Alaska PersonalTours; Your one-stop Alaska Travel, Alaska Tour Center:

     The Alaska Marine Highway system - Alaska Ferry for short- connects the costal communities of Southeast Alaska with Bellingham Washington and Prince Rupert British Columbia; the Alaska State capital - Juneau with the state's largest city - Anchorage through the Port of Whittier; the communities of Prince William Sound with each other and through Whittier with Southeast Alaska, Homer and Kodiak; and Kodiak with the communities of the Aleutian Island chain. It is possible (though the connections can be a bit tricky) to travel from Bellingham Washington to Unalaska/Dutch Harbor in the Aleutians, all the while seeing some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. There's a reason the entire route of the Alaska Marine Highway - Alaska Ferry has been named both a National Scenic Byway and an All America Road (one of only 27 in the united States). View interactive Map of the entire Alaska Ferry Route.

     Most of these communities are not connectd by roads. The Alaska Marine Highway is THE highway for these coastal communites. On the ferry you will meet an interesting mix of locals and visitors. If you're traveling between late August and early June you may encounter some High School or Middle School teams traveling to competitions. (The coastal Alaska version of the school bus to the opposing school.) It's a great way to meet locals.

     However, the ferry is not a cruise ship. It will arrive in some communities at odd hours of the night. There are no floor shows or gourmet meals. The ferry is in effect public transportation. In Southeast Alaska, all of which is Tongass National Forest, there is a Forest Service naturalist onboard. The Naturalist will give talks before each community, introducing the community, it's history, geology and geography. The Naturalist will also keep an eye peeled for wildlife and announce wildlife sightinsg. However the ferry will not stop for viewing. The ferry is also the way to visit in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Although this Refuge encompass over 47,000 miles of Alaska's coast, a major focus is on the wildlife, birdlife rich Aleutians. Refuge naturalists accompany the ferry, presenting wildlife programs and helping passengers identify the birds and mammals seen along the way.

     You can bring your car, camper, bike and/or kayak. Cabins are available. Many provide beds (bunk bed style) and in room toilet and shower. Some cabins are available, at a reduced rate, with just bed and access to the common toilets and showers. The hardy can pitch a pop tent on the solarium level or roll a sleeping bag out on the floor at night. The later is the least expensive way to travel to Alaska and see our magnificent scenery.

     You may get on and off the ferry at different stops and then catch a later ferry to continue your trip. (Again be forwarned that you may find yourself going or coming in the middle of the night. We have a joke here, based in truth, that the ferry always goes or comes at 3AM) This is slightly more expensive than the cost of a through trip, but a great way to explore Alaska's coasttal communities.

     Quite honestly, reading the ferry schedule is quite confusing, especially if you don't know the area. However with our experience in Alaska, we can get you accurately scheduled.