The Alaska Ferry runs 24 hours a day. It takes 36 hours from Bellingham, WA to reach the first stop at Ketchikan. Visitors often disembark in a variety of towns, stay a few nights on land, then continue on the ferry.
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The car deck is closed off when the ferry is underway, thus you cannot sleep in your vehicle. For more information on sleeping on the ferry see our FAQ's and General Sailing Information.
For passengers who opt to travel without a cabin, the recliner lounges also serve as sleeping areas with space to roll out a sleeping bag. Covered solariums located on the upper decks of each vessel are also popular sleeping areas and for those traveling with small tents, they are allowed on the upper decks.
U.S. Coast Guard regulations prohibit access to the car deck while a vessel is underway; therefore, RVs and motorhomes may not be used for dining and sleeping while on an AMHS ferry.
When your ferry stops in a port, you can either get off and walk around for a few hours or drive off and spend a few days. You can get back on the ferry to head elsewhere or keep driving to your own destinations.
Passenger discounts will apply to full priced Adult, Senior and Child fares. The discount cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotional fares, such as youth group discounts, passes or specials. Travelers are advised to figure the relative advantage of one discount over another.
Passport Requirements - US CitizensIf you are a U.S. Citizen and your Alaska cruise begins and ends in the same US port (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles) you are not currently required to travel with a passport to Alaska. All cruise lines and WMPH Vacations highly recommend you carry a valid passport. U.S.
The only way to drive to Alaska without a passport is if you are a U.S. citizen with a NEXUS membership card, an enhanced driver's license, or you have special authorization via the military or government affiliations.
Cabins are available in two-bed (side by side) and four-bed (upper and lower) layouts. Features include: Linens, duvet, and pillow. Private washroom with shower, sink, and toilet.
But flight-free travel isn't just greener – it's often cheaper, too. For mid-distance journeys, a trip by car (and, if needs be, ferry) tends to cost a lot less per passenger than even the budget-est of budget flights. EVs can be a bit more expensive to hire than petrol and diesel cars, but are far cheaper to run.
Cabins are available in two-bed (side by side) and four-bed (upper and lower) layouts. Features include: Linens, duvet, and pillow. Private washroom with shower, sink, and toilet.
While cruising attracts many different types of travelers, they share some traits. Nationwide, cruise passengers tend to be slightly older than other vacationers, with a median age of 47, and 54 for Alaska.
The Bellingham Cruise Terminal, in Bellingham's Historic Fairhaven District, is the southern starting point for the Alaska Marine Highway System. Navigating the nation's first marine scenic highway, the ferry departs Bellingham regularly transporting passengers and vehicles between Alaska and the lower 48 states.