Inside Passage Small Ship Recommendation
We are planning a trip to Alaska inside passage and want to use a small cruise ship company - boats that take 15-20 people. I've seen a number of references and recommendation in postings here. But,...
Forum Discussion
If you want maximum flexibility, the ferries are definitely the way to go. If you don't have a vehicle, you just get on any ferry that happens by Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, wherever. If it is a short time to the next port, you can sit in the lounge and listen to the naturalist that accompanies most ferries, eat lunch or drink coffee in the cafeteria, roam the deck taking photos, talk to the other passengers about where they have been and are going, or sleep in a chaise lounge on the aft deck.
If it is an overnight leg, you can get a cabin (if available or if you have previously made reservations) or roll out your sleeping bag and mat under the infrared heaters (or even set up a backpack tent) on the aft deck like most of the locals and backpackers do. All you pay for if you camp on deck or in the lounge is your individual fare for that leg. It's easy, safe, and (normally) warm and dry (there is a canopy over part of the aft deck).
Then, in the next port town, you can use public transportation to get a comfortable bed and a shower. If you think you need a car in one or more ports, those are available in the larger towns as well. You can stay as long or as short a time in each location as you want. Thousands of (generally young) people travel this way every summer because it's easy, cheap, and very flexible.
If it is an overnight leg, you can get a cabin (if available or if you have previously made reservations) or roll out your sleeping bag and mat under the infrared heaters (or even set up a backpack tent) on the aft deck like most of the locals and backpackers do. All you pay for if you camp on deck or in the lounge is your individual fare for that leg. It's easy, safe, and (normally) warm and dry (there is a canopy over part of the aft deck).
Then, in the next port town, you can use public transportation to get a comfortable bed and a shower. If you think you need a car in one or more ports, those are available in the larger towns as well. You can stay as long or as short a time in each location as you want. Thousands of (generally young) people travel this way every summer because it's easy, cheap, and very flexible.
