The adventure of traveling Alaska’s Marine Highway is an experience that will long remain a fond memory. It is an opportunity to experience Alaska up close and at your own pace. “Driving” Alaska’s Marine Highway means a customized itinerary, personally planned to provide each traveler with a unique and special Alaskan adventure. An Alaska Marine Highway trip means the flexibility to stop to explore the many ports of call along the way – from our ports of call in Alaska’s coastal communities and north to the interior regions of Alaska and the Yukon.
In addition to its primary ports of call, Marine Highway vessels pass fishing and logging outposts and small villages, which offer visitors the opportunity to see Alaska’s bustling maritime world up close, all while seeing whales, dolphin, sea otters, bald eagles and perhaps even bears. All of the Alaska Marine Highway vessels feature forward observation lounges and solariums for viewing spectacular scenery and wildlife. With abundant beauty and historic significance, it is no wonder Alaska’s Marine Highway was designated a National Scenic Byway in June of 2002.
While we get you right up next to the rugged rain forests of coastal Alaska, traveling by ferry is a comfortable yet affordable indulgence. Gift shops offer souvenirs and informative books about Alaska. They also feature travel essentials, magazines and other goods. Several vessels offer entertaining and informative programs to acquaint travelers with Alaska and its natural history. US Forest Service and Fish & Wildlife lecturers are often on board to share information about marine life, birds, plants, and other sights along the way. Some vessels have theater areas that show films and documentaries about Alaska and the outdoors. Many ships also have card rooms, small video arcades, reading rooms and toddler play areas for passenger enjoyment.
Cabins with bunk beds are available on most vessels to provide basic sleeping and resting space. These private rooms vary in size by vessel from 2-berth cabins to 4-berth cabins with a sitting room. Many cabins have complete bathroom facilities including showers. The M/V Kennicott also offers small, economical two-berth roomettes, ideal for those traveling on a budget and desiring privacy. Travelers are advised to make reservations early to ensure cabins are available, especially during the busy summer months.
Many public areas also serve as sleeping space for those traveling without a cabin. Comfortable reclining chairs are found aboard all vessels for daytime viewing and relaxing, as well as overnight rest. Passengers may choose to sleep in sleeping bags in the heated solariums found on each ship. Public showers are available on most vessels. Each Alaska Marine Highway vessel is unique in deck plan and on-board amenities.
Food is never out of reach due to the meal and beverage service in cafeterias on board. Healthful hot and cold meals including salads, sandwiches and Alaska seafood are served throughout the day. Most vessels also have cocktail lounges featuring Alaskan-brewed beer and mixed drinks. Travelers may also bring their own food onboard.
Traveling with a motor vehicle or bicycle is easy on Alaska’s Marine Highway. Each year, thousands combine an Alaska road system adventure with the coastal experience available only on the Marine Highway by reserving space on the ferry’s car deck for their vehicle. This affords them the option to get off the vessel at any port and drive or ride to nearby attractions. Reservations should be made early to ensure car deck space availability.
IF YOU GO FERRYING
Walk-on reservations are almost never needed. But if you want a private cabin or to book vehicle, you should call ahead of time.
Cabins are comfortable but small, and keep in mind that the beds are in a bunk arrangement. If you need two beds for sleeping but neither person in your party can climb to a top bunk, get a four-berth cabin with two bunks.
Kayaks, bicycles and other outdoor gear are allowed. Call ahead for
details.
Pets may travel with you, but must have current health certificates (within 30 days) in order to travel through Canada or into Alaska from another state. The cost for pets is $10 to $25, depending upon your port of departure. Pets must stay in pet carriers or in your vehicle.
For more information or to make your reservations, visit Alaska online at www.FerryAlaska.com or call toll free 800-642-0066.
ABOUT US: Travel Tidings Alaska features vacation travel, hotel and cruise information for the cities and regions of Alaska (AK) such as Anchorage, Bethel, Denali National Park, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Girdwood, Gustavus, Haines, Homer, Juneau, Kenai. Ketchikan, Kodiak, Mccarthy, Moose Pass, Palmer, Seward, Sitka, Soldotna, Trapper Creek, Valdez, and Wasilla. For more information about this site, please contact us at info@traveltidingsalaska.com
