Not RVing in Canada & Alaska

I'd strongly recommend reservations for summer stays in the places you've mentioned in Alaska (can't speak to Prince Rupert).

Several years ago, I went "walkabout" (actually, fly/ferry/get a ride - about) and found that lodging (whether B&B, motel, or otherwise) was almost (almost, not entirely) a yes or no thing: Between mid-June and Labor Day, no availability for walk-ups/non-reservations; after Labor Day...almost unlimited availability unless there was something specific in the locale (I seem to recall that Wrangell had a September fishing season that drew a lot of folks).

You definitely should have reservations in advance for summer lodging in Ketchikan, Sitka, Glacier Bay (Gustavus}, and Skagway. They all depend on cruise ship passengers for most of their tourist income, so don't have a lot of lodging for non-cruisers.

Haines, Petersburg, and Wrangell don't get nearly as many cruisers, but are small towns that don't have a lot of lodging. Juneau is big enough and gets enough non-tourist visitors that it has lots of motels, B&Bs, etc. Some of them are even within a short distance of the ferry dock, which is miles from the downtown cruise ship dock where you likely went ashore on your cruise.

If you haven't been there before, you'll love Sitka. It is one of the most picturesque towns in Alaska and our favorite place to visit in the whole state. Dozens of bald eagles flying around the harbor and landing in the enormous Sitka spruce covering the tiny islets that dot the harbor were a highlight for us. And, if you are there on a clear evening, the sunset over the ocean, with the trees and volcanic cone in the foreground, is something you'll never forget. Just describing it makes me want to go back again! But you may find, as we did, that once the cruise ship passengers are tendered back to their ships, most of the eating establishments close up shop.

Sounds like a great trip to stay at those places. I would think reservations would be good because they probably don't have a lot of choices. It shouldn't be hard to do since you'll have a definite itineary from the ferry.

Another thought..when we took the ferry we arrived at a couple of those places when it was dark so you wouldn't want to look for a place at that time.

We took the ferry and have also driven. There are many special ways to do it. Have fun!

You definitely need reservations, but a few days ahead is okay for ferries and for accommodations in most towns (though not for specific properties).

Asked the couple down the street only yesterday about their trip. They did a 3 month trip this year. One of the biggest things they are glad they did was to reserve as many rooms as they could and also ferries.