On Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:13:56 -0400 in rec.travel.usa-canada,
"mdrawson" wrote:
> We're thinking of using the Alaskan ferry system to get from Bellingham, WA
> up through the Inland Passage, and then onto Whittier.
>
> Does anyone have any experience using these ferries? How are the amenities?
> How is the cruise through the Inland Passage? Any comparison to the cruise
> ships that do the Passage?
you need to understand that the cross-gulf trips to whittier &
back only happen once a month...
these are ferries not cruise ships. staterooms are pretty
bare-bones, just bunks. if you're really on a tight budget, you
can sleep in a sleeping back on the deck in a lounge, in a
recliner chair, or in a deck chair in the solarium.
food is all cafeteria service, and the repugnicans now running
the ferry system into the ground to create an excuse for building
roads all over southeastern alaska wilderness instead, so food
service is getting worse and worse in spite of the best efforts
of ferry employees to provide decent food within the budget and
supply contstraints.
if you take a vehicle you will only have limited access to it, at
the times they allow pet owners to feed and "walk" their animals.
otherwise the car deck is off limits to passengers.
the trip through the inland passage is always beautiful. i
worked on the ferries during summers years ago, and always found
something new to see on each trip.
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