We're heading to Alaska in January and have been wanting to take the ferry up there, but we are wondering if the elements will be a bit too harsh to really enjoy it. Has anybody done this trip in Winter?
Thanks,
Wendi

Wendi, I've ridden the ferry in winter (December in my case) and it was one of the most enjoyable trips I've ever made. Yes, the weather may be crummy, and the days are short, and get shorter the farther north you travel. But the ferry is much more the bus than the love boat in winter, the locals are friendly, you get to see the stopover towns when they're not crawling with tourists mobbing Creek St. or the poor little Russian church in Juneau.
The cabins and lounge areas on the ferries are cozy enough, and the water, aside from crossing Dixon Entrance, is smooth because you're sheltered from the open sea. Take a good book, watch for eagles or orcas or the occasional critter on the shore, loaf. I bet you'll love it.

Thanks John. I think you gave us the shot in the arm we needed.

This sounds great---but i don't know much about it--where do you pick up these ferries--can you drive there in the winter, or do you need to fly? how long do the ferries take--are they overnighters?

Tom, go to http://www.dot.state.ak.us/external/amhs/home.html