Alaska DOT&PF announced that it will be phasing out bars on Alaska Marine Highway System ferries (http://www.dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch_2015/PR15-2501.shtml), six of which have bars. This is being portrayed as an economy move, in face of severely reduced state revenues from the plunge of oil prices, which already has put on hold some major projects such as the proposed Juneau access road and Knik Arm Bridge (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=11787.msg2031932#msg2031932).
Single-serve beer and wine will still be sold, with meals served in on-board cafeterias.
Noooooooo!!!!!!!
That was one of the best parts about 'driving' the Marine Highway. I had some of the best bar conversations ever aboard those vessels. Damn you DOT&PF!!
I just can't believe that a bar with a captive audience of boat passengers can possibly lose money.
Quote from: kkt on February 13, 2015, 11:42:02 AM
I just can't believe that a bar with a captive audience of boat passengers can possibly lose money.
IIRC, the bartenders (like other crew members) are represented by a maritime union. I don't know how common are unionized bartenders.
You'll still be able to buy beer and wine at the cash register station, I am told.
But the bars are a thing of the past now.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on February 11, 2015, 11:25:30 PM
Noooooooo!!!!!!!
That was one of the best parts about 'driving' the Marine Highway. I had some of the best bar conversations ever aboard those vessels. Damn you DOT&PF!!
You aren't the first person to have said that. Why, I get that kind of feedback on a regular basis. :-D
The only ferry I know with a true bar is the Orient-New London ferry. Lots of others have booze, but not a designated bar. Guess this means folks will have to step up their social outreach to drink with strangers.
The other nice thing about the bars was they were a refuge from marauding children being loud and annoying everywhere on the vessel.
What are they doing with the space now?
Quote from: triplemultiplex on April 02, 2015, 06:41:41 PM
The other nice thing about the bars was they were a refuge from marauding children being loud and annoying everywhere on the vessel.
What are they doing with the space now?
I called our public information officer and was told it will become public lounge space - even for people under 21! Also, the piano on the M/V Columbia is likely to stay. If so, everyone can play their little piano and sing their little song.
It might not be a bad idea, if it means that lower rates of drink driving are the result.
Quote from: Atomica on May 04, 2015, 12:41:41 AM
It might not be a bad idea, if it means that lower rates of drink driving are the result.
But when you're on the ferry for an entire day, that's not really a problem.
Now the question is, can you smoke weed in the smoking area now that Alaska legalized cannabis? :hmmm: :awesomeface:
Quote from: triplemultiplex on May 14, 2015, 02:59:12 PM
Quote from: Atomica on May 04, 2015, 12:41:41 AM
It might not be a bad idea, if it means that lower rates of drink driving are the result.
But when you're on the ferry for an entire day, that's not really a problem.
Several AMHS ferry routes are multi-day. For example, the M/V Kennicott takes six days to travel from Bellingham WA to Homer AK.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on May 14, 2015, 02:59:12 PM
Now the question is, can you smoke weed in the smoking area now that Alaska legalized cannabis? :hmmm: :awesomeface:
Nope, due to Federal regulations of ferries and other public transportation. http://gov.alaska.gov/Walker/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=7084
I've been on the Columbia, the Taku and the Matanuska this summer. The old bars on the first two were locked up. Only the Matanuska had the space open to the public for seating and, well, sleeping. Looks like they were using the Columbia's bar for storage based on the glimpse I got when a crew member used the door.
So whatever plans they have for them are not fully implemented.
Perhaps they could do a BYOB and charge for setups?
Quote from: triplemultiplex on April 02, 2015, 06:41:41 PM
The other nice thing about the bars was they were a refuge from marauding children being loud and annoying everywhere on the vessel.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Forig09.deviantart.net%2Fe801%2Ff%2F2012%2F138%2Fb%2F6%2Fscreaming_children_everywhere_by_starlight_arkaman-d50a0bg.jpg&hash=ccbde13ff616c8ad32c672a162baad1fa1bb506c)