Journey to Alaska Part 2: Riding the Alaska Ferry

Decisions, decisions.  We really wanted to experience Alaska’s Inside Passage, but we knew driving to Alaska would offer spectacular views and a chance to explore the state much more thoroughly than a cruise would allow.  Was there a way we could possibly do both?  As it turns out, there was!  The Alaska Marine Highway System travels to a number of ports along the southern coastline of Alaska, cruising right through the Inside Passage.   Additionally, it’s flexible.  Passengers can ferry over their cars, boats, trailers, and RVs.  They can opt for a comfortable stateroom with options of 2-4 berths, windows, and sitting areas, or they can pitch a tent or sleep in various common areas onboard.  Guests can enjoy the cafeteria, serving all meals plus snacks, or they can bring aboard their own food and use the microwave provided.  Pets are allowed.  They have to remain in vehicles on the car deck, but the temperatures are mild, and passengers are allowed to take them out for walks at the frequent port stops.  If too much time elapses between ports, people are allowed on the car deck for 15 minutes to let their pets out so long as owners are responsible to clean up after their fur babies.  All in all, these ferries offer options to suit just about anyone.

We cruised on the Malaspina, an AMHS ferry, for the 44-hour trip from Prince Rupert to Juneau, choosing a 4-berth stateroom with two large windows and a sitting area.   Getting our minivan and 41-ft motorhome on board was a quick and easy process, and then we were free to explore the ship and enjoy the views.  In addition to the cafeteria, there were two large observation lounges with comfortable seating as well as a solarium, aft lounge, play area, computer workstations for those with laptops, and even a movie theater (a quiet room with two mounted tv screens and various movies playing throughout the trip).  Since many people travel without opting for a stateroom, bathrooms with clean, warm showers are also available.

Occasionally, the crew would announce dolphin, seal, or whale sightings, and everyone would hurry out to catch a glimpse of the wildlife.  We spotted dolphins, orcas, humpbacks, seals, eagles, jellyfish, and even an otter floating by.

Because we wanted to spend time in Juneau and visit the Mendenhall Glacier, we chose to disembark there.  One week later, we hopped aboard a smaller ferry, the Fairweather, for the 4-hour cruise to Haines, from which we continued our journey north.  That’s the real beauty of these ferries.  You can go straight to your destination or get off at any port you like for however long you like before continuing your trip.  And it can all be arranged on the same reservation.

Riding a ferry may not be nearly as luxurious as a cruise ship, but it was a lot of fun, and it enabled us to take along our minivan and motorhome.  Instead of having to choose between cruising the Inside Passage or driving up to really explore Alaska, we got to do both.  Click on the video to come aboard, take a tour, and see what it’s like!