are stored in clearly marked lockers on Deck 6 (outdoor areas) and at the forward end of Lounge A (indoor areas). Two types are available: for children (up to 41 kg) and for adults.

Shipboard dining and entertainment options

The Spirit of Vancouver Island offers the following facilities:

• Pacific Buffet (forward on Deck 5) is an all-inclusive restaurant with 2- and 4-seat tables and panoramic views through slanted floor-to-ceiling windows. The buffet features rotating menus for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Light Buffet, and Dinner. Regular menu items include breakfast selections (scrambled eggs, grilled ham and sausage, corned beef hash, shrimp and pork, potato pancakes, oatmeal, cereals, cheese platter, salads), brunch dishes (omelets, vegetables, French toast, blueberry flan, clam chowder, soups), and lunch/dinner offerings (seasonal vegetables, soups, salads, pasta, sandwiches, desserts). A salad bar is available for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Beverage options include juices, milk, tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Rotating items include roast chicken, beef, pork dishes, chicken wings, rice, potatoes, prawns, salmon, ravioli, and spring rolls. The breakfast bar also offers fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, waffles, cereals, and granola.
• SeaWest Lounge (forward on Deck 6) is a reserved seating lounge with leather reclining armchairs, available for an additional fee. Entry includes complimentary beverages, pastries, and reading materials. The lounge features a large TV (satellite reception) and its own bar service.
• Coastal Cafe (aft on Deck 5) is a self-service dining venue with 4-seat tables and panoramic views. It offers a wide selection of fast food and healthy options, including sandwiches, burgers, wraps, sushi, salads, hot and cold entrees, carving station items, desserts, snacks, and beverages (including beer and wine).
• Coast Cafe Express (forward-midship on Deck 5) serves snacks, freshly baked items, and hot and cold beverages, including Starbucks coffee.
• Passages Gift Shop (forward-midship on Deck 5) offers gifts, jewelry, watches, sunglasses, cosmetics, clothing, toys, books, magazines, and aboriginal silver items. Premium brands include Killtec, Helly Hansen, FarWest, and Nine West.
• An ATM is located in front of the Gift Shop.
• Reception Desk (Chief Steward’s Office, midship on Deck 5) provides passenger assistance, information on BC Ferries services, and tourist information for British Columbia.
• Kids Zone (midship on Deck 6) consists of two indoor play areas with nautical themes, seating, toys, and TVs.
• Work/Study Stations (midship on Deck 6)
• Video Zone (midship on Deck 5) is a small cinema room.
• Elevators (passenger lifts) serve all decks.
• Parents Room (forward portside on Deck 6) is equipped with baby-changing facilities.
• The top deck includes a helipad (helicopter landing area) for emergency use.

The ship is equipped with liferafts (capacity 50 or 100 persons each).

Each Coastal-class ferry is fitted with 36 CCTV cameras, enabling the Navigation Bridge officers to monitor all onboard areas.

The Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge), located forward on Deck 7, is not accessible to passengers.

The vessel is equipped with 6 marine evacuation chutes (Deck 6, port and starboard), each connected to liferafts (capacity 200 persons each). Additionally, there are 2 rescue boats located forward on Deck 6.

Fire safety equipment includes numerous extinguishers and manual alarm stations across all decks. Passenger areas are protected by a HI-FOG water mist system, while vehicle decks are equipped with deluge sprinkler and drenching systems.

For passengers with reduced mobility, a limited number of wheelchairs are available (advance reservation of at least 24 hours is required).

Service dogs are permitted both in ferry terminals and onboard the vessel.

All onboard emergency instructions are displayed at assembly (muster) stations and on TV screens. In case of emergency, the use of elevators is prohibited.

BC FERRIES deals

The company offers gift certificates available for purchase online and onboard (via the Gift Shop), in denominations of 10, 25, 50, and 100 dollars. These can be used for ferry fares, onboard purchases, and BC Ferries Vacations packages.

• "BC Ferries Vacations" packages combine roundtrip ferry travel with hotel stays at discounted rates.
• Most packages include 2-, 3-, or 4-night accommodations, with extended options of 5, 6, 7, or 10 nights.
• Many 3-night packages include a “3rd Night FREE” offer.
• Packages typically include ferry tickets for 2 adults and 1 car.
• Many offers include complimentary parking for BC Ferries customers.

These vacation packages are available for destinations across British Columbia, including 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" one-day ferry cruises (with overnight crossings) are offered during summer (June through September), with departures from:

• (ships Northern Expedition or Northern Adventure) from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, Bella Bella, and Klemtu
• (ships Northern Expedition and Northern Sea Wolf) from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, Bella Bella, Klemtu, Bella Coola, Ocean Falls, and Shearwater
• (ship Northern Expedition) from Bella Coola to Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Ocean Falls, and Shearwater
• (ships Northern Sea Wolf and Northern Expedition or Northern Adventure) from Bella Bella to Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Bella Coola, Ocean Falls, and Shearwater
• (ship Northern Expedition or Northern Adventure) from Klemtu to Port Hardy and Prince Rupert
• (ships Northern Sea Wolf and Northern Expedition or Northern Adventure) from Ocean Falls to Port Hardy, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, and Shearwater
• (ships Northern Sea Wolf and Northern Expedition or Northern Adventure) from Shearwater to Port Hardy, Bella Coola, Bella Bella, and Ocean Falls

On selected holiday sailings, BC Ferries offers discounted fares for early morning and late evening departures. Ticket prices start from USD 39 (for one standard car with driver). These discounts apply to routes including Vancouver-Victoria (Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay), Vancouver-Nanaimo (Tsawwassen–Duke Point), and West Vancouver–Nanaimo (Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay).

Car decks

Below are key safety procedures for vehicle decks:

• Passengers requiring assistance should contact the Information Desk (open 24 hours).
• Apply the handbrake and leave the vehicle in park or first gear. Switch off the ignition, alarms, lights, and all electrical equipment. Gas cylinders must be turned off. Lock the vehicle.
• Take only valuables and essential hand luggage with you.
• Note your vehicle’s location and deck number before leaving.
• Access to vehicle decks during the voyage is prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited on vehicle decks and in all passenger areas.
• Wait for onboard announcements before returning to your vehicle.

To reduce emissions, do not start your engine until instructed.

The shipowner BC Ferries (fleet, founded in 1960, headquartered in Victoria, BC Canada) is a Canadian state-owned company providing scheduled passenger and vehicle ferry services between mainland Canada and the islands of British Columbia. The company is the largest in North America (followed by Washington State Ferries) and ranks third worldwide.