Alaska - AK Marine Highway--AK's Best Kept Secret

A friend of mine and I just returned from a trip to Southeast Alaska. We flew into Juneau, and then took the Alaska Marine Highway (the state's ferry system) up to Skagway. After spending the night in Skagway, we took another ferry to Ketchikan (via Haines, Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg, and Wrangel). The ship was the Columbia, which turned out to be a wonderful experience!

Most of the people who don't live in Alaska have no idea what the Marine Highway is, and most thought it was just a standard roadway (rather than a long distance ferry system).

The ferry system offers a better way to see Southeast Alaska than the large cruise ships. The prices are lower than the large cruise ships, yet you can go to every port (and more) that the large cruise ships go to. You can also travel in very scenic areas that the large ships cannot. You can also make a stop over and walk around the towns that are on the way (e.g. we had a 4 hour stopover in Sitka, and they offered us a bus to take us into town and visit Sitka, rather than just sit on the ship for 4 hours).

We got ourselves a cabin which, although it wasn't as large and fancy as a cruise ship, was clean and met all of our needs. The nice thing about the Columbia is that it has a sit down restaurant in addition to the cafeteria. The restaurant served good food, and the service was good. At first glance, the restaurant seemed a bit pricey; however, given the fact that there is no sales tax, and that tipping is prohibited (since the employees are all state employees), the final cost was quite reasonable. The bar onboard was also nice (but remember, you can't tip the bartender since they're also a state employee).

Another advantage of being on a ship that's smaller than the cruise ships is the fact that there are a lot fewer people onboard and therefore you get to avoid the crowds.

Although the ships aren't as fancy as a cruise ship, and the services are basic, the service was good, and employees do a good job despite not getting tips.

With all the recent issues regarding the cruise lines cutting service to Alaska, the marine highway offers a great alternative for those seeking basic transportation between the port cities and getting a good deal for their money. Perhaps the state of Alaska should work to advertise the Marine Highway more given that fewer cruise ships will now be visiting the state next summer.

The Marine Highway is wonderful but is not for everyone. Most people who cruise to Alaska want everything organized for them. Marine Highway travelers are much more independent.

I'm glad that you did it!

A huge bonus is that the money you spent supports American workers and American wage and hour laws.

We did the extended Marine Highway a few years ago. Taking BC ferries to Vancouver Island and then from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. This was on the ill fated Queen of the North but it is an amazing journey through the inside passage.
From there we took the Alaska Marine Highway north via Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau to Skagway. I can only recommend this way of seeing the beautiful stretch of coastline. A magical adventure which requires some planning so all the ferries actually connect.

In three weeks I'll be riding aboard my favorite boat, the M.V. Taku, between Juneau and Prince Rupert and back. I've no business in Prince Rupert, but rather am just going to ride the ferry and enjoy the scenery. Next it's on to a room aboard Amtrak's Empire Builder! Ain't travel great?!

Please let me know when you see snow...or have you done that already?

It finally snowed here in East Ester about 10 days ago. I'd say we have about 4" on the ground. It was -22 this morning. Should be alot warmer down Juneau way ~

It finally snowed here in East Ester about 10 days ago. I'd say we have about 4" on the ground. It was -22 this morning. Should be alot warmer down Juneau way ~
First real snow here in ANC was Friday evening. Not much--maybe 1/4" to 1/2" (more on Hillside, probably). It melted in most places but stuck in some places, and there's been more snow today. I think winter's finally here.

Wish I were joining you for your ferry and train rides, Seat 2A!

First real snow here in ANC was Friday evening. Not much--maybe 1/4" to 1/2" (more on Hillside, probably). It melted in most places but stuck in some places, and there's been more snow today. I think winter's finally here.

Wish I were joining you for your ferry and train rides, Seat 2A!

Today was the first real snow in the ANC area... (officially 1.3" at the airport, needs to reach 1/10" for the first official snowfall of the year) had 5-6" at my house in Eagle River...

Sounds like quite the journey Seat 2A :cool:

Great thread Rickrich. I spent almost every summer growing up taking the AMHS ferries from Haines down to Prince of Wales island. It was the most cost effective way of getting our supplies to our cabin there. We lived in Fairbanks and would load up the truck to the brim and drive down to Haines. Unlike the cruise ships there are bound to be actual Alaskans on the ferries so you'll probably get some great tips for places to stop off in each port rather than the tourist traps.

For sleeping we'd usually camp out on the deck of the ship which if someone is looking for an economic way to explore SE Alaska I'd highly recommend. The cabins are nice but it's much cheaper to bring a backpack and tent and camp out on the deck. If you get onboard early enough you can usually claim a spot with some decent protection from the wind.

Costs for driving aboard the ferries are based on length of vehicle. It was a challenge that my dad and I enjoyed playing each summer to keep costs low. Our ultimate achievement was one summer when we took our F-150 longbed with a storage shell. On top of the shell we placed the spare tire which normally hung on the front bumper and would've bumped us up to the next length bracket. Over the tire we placed an upside down 18' aluminum skiff boat we were hauling behind us. On top of the skiff we put the trailer for the boat itself. And on top of the trailer we put our 18' sea kayak!! Our efforts got us recognized by the entire crew in Haines and our picture with the bridge crew who came down to see the spectacle driving aboard his ship, lol. I'm not sure what the height was on the cargo deck of that ship (Matanuska or Malaspina), but we barely made it :D

He would get every inch out of those rules! Now we have other family members who do the same. Alaskans know when they buy trucks which models are going to cost them more on the Marine Highway.