Take a Cruise on an Alaska Marine Highway Ferry

The Alaska Marine Highway offers an informal, "do your own thing" type of vacation. Take your vehicle with you and cruise the inside passage to Alaska. The AMHS ferry system is operated by the Alaska Department of Highways. Ferries leave Bellingham, Washington, and stop at ports along the way. We traveled on the ferry in 2007 from Bellingham to Haines, Alaska.

Log onto their websites: www.akferry.org or www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs for information on ferry schedules, reservations and payment. The website has been updated and is user friendly. Reservations for 2008 should be made as soon as possible in January.

Vehicles: Vehicles are charged by length. Check the website for charges for motorcycles, bicycles, or kayaks. Travelers need to arrive three hours ahead of the scheduled departure.

Cabins or "staterooms" are 2 or 4 berths, inside or outside, with or without bath facilities. They're comfortable, even though small. Don't expect a luxury liner, but the bunks are comfortable. You won't spend much time there anyway; it's nicer on the lounge decks with a 180 degree view of the coastline. There is no daily room service, but the beds were made up when we started and fresh linens are available on request. Towels and soap are provided. We didn't know what to expect, but had everything we needed.

Some travelers brought tents, pitched them on the deck and taped them down with duct tape. Tenters can weather it out inside if it rains. Travelers can also sleep on lounge chairs or on the deck with sleeping bags. Cabins are optional. There are public showers and also coin-operated lockers if you don't have a room.

There were only two times when the ferry was in open water, with no coast on the west (port) side. There was some pitching then. If you are susceptible to sea sickness bring Dramamine or just lay down for a couple hours.