Have booked the car ferry from Whittier to Valdez and noted on the reservation that you have to arrive 3 hours before departure. Is this true in reality - it'll mean we'll have to leave Homer very early if that's the case!!

I do know you need to arrive well in advance of departure...3 hours seems longer than I remember, but I wouldn't risk cutting it closer without calling & checking with them...

They do need some time, because they stage all the cars well before the ferry arrives, and security searches each & every one of them very thoroughly. One member of your party has to remain with the vehicle at all times until after you drive it onto the ferry. (Of course, once on the ferry, you aren't allowed back to the vehicle until it is docked in Valdez.)

If you are departing from Whittier you have to arrive early because opening of the tunnel is coordinated with arrival and departure of the ferry. Don't be late or you may find the tunnel to be closed and you can miss your ferry. Bring books and games for your kids so they can be occupied while waiting for the ferry.

Yes, you have to leave Homer very early (include extra time for delays such as slow RVs or road construction. For this reason I always suggest staying in Seward after Homer. It is much shorter distance from Seward to Whittier than from Homer to Whittier. Are your accommodations already booked? Is Seward included in your itinerary? If you can make those changes try to go to Homer first and then to Seward. Good luck
Pat

I would plan on getting through at least 2 tunnel "times" before the ferry leaves, which can be about 2 hours, so yes, their advice is sound. Also, first on, have the best seat selection as you will want to camp out in the front viewing section anyway in my opinion. Although they claim, no saving seats, I have never seen anyone get their stuff dumped and someone else taking their seat.

I have never been "searched".

Maybe I wasn't clear on the 'search', BQ, they didn't search people - just the vehicles...they used a mirror to look underneath all the vehicles, they had us open coolers & luggage in our vehicle, and they were doing this to all the vehicles...this was last July in Whittier, I don't know if there was a heightened security alert at this time, which I supposed could have impacted things.