Are you about to take the ferry to Newfoundland and wondering how you can catch some rest, or even a full nights sleep without a sleeping cabin? Maybe you’re thrifty and prefer to spend the money on a luxury Newfoundland hotel after you arrive, or maybe you waited too long and found out all the cabins are booked. Also, you might fall into the category of folks who thought this crossing would be like the sailing to Vancouver Island from Vancouver, just long enough to have lunch, only to look on in disbelief when told how long the voyage actually is.
How Long Is the Ferry to Newfoundland and Should I Sleep on The Journey?
It’s always great to take a snooze on the ferry to Newfoundland, and double so if you’re the driver of a vehicle. The crossing is long. Even the short crossing to Port Aux Basques can take 8 hours. The crossing between North Sydney and Argentina takes 16 hours. That’s a long time to go without sleeping.
Are There Sleeping Cabins on The Ferry to Newfoundland ?
Yes, the Marine Atlantic ferries between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland have sleeping cabins, complete with showers and televisions. These are quite comfortable, and if you’re one of the lucky few who heeded the advice of our Newfoundland Ferry news feed everything you need to know about booking the ferry to Newfoundland you made your reservation ages ago and are sleeping easy during the crossing.
Also, if you are one of the passengers who booked their crossing on the newest Newfoundland ferry launched in 2024, The Ala’suinu, then you’ll be treated to extra comforts like brand new modern cabins that look and feel larger, offer more comforts, and see you sailing on a brand new natural gas fuelled environmentally friendly ferry. If you don’t have a cabin booked and are still wondering how to sleep on the ferry to Newfoundland, keep reading.
Sleeping Cabin Wait List
If the cabins on the ferry to Newfoundland are full and you still really want one, don’t worry, there is still hope. If you haven’t already done so, when you check in, ask the agent if you can join the wait list. If you are already on board, ask the bursar’s office if there is a waitlist to join. Often times passengers with existing Newfoundland ferry reservations will miss the ferry. If they do, you can reserve a cabin for your Newfoundland ferry crossing.
Sleeping Chairs
Did you know you can pay just a little extra for a dedicated seat in a special area of the ship? While these are not full sleeping beds they do recline like a business class airplane seat. They also give you a dedicated seat to sit in, which means even if the vessel is full, you don’t need to jockey for position in a competition for the best seats. Families with small children sometimes really appreciate this little luxury. Basically it’s a big glass room you access with a keycard where they dim the lights at night and keep the noise to minimum.
Want to know how much it costs and how to book a cabin or reserved seat on the Newfoundland ferry you can check prices and make real time reservations on the Marine Atlantic website.
Can I Sleep in My Car, Van, or Motorhome on The Newfoundland Ferry?
The answer to that is a hard no. It’s forbidden to be on the vehicle deck during the crossing for a whole bunch of important safety reasons. It’s not an option.
Sleeping on The Outside Deck of The Ferry to Newfoundland
In the day during fine weather it’s not uncommon to see people taking a nap outside in the sun. Sometimes when it’s sunny, if you’re not careful, you’ll wake up tan on one side. Nice sunny days on the ferry to Newfoundland require sunscreen.
Often times, however, the weather can be inclement preventing easy sleeping on the outside decks. You’re not technically permitted to sleep or lay on the ground during the crossing, but kicking back on an empty bench is usually cool, especially if it’s not crowded on board.
Sleeping in The Public Seating Area on The Ferry to Newfoundland
The public seating areas on the ferry to Newfoundland are fantastic. There are several to choose from, some playing movies, some closer to the restaurant and amenities, and all with reasonably comfortable seats. To make the ferry crossing to Newfoundland more comfortable, ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones, eye covering, a neck pillow, and a blanket can make a big difference when helping you get some shut eye or deep sleep on the ferry crossing to Newfoundland.
Sleeping on The Floor
As mentioned above, sleeping on the floor on the ferry to Newfoundland is not permitted. Depending on the crossing, however, you will see passengers doing this from time to time. We are not here to tell you what to do, but if you do choose to break the rules, it’s good to do it discreetly and within reason.
Blocking an emergency exit with your blow-up mattress is not reasonable, but we totally understand and appreciate how important it is to get some sleep on the ferry.
Whatever your travel style is and however you choose to spend your time on the ferry to Newfoundland, we want you to truly enjoy your experience. We also want you to get some rest on the Newfoundland ferry because Newfoundland Moose are an ever present danger on highways, especially at night, and we want you to be alert so you can enjoy all the beautiful scenery. Above all, we just want you to be happy.
