Resumption of Argentia Service & Schedule Impacts
Following several successful days of port trials and integration activities, Marine Atlantic is pleased to advise that the Argentia service will begin on Wednesday, July 10, with the first official crossing of the Ala’suinu to depart North Sydney at approximately 17:30.
While the Argentia service will officially start July 10, there will be an additional impact to the July 17-18 crossings. Due to requirements to complete familiarization and drills as part of Marine Atlantic’s safety management system, and the availability of personnel to complete these activities, two days are being set aside for additional port trials.
Customers impacted by the cancellation of the July 17-18 Argentia crossings will be re-routed through the Gulf service (Port aux Basques – North Sydney).
To learn how your travel may be impacted, please view the table below.
Travel Impacts
Travel on Argentia Route
Due to requirements to complete familiarization and drills as part of Marine Atlantic’s safety management system, and the availability of personnel to complete these activities, sailings on the Argentia - North Sydney service on the Ala’suinu on July 17-18, 2024, are cancelled. Customers impacted will be re-routed through the Gulf service (Port aux Basques – North Sydney).
Customers will be automatically rebooked on the next available departure and will receive an email notification and an SMS message with updated travel information. Customers who wish to amend their travel plans after being rescheduled are encouraged to amend online or contact Reservations at 1-800-341-7981.
Please note - we have temporarily revised our check-in time. Passengers must be checked-in at least three hours before the vessel’s scheduled sailing time.
Compensation for this disruption to the Argentia Service will also be provided, as outlined below.
$200 Voucher
For every senior on cancelled sailings.
$200 Voucher
For every adult on cancelled sailings.
$100 Voucher
For every child on cancelled sailings.
Refunds
For lost accommodations on rescheduled sailings.
Price Difference Refunds
For customers who chose to travel through the Gulf service.
Full Refunds
For customers who choose to cancel after sailings are rescheduled.
- All vouchers are valid for one year, are non-transferrable and of no cash value.
- Customers who choose to cancel Argentia bookings, or change to the Gulf route, before sailings are cancelled by Marine Atlantic will not receive compensation.
- Customers will be issued vouchers based on impacted departures. Customers with return bookings where both travel segments are impacted will receive compensation for both.
- Customers will receive their travel vouchers by mail within approximately 6-8 weeks.
- Customers who wish to have vouchers applied to an existing booking, not exceeding the price of the booking, may contact Customer Relations.
Travel on Gulf Route
To increase available capacity on the Port aux Basques - North Sydney service during this period, and to transport impacted Argentia customers, we are adjusting our schedule to add additional crossings. Customers impacted by these schedule changes will receive an email notification and an SMS message with updated travel information.
Where applicable, customers will be automatically rebooked on revised departure time. Customers who wish to amend their travel plans after being rescheduled are encouraged to do so online or contact our call centre at 1-800-341-7981.
While the introduction of additional crossings on the Port aux Basques service will add more capacity, it will also result in non-traditional sailing times, including the introduction of late-night and early-morning departure and arrival times.
Please note - we have temporarily revised our check-in time. Passengers must be checked-in at least three hours before the vessel’s scheduled sailing time.
Compensation for this disruption to the Gulf Service will also be provided, as outlined below.
$20 Meal Voucher
Per passenger, for sailings delayed between 5 and 13 hours.
Commercial Travel
Due to requirements to complete familiarization and drills as part of Marine Atlantic’s safety management system, and the availability of personnel to complete these activities, sailings on the Argentia - North Sydney service on the Ala’suinu on July 17-18, 2024, are cancelled. Commercial customers with pre-booked units on the Argentia Service will be re-routed through the Gulf service (Port aux Basques – North Sydney).
To increase available capacity on the Port aux Basques - North Sydney service during this period, and to transport impacted Argentia customers, we are adjusting our schedule to add additional crossings.
While the introduction of additional crossings on the Port aux Basques service will add more capacity, it will also result in non-traditional sailing times. To add additional capacity, we have had to introduce late-night and early-morning departure and arrival times.
Commercial customers with pre-booked units who wish to amend their travel plans after being rescheduled are encouraged to contact our call centre at 1-800-341-7981.
Compensation for the interruption to the Argentia Service will also be provided, as outlined below.
$200 Voucher
For every commercial driver on cancelled Argentia sailings.
$200 voucher
For every drop and we-load unit on cancelled Argentia sailings.
$200 Voucher
For every adult/senior passenger on cancelled Argentia sailings.
$100 Voucher
For every child passenger on cancelled Argentia sailings.
Refunds
For lost accommodations on rescheduled sailings.
Price Difference Refunds
For pre-booked units rescheduled to the Gulf service.
Full Refunds
For pre-booked customers who choose to cancel after sailings are rescheduled.
- All vouchers are valid for one year, are non-transferrable and of no cash value.
- Customers who choose to cancel Argentia bookings, or change to the Gulf route, before sailings are cancelled by Marine Atlantic will not receive compensation.
- Customers will receive their travel vouchers by mail within approximately 6-8 weeks.
- Customers who wish to have vouchers applied to an existing booking, not exceeding the price of the booking, may contact Customer Relations.
Interim Sailing Schedule
Duration: Approximately 5.5 hours
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Duration: Approximately 5.5 hours
Duration: Approximately 5.5 hours
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Duration: Approximately 5.5 hours
Amend Your Travel Plans
Thank you for your patience as we reschedule our sailings. We ask that customers wait until updated travel information has been received through email or SMS before amending bookings.
For Online Bookings
For Telephone Bookings
Call Center Wait Times May Be Higher Than Expected
Customers impacted by this service interruption will be contacted via email and SMS with updated travel information. We look forward to serving you as soon as we can.
Find An Answer
Consult our frequently asked questions for a response.
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Speak With An Agent
Our agents are available to assist you over the phone from 07:00-23:00 (AT).
Questions and Answers
Why are the July 17-18 Argentia sailings being cancelled?
Why are the July 17-18 Argentia sailings being cancelled?
Due to requirements to complete familiarization and drills as part of Marine Atlantic’s safety management system, and the availability of personnel to complete these activities, additional time is being set aside for port trials.
Why weren’t these activities completed previously?
Why weren’t these activities completed previously?
Unfortunately, with the tight timelines associated with the integration schedule, as well as our accelerated schedule, and the availability of personnel, it was not possible to have all crew familiarized at the same time.
If these drills haven’t taken place yet, is it safe to sail the vessel?
If these drills haven’t taken place yet, is it safe to sail the vessel?
Yes, all required crew on the vessel up until the July 17 crossings have completed the necessary familiarization and drills as part of Marine Atlantic’s safety management system.
Have the issues with the fuel and lubrication system now been fixed?
Have the issues with the fuel and lubrication system now been fixed?
Yes, technicians are confident that the issues with the fuel and lubrication systems have now been rectified.
With these issues, how can you assure the safety of the vessel?
With these issues, how can you assure the safety of the vessel?
While this mechanical issue is unfortunate, the overall safety and integrity of the vessel has never been an issue. The Ala’suinu is a fully certified and approved vessel by international regulatory and inspection agencies, as well as Transport Canada.
Are you confident that there won’t be additional problems once the vessel enters service?
Are you confident that there won’t be additional problems once the vessel enters service?
Our technical teams and crews have worked very hard to prepare the Ala’suinu for service. We are hopeful that additional problems won’t be experienced once we move past this current challenge.
How will these changes impact cabin reservations?
How will these changes impact cabin reservations?
Unfortunately, with the switch from the Ala’suinu to another vessel we will not be able to accommodate all Argentia customers with their accommodations. Customers who do not receive equivalent accommodations on their updated itinerary will receive an accommodation refund.
I received a call from someone at Marine Atlantic saying I am entitled to a refund and/or voucher and they need my credit card details. Is this a legitimate call?
I received a call from someone at Marine Atlantic saying I am entitled to a refund and/or voucher and they need my credit card details. Is this a legitimate call?
Yes. Marine Atlantic announced a temporary schedule change because of the delay in the start of the Argentia service. Our first priority was to provide customers with their updated travel plan.
We are now in the process of completing refunds for customers rebooked to the Port aux Basques service during this period. Refunds for customers who have asked for applicable travel vouchers to be applied to their current bookings are also being done at this time.
In May 2024, we changed credit card payment systems therefore any customer who made their reservation prior to April 30, 2024, will require a manual refund. Our Reservation agents are contacting customers to complete this transaction. We thank you for your understanding. If you wish to end the call and initiate a new call with a Reservation agent to ensure you are speaking with a Marine Atlantic representative, we would be happy to speak with you at that time.
If you made your reservation on or after May 1, 2024, your refund will be made automatically and will appear on your card in the coming weeks.