Alaska Marie Highway with kids
 

Planning on taking a ferry from Seward to Valdez in August – 12 h’ trip. Have 3 kids (3,10,13). Will appreciate any suggestions as far as what to bring for the ride? Do I have access to the car during the ride? Where on the ferry can we stay atc.<BR>Thank U.<BR>Eyal<BR>

Yes, you have access to your car. I don't know if hours are restricted.<BR><BR>Depending on which boat you will be on, you may want to bring some nonperishable foods with you. The large ship (Columbia) has a fancy dining room which I hear is expensive and not very good. It also has cafeteria style food. The smaller ships have something inbetween which is very good.<BR><BR>If you are not getting a berth, you should bring sleeping bags and if you want, tents. You will have to get on early to set up a tent. Set up tents on first level under overhang, so that wind doesn't move the tent around and bring very strong tape to tape down the tent.<BR><BR>I suggest that you arrive early if you are not getting a berth, so that all of you can get loungechairs to sleep on.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful trip!

I was on the Columbia last year but it goes between Bellingham and Haines/Skagway. You will be allowed access to your car when the captain announces it. There are scheduled times because people have animals in their vehicles that need to be fed and walked. It will only be for about 1/2 hr or so. The deck chairs are grabbed early. It was pretty cold the last week in July during some parts of the trip, esp at night. The deck chairs on the Columbia were in a heated solarium open to the rear of the boat. The tents were outside on the fantail. Very blowy. Bring your own duct tape because they will blow overboard. The Columbia had two decks with good obervation windows. See if the website gives the layout of the ferry you will be on. One of the decks seemed to be geared for kids, tables for board games, etc. The kids seemed to be 'camped out' there. No one will look askance if you sleep in an inside chair during the night. The Columbia had a small theater with very nice recliners. A sign asked that sleeping gear be removed during the day. Unless a program was going on I doubt anyone would bother if a 3 yo needed a nap during the day. Bring plenty of beverages and snacks and whatever you need for meals. We thought the cafeteria was ok and not overly expensive. People seemed to eat in the cafeteria even if they had their own food but I would suggest you pick an off time when there were plenty of empty tables. Bring your own books and games for the children. You might have each child carry their own backpack of entertainment items, change of underwear and socks. They should not leave anything valuable laying around and they shouldn't expect Mom to be a packhorse. There were public showers and toilets. A forest service employee gave talks a couple of times a day on the Columbia. It's a very relaxed atmosphere. Have a great time!

You will likely be on the Tustumena, one of the smaller ships in the fleet, with limited passenger facilities (cafeteria, bar, lounge). You can only visit the car during port stops, of which you'll probably have one in Chenega. You might consider purchasing the use of a cabin (around $100 or less) for the 12 hours for naps, but otherwise I'd suggest planning as you would for a 12 hour car trip - books, etc. The scenery will be good and the chances of seeing critters high, but 12 hours is a long time. Bring camera, binoculars, fun things for the kids. It may be chilly and possibly wet on deck, so dress accordingly.

We just took this ferry, although in the opposite direction. They showed two movies (a Disney one and one about a dog). These kept my husband and 8 year old daughter more than entertained. The rest of the time can be spent exploring the boat, visiting the gift shop, watching for sea life, playing cards, reading. As mentioned by someone else, you will have periodic access to the car. Unfortunately our weather was not the best, but all in all a very enjoyable trip. The only downside was that there was a 3 am check-in for our 6 am crossing. That was a drag. Have fun!

you will have no access to your car. Get a cabin on the ferry. I just got back from my Alaska vacation.