RVs on Alaska Marine System

Everyone boarded through the side at Skagway and unloaded through the same side at Haines. We were one of the last to load and drove up the ramp, turned left and parked in the middle lane facing aft. When we unloaded, we were directed to loop around the central bulkhead and drive toward the bow, make a right, and headed out the door. We had no problem getting on or off, made the turns with no trouble, and, as others have said, everything was handled very professionally.

Our experience was exactly as stated in the above quote. We took the Walaspina ferry from Skagway to Haines in June of this year. Our truck and fifth wheel were measured at the dock to be 46 feet. We were the longest rig and we were the last ones on the ferry. We figured the total cost was about the same as we would have spent in diesel if we had driven from Skagway to Haines. The ferry trip was a great experience and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. We met several people who drove to Skagway and skipped Haines because they were told it would be too expensive. It's not.

So don't be afraid to try it! It was really fun and Haines turned out to be one of our favorite places.

Here's a link to my blog post about taking the ferry Taking the Alaskan Ferry to Haines

We took the Malaspina from Skagway to Haines in July 2013. We had no reservation until the day we planned to leave and had no trouble getting a reservation for that afternoon at 3:00. Our truck and trailer were measured in the parking lot by the ferry dock workers at exactly 40 ft. Most of the vehicles loading at Skagway were RVs--motorhomes, 5th wheels, travel trailers, and pickup campers, a couple of commercial trucks including a semi, and a few cars and SUVs. Despite the number, the ferry was not completely full that afternoon.

Everyone boarded through the side at Skagway and unloaded through the same side at Haines. We were one of the last to load and drove up the ramp, turned left and parked in the middle lane facing aft. When we unloaded, we were directed to loop around the central bulkhead and drive toward the bow, make a right, and headed out the door. We had no problem getting on or off, made the turns with no trouble, and, as others have said, everything was handled very professionally.

We have used the ferries twice now--in 2000 from Juneau to Skagway to Sitka and this year from Skagway to Haines. If we go back to Alaska again, we will likely take the ferry at least one way from Bellingham and maybe both ways. It really is a great way to see Alaska, especially in the Inside Passage.

Dito to above post. We came out of Alaska on the ferry system in 2012 after spending 2 mo in Alaska. We are a 29 ft FW towed by F350 long bed. Had not one problem (husband had not one problem)loading or unloading. They even allowed us to move a few feet below decks to accomodate the old dog so she could get out of the camper as was tight to put steps down. We are considering flying to west coast and just traveling on the ferrys this summer for a few weeks in Alaska. wILL miss the camping but just too long a trip to drive again.

We got on the ferry in Skagway, off at Haines for a few days. Back on and sailed to Juneau for a few. Then to Sitka for a few days. . . on to Ketchikan and finally to Prince Rupert. Now we did take our small (24') motorhome but there were bigger ones and even semi trailers on board some of the ships. We were measured when we got on in Skagway and got our tickets for the entire trip.

We found the Alaska Marine Highway System to be an extremely professional, helpful, well oiled machine. EVERY person we spoke with on the ferry or on the phone was polite and very knowledgeable about all aspects of the trip. When we got on, they watch the rigs carefully and will block with dunnage boards to help you get on board without scraping. As one guy put it, "We don't want you to break anything either." Considering it could be a black tank. . . hahaha. The guys directing you into your parking place know exactly what to tell you to do, etc. After the first time, we didn't worry about getting on/off again.

This was one of the most pleasurable parts of our trip. The sailings were on time, comfortable, enjoyable, etc.

If you are sailing a long haul, spend the extra dollars for a state room. We did and were able to get some sleep. We also booked one on a shorter run, but it was overnight and that was a good move as well.

Would definitely do it again.

When we got back, I did take time to call them and told them how much we enjoyed this part of the trip and how professional we thought they were and helpful, etc. They seemed to really appreciate it. They seem to be primarily interested in your having a great time in their wonderful state and not having to worry about your vehicle or the journey.

Dale

As pointed out, it depends on the marine vessel, the configuration of the loading dock, how your vehicle is loaded, and sometimes the type of vehicle your loading, and the order when loaded.

I can only confirm on the three ferry routes I been on, as on the M/V Taku in 1993 (Valdez to Seward) my memory is not 100% clear however I think we loaded from the side of the vessel as it took quite a while to load all the rigs....I can only remember while unloading after arriving at Seward that upon exiting it was out of the same access point that you entered, as my vehicle was one of the last one's loaded and one of the first unloaded....I do not know how the long RV's were unloaded however there is plenty of room to turn around once the compartment area starts emptying out to where it wouldn't be a nightmare maneuvering.

Sailing on the M/V Matanuska in 1994 (Skagway to Juneau and Juneau to Haines), I do remember loading from the side of the vessel, as I was thinking man that is a smaller loading dock they have here in Skagway, I was thinking what a cluster it is going to be when unloading in Juneau (Auke Bay) assuming the vessel was going to unload the same way as the M/V Taku the year prior....

June 1994 - Skagway Harbor - M/V Matanuska and loading dock ramp from land view (top picture):


When the M/V Matanuska docked in Auke Bay, it really surprised me that we all drove straight out of the ship so efficiently (forward in, forward out), and it was a breeze....there were two different access points to enter and exit the vessel.

Same ship sailing on the M/V Matanuska three days later (Juneau to Haines)...loading was fast (as the loading dock access was flat), unloaded at Haines the same way straight out of the ship (forward in, forward out) as there loading dock access in Haines was also flat that I remember.

Also noted about the large amount of staff members and spotters to guide you when loading your rig that run the Alaska Marine Vessels are top notch and really know what they're doing, they will take care of every passenger and rig onboard.

It not only depends on the ship, but also on the port. Some of the ports are only designed to load from the side, others like Bellingham and Prince Rupert load from the bow or stern. They haul many large truck trailers to deliver goods to the different communities. As Ron says, they will take good care of you and your vehicle on the ships.

Here is the Malaspina loading in Skagway and it uses a side load at that port. We are talking serious sized ships in the AMH System.



A couple of more photos on edit: This is at Prince Rupert, where they back the Big Mat in stern first and load straight into the stern. A small side issue is all the AMHS fleet operates on Alaska Time, even though when in PR, they are in the Pacific time Zone, the ship still runs on Alaska Time. LOL



They have you line up in the parking lot based upon size, type, destination, etc. Then the load master off the ship, decides which vehicle goes on next. The couple is walking up the loading ramp as all the off loading vehicles are already off the ship.



We were going straight through from PR to Skagway, so we were loaded last. So when we arrived in Skagway, we just drove forward the length of the ferry, and turned right, to drive out the very large side cargo door, then up the ramp to be on our way.

It really depends upon the ship. Some are loaded on the side, others on the end or front. Some are large enough that when you drive down into the ship, you just get in a line inside. Others you have to back the rv into the line. I saw one guy that had to back his 35' 5ver down the ramp and into the ship.

We did it both ways. When you have to back into the line (once you are in the bowels of the ship) there will be people who will guide you expertly. One of the ships was so large that I actually drove the mh down one side of the ship (while inside), turned a 180 at the end of the ship and then drove up the other side and parked.

Don't worry, they will take real good care of you and your rv. And as far as "measuring", nobody ever checked mine. When I made my reservation, I didn't check the over 102" box.

Ron

I assume you have read this page

AMH Vehicles

I was shocked when we visited Juneau on a cruise and saw all the 5ers and TT lined up to take the ferry.

I don't know how the individual ship handles them - but they (AMH) have plenty of experience getting those type trailers on and off.

My look at the fares table is that Haines to Skagway will $3.30 per foot of total length - with a 25% surcharge if the vehicle is 103 inches wide. I've been told but cannot verify that things like the awning mounts are measured to calculate width.

You should call them - 800-642-0066