B.C. Ferries’ Seawest Lounge — a haven for some ferry travellers — has reopened after being shut down due to the pandemic.
That’s welcome news for its fans, who are happy to shell out $14 to sit in extra-comfy seats (spaced apart) and relax or work during the crossing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen.
One writer enthused on Twitter: “I’ve never been so excited to give @BCFerries my money.”
The Spirit of British Columbia and the Spirit of Vancouver Island are the only ferries with the lounge.
“We have reopened the area as it is a popular amenity with our customers and provides more sitting space on the site,” B.C. Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said Thursday.
The entry fee includes unlimited coffee, tea and snacks, and newspapers and magazines.
B.C. Ferries took to Twitter to share snack details, saying that in the morning, the lounge will typically serve “pastries such as banana loaf and mini-croissants, mini yogurts, orange juice, apple juice and oatmeal.” In the afternoons, it’ll be oat bars, mini-donuts, roasted almonds, cheese and crackers.
The lounge does not have an age restriction, but it pretty much only attracts adults.
Other sections of the ferry, such as the children’s play area, are more suitable for younger passengers, Marshall said.
A sign posted near the entrance asks guest to keep noise levels down.
B.C. Ferries cautions that there may be times, such as during the upcoming busy holiday season, when the Seawest Lounge might be closed beause staff are redeployed to extra sailngs on the route.
As for the beloved Pacific Buffet — another casualty of the pandemic — there’s no word yet on its future.
B.C. Ferries said on Twitter that it has been unable to reopen the buffet due to lack of crew. Marshall said B.C. Ferries is looking at options for reopening it in the future.
