Anyone taken Alaskan Ferry from Anchorage to Bellingham???

As another option to any of those leaving Alaska or moving to, consider using a large commercial truck trailer. When we moved from Nenana, to western Colorado, I called Sea Land Trucking and had them send a 40 or 50 ft. van to our house. They backed it up against our deck and we had it for a week. I had built some wood boxes to pack my guns in for the trip. Sea Land assured me the same trailer would be delivered, to our new home in Ouray Colorado. So I packed the guns in the boxes, put them in the very front of the trailer van and then packed in the contents of our three bedroom home into it. No way anyone was going to get to where those guns were packed.

I then called Sea Land, in Anchorage and they had one of their drivers stop by with their truck and hook on, hauling it to Anchorage where it was weighed and the charge determined. The cost was about 1/3 of what the commercial movers wanted for the same service. Sea Land put it on a rail car, which went on a rail barge and headed it to the Seattle area. There the rail car with our trailer on it was connected to a train headed for Denver, to be off loaded. A truck then brought it back over the mountains to Ouray and parked it in our drive way. We were given a week, again to unload it. We did and called Denver to pick it up. Another week or so later they stopped by and got their now empty trailer.

The entire process worked very well and was the best price I could figure out by a long ways. We weren't in too big a hurry to get our stuff, as we drove out in our motorhome, and other vehicle. We lived in our motorhome for about 6 weeks, while I went to work every day. By the time our trailer arrived, we had purchased a home and only had to move the junk one time.

The AMHS ferry boats move much of the commercial freight in SE Alaska. So they are loading refer vans with diesel tanks, on and off all the time. Now the cross gulf ferry isn't used too much for commercial freight as most of that comes up by barge out of Washington. Barge freight charges are even less than the ferry charges commercial carriers. The ferry system normally has a place the trucking firms can drop off and pick up their trailers and then the AMHS, has yard mules to load the trailers on and off of the ferry boats. They have the system figured out for sure.

Every place in the state of Alaska had subsidized transportation by the state, except for the bush areas. SE has the ferry system, the southern railbelt, the banana belt of the Anchorage bowl, has the highway system and railroad. But the bush where all the money the state receives originates, gets no subsidies on transportation. Sort of the Robin Hood operation, but in reverse, take the money from the bush, the mining, oil production and the fishing, and spend it on the urban areas of the state. Alaska is an extractive industry state, with very little added value added to any of their products. Time to put my soap box back in the closet.

Synergy, hope you will post a trip report on your ferry experience with your service dog. I'd be very interested.

We're gradually introducing Raylene to our small RV. She's been with us for six weeks, and goes everywhere with me. First overnight will be next week at a campground near our home. Then will visit friends and later attend a regional Leisure Rally in Virginia for a few nights each time. Hope to take her up to the Gaspe Peninsula in July for about a month.

I had no idea you could do that. Would you mind sharing how much you anticipate that to cost? When I PCS'd to AK 12 years ago, it wasn't an option to skip canada. I guess I've never looked into it since. I always figured once I had driven to Haines, I may as well go the rest of the way.

I'd definitely be interested in the ferry in the future if I could skip canada. Heck, this last move up, we used 3 plane tickets to get all our guns back up here.

Tee Jay wrote:
You may want to check on the diesel. Fuel in containers are prohibited on the WA State Ferry, Alaska may be different, but ask. Since you won't need it on the Ferry, ask about an empty can as well. Also, consider just leaving the fridge empty. There are friends at JBER and stores in Bellingham. Just a thought. When you do turn it on it will take hours to get to operating temperature. I have never timed it, but we run ours on electric for 24 hours or more before loading it when we are packing to leave.

Thanks Tee Jay,

You make a great point. Leave the food behind and buy more later. Everytime we have a change in duty station (PCS), we basically do just that, pass along all the extras to our comrades and family. We'll hang on to a few bottles of wine, maybe a six pack and make some snacks, and the rest we'll just enjoy the ferry conviences and pretend we're on a cruise!

I will ask the ferry admin about the fuel tomorrow when I call.

Thanks again!

joe b. wrote:
Frank, my bad on the having to change ships in Juneau. Appears they changed that and run from Kodiak, to Chenega Bay, to Whittier, to Yakutat, to Juneau and on south putting in at Ketchikan and then Bellingham, so the guns should not be a problem as it doesn't stop at any Canadian ports.

This past summer, according to the schedule, they only made one run south in September, leaving Kodiak on Sept 8 and arriving in Bellingham on the 14th in the AM. In August they ran two runs north bound and three south. They shut the route down after the run in September and don't start up till May of the following year.

Giving the AMHS a call would sure be the best way to get current information and their enployees are really good and easy to work with so far as I have seen. We did the Prince Rupert to Skagway northbound in 2011 and back in 2004, we did the Skagway to Bellingham south bound. The section from Prince Rupert to Bellingham is not one of my favorite parts as they get away from shore a bit..

You will be able to leave your trailer attached most likely. They charge by the total length so they like it connected. Many people pulling a toad, will drive them on separately to cut down the total length and the cost a bit. We found the food to be good and reasonable in cost, the cabin to be plain but clean and all we needed. I have done a few day trips on the ferry system as well.

I think you guys will really enjoy the ferry ride. Most everyone does it seems. Some feel it is too expensive for their budget and we all have to do what we have to do.

As I mentioned before, I have been so broke on some of my trips, to Alaska, when I was young and single, I have had to stop and get work to pay for food and fuel to get to where I was going. I have eaten at more than a few Salvation Army soup kitchens, in my younger days also. Since then, anytime I have a job or now my retirement income, the SA gets a monthly donations, as I remember what they did for me and many others.

According to last summer's schedule in the back of The Milepost, the charges are for Whittier to Bellingham,
Passengers - $547 each
cabin - varies between $493 to $838
vehicles - over 21 ft in length - $105 per foot from front bumper to real bumper.

Now the do show a few two berth cabins as well that are a bit cheaper. This would be on the Ferry Kennicott which I believe due to the federal Jones Naval act, can only dock at US ports, except in emergences.

joe b.,

Thanks for all the info!
I've been reading the AMHS www site, and checked last years trends and schedules, as well as this years schedule too. They have two runs planned for September this year, we're on the second run, Sept 22nd. Hopefully it will sail.
I'm going to call them tomorrow and verify the schedule, make another earlier reservation (to be safe), and find out about the RV and fuel. I tried to get some of this info from them yesterday, but the eprson I was speaking with really didn't know much, she just kept referring me to the www site. I hope to get someone more informed tomorrow.

When hurricane Ivan came through Pensacola, our home, the SA was present and providing volunteers to hand out water and food pacs; we received enough for a family of four, for a week. The Army NG also provided us with ice, water, canned foods and MRE's. Both lines were long and both groups continued every day till the supplies ran out, only to be right back at it again the next day.

We were very thankful for the SA and ANG being in our community, helping us through those hard times. I understand how you feel about their efforts and you desire to contribute. Good for you!

Again, thanks! We look forward to our trip, hopefully it will be relaxing and smooth!

You may want to check on the diesel. Fuel in containers are prohibited on the WA State Ferry, Alaska may be different, but ask. Since you won't need it on the Ferry, ask about an empty can as well. Also, consider just leaving the fridge empty. There are friends at JBER and stores in Bellingham. Just a thought. When you do turn it on it will take hours to get to operating temperature. I have never timed it, but we run ours on electric for 24 hours or more before loading it when we are packing to leave.

Frank, my bad on the having to change ships in Juneau. Appears they changed that and run from Kodiak, to Chenega Bay, to Whittier, to Yakutat, to Juneau and on south putting in at Ketchikan and then Bellingham, so the guns should not be a problem as it doesn't stop at any Canadian ports.

This past summer, according to the schedule, they only made one run south in September, leaving Kodiak on Sept 8 and arriving in Bellingham on the 14th in the AM. In August they ran two runs north bound and three south. They shut the route down after the run in September and don't start up till May of the following year.

Giving the AMHS a call would sure be the best way to get current information and their enployees are really good and easy to work with so far as I have seen. We did the Prince Rupert to Skagway northbound in 2011 and back in 2004, we did the Skagway to Bellingham south bound. The section from Prince Rupert to Bellingham is not one of my favorite parts as they get away from shore a bit..

You will be able to leave your trailer attached most likely. They charge by the total length so they like it connected. Many people pulling a toad, will drive them on separately to cut down the total length and the cost a bit. We found the food to be good and reasonable in cost, the cabin to be plain but clean and all we needed. I have done a few day trips on the ferry system as well.

I think you guys will really enjoy the ferry ride. Most everyone does it seems. Some feel it is too expensive for their budget and we all have to do what we have to do.

As I mentioned before, I have been so broke on some of my trips, to Alaska, when I was young and single, I have had to stop and get work to pay for food and fuel to get to where I was going. I have eaten at more than a few Salvation Army soup kitchens, in my younger days also. Since then, anytime I have a job or now my retirement income, the SA gets a monthly donations, as I remember what they did for me and many others.

According to last summer's schedule in the back of The Milepost, the charges are for Whittier to Bellingham,
Passengers - $547 each
cabin - varies between $493 to $838
vehicles - over 21 ft in length - $105 per foot from front bumper to real bumper.

Now the do show a few two berth cabins as well that are a bit cheaper. This would be on the Ferry Kennicott which I believe due to the federal Jones Naval act, can only dock at US ports, except in emergences.

joe b. wrote:
I take it that you are taking the cross gulf ferry to Juneau and changing ships there, for the run down to Bellingham. We have done the Skagway to Bellingham, run in the past and enjoyed the trip greatly. But have never done the cross gulf leg before. Believe the cross gulf runs very seldom, perhaps once or twice a month.

As far as I know, the service dog should be able to be with you in your cabin and around the ship under the ADA rules. Hotels can't keep a service dog out, so I would guess the AMHS ferry boats would be the same.

Have you given any thoughts of driving over to Haines or Skagway to get on the ferry. The cross gulf ferry stays way out in the water, a long ways from shore. Not much to see out there but water and the Gulf of Alaska is known to get very rough at times. Not unsafe with the large ferry, just uncomfortable.

Not sure about the cross Gulf part, will have to do some research on that; however, I know we do not change ships. We do stop in Juneau for a few hours, then down to Bellingham, as I understand it. I didn't want to worry about driving, so we decided to start off from Whittier.

Since we've never been on a long distance ferry with vehicles, we consider this another life experience, an adventure. Maybe its just a boaring boat ride, I don't know, but we're looking forward to it. After three years in Anchorage, we're ready to move on.

Violet, my SD, goes with me every where, and she'll be with me in my cabin and on the decks where I'm at...it's Federal Law, under ADA guidelines, protected by the Justice Dept. The ferry operations are aware of my needs.

Violet and I travel on planes, together in the cabin, quite frequently. In fact we just got back from Florida two weeks ago. She loves to fly. We have driven the ALCAN twice, and have seen enough. The drive through Canada is long and wears me and Violet out.

We thought a nice ferry ride would be relaxing. You know, leave the driving issues to them. I hope to just sit and stare the days away, read books, drink wine and snack; take pictures, etc...

I will be transporting guns and ammo, and I've already discussed this with the ship's admin folks.

I'm more concerned about the RV and trailer going on board. I'm guessing its no big deal but I was thinking there might be some do's and don't's for my RV that I need to be aware of. Like turning the propane tank off, like Sue T. shared, which is good to know, cuz I didn't. Guess I'll pack and ice chest full of ice and put the perishables in it.

I'm wondering if I'll have to disconnect the trailer or can it be left in tow? Can I have extra diesel fuel containers in my trailer, about 5 gallons? I like to travel with a spare 5 gal can.

Thanks!

I take it that you are taking the cross gulf ferry to Juneau and changing ships there, for the run down to Bellingham. We have done the Skagway to Bellingham, run in the past and enjoyed the trip greatly. But have never done the cross gulf leg before. Believe the cross gulf runs very seldom, perhaps once or twice a month.

As far as I know, the service dog should be able to be with you in your cabin and around the ship under the ADA rules. Hotels can't keep a service dog out, so I would guess the AMHS ferry boats would be the same.

Have you given any thoughts of driving over to Haines or Skagway to get on the ferry. The cross gulf ferry stays way out in the water, a long ways from shore. Not much to see out there but water and the Gulf of Alaska is known to get very rough at times. Not unsafe with the large ferry, just uncomfortable.