The Alaska Marine Highway System

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=100 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="3828e641dvldtc.jpg"> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Wrangell-St. Elias</I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> <B>Lodging & Tours  </B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Charlesworth" ><B>       </B></FONT><B>(907) 822-5978</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>        </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>                                         A </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>Travel Agency for the Alaska Marine Highway System </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Times New Roman" ><I>              </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>                                            </I></FONT></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=380 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> The Alaska Marine Highway System</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="924" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#999980 HEIGHT= 3097 WIDTH="238"><div> <IMG SRC="3bddfad0.jpg" border=0 width="223" height="173" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The Alaska Marine Highway gives travelers a great opportunity to experience the tours and attractions of coastal Alaska communities not accessible by road.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> On a Marine Highway ferry, you can travel from port to port, and stop to savor the character of each unique place.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="340d31a0.png" border=0 width="211" height="282" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="33ec7a70.jpg" border=0 width="199" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> 2 New <I>Fast Ferries</I> bring the Alaska Marine Highway fleet up to 10 vessels.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="33cc6950.jpg" border=0 width="198" height="149" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Each year, thousands of travelers bring their vehicles on to the Alaska ferry system, combining an Alaska (surface) highway adventure with a trip along Alaska's Inside Passage<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> If you are driving to Alaska from the Lower 48, using the Alaska Marine Highway System one way between Bellingham or Prince Rupert and Skagway or Haines can eliminate between 700 and 1700 miles of highway driving.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="539c6870.jpg" border=0 width="198" height="135" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Daily ferries connect Juneau, Haines and Skagway in June, July and August. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> The<I> Inter-Island Ferry Authority</I> operates daily ferries between Ketchikan and Hollis on Prince of Wales Island. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="3c7cf9d0.jpg" border=0 width="207" height="157" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> There are ferries also in Southcentral  Alaska between Valdez, Whittier, and Cordova, and in Southwest Alaska, traveling a route from Seward and Homer to Kodiak and the Aleutian Island Chain.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="33fc6910.jpg" border=0 width="198" height="145" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Remember to allow enough time for connections between ferries. </div> <bR> <div> Advanced reservations are required for all sailings on board Alaska's Marine Highway System.</div> <bR> <div>  <a href="HTMLobj-1333/AMHS_Ferries.pdf"><u>CLICK HERE to download pictures and descriptions of each ferry</u> </a>  </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="24"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="3097" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="24" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="646"><div> ( <A NAME="amhs__provides_public_transportation_of"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>AMHS) provides public transportation of people and vehicles among communities in Alaska, Canada, and the "Lower 48." </div> <bR> <div> The Alaska Marine Highway is the longest ferry route in the world.  Encompassing thousands of nautical miles along the coastline, the Alaska Marine Highway System provides regularly-scheduled service to 33 Alaskan communities and to Bellingham, Washington and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.  The Alaska ferry system operates all year long.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#800080" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="186af8f0.jpg" border=0 width="175" height="143" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="10"></B></FONT><B>AMHS ferry passengers have the opportunity to see otherwise inaccessible parts of Alaska.</B> </div> <bR> <div> The ferries follow a whale migration route in which </div> <div> 15 species of whales thread their way through intersecting waterways and coastal glaciers. </div> <bR> <div> Harbor seals, endangered Stellar sea lions, and Dall porpoises (which look like miniature orcas), are a few of the marine animals that can be seen on these journeys.</div> <bR> <div> Major Ports of Call along the Inside Passage are:</div> <bR> <div> Prince Rupert, BC</div> <div> Ketchikan</div> <div> Wrangell </div> <div> Petersburg</div> <div> Sitka</div> <div> Juneau</div> <div> Haines</div> <div> Skagway<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="510d19d0.png" border=0 width="209" height="157" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="10"></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Bellingham, WA, just an hour and a half from Seattle or Vancouver, B.C, is the southernmost port for Alaska's Marine Highway.  Ferries depart Bellingham, Washington once or twice a week on northbound sailings to Alaska.  </div> <bR> <div> During the summer months, there are northbound departures from Bellingham on Tuesdays and on Fridays.  In winter, the departures are only on Fridays.  </div> <bR> <div> The ferry terminal in Bellingham is located in the historic Fairhaven District, next door to the Greyhound and Amtrek Terminals.  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1874bf80.jpg" border=0 width="331" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> The Alaska Marine Highway's on-board services include cafeteria-style dining, licensed bars, emergency-only radio telephone service, rental lockers, public showers, and a variety of sleeping accommodations ranging from 4-berth staterooms with private bathrooms and showers, to tent space on the deck. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="189c5950.png" border=0 width="197" height="149" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> The ten AMHS vessels are divided into two branches. Eight ferries (with capacities ranging from 250 to 748) serve the Inside Passage and southcentral Alaska.  Bellingham, Washington is the southernmost terminus of this route.  At the northern end of this route, Haines and Skagway both provide road- links to the Alaska Highway and the Alaska Road System.  It takes about 15 hours to drive from Haines, AK to Anchorage, AK on the Alaska Highway, traveling through British Columbia and the Yukon.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Gulf of Alaska trips which connect the southeast port of Juneau with the southcentral ports of Valdez and Whittier are made twice per month in the summer months.  This trip, which takes about two nights, is made once each month in the winter.  Whittier is a small town located about 60 miles south of Anchorage on Prince William Sound.  Whittier is the closest port to the city of Anchorage.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Two other ferries, with capacities of 190 and 210, sail a route between seven port cities in southwest Alaska.  Unalaska is the westernmost terminus of this route.</div> <bR> <div> All ten vessels are named after monumental glaciers in Alaska. On each ship, passengers can enjoy presentations by members of the U.S. Forest Service or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the public areas. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="18a4bf80.jpg" border=0 width="331" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> For an additional charge, private cabins are available on some ferries. These are most popular with older travelers and passengers on long trips. The passenger cabins feature private bathrooms with showers; two, three, or four berths; linens, carpeting, and a place to hang garments. </div> <bR> <div> Some cabins have windows, and passengers are welcome to bring their own TV and VCR. The <I>Kennicott</I> has the largest number of cabins -- 109, followed by the Matanuska with 108, the Columbia with 91, the Malaspina with 83, the Taku with 44 and the Tustumena with 26. The m/v LeConte, and m/v Aurora do not have passenger cabins.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="18c4bf80.jpg" border=0 width="331" height="248" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Yes, you can bring your pet.  There is a charge of $25 for dogs, cats and other household pets to/from Bellingham, and $10 to/from Prince Rupert.  Animals must remain on the car deck, secured in your vehicle or carrier.  You can take your pet for a walk when the ship is docked at a port.      </div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Pre-arranged reservations are required on the Alaska Marine Highway, and, since cabin space is so limited, the most popular routes -- especially to and from Bellingham from June through August -- sell out months in advance. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Reservations should be made as early as possible.   We recommend booking your trip on the Alaska Marine Highway three to six months prior to travel.</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Passengers who are traveling with vehicles need to know the exact height and length of the vehicles, taking into account that bikes and kayaks strapped to an automobile or RV add to the height and length.  </div> <bR> <div> If you will be pulling a trailer behind your vehicle, please measure the full length of your vehicle from the front bumper of the vehicle to the back bumper of the trailer.</div> <bR> <div> Walk-on passengers bringing bicycles, kayaks or inflatables will be charged an additional amount for these items. <B> </B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>We're Booking Now for </B></div> <div> <B>2008 Summer Travel </B></div> <div> <B>on the Alaska Marine Highway!</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> For Alaska Marine Highway Reservations & Information, </div> <div>  please use this form or call (907) 822 5978</div> <bR> <div>  <form action="http://csbmail.globalscape.com/cgi-bin/csbmail/csbmail.pl" method="POST" enctype="application/x-www-form-urlencoded"><input type="hidden" name="tlx_SortOrder" value="Name,Email,Phone,Traveling from,Traveling to,Date of requested travel,Number of adults,Number of children age 2 to 12,full length of vehicle,MailingList,questions"><input type="hidden" name="tlx_FormIndex" value="2"><input type="hidden" name="tlx_OKMessage" value="Thank you for considering travel on the Alaska Marine Highway! We will contact you as soon as possible."><input type="hidden" name="tlx_SendMode" value="1"><input type="hidden" name="tlx_Subject" value="An AMHS request form was submitted"><input type="hidden" name="tlx_EmailTo" value="info@alaskayukontravel.com"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" border="0" align="center"> <tr> <td align="left">Name:<br> <input type="text" name="Name" size="45" maxlength="100"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Email:<br> <input type="text" name="Email" size="45" maxlength="100"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Phone number:<br> <input type="text" name="Phone" size="14" maxlength="14"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Traveling from:<br> <input type="text" name="Traveling from" size="45" maxlength="100"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Traveling to:<br> <input type="text" name="Traveling to" size="45" maxlength="100"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Date of requested travel:<br> <input type="text" name="Date of requested travel" size="45" maxlength="100"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Number of adults:<br> <input type="text" name="Number of adults" size="5" maxlength="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Number of children age 2 to 12:<br> <input type="text" name="Number of children age 2 to 12" size="5" maxlength="5"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">full length of vehicle from bumper to bumper:<br> <input type="text" name="full length of vehicle" size="45" maxlength="100"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <input type="checkbox" name="MailingList" value="yes"> Add me to your mailing list</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left">Questions:<br> <textarea name="questions" rows="5" cols="45"></textarea></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right"><input type="reset"> <input type="submit" value="Send" name="tlx_send"></td> </tr> </table> </form>  </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#amhs__provides_public_transportation_of" TITLE="The Alaska Marine Highway System"><U>BACK TO TOP</U></A></div> <div> <I><B>____________________________</B></I></div> <bR> <div> © 2007 - 2008 Wrangell-St. Elias Lodging & Tours     P.O. Box 205, Copper Center, AK  99573    </div> <div> phone (907) 822 5978 </div> <bR> <div> email: <A HREF="mailto:info@alaskayukontravel.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:info@alaskayukontravel.com"><U>info@alaskayukontravel.com</U></A>           <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U>www.alaskayukontravel.com</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>