CRUISING ALASKA BY FERRY...
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√ For
Do-It-Yourself Cruisers Alaska Ferries
Offer Independent Travel, Lots of Options
√ '08 Ferry Schedules
Available
In Brochures
and On the Web!
√
Alaska Ferry System Earns Status
As Prestigious 'All-American Road'
√ Set
Sail Through Your National
Forests
√ BC Ferries'
Vessel Northern Adventure
Sailing Between
Port Hardy and Prince Rupert
√Alaska's
“Other” Ferry System
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For Do-It-Yourself Cruisers,
Alaska Ferries
Offer
Independent Travel, Lots of Options
Alaska ferry Columbia
(Peter Metcalfe Photo,Alaska Marine
Highway System)
Here's
an all-Alaskan suggestion for cruisers who would like to:
• travel at their own own pace;
•choose their own ports-of-call;
•lay
over in any ferry port for as many days as desired;
•share their travel with Alaskan locals;
•have the option to bring along the family RV or auto; and
•cruise to Alaska one way and return home by highway or air.
Alaska's state-owned ferries may be just the ticket for one of life's
most memorable cruise vacations. The Alaska Marine Highway System
is composed of 11 modern ferryliners, all with motor vehicle
decks, observation lounges, and food service. Most have cabins and
cocktail bars.
Passengers with or without
vehicles may embark as far south as Bellingham, Washington (Fridays
only) or Prince
Rupert, B.C. Within Alaska they can connect with smaller off-line
ferries that provide access to more remote communities. For
venturesome visitors there are monthly one-way or roundtrip summer
sailings
from Kodiak westward along the Aleutian Islands chain, from late April
through late September.
Larger stateroom-equipped vessels of the
fleet are Columbia
(931 passengers), Matanuska
(745), Malaspina
(701), Taku
(370), and Kennicott
(748) - all of which serve the Southeast Alaska panhandle.
The Kennicott
also connects southeast port cities to southcentral Alaska destinations
via the Gulf of Alaska. The Tustumena
(220) sails regularly from ports on the Kenai Peninsula to Kodiak and
(less frequently) the Aleutian chain. Smaller ships, operating “bush”
routes from principal ports to smaller towns and villages are Aurora (300), LeConte (300), and Lituya (149).
Newest additions to the AMHS fleet are
the Juneau-based double-hulled catamarans Fairweather (250)
which provides non-stop summer service to and from Juneau and Sitka,
Haines, and Skagway. Sister-ship Chenega home ports
in Cordova. This vessel operates in summer from Cordova through the
island-studded waterways and glacier-rich bays of Prince William Sound.
Lots of good
information is
posted at the ferry system's website (www.FerryAlaska.com). Or you can
obtain
up-to-date information by phoning the ferry Reseversations
office at 1-800-642-0066.
Here's another option: If you want to
mix some pleasureable "foreign" travel into your plans you can book
passage from highway-accessible Port Hardy (on British Columbia's
Vancouver Island) and sail north on BC Ferries' recently-purchased
vessel Northern
Adventure to
the city of Prince Rupert, B.C. on the Canadian coastal mainland. At
Prince Rupert you can connect with frequent Alaska ferries for a
90-mile sailing to Ketchikan and other ports in Southeast Alaska. More
information from: www.bcferries.com.
2008 Ferry Schedules Published as Brochure
And On
the Web at www.ferryalaska.com
Alaska Marine Highway sailing
schedules are now available as a brochure (call 1-800-642-0088) and on the web
at www.ferryalaska.com. A
brochure can also be requested at the website.
For vacation travelers the most notable
difference between the new 2008 schedule and the schedules of years
past is the reduction of weekly sailings between Bellingham, WA and
Ketchikan, AK. In previous years the system has offered two trips
weekly between Alaska and the Washington port city. This summer the
system has scheduled the Columbia (499 passengers)
for Friday-only Bellingham departures through October 3.
Having been reassigned from the
Bellingham run of past years, the Malaspina (also 499 passengers) will
operate this summer on daily three-port runs connecting Juneau, Haines,
and Skagway. According to AMHS officials, on-line reservations are now
available or travelers may call 1-800-642-0066.
Also of note, the new schedule now calls
for monthly (formerly twice monthly) trans-gulf service from Southeast
Alaska ports to Southcentral ports and vice versa. A similar change
reduces Aleutian Island service from twice-monthly sailings from Kodiak
to one sailing each month.
Alaska
Ferry System Earns Status
As
Prestigious 'All-American Road'
The US department of
Transportation in 2005 awarded the Alaska Marine Highway System the
distinction of “All-American Road.” This is the highest
recognition afforded in the USDOT’s America’s Byways program.
The only other highway in Alaska
recognized as an All-American Road is the Seward Highway, a distinction
it has held since 2000,
The ferry system has been a “Scenic
Byway” under the program since 1997 and that in itself was a noteworthy
achievement. To be designated as a National Scenic Byway a road must
possess at least one of these six intrinsic qualities: historic,
cultural, natural, scenic, recreational, or archeological). And the
byway must possess regional significance.
Numerous highways, or portions of
highways, throughout the state are recognized as Scenic Byways,
including portions of the Richardson, Glenn, Parks, Haines, Steese,
Sterling, Taylor and Dalton Highways, as well as the Alaska Railroad.
However, to receive the more prestigious
All-American Road designation a road must possess multiple intrinsic
qualities that are nationally, not just regionally, significant, and
contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. The road
must also be considered a “destination unto itself.” That is, the road
must, itself, provide an exceptional traveling experience.
The Alaska Marine Highway is currently
one of 27 All-Americn Roads. With 3,500 nautical miles of spectacular
scenery, the Alaska Marine Highway is the longest byway in the U.S. and
the only maritime ‘road’ in the national highway system.
Set Sail Through Your National
Forests
The following information
was provided by the
U.S. Forest Service. The publisher is grateful to the
USFS for supplying this information, and continues
to be hugely impessed by the superb job the agency
does in interpreting Alaska's waters and forests for
cruising visitors and Alaskans.
Did you know that ships on the Alaska Marine Highway sail through
America’s two largest national forests, taking passengers through some
of the most breathtaking and awe inspiring scenery in the world? In
Southeast Alaska, ferries travel through the Tongass National Forest –
a forest of islands. At nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass National
Forest is the largest protected temperate rainforest in the world! You
can also travel to Southcentral Alaska by ferry and ply the waters of
Prince William Sound which is surrounded by the Chugach National
Forest. The Chugach is America’s second largest national forest and is
home to more than 10,000 glaciers.
Take
along a guide
What could be better than discovering these treasures while riding the
Alaska Marine Highway? And discovering these treasures with a
knowledgeable and friendly Forest Service interpreter! Throughout the
summer months, Forest Service interpreters are on board most sailings
throughout Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. For over 35 years, this
partnership between the Forest Service and the Alaska Marine Highway
has helped passengers understand and enjoy the natural and cultural
history of their national forests and Alaska.
See
you on board!
Once you board the ferry, look for the Forest Service information desk.
Here you can usually find an interpreter waiting to answer your
questions. Pick up a brochure on a topic of interest and find out what
programs are scheduled for the day. You’ll have the opportunity to
learn about the wildlife, forests, geology, glaciers, marine mammals,
people, and history of the area. If you need any help spotting points
of interest along the way, just ask! Don’t worry about the younger
passengers, because there’s something for them too! Activities and
special programs for children are available, including the Tongass
Junior Ranger Booklet, for our young and young at heart passengers.
Check
Out the locals
Besides the spectacular scenery, Alaska’s national forests are also
home to plentiful wildlife – much of which can be seen from the water!
While on board the Alaska Marine Highway, keep your eyes open for some
of the areas most interesting residents. Some of the more common
wildlife seen include: Stellar sea lions, humpback whales, sea otters,
orcas, Dall porpoise, eagles, and bears. You just never know who you
might meet.
BC Ferries
Vessel Northern Adventure
Now Sails Port
Hardy to Prince Rupert
BC Ferries' recently-purchased vessel Northern
Adventure
has replaced the Queen
of Prince Rupert on the northern ferry route that provides
service for Alaska-bound visitors between Port Hardy on Vancouver
Island and the city of Prince Rupert. At Prince Rupert travelers can
connect with Alaska state ferries bound for Ketchikan and other Alaska
port cities. The 117 metre (384
foot) vessel has 70
staterooms and can accommodate more than 600 passengers and 101
vehicles.
The vessel underwent extensive surveys by the BMT Group, a
world-leading naval architect firm, as well as a team of BC Ferries
personnel. The ship operated out of Barcelona,
Spain.
The Northern
Adventure,
underwent approximately $18 million in modifications
in winter 2006-2007 to improve customer amenities and meet
safety requirements to operate in Canadian waters. Before the ship
entered service in British Columbia in 2007, replacing the Queen
of Prince Rupert, it
operated out of Barcelona, Spain.
More information from: www.bcferries.com.
Phone 1-888-BCFERRY.
Caption:
The recently-purchased vessel Northern
Adventure provides scheduled ferry service between Port
Hardy on Vancouver Island and Prince Rupert.
(Photo
courtesy of BC Ferries)
Alaska's
“Other” Ferry System
by
Mike Miller, Publisher
AlaskaCruisingReport.com
You hear a lot about the
Alaska Marine Highway System, and no wonder. It's been around for more
than four decades now doing yeoman service for Alaskans from Southeast
Alaska to Prince William Sound and to the Aleutian Islands. It's been a
perennial huge hit with visitors as well.
But have you heard about Alaska's “other” ferry system – the passenger
and vehicle ships of the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA)?
Unless you live in Ketchikan or in one of the communities on Prince of
Wales Island or in Wrangell or Petersburg the name probably means
little to you. That may change.
Off the Beaten Path
What they have – the people who live in these
Southeast Alaska communities – is a really splendid little ferry
operation connecting three islands and more than a half dozen
communities to each other and the outside world. For Alaskans or
visitors from Outside who are looking for an easily accessible “Off the
Beaten Path” destination for a few days or longer the routes of the IFA
can be ideal.
 This pleasurable travel opportunity is possible
because of IFA's two vessels: the 160-passenger m/v Prince
of Wales and the
200-guest
m/v Stikine. Both ships are 98 feet long and can carry 35
standard-size autos. And make no mistake about it, these are no plain
and simple utility craft. Each contains a comfortable forward
observation lounge with recliner chairs, reading room, a “quiet room”
for passengers who need privacy, galley and restaurant for food and
beverage service, and a solarium. And attention grandparents traveling
with grandchildren: Each ferry also contains a youngster's playroom.
The
Stikine connects Ketchikan daily in summertime with Hollis
on Prince of Wales Island (POW) and its 1,100 miles of paved
and gravel roads. (Prince
of Wales provides this service the balance of the year.)
These highways run through forests and alongside streams, lakes, salt
water inlets and bays. The fishing can range from good to grand and the
wildlife viewing and birding can be equally superb. Colorful totem
parks exist in Hydaburg, Kaasan, and Klawock. And for a
walking tour unique in Alaska the U.S. Forest Service offers escorted
underground excursions through the El Capitan limestone caves in the
northern portion of POW. Dress warm, by the way. It gets chilly down
there. And wear sturdy shoes or, better yet, rubber boots. The Forest
Service will provide you with a hard hat with flashlight attached but
packing your own light and spare batteries is also recommended. The USFS
asks for two days notice; call 1-907-828-3304 for details.
Especially for Alaskans or visitors with RVs or autos the travel
opportunities are the stuff of dreams. You'll find a number of
government and private campgrounds and if you're not a camper don't
despair. Friendly Alaskan hosts run lodges and B&Bs in the
larger communities on the island as well as in Wrangell and Petersburg
where you'll find comfortable hotels as well. After a day or two (or a
week or two) of exploring POW island, summer travelers have only to
drive to Coffman Cove on a Friday, Saturday or Monday to board the Prince of Wales for
a two-hour, 45-minute ride to Wrangell on the island of the same name.
The Stikine
then proceeds on a one-hour journey to the southern end of Mitkof
Island and 25 miles of road travel to Petersburg. Wrangell and
Petersburg also are served by the ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway
System.
Wrangell
You probably know many of the visitor attractions
in Wrangell and Petersburg. At Wrangell you can book Stikine River
tours up one of America's swiftest flowing wild rivers, as well as a
daycruise to observe and photograph the bears at Anan Creek. Too, you
can view ancient petroglyphs along the city's shoreline or play a round
of Muskeg Meadows golf. On Chief Shakes Island in the middle of the
community boat harbor you'll find one of the most varied and photogenic
totem parks in the Alaska panhandle. The Tlingit tribal house on the
island is no small item of interest as well.
Petersburg
Petersburg, known as “Little Norway” because of
its Nordic heritage and décor, also provides access by daycruise
to
nearby thundering LeConte Bay and Glacier. Petersburg, you'll find, is
an easy walkabout community. If you take a stroll be sure to visit the
Clausen Memorial Museum where you can view a record 126.5-pound king
salmon, the old Cape Decision light station lens, a Tlingit canoe and
all kinds of old time fish processing equipment. At least one eagle is
almost always in residence at Eagle Roost Park and whale watching can
be awesome on day cruises from the community or from Outlook Park on
Sandy Beach.
Ketchikan
At Ketchikan where travel aboard the Prince of Wales or
the Stikine
begins or ends (depending on season) the things to see and do are well
nigh endless. You'll find three world class totem collections in the
community – at Saxman village just south of Ketchikan, at Totem Bight
State Historical Park 10 miles north of town, and at the Totem Heritage
Center in the City Park near downtown. The heritage collection contains
nearly three dozen magnificent ancient totem poles or fragments,
retrieved from outlying deserted Tlingit and Haida villages. The center
ranks as the largest exhibit of original totems in the United States.
Other monuments in cedar may be seen around the community.
The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center on Ketchikan's Main Street near
the waterfront is one of four federal Public Lands Information Centers
in Alaska where visitors can gather tons of information about
travel throughout Southeast Alaska and the entire state.
Fishing charters abound in the city, as do daycruises to outlying
attractions such as nearby Misty Fjords National Monument. A new (in
2005) attraction, Alaska Canopy Adventures, offers zipline tours,
during which visitors “zip” through Southeast Alaska forest canopies at
35 miles per hour – suspended in harness from treetop cables
sometimes 135 feet above the forest
floor.
Want to know more
about the Inter-Island Ferry Authority, including senior and other
discounts? Contact the IFA tollfree at 1-866-308-4848. The authority
also hosts an excellent informative website at www.interislandferry.com.
Copyright
© 2006-2008 by Mike
Miller; all rights reserved
You may view our Privacy
Policy by clicking “Site Map-–About Us” in the contents
directory of the left-hand column of this page.
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