To Alaska by ferry from Washington State?
Does anyone know if it is possible to take a ferry from say Seattle to Alaska and by pass Canada altogether? I have a 2002 45 foot Foretravel Class A motorhome. Thanks for any info. Robt65
Forum Discussion
The answer's been provided, but yes, one can take the AMHS from Seattle area to Anchorage area without going into Canada. I can't recall what it's called right now but the "Southeast Mainlines" run from Bellingham Washington to any number of places in Southeast Alaska, including Juneau.
At Juneau, the "Cross-Gulf sailings" runs from Juneau to (among others) Whittier and Valdez. From either Whittier or Valdez, you're on the road system and can get to Los Anchorage or points North.
FWIW, I recently (2 days ago) got a quote for a 31' boat to be shipped up via AMHS. It was circa $3500 from Bellingham to Whittier (just an unaccompanied boat, no vehicle, no cabin, etc) and they told me that I'd have to discuss specific timing in order not to have to do a Ferry transfer in Juneau. Since the cost was such that I could pay for costs and time for my son to drive down to Seattle to pickup the boat, I didn't pursue any specifics on avoiding a transfer, but it might be possible to do it. FWIW, my timing would have been in April, so the option might not be there in tourist season.
I'd second a few points made above: a) The AMHS is a (relatively, compared to cruise lines) cheap-ish way to see SE Alaska.....it's less cheap if one is paying for a large MH or truck/trailer; b) If one wants to avoid Canada, it can be done on the AMHS; c) if one does not specifically want to avoid Canada, the AMHS stops in Canada are nice places as well (or at least they were 20 years ago, the last time I went that route); d) if one doesn't want to see Southeast Alaska AND doesn't want to go into Canada, the cheapest way (and likely the least hassle) is to fly into Los Anchorage and rent an RV for driving around; e) people will say that the cabins on AMHS are overpriced and undersized....whatever. Having done several legs in my "I had hair then" days where I slept on the deck and/or in the lounge chairs (admittedly, those were less comfy back in the day) and having done two trips with a cabin, I wouldn't think twice about getting (i.e. I'd do it in a heartbeat) a cabin for any leg that was more than 12 hours long....but it does all add up if one is taking a truck, a trailer, and booking passage for XX passengers.
At Juneau, the "Cross-Gulf sailings" runs from Juneau to (among others) Whittier and Valdez. From either Whittier or Valdez, you're on the road system and can get to Los Anchorage or points North.
FWIW, I recently (2 days ago) got a quote for a 31' boat to be shipped up via AMHS. It was circa $3500 from Bellingham to Whittier (just an unaccompanied boat, no vehicle, no cabin, etc) and they told me that I'd have to discuss specific timing in order not to have to do a Ferry transfer in Juneau. Since the cost was such that I could pay for costs and time for my son to drive down to Seattle to pickup the boat, I didn't pursue any specifics on avoiding a transfer, but it might be possible to do it. FWIW, my timing would have been in April, so the option might not be there in tourist season.
I'd second a few points made above: a) The AMHS is a (relatively, compared to cruise lines) cheap-ish way to see SE Alaska.....it's less cheap if one is paying for a large MH or truck/trailer; b) If one wants to avoid Canada, it can be done on the AMHS; c) if one does not specifically want to avoid Canada, the AMHS stops in Canada are nice places as well (or at least they were 20 years ago, the last time I went that route); d) if one doesn't want to see Southeast Alaska AND doesn't want to go into Canada, the cheapest way (and likely the least hassle) is to fly into Los Anchorage and rent an RV for driving around; e) people will say that the cabins on AMHS are overpriced and undersized....whatever. Having done several legs in my "I had hair then" days where I slept on the deck and/or in the lounge chairs (admittedly, those were less comfy back in the day) and having done two trips with a cabin, I wouldn't think twice about getting (i.e. I'd do it in a heartbeat) a cabin for any leg that was more than 12 hours long....but it does all add up if one is taking a truck, a trailer, and booking passage for XX passengers.
