Alaska
May 7th, 1998, 11:13 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Alaska
My husband and I are interested in starting our vacation in either Seattle or Vancover. Renting a car and then catching a ?car ferry? out of Vancover to go up the Alaska coast to see Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway/Haines (having our rental car to drive around at each of these ports to see the terrain), then back on the ferry and onto Glacier Bay National Park, Valdez and Seward. We want to do a thorough job of seeing the "main ports". From here we would drive around for 10 days (plus) to see Anchorage, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Gates of the Artic National Park then over to Whitehorse and Dawson (Yukon Territory). We would then drop the car in Alaska before flying back out of Anchorage or Fairbanks to Vancover or Seattle.
Does the Alaska Marine Highway Company have a "car ferry" service? Is the Alaska Marine Highway Company more economical than a cruise? A cruise is not out of the question, however, I feel restricted time and even vehicle wise when you get approximately (6) hours of sightseeing once you get off the ship and usually end up buying a tour package in order to see something. Do any other companies offer a "car ferry" service? Please offer alternative suggestions for seeing the above sights.
Does the Alaska Marine Highway Company have a "car ferry" service? Is the Alaska Marine Highway Company more economical than a cruise? A cruise is not out of the question, however, I feel restricted time and even vehicle wise when you get approximately (6) hours of sightseeing once you get off the ship and usually end up buying a tour package in order to see something. Do any other companies offer a "car ferry" service? Please offer alternative suggestions for seeing the above sights.
May 8th, 1998, 02:51 PM
#2
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The Alaska Marine Highway transoprts, cars, Rv, bus and tractor/trailers. I prefer it to a cruise. If you have not reserved a stateroom, you may be sleeping in a reclining chair. The last showing in the theater is always full. (reserving a spot) It is less than a cruise even with buying your own food.
The stateroom have 120ac electric. so take your coffee pot. The Alaska Marine Highway will send you information. Have you checked the extra charge for dropping thes rental car in Alaska?
The stateroom have 120ac electric. so take your coffee pot. The Alaska Marine Highway will send you information. Have you checked the extra charge for dropping thes rental car in Alaska?
May 12th, 1998, 04:40 AM
#3
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My husband and I lived in Juneau for about ten years, and have done two trips like the one you are planning to do-- we love Alaska, and very much enjoyed travelling. One thing you should be aware of, especially if you are renting the car you are driving, is that the roads in Alaska can be rough-- and not heavily travelled (although in July there is more traffic), and you should be prepared for any kind of emergency. We drove our car to Bellingham one year and Prince Rupert another, and got on the ferry from there to Juneau. We never got a state room, but instead brought some camping equipment (sleeping bags, etc) and slept out on the partially covered sun deck (the sunroom), where some travellers even set up backpackers tents. It's an eclectic crowd, but we enjoyed it very much both times.
The virtues of the ferry system, aside from affordablity and the luxury of taking up your car, include the National Park Service people on board, who give short talks on the history and scenery of the land, and lead wildlife watching exercises. Each time you stop in a town, you must be careful to note the departure time; aside from that, most places have buses and vans that will take you in and/or around the main sites in an hour or so. Some of the communities are small enough that you just need to stroll over to the main store to restock your provisions.
Although I am partial to the Juneau area, Sitka is beautiful, and Ketchikan has an interesting downtown area (with boardwalks and buildings that jut out over the water). Anchorage has a lot to see IF you are an Alaska living in a smaller community, but as a visitor from what we call the "Lower 48," it may feel like just another city to you in the summer (I loved getting away to Anchorage). If you are driving around up that way, don't miss the Kenai, Homer is also great, and of course Denali is breath-taking. I do recommend driving the Al-Can if you at all can, since much of the Yukon and BC are just phenomenal as well, and with the conversion rates on the Canadian dollar these days, driving through would be very affordable. We have made that trip twice, and I will never forget unwinding in the hot springs at Upper Liard after a long day of driving, with the Northern Lights rippling in night sky above me (once in Sept.-- in July you'd have to be up mighty late to catch such a show); or setting up camp near Kluane Lake in the Yukon with a pair of owls hooting in the trees above me. I have been many places in the worlk, but never have I seen scenery as spectacular as I did on those two trips.
Enjoy, and best of luck to you!
The virtues of the ferry system, aside from affordablity and the luxury of taking up your car, include the National Park Service people on board, who give short talks on the history and scenery of the land, and lead wildlife watching exercises. Each time you stop in a town, you must be careful to note the departure time; aside from that, most places have buses and vans that will take you in and/or around the main sites in an hour or so. Some of the communities are small enough that you just need to stroll over to the main store to restock your provisions.
Although I am partial to the Juneau area, Sitka is beautiful, and Ketchikan has an interesting downtown area (with boardwalks and buildings that jut out over the water). Anchorage has a lot to see IF you are an Alaska living in a smaller community, but as a visitor from what we call the "Lower 48," it may feel like just another city to you in the summer (I loved getting away to Anchorage). If you are driving around up that way, don't miss the Kenai, Homer is also great, and of course Denali is breath-taking. I do recommend driving the Al-Can if you at all can, since much of the Yukon and BC are just phenomenal as well, and with the conversion rates on the Canadian dollar these days, driving through would be very affordable. We have made that trip twice, and I will never forget unwinding in the hot springs at Upper Liard after a long day of driving, with the Northern Lights rippling in night sky above me (once in Sept.-- in July you'd have to be up mighty late to catch such a show); or setting up camp near Kluane Lake in the Yukon with a pair of owls hooting in the trees above me. I have been many places in the worlk, but never have I seen scenery as spectacular as I did on those two trips.
Enjoy, and best of luck to you!
May 12th, 1998, 03:19 PM
#4
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Posts: n/a
I think I might be able to help you out. I just moved from Alaska to Washington. I lived in jUneau and I know my way around Southeast and its ferry system.
It would be better if you started out in Bellingham, Washington. Ketchikan will be your first stop, Then Juneau after Juneau you will go to Haines and then into Skagway.
If your in Juneau on a Friday night you might want to check out Arts In The Park it is next to the cruise ship docks in downtown. The Juneau tram costs about $20.00 a person and is brand new to Juneau. The tram is something you dont want to miss at the top there is a restaraunt and a theatre, hiking tours, and scenic views. It is also located downtown right across the street from the cruise ship docks.
If you drive out the road north at sunset you can see the sun go down behind the Chilkat Mountains. BRING A CAMERA
Sakgway is a KODAK picture town, filled with history of the goldrush. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT SOAPY SMITHS SALOON.
It will be about 2-$3000 cheaper to take the ferry rather than taking a cruise ship.
You might want to check out a rental car in Juneau instead of Bellingham it would be about $500 cheaper to rent a car at the Juneau airport than in Washington. The ferry system will charge you alot of money to take a car on the ferry. You wont really need a car until you get to Juneau anyways. Ketchikan is a town that you can walk around.
If you need any more help please contact me I will be glad to help you with your trip to Alaska.
Brian Graves
Gig Harbor, Washington
[email protected]
It would be better if you started out in Bellingham, Washington. Ketchikan will be your first stop, Then Juneau after Juneau you will go to Haines and then into Skagway.
If your in Juneau on a Friday night you might want to check out Arts In The Park it is next to the cruise ship docks in downtown. The Juneau tram costs about $20.00 a person and is brand new to Juneau. The tram is something you dont want to miss at the top there is a restaraunt and a theatre, hiking tours, and scenic views. It is also located downtown right across the street from the cruise ship docks.
If you drive out the road north at sunset you can see the sun go down behind the Chilkat Mountains. BRING A CAMERA
Sakgway is a KODAK picture town, filled with history of the goldrush. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT SOAPY SMITHS SALOON.
It will be about 2-$3000 cheaper to take the ferry rather than taking a cruise ship.
You might want to check out a rental car in Juneau instead of Bellingham it would be about $500 cheaper to rent a car at the Juneau airport than in Washington. The ferry system will charge you alot of money to take a car on the ferry. You wont really need a car until you get to Juneau anyways. Ketchikan is a town that you can walk around.
If you need any more help please contact me I will be glad to help you with your trip to Alaska.
Brian Graves
Gig Harbor, Washington
[email protected]
