Frequently Asked Ferry Questions

All travellers whether personal vehicle or walk-on, are strongly encouraged to make a reservation. A reservation will guarantee your spot, ensure a quicker check-in, and allow us to plan the loading of vehicles. Book your spot online or call 1-877-762-7245 to make a reservation.

  • A valid passport and/or VISA is required for entry to Canada or United States; permanent resident card; enhanced driver’s license (MI, MN, NY, VT, WA; ON, BC, MB); or passport card. Please note that NEXUS is not available in Yarmouth or Bar Harbor.
  • Dates of birth (for all passengers)
  • Credit card
  • Email address and mobile number where you can be reached while traveling
  • If you are traveling with a vehicle: license plate number and overall length and height of the vehicle or vehicles with items attached to the roof/back or towing.

If using a rental vehicle, please enter “RENTAL” in the license plate field when booking online.

Spyders/slingshots can take up the same amount of lane meters as a regular passenger vehicle, up to (less than 7′ high and 20′ long).

More Than 90 Minutes Prior to Departure

  • Free Change and Cancellation.
  • Visit Manage Reservation to change or cancel your booking using your email and confirmation number. For step-by-step instructions, click here.
  • You can also call us toll-free at 1-877-762-7245 for assistance.

Within 90 Minutes of Departure

  • Free Change and Cancellation.
  • Customers must call the departure ferry terminal for adjustments.

No Show

  • $25 No Show Fee (USD)
  • Customers must call the departure ferry terminal for reimbursement.

Bay Ferries, operators of The CAT, will send you an email advisory and options on how to rebook or cancel your reservations.

If you have not provided an email address, our agents will attempt to call you as soon as possible.

Please be sure to give us contact information (both email and mobile phone) that you will have access to while traveling. If you are traveling out of country, please keep cell phone data access in mind.

When in doubt, please call our toll free line or ferry terminals – they will be able to advise you of service interruptions and help you rebook/cancel.

The CAT ferry boarding cards are printed at check-in. All passengers on a reservation must check-in together and present their passport for ID verification. If traveling in a vehicle, you must also verify your vehicle license plate number.

All passengers are required to clear Customs before they have access to public areas. Family and friends can meet you in the terminal lobby.

Parking is not available at the Yarmouth ferry terminal; however, there is parking available nearby. To arrange parking in Yarmouth, please call 902-740-3791. Please plan and leave ample time to get to the ferry terminal from the parking facility. An onsite parking lot is available for use at the Bar Harbor ferry terminal for a fee of $12/night. Payment for parking in Bar Harbor is collected at the ferry terminal.

In Bar Harbor, RVs will back on/back off the vessel. It is a very straightforward process with plenty of space to maneuver and you will be directed by an experienced crew member. Alternatively, drivers may sign a waiver to allow a vessel crew member to back their vehicle on board. In Yarmouth, RVs and oversize vehicles will drive on/drive off the vessel.

Safety regulations require passengers to exit their vehicles during the voyage. There is also no access to the vehicle until it's time disembark. 

No.

To support the health and wellness of our passengers and employees, Bay Ferries Limited provides a smoke-free environment on board The CAT. Smoking is not permitted including vapor products, e-cigarettes and cannabis.

Duty-free shopping for alcohol and other usual duty-free products is not offered on board or in either port/port town.

The Forchu Lounge serves a selection of wines, beers, as well as cocktails and spirits (some locally made in Nova Scotia). Passengers must be 21 years of age to obtain alcoholic beverages on The CAT and are responsible for strict compliance with driving/alcohol laws in the U.S. and Canada.

There are three partnerships that work together seamlessly to provide an enjoyable onboard passenger experience. If you are a safety-focused team player with strong customer service skills and a desire to serve ferry customers, please consider working for one of our partners: 

Concession & Gift Shop Retail Services: Sip@Sea Café, an affiliate of Sip Café, based on Main Street in downtown Yarmouth, offers freshly made food, snacks, specialty coffees and souvenirs on board The CAT. 

Tourism Services: Yarmouth & Acadian Shores offers tourism information at our onboard Visitor Information Center. 

How do I apply for a job in Bar Harbor with shore-side services? Please contact our U.S. contractor, Atlantic Fleet Services at [email protected] for ticket clerk and traffic direction positions. 

Vessel and Cabin crew: Seaward Services Inc., is a proud member of the HMS Global Maritime family of companies and is contracted by Bay Ferries Limited to provide vessel and cabin crew on board The CAT. Employment opportunities on the Alakai can be found here.