This summer, BC Ferries is bringing something new to the table—literally!
The beloved Pacific Buffet, which was closed in 2020, is being replaced with Seascapes Lounge, a paid-access space offering premium dining space designed to give passengers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere while they enjoy their ferry ride.
Seascapes Lounge, located aboard the Spirit class vessels (Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island), will be available for a $6 entry fee, including tax.
That price gets you access to unlimited coffee, tea, and fountain beverages, with additional menu items for purchase including local beer, wine and artisan dishes.
The idea for the Seascapes Lounge came from feedback that BC Ferries gathered from over 10,000 passengers last year.
Many sought a quiet, special space for meals away from casual areas like the Coastal Café. BC Ferries responded with a cozy, upscale setting for added comfort during the trip.
“We know our customers want a space that’s peaceful and feels like an upgrade from what we’ve had before,” said Melanie Lucia, BC Ferries’ VP of Customer Experience. “Seascapes Lounge delivers that while also easing some of the crowding in the Coastal Café.”
The lounge is set to open just in time for the busy summer travel season, replacing the underused and unprofitable Pacific Buffet. BC Ferries said the new concept is designed to better serve today’s ferry passengers while enhancing the company’s overall financial stability.
For passengers who are still fans of the other dining options, the Coastal Café will remain, serving casual meals like burgers and salads, and the Arbutus Coffee Bar will continue to offer snacks and beverages.
The Seascapes Lounge is expected to bring in $1.3 million annually, helping cover rising operational costs while allowing BC Ferries to continue investing in its services.
If the lounge proves to be a hit on the Spirit class vessels, BC Ferries is considering expanding it to other ships like the Coastal Celebration.
The new dining area follows the closure of the Pacific Buffet on the Spirit of British Columbia, Spirit of Vancouver Island, and Coastal Celebration vessels in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BC Ferries had provided the Pacific Buffet service on its Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route for an impressive span of 44 years.