• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • TravelingDad

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
    • ROAD TRIP PLANNER
    • ILLINOIS ROAD TRIPS
    • TEXAS ROAD TRIPS
    • GEORGIA ROAD TRIPS
    • CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS
    • NORTHEAST ROAD TRIPS
    • MIDWEST ROAD TRIPS
  • Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
    • US Cities
      • New York City
      • Chicago
      • Los Angeles
      • Orlando
      • San Diego
      • San Francisco
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Outdoors
    • Skiing
    • National Parks
    • RV/Camping
    • Beaches
  • Travel Resources
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Free Things to Do
    • Packing
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Ticket
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Grandparents
    • Cruising
    • TravelingDad
  • Search
  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • Road Trips Across the USA
    • Road Trip Planner
    • Illinois Road Trips
    • Texas Road Trips
    • Georgia Road Trips
    • California Road Trips
    • Northeast Road Trips
    • Midwest Road Trips
  • US National Parks
  • RV and Camping
  • Beaches
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Cruises
  • Skiing
  • Free Things to Do
  • Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
  • Traveling Grandparents
  • TravelingDad
  • US Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
  • US Cities
    • NYC
    • Chicago
    • Los Angeles
    • Orlando
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • International
  • Travel Resources
    • Book A Trip
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Packing
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Family Vacation Ideas / Canada Destinations / Alaska Marine Highway 101: Planning Your Sailing
Haines Alaska - State ferry
Haines, Alaska, along the Alaska Marine Highway. Photo Credit: Amanda Williams

Alaska Marine Highway 101: Planning Your Sailing

June 22, 2015 //  by Amanda Williams//  Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Camping on the Ferry is one thing, but do you know how to plan your journey to best accommodate your vacation goals? Unlike a traditional cruise, the Alaska Marine Highway or “the state ferry,” gives you the ability to customize your ports-of-call and length of stay while in port. You can stay for a year or a day (as long as a ship is coming or going) it is a very flexible and forgiving system to plan a trip around. Here are three tips to get you underway!

1. Plan and Book Early

Alaska Marine Highway State Ferry
Waiting in queue to drive onto the ferry. Photo Credit: Amanda Williams

If you want a stateroom or you’re driving a monstrosity of an RV you’ll need to book early. The ferry allows many vehicles onboard and is a drive-on ship, one of the coolest concepts to comprehend for our 3-year-old son, who road tripped to Alaska with us last summer.

For this reason, the folks that do the planning, logistics, and parking LOVE when folks plan ahead. You can catch the seasonal deals and ensure that the trip of a lifetime is the the trip YOU want it to be when you book.

2. Take in Uncharted Territory

Alaska Marine Highway System
Hidden Gem in Southeast Alaska: Kake. Photo Credit: Flickr/Christopher Michel

Never heard of Kake, Hoonah, or Metlakatla? Well, that’s because all of those towns are tiny. They are certainly not stops on the cruise itinerary and they rarely make headlines outside of a mention here and there on the Discovery Channel or National Native News on NPR. Does that mean they aren’t amazing? Heck no! Kake is one of the very coolest places I’ve ever worked, lived, or visited. Make sure to research the smaller ports and see the REAL Alaska. This is for those that like to be immersed in culture and live like a local. If you’re a glamper, this is just NOT going to be for you. Sorry. Rugged adventurer? Then yes, carry on!

3. Bring Your Vehicle, Dog, and Camera

Haines Alaska - State ferry
Haines, Alaska, along the Alaska Marine Highway. Photo Credit: Amanda Williams

No other transportation adventure allows you to bring everything but the kitchen sink. Unless your kitchen sink is in an Airstream or a Minnie Winnie, then by all means, bring it too!

No boarding the dog. No need for hotels if you drive an RV. Just the open waters of several world-class waters for sea life viewing, glaciers, and the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

Download our FREE RV packing list HERE!

The Alaska Marine Ferry is one of the best-kept secrets of the Last Frontier. It beats paying baggage charges and having to rent vehicles. It allows you to really experience life in Alaska as the locals do. It’s my absolute favorite boat to camp on with the family! Go see some of Alaska today, but if you’re wise, do it by sea!

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Category: Canada Destinations, Family Cruises, Family Vacations in the Pacific Northwest USA, RV/CampingTag: camping, outdoors

You May Also Like

  • With access only by plane or boat, discover free thigns to do in Juneau, Alaska, from churches to beaches to salmon streams
    10 FREE Things to do in Juneau, Alaska
  • Dad Travel 101 Destinations Domestic Travel Get To Know These Three Top Seattle Breweries
    Dad Travel 101: Know These Three Top Seattle Breweries
  • what to pack for a sailing trip
    The Ultimate Sailing Packing List
  • Seeing orca whales headed out to see with Uncruise Alaska.
    Is UnCruise Alaska Right for Kids?
  • take a sailing cruise on the Star Clippers Royal Clipper
    5 Reasons to Book a Family Sailing Cruise This Year
  • Tips for Taking the Kids Dog Sledding in Alaska
Previous Post: « 5 Things to Do in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Next Post: Taking a vacation WITHOUT the kids… »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Manage Push Notifications
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2021 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved