2014 Canadian Maritime RV Caravan

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Question
If we take the ferry to PEI for X $'s I was told the bridge from PEI coming back was free direction.
Is that correct?

I would suggest get the ferry to PEI ( No Charge) and return via the Confederation Bridge (~$75) This is cheaper than returning on the ferry.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I would suggest get the ferry to PEI ( No Charge) and return via the Confederation Bridge (~$75) This is cheaper than returning on the ferry.

At this time that is the method and route we have planned.
Thank you for clarification.
I only wish it was that way to Newfoundland ferry. LOL

[Rugged Brown]

I just crossed on the Newfoundland ferry. Total cost for a car, 2 adults and a 2 berth cabin was $322 one way. That was from Port Aux Basque to North Sydney, the shorter of the 2 routes. The Argentia run with a motorhome and a toad $$$$$$$$$$$$ I don't want to discourage a trip to Newfoundland. It's well worth the expense. you'll have an experience like no other.

[prairiecamper]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I just crossed on the Newfoundland ferry. Total cost for a car, 2 adults and a 2 berth cabin was $322 one way. That was from Port Aux Basque to North Sydney, the shorter of the 2 routes. The Argentia run with a motorhome and a toad $$$$$$$$$$$$ I don't want to discourage a trip to Newfoundland. It's well worth the expense. you'll have an experience like no other.

How long is the trip across, in hours?

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by prairiecamper

How long is the trip across, in hours?

Long Ferry from N Sidney to Newfoundland 16-18 hours on a good day.
Short Ferry coming back 6-8 hours

Long ferry to Newfoundland with Motorhome with car attached, 2 adults, 4 birth cabin with all tax and surgcharges = $1180

Short Ferry coming back to N Sidney 6-8 hours, Motorhome with car attached and 2 adults = $454

[great white]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Long Ferry from N Sidney to Newfoundland 16-18 hours on a good day.
Short Ferry coming back 6-8 hours

Long ferry to Newfoundland with Motorhome with car attached, 2 adults, 4 birth cabin with all tax and surgcharges = $1180

Short Ferry coming back to N Sidney 6-8 hours, Motorhome with car attached and 2 adults = $454

The day ferry is closer to the 6 hours in good weather.

The night ferry is closer to 8 in good weather.

They reduce speed at night due to lower visibility.

We always cross at night and get a berth going either direction.

Pull on, sleep the night and roll off the ferry rested and showered ready for a full day of driving.

I would recommend getting a cabin even on a day crossing. It gives you a place to put your stuff, have a nap if you want or just get a little privacy on the crossing. Well worth 55 bucks on a day cross. We always get one.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by great white

The day ferry is closer to the 6 hours in good weather.

The night ferry is closer to 8 in good weather.

They reduce speed at night due to lower visibility.

We always cross at night and get a berth going either direction.

Pull on, sleep the night and roll off the ferry rested and showered ready for a full day of driving.

I would recommend getting a cabin even on a day crossing. It gives you a place to put your stuff, have a nap if you want or just get a little privacy on the crossing. Well worth 55 bucks on a day cross. We always get one.

They have 2 and 4 birth cabins for the same price.
What is the difference in size and do they have showers in the cabins?
Thanks for the updated information.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by Iggy

They have 2 and 4 birth cabins for the same price.
What is the difference in size and do they have showers in the cabins?
Thanks for the updated information.

Same size cabins. Both have showers, sink and toilet.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

Same size cabins. Both have showers, sink and toilet.

Thanks. I just called reservations and 2014 schedule won't be out until late Nove early Dec 2013. So I have plenty of time to make reservations.

One more question. On the short ferry from Newfoundland back to Sidney.
If we take the early morning ferry that leave between 6am and 12 noon I don't see any need to get a cabin. Do you?

Thanks
Iggy

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Thanks. I just called reservations and 2014 schedule won't be out until late Nove early Dec 2013. So I have plenty of time to make reservations.

One more question. On the short ferry from Newfoundland back to Sidney.
If we take the early morning ferry that leave between 6am and 12 noon I don't see any need to get a cabin. Do you?

Thanks
Iggy

No need unless you want to rest a bit. cabins during day crossings are half price. I sometimes get a cabin during day crossings, but not always.

[great white]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Thanks. I just called reservations and 2014 schedule won't be out until late Nove early Dec 2013. So I have plenty of time to make reservations.

One more question. On the short ferry from Newfoundland back to Sidney.
If we take the early morning ferry that leave between 6am and 12 noon I don't see any need to get a cabin. Do you?

Thanks
Iggy

You dont need one.

But we always get one. Its only 55 bucks and gives a a nice place to lock up our stuff we take from the truck instead of lugging it around the whole crossing or a nice place for a nap.

Otherwise, you're sitting in the lounge seating or the cafeteria (the food on the boat is not what i would call good, its edible at best) on the way over.

Its not a horrible way to go, we've done it and it saves the price of the berth.

6 hours doesn't sound like a long trip and the boat looks pretty big in the pictures, but you run out of things to do in about 20 minutes and then it's entertain yourselves. Cards, games, etc are good things to have on hand in your backpack...

But naps eats up a couple hours easily and it's nice "in the bank" rest for the drive after the ferry.

There's no sleeping allowed anywhere on the boat except the berths or the "luxury chairs" on the top deck (you pay extra for those, more than a cabin iirc).

Sometimes they have a bit of live entertainment in the lounge. Local singers singing mostly local stuff. But Ive only seen it once in the 10 times we've crossed.

4 bunk cabins are the same as 2 bunk cabins. They just have "bunk bed" style bunks. For families with kids. All have bathrooms with shower and televisions.

[Iggy]

Wow. I just checked and 10 rigs are already signed up for the 2014 Caravan.
Max is 20 rigs.
So things are moving forward and the final draft itinerary is coming shortly.
I have been researching and gathering as much as I can read about all the providences. Weather, roadways, food, side trips, tours, sightsseeing, amimals and especially the history and the people. Halifax Nova Scotia looks very interesting but Newfoundland is way out there and that is similiar to living in Alaskia. I'm still thinking about that long 18 hr ferry ride and how the dog will do in the motorhome.
Anyone else out there been RVing in the Canadian maritime area?
What is your favorite location and why?
Food is goiing to be my big deal. Already found a buffet with all you can eat mussels. Now that's what I like.

[caper]

Baddeck NS have a Lobster supper. You get one lobster and all the chowder and mussels you can eat. After eating several bowls of mussels then you can have all the dessert you can handle. Most time I have another bowl of mussels for dessert.

[Rugged Brown]

The best lobster are the ones you buy yourself from fishermen selling them out of the back of their pick up trucks. Selling them now for $5-6 per pound. Picture shows an little indulgance this past weekend. As for side trips and beautiful vistas, you will see them on every turn in Newfoundland. I am particular partial to the Great Northern Peninsula. Beautiful scenery, small communities and friendly people abound. It will be an experience unlike any other you have had.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by caper

Baddeck NS have a Lobster supper. You get one lobster and all the chowder and mussels you can eat. After eating several bowls of mussels then you can have all the dessert you can handle. Most time I have another bowl of mussels for dessert.

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

The best lobster are the ones you buy yourself from fishermen selling them out of the back of their pick up trucks. Selling them now for $5-6 per pound. Picture shows an little indulgance this past weekend. As for side trips and beautiful vistas, you will see them on every turn in Newfoundland. I am particular partial to the Great Northern Peninsula. Beautiful scenery, small communities and friendly people abound. It will be an experience unlike any other you have had.

Amazing. Looking forward to my trip. If you didn't read the 1st message the 20 RV carivan that will last from June 19 to Aug 15th 2014.
Last msg I heard tyhe lobsters wer egoing for $4 a lb. Even at $6 it will be a treat. I just mentioned the chowder to my wife who loves that.
When is the actual lobster season start? When the ice melts?
Can't wait!
Thanks

[Iggy]

Well the countdown has started. We should leave Arizona heading to the Great Canadian Maritime area in a few weeks.
We have all campgrounds reserved and also the ferries to and from Newfoundland.
All we have to do is bring plenty of $$$$. The bank loan is almost done to pay for the 10,000 mile 3 month adventure.

Hopefully the weather will be reasonable crossing the USA in early June.

[Iggy]

Countdown 10 days before we head to the Bangor Maine for the start of our adventure!

[Iggy]

We made it from Arizona to our present location NW of Boston Mass.
The distance so far is almost exactly 3,000 miles.
Will stay here until Thursday June 18th then head to Bangor Maine to join up with the other 21 rigs for our Canadian Maritime Caravan.
Weather on the way here has been good and we dodged all the really bad storms.

[Rugged Brown]

How are things progressing Iggy.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

How are things progressing Iggy.

We are in Hopewell Cape NB in the Ponderosa Pines RV campground.
We will be here for 2 more nights then head to Halifax Nova Scotia.
We have rain today and it looks as if it will continue til we leave on Friday June 27th.
Good weather behind this front.

Having our first Canadian Lobster dinner tonight with our RV group.
Having lots of fun and trying to stay dry