Check schedules and arrive early BC Ferries advises holiday travellers

After three days working red-eye flights between Toronto and Vancouver, flight attendant Lara Orsi got up before dawn this morning to catch a bus to make the first ferry home to Nanaimo, B.C.

But when her bus arrived at the terminal she found out the 6:30 a.m. ferry has already sailed away at 6:20 a.m.

"She gets there and just misses it, so she can see the ferry sailing away," said her husband Desmond Hiles.

Along with the rest of the bus passengers who missed the Horseshoe Bay connection, Orsi was stuck at the terminal laden with luggage and parcels, waiting another two hours for the next boat.

"She's a little upset. She's tired. She's been doing red-eyes for three days," said Hiles, who took to Twitter with some colourful language to post the couple's mutual frustration.

BC Ferries tweeted an apology, explaining that the schedule was changed to work in more sailings and noted the changes are posted in advance, up to 2018.

As for Orsi, her husband says he's considering greeting her with flowers or even a foot rub when she finally gets home.

Busiest days yet to come

Meanwhile on the ferries on Friday morning, things are busy but there are no significant delays. 

But that could soon change, warns BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall, and travellers are advised to arrive in plenty of time for their scheduled sailings.

"No issues, but we do expect to be quite busy today, and then traffic will pick up again on Boxing Day, Dec 27 and 28," said Marshall.