ride the Alaska ferry from Bellingham

I want to see wildlife, calving glaciers, get off the ferry when I want to, and get back on as I choose. I’d like to kyack, take the train to Danali, and be in the company of others who do not want all the faldarah of the captain’s dinner and a typical, large ship Alaska cruise. I’m not a spring chicken, but have good spirit and a sense of adventure.

Here’s how to do it:

1) Fly to Seattle (Southwest has cheap flights)
2) Catch the Seattle – Vancouver, BC shuttle bus (http://www.quickcoach.com) but get off at Bellingham, WA airport.
3) Find your way from the airport to the ferry dock near downtown Bellingham (http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html)
4) Camp on the ferry deck or pay extra for a stateroom.
5) Have fun along the way, and in Skagway.
6) Take a ferry back to Juneau – there are several to choose from up there – once your sightseeing is done.
7) Fly back to Seattle (roughly $240 one-way last I checked)

or reverse the itinerary and fly to Juneau first. You could also take VIA rail to or from Prince Rupert, BC and catch the ferry from there. Looks like an awesome ride through the mountains. There is some flexibility with the rest of the schedule, but the ferry only departs at a certain time a couple of days/week from Bellingham, so that’s your limiting factor.

Forget the cruise ships, and go in December! Talk about a wonderful cheap way to see the frozen north… I did this with my father once and had an amazingly relaxing time. I mean, on a cruise ship, you’re just in a little microcosm anyway, so you don’t get to experience anything if you don’t want to. The ferry though, had a cafeteria, outdoor camping under heat lamps on the upper deck… and a whole relaxed no-frills attitude I just loved. Plus, the elder hostel folks were on board and there were lots of park rangers giving instructional talks for free. I’m definately doing this again!

I think I am going to put this one on the back burner for now. I priced it today and it will be a while before I can afford it.

Hi, I was jsut wondering how that trip was. I have never heard of a fairry from Seattle to Alaska? I did no there was one. Is it just for the locals or can a tourist take the trip?

you’re cruising through the same water as those big cruise ships too. If you’re really running low on funds, instead of getting a state room, you can camp out on the deck, lockers are available.

I had a great trip and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I was stationed Alaska… when I left there I took the ferry from Haines, AK to Bellingham. It took 5 days. I had a tiny, cozy cabin all to myself. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. I loved stopping in the little towns along the way. It really was an amazing trip, very good for reflection, journaling, and cross stitching… :) Even when the seas got a little choppy and my cabin was swaying all over the place I thought it was fun.
I don’t think you should miss it.

People camp out on the ferry. Sounds like rugged (but cozy) fun.