Nova Star

Some changes on Nova Star as of today, May 14.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/yarmouth-ferry-slashes-prices-lets-children-sail-for-free-1.2642604

It also revised its pets policy. Cats and dogs can travel in one of 11 kennels, or be left in the owner's vehicle. Nova Star says owners won't have access to pets left in cars for the trip, so they should ensure the animal has enough water.

The ship makes its first trip Thursday.

:C

retraite wrote:
So, it would seem that our kitties could avoid their kennels. But, I didn't ask about the pet fare, and they only answered exactly what I asked.

I would assume the pet fee is for the use of their kennels. No kennel - no fee.

On April 15, I asked the following question of NovaStar via their website:

If a reservation was for our RV (completely self-contained at 37'), two adults and we book a cabin, may we leave our two cats in their crates/cages INSIDE our RV for the duration of the crossing.

I do realize we would have no access to them from embarkation 'til debarkation, but, from experience, our kitties would be MUCH more comfortable, and feel much safer, in their familiar surroundings.

Would that be permissible?

Thanks.

And, they answered on May 4:

Yes that is permissible.
Thank you for your question.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard Nova Star.
Nova Star Cruises Ltd.

www.novastarcruises.com

So, it would seem that our kitties could avoid their kennels. But, I didn't ask about the pet fare, and they only answered exactly what I asked.

Cheers.

RichB3125 wrote:
When I visited the website, it appears you can not leave your pets in your RV. That's a big downer for us. We'd much prefer to just leave the cat in the coach. And there is a substantial fee for kenneling your pet and you can't visit during the trip. I gave them some feedback--we'll see if they change in the future.

Our position is the same. I used the "Ask a question" link from the bottom of their homepage, framed the same question on April 15 - even offering to pay the fee (somewhat spendy IMHO) if we could leave our cats in our rig - and, so far, no response. The "Ask a question" did require an email address.

We're unwilling to have our cats spend the trip in a kennel which we can't confirm is clean and safe (especially healthwise). We know what the environment in our rig is safe for them and we sure don't want a problem while we're travelling.

Ah well, it's only about 800 more miles.

Cheers.

When I visited the website, it appears you can not leave your pets in your RV. That's a big downer for us. We'd much prefer to just leave the cat in the coach. And there is a substantial fee for kenneling your pet and you can't visit during the trip. I gave them some feedback--we'll see if they change in the future.

I used to live near Yarmouth. 11 hours to N. Sydney and the ferry to Newfoundland.

Then again, when I lived on NL, on the west coast, Vesey's Seeds of PEI called me up and wanted me to attend a do they were putting on in St. John's. Couldn't I come to SJ for an hour's meet and greet and show? It was 8 hours for that drive in those days.

Some people think they can 'do' the three Maritimes provinces in a week.


:R

I would hate to discourage people from using this "cruise ferry" but it's too expensive for me to use. One way would be about the same as what we paid for a round trip to Newfoundland last summer. With NFLD you have no choice but to use the ferry - this summer when we head down to Boston we will be driving around.

I hope things work out for the people of Yarmouth who's economy has suffered since the loss of the CAT.

Funny story: about 20 years ago I was about an hour from Yarmouth and was talking to an older couple from Boston. They wanted to know if it would be possible for them to get to Halifax (2 hours away) look around, go to Peggy's Cove (about 40 minutes out of Halifax), then drive to Cape Breton (about 5 hours from Halifax) so they could tour Fortress Louisbourg (takes at least a day) and then catch the ferry back to Maine that same day. Nova Scotia might look small on a map but you can't do all that in about 10 hours.

Glad to see this! We traveled on the "Cat" some years ago while in Maine. Were saddened when we learned it had been discontinued. This should be a great tourist booster! Congrats!!

But, a quick look at summer fares for our RV, two folks, a cabin and the "extra" they charge for our critters - it's bumping right on $1,000.

The "extra" miles are not quite 800, assuming one would drive from Portland to Yarmouth, so it's not quite the "no brainer" as compared to when we did it some years ago.

But, at least, now there's a choice.

Cheers.

Just in time....
A few trial runs... and ready for the tourist season.