rancherswife

Would someone who has traveled the Alaska Marine Highway offer an opinion on their experience? I am thinking of traveling from Whittier to Juneau next summer and think the Marine Highway sounds like a scenic way to get there. When reading the forums, I didn't see anyone else utilizing the ferry so it makes me wonder if it is a good way to travel.

Also, can anyone offer a suggestion on how to get from Seward to Whittier without a car? Is there a bus?

eenusa

Have you checked the Trip Advisor AK forums ... I think you might find more information there.

Gardyloo

The Gulf of Alaska crossing on the state ferry involves a small boat on very big water. The boat only stops once, in Yakutat, but otherwise stays a bit offshore. It's not at all like the ferry routes through Southeast Alaska (Inside Passage) in terms of close-by scenery; there's good scenery but it's at a distance, and can be obscured by clouds. Or waves.

On the other hand, the Alaska Airlines "milk run" flight from Anchorage to Juneau, which stops in Cordova and Yakutat, is incredibly scenic and interesting. I personally would consider flying, then use the extra time around Juneau for some exploring - maybe a ferry to Pelican or a side trip to Glacier Bay.

abram

We did several legs on the Alaska Marine Highway and enjoyed them thoroughly. When we did overnights, the cabins very extremely basic, but adequate. The food (cafeteria) was better than we expected. There were naturalists on board giving lectures several times a day. The captain slowed down and/or moved over when there was wildlife to see.

MileKing

One thing to consider is how your travel dates/schedule line up with the Alaska Marine Highway schedule. This past summer (2010) the Whittier to Juneau ferry only ran every other Wednesday during the summer months (even less frequently outside summer). If I remember correctly, this is very similar to past schedules so you might expect the 2011 schedule to be similar. Personally, I would not waste 1.5 days on the ferry for a trip of a couple of weeks.

dfrostnh

We've only done the Inside Passage leg from Bellingham to Skagway on the Columbia which I think is their largest vessel. The cabins are basic as abram described, think spartan. The lectures are great. But Gardyloo's point of possibility of rough seas makes that part of the ferry route sound like not fun. I would rather spend the day on a wildlife/glacier cruise out of Seward - more to see. BTW even the Columbia was dwarfed by the cruise ships.

rancherswife

Thank you for your responses - all very helpful and will make me rethink. I was considering the ferry since we opted not to cruise and I thought Whittier to Juneau would provide a substitute. I didn't realize the scenery would be distant and am not anxious to gamble with seasickness. I am planning on day cruises from Seward and in Glacier Bay. Would that be a better substitute for the Marine Highway? Am I missing out by not cruising the inside passage? I am trying to plan an itinerary that does not involve backtracking.