FAQs

Learn more about Pacific Coastal Cruises & Tours

Inclusions

  • All resort accommodation as indicated in your itinerary.
  • All meals, commencing with afternoon tea on embarkation and ending with breakfast on departure day. Included are also all meals at the resorts and gratuities for food service onshore. Beside the main meals onboard, a variety of snacks, teas, cocktail bites, and beverages onboard are also included.
  • The services of our onboard crew manager and naturalist. During your cruise, our seasoned naturalist will share highlights of our journey, local folklore, the environment and of course, wildlife viewing.
  • Luggage services at the various resorts and separate luggage transport if applicable, also luggage handling onboard is included.
  • Gratuities* (see Gratuities)


How to Reserve and Book

Reservations are made by contacting Pacific Coastal Cruises at info@coastalcruises.ca or by calling us directly at 604-566-8033. You may also book through your travel agent.


Booking Deposits, Final Payment

To secure reservations, a deposit of $500.00 must be received within 14 days of your reservation request. Final payment is due 60 days prior to your cruise date. In most cases, we are able to provide you with the travel documents including your cruise contract, at approximately 30 days prior to departure. These documents, however, are only issued after final payment has been received.


Cancellations

On the rare occasion a passenger must cancel a cruise, the following cancellation charges will apply, and refunds will be made upon written request. No refund in whole or in part can be made to passengers who do not choose to complete the cruise program once it commences. Cancellation insurance is available through your travel agent or directly through Pacific Coastal Cruises.

Per Person Cancellation Charges

61-days prior to departure or beforeFull Refund Issued
60-46 days prior to departure25% of gross fare
45-30 days prior to departure50% of gross fare
29-15 days prior to departure75% of gross fare
14 days prior to departure100% of gross fare

Refunds
Refunds cannot be made on unused portions of the cruise, tours, transfers, or individual features voluntarily cancelled or omitted by the passenger.


Arrival and Departure Transport

At time of booking confirmation, Pacific Coastal will assist in transportation arrangements to and from the departure and arrival destinations. Departure times will be confirmed at time of final payment. Included in the cruise rates are the following transportation services.

  • The Southern Gulf Islands of the Salish Sea - from Nanaimo to Lady Smith and return
  • Desolation Sound Explorer - from Powell River Airport to our dock and return
  • Inside Passage Cruises -Operating both North and South Bound ground transportation services included are as follows:
    • Northbound: Arrival in Powell River and departure from Telegraph Cove to Powell River via Comox ferry
    • Southbound: Arrival in Powell River and transport to Telegraph Cove from Lund to Powell River
  • The Migration of the Gray Whales – Operating in 2025 from Nanaimo to Port Alberni and return to Nanaimo


Parking

If you plan to drive to your departure or arrival destinations, please note that parking fees are not covered. However, Pacific Coastal Cruises is here to help! We can provide recommendations for parking and offer directions to suitable locations. Kindly share your arrival and departure details with us during the final payment process.


Gratuities

For all onshore services, such as meals, housekeeping, and local guides are included in the overall cost. However, we are often asked whether it is appropriate to tip the naturalist and crew. We have considered including such gratuities in the overall costs, however we always come back to the belief that recognizing the effects of excellent service is a personal matter. If you agree that our crew has made your trip an exceptional trip, gratuities for their efforts are always welcome. We suggest $45.00 per person/day for crew.


Fares Do Not Include

  • 5% Federal Tax
  • Cost for Airfare, or if you drive, parking (parking recommendations will be given in confirmation)
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages at the resorts are not included.
  • Individual excursions such as fishing are not included


Insurance

We highly recommend that all passengers secure trip insurance. Given that our cruises venture into wilderness areas and often stop at remote locations, having adequate insurance coverage is crucial. If you're considering using credit card insurance, be aware that many credit card insurances may not cover our trips. We advise checking with your card provider. Pacific Coastal Cruises is also available to assist with insurance needs and can issue policies directly.


Liability Disclaimer – The Not So Fine Print

Pacific Coastal Cruises and Tours Ltd. holds itself free of any liability for any injury, damage, loss, or delay from whatever the cause. Pacific Coastal Cruises will endeavour to follow the scheduled itinerary as closely as possible, however reserves the right whether or not for causes beyond its control, to consume extra days, to abandon the cruise, to cut the cruise short, to change the itinerary, sailing dates, embarkation hours, to omit any of the ports listed in the cruise, to continue the cruise by bus, and to withdraw the cruise before sailing date without obligation or liability to the passenger for any loss, damage, or expense other than to refund the passenger, in whole or in part, any amounts paid to the company on account of passage money. Pacific Coastal Cruises neither controls, nor operates, nor is it responsible for the actions of independent contractors such as airlines, railroad companies, tour operators, ground transports or hotels. Pacific Coastal Cruises denies any responsibility or liability for late arrival of your flight or train or for any illness, injury, damage loss of cruise time or other irregularities resulting therefrom. Pacific Coastal Cruises reserves the right to refuse or discontinue passage to anyone when in our judgement, it would be considered a risk to their own well-being or that of any other passenger.


Weather

Pacific Coastal Cruises and Tours Ltd. is not responsible for delays, deviations, cancellation, damage to property, sickness or injury to persons arising from adverse weather conditions.


Frequently Asked Questions

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Or email us at

info@coastalcruises.ca