“What a wonderful adventure! Thanks for all for your good care, great food and just making it a marvelous time! ”

– Mary and Randy, Campbell River B.C.

“Thank you to the Campbell Family for your care of the COLUMBIA III. Your love of the coast is evident everywhere – in your boat, your excursions, your guides and in your respect for both the settler and First Nations culture and history. Thank you for your gift. See you next year.” 

– Jackie, Vancouver Island, B.C.

“I feel like I spent the last five days in someone’s home: warm and intimate, but also deeply knowledgeable and with a consistent and classy philosophical approach . . . and a kick-ass cook! Thanks. Can’t wait for my next trip.”

– Mike, Vancouver Island, B.C.

“Thank you for another marvelous adventures: food sights, stories, history and whales.”

 – Bill and Alaine, Vancouver Island, B.C. 2017, 2018, and booked for another tour later in 2018!

“Thanks for an outstanding trip. The captain and crew were “above and beyond” to ensure everyone was happy. Great boat, great food, in the best place in the world. First class people running a first class operation. Highlight of the summer. Keep it coming.”

 – Kevin, Vancouver BC 2005

“Thanks for an amazing trip. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the BC coast and its history. I felt I really got a sense of the First Nations presence in this area for the first time.”

– Lynn, Vancouver BC 2011, 2013, 2014

“Thanks again to the Campbell Family. A great coastal “experience” is created by your hospitality and an outstanding week of fun, laughter, and wildlife. You create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. You keep the trip fun and are the role model experience that others should aspire to. Thank-you.”

–  Kevin (again!), Vancouver BC 2007

“The food and service would rival any I have ever experienced; the professionalism, knowledge, and friendliness of the family crew were beyond comparison.” 

– Bill Vanderford – Bill has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide.

“For Captain Campbell and crew – Thank-you for your competence, caring, professionalism and camaraderie. The ‘grub’ was superior to what we had on both the QE II and the QM III (no kidding!!) We appreciate the comfort, cleanliness and ambience of the Columbia III. We bonded with the crew and passengers. The kayaking was more than we hoped for – Fantastic! In fact we loved the trip so much we have already signed up for August 2009.” 

– John and Jeanne, Florida

“These few days spent on the Columbia III truly have been some of the most incredible days of my life so far. Wish I could wrap it all up! J Starting off with Fern’s incredible cooking, then onto our days on the water and topping it off with laughter, music, and phenomenal company (and more great food) and peaceful slumber. Thank you once again! It feels like I have a new extended family! Love and peace to you all! See you next year!!” 

– Kim and Duane, Jacksonville Florida 2014

“Thank-you for the never-ending supply of delicious and healthful meals. The variety you offered was equaled by the presentation. We looked forward every day to what new delights awaited us. And thank-you for sharing your recipes – I will be thinking of you and the Columbia III every time I make ‘Fern’s Couscous salad’.”

– Kathie and Bill, Zeballos BC 2007

“Thank you for taking such good care of me – with my vegan diet. It has been a real delight to travel on the Columbia III thanks to your wonderful hospitality.” 

– Marcia, Victoria B.C.

“Spectacular! Paddling was delightful, food out-of-this-world, ship perfect size, class, etc., and awesome guides. You have a great team.”

– Jim and Kay. Montana, USA 2005, 2006, 2009

“Loved the home-cooked meals… from the tasty soup, fresh crab, and wild salmon to the freshly baked rosemary bread and blueberry muffins. The cheese scones are to die for… yummy! I not only liked the homemade cooking but most of all, the top of the world service was out of this world!”

– Condrea Jung

“Beyond my expectations in every way. Thank-you so much for taking such great care of my weird diet!”

– Maureen, B.C. 2008, 2009, 2011

“We wish to thank you from our deepest souls for this incredible week we have shared with you. You welcomed us with open arms from the moment we stepped onto the Columbia III Your hospitality was far beyond all expectations. Fern, your food was an absolute highlight – so nourishing to our souls and bodies . And the kayaking adventures will be a lifetime memory – Thank you so much Steve and Luke !! And Ross, thanks for bringing us close to incredible wildlife – eagles feeding orcas, humpbacks and wolf tracks! Your love and appreciation for this wonderful place in which you live is contagious – we look forward to returning soon. We thank you for this incredible gift you’ve given us! With all our love.”

– Mickey and Sue California, USA 2012

“You are the perfect crew. I was told that the Mothership experience was to be lived. I’m so glad I did and fortunate that I have been part of this journey. I came out of this trip far more knowledgeable and appreciative of our country and culture. You have such warmth and attention to detail that the trip was so seamless. You are a great and dedicated team. Thank you for your generous sharing and flexibility. The food, wildlife and kayaking are and will be fond memories along with the opportunity of meeting great people.”

– Nicole, ON, Canada. 2012

“Coming back after 7 years was a really great experience. This was a fabulous trip again. Thanks to Ross and the whole crew!”

– Bernd, Jon, Sven and Sabine, Germany 2007, 2014

“This has been a magical trip, we have enjoyed everything! Thank you for your wonderful hospitality on this comfortable ship.”

– Dan & Lynne, British Columbia. Broughton Archipelago 2010, Great Bear Rainforest 2012

“First time in this part of BC. First time kayaking tourer. Got upgraded from absolute newbie to novice during the trip! Not bad for an old desert rat! The food was absolutely fabulous! You are a great crew . . you were almost like friends I hadn’t met before, rather than a ‘company crew’. Hope to see you next fall for the ‘Great Bear Rainforest’ paddling trip.”

– Howard, 2008

“Thank you so much for your welcoming and generous hospitality! And for your caring thoughtfulness in looking after us so well – especially on the water. I was able to meet challenges I wasn’t sure I could achieve. Great personal growth in my kayaking skills. A wonderful adventure! I wish you all the very best.”

– Claudia, Ottawa, Ontario 2018

“We had such a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing yourselves, your country and this wonderful ship with us. There were so many highlights: from the First Nations People, the amazing scenery and seeing so many animals in the wild! Two standouts were the orca fest feeding on the salmon and the raft of otters. We have had a great sense of family with you and the fellow travellers. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to come back to the COLUMBIA III after a day’s kayaking, to a dry deck, a drink, great food and a comfortable bed gently rocked to sleep by the motion of the waves. Good luck for the future! We hope to see you again.”

– Alex and Sue, Australia 2015

“Trips on the COLUMBIA III have now become a necessity rather than a passing fancy. Thanks to the splendid crew, the wonderful chef and of course, my esteemed Captain Ross. I will rise again and organize another venture!”

– Paddy Victoria BC Whole boat charter, 2011, 2015

“We are truly in awe of the experience you shared with us. The attention to detail and the quality of care you show your guests is outstanding. Fern, the food was incredible, kayaking will always bring back memories of the smells coming from your galley and the camaraderie shared at the table. Ross, your love and enthusiasm for the COLUMBIA III and Mothership Adventures always shows in the stories and knowledge you so freely share. Thank you all for one of the best vacations we’ve ever had, along with the opportunity to share a week in your lives. We can’t thank you enough.”

– 2012 Joan and Michael Collins, Publishers, Sea Kayaker Magazine

“Another amazing trip aboard my favorite boat. It’s like taking our home into the middle of a vast, wild, beautiful wilderness, and then getting to quietly be a part of that natural world. A gentle spirit bear, sparring grizzlies, breaching whales and gorgeous paddling water! And then great food, good humor, amazing stories and wonderful friends. Thank you everyone for a unique and fantastic trip.”

– Mary, Cour D’Alene Idaho. 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and whole boat charter 2018, and returning in 2022

“So we travel all the way from England with hope and expectation for a great adventure and what did we get? A bl**dy fantastic adventure! The mix of wildlife, including the elusive Spirit Bear, grizzlies, black bears, wolves, sea otters, eagles and all the rest. Plus guides who know everything about everything!!!!! Plus food that was so, so, so, good, never a scrap was left, plus such great friendship and humour from all the guests and crew. Shame about the Skipper, but can’t have everything I suppose! So many thanks to Ross, Luke, Steve and Farlyn for the best time ever. Such great friends.”

– Steve & Anne, Steve & Carey, 2008, 2009, 2016 and Vince and Jacky, England