Summary of COVID 19 Changes
We suggest that customers remain in their vehicle while crossing. If you opt to exit your vehicle and are unable to social distance, please wear a mask.
- Effective Saturday May 22, 2021 walk on passengers are now allowed on the boats. Passengers must wear a mask when inside the lounges on the boats.
Announcement May 20, 2021
Effective Saturday May 22, 2021 walk on passengers will be allowed on the boats. All passengers must wear a mask when inside the lounges.
Announcement March 31, 2021
The Burlington, VT – Port Kent, NY crossing will be closed for the 2021 season due to COVID. We will reevaluate spring of 2022.
Announcement June 1, 2020
The Grand Isle, VT – Plattsburgh, NY crossing will be at three boat service Monday – Friday. Two boat service will be scheduled on the weekends with the exception of Saturdays through the months of July and August as we will add an additional third boat to help with traffic needs.
Announcement May 14, 2020
Effective Friday May 15, 2020, bicyclists may take our ferries.
Please note that waiting rooms, restrooms and boat lounges are closed to the public, cyclists will have to remain on the main deck.
Announcement April 20, 2020
Charlotte, VT – Essex, NY crossing will reopen for service on May 1st, 2020.
Grand Isle, VT – Plattsburgh, NY will continue to run on the modified schedule for 2 boat service.
Announcement March 20, 2020
Effective Monday, March 23rd, the Grand Isle, VT / Cumberland Head, NY ferry crossing will go to two-boat service until further notice.
The website schedule will be updated; in the interim, the schedule can be found in this PDF document.
Announcement March 18, 2020
Grand Isle Crossing Remains Open!
Our highest priority is to continue ferry service between Vermont and New York. With the traffic significantly reduced at both crossings, it is necessary to mobilize all of our resources to sustain service at the Grand Isle/Cumberland Head Crossing.
We recognize that this is not an ideal situation, however, these are highly unusual times. We are temporarily suspending service between Charlotte and Essex until further notice effective at end of schedule on Thursday, March 19th.
This is a fluid situation and we will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
Announcement March 16, 2020
March 16, 2020
To Our Customers:
These are unusual times which require unusual actions. Our highest priority is to safeguard the health of our customers and employees. In order to reduce contact, we have decided to temporarily employ the following new policies:
Effective Wednesday, March 18 at 12:00 AM.
- Travel will be restricted to vehicles and their passengers only. There will be no walk-ons.
- We suggest customers remain in their vehicles.
- In an effort to minimize contact, we are asking that the passenger lounge only be accessed in the event of an emergency.
- All restrooms on the dock and on the vessels will be closed as well. There will be a porta let available on the Essex Dock and the Cumberland Head Dock.
- The Main Office in Burlington will be closed to the public. Please call the office at 864-9804 and we will work with you to accommodate your needs.
- Please consider purchasing a Stored Value Card. This form of payment requires the least amount of contact. Please call the office for details (802) 864-9804.
- Ticket Booths in Essex/Charlotte will reopen.
We sincerely appreciate your cooperation during these challenging times. By taking these aggressive steps, we hope to safeguard the health of our customers and employees and see a more rapid return to our normal practices.
Best Regards,
Lake Champlain Ferries
Announcement March 13, 2020
March 13, 2020
Dear Lake Champlain Ferries Customers,
The health and safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority, so we wanted to take a moment to update you about the steps we are taking to address our shared health and safety concerns in light of the presence of COVID 19.
As you know, COVID 19 can be spread by coughing and sneezing and through close contact with an infected person or object carrying the virus.
To this end, in an effort to prevent its spread, Lake Champlain Ferries has increased the frequency of cleaning onboard all of our ferries and terminals using cleaning agents that are deemed effective and safe for these purposes by the CDC.
In addition to taking the personal health preparedness steps that have been circulating widely in the news (wash your hands, don’t touch your face, cover coughs and sneezes) there are some other things passengers might consider doing to protect themselves while on the ferry. For example, those who drive onto the ferry are welcome to stay in their vehicle for the duration of the crossing to avoid congested public areas. Those in the passenger cabin should try to maintain a personal distance of six feet which according to the CDC, is a safe distance to avoid catching most respiratory viruses. In addition, practice safe handling of your paper tickets when passing to crew members.
Lake Champlain Ferries will continue to be diligent in our efforts to help prevent the spread of COVID 19 we ask for your cooperation in doing the same, and we will provide updates should conditions change.
Go to www.ferries.com to sign up for our text and e-mail notifications for updates.
Sincerely,
Lake Champlain Ferries
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