Friday, April 27, 2007
Ride the “Blue Canoe”
Slow down a bit! Enjoy the fresh air and fabulous vistas! Observe wildlife in its natural element! Meet some locals! Take a ride on the “Blue Canoe”.
The Alaska Marine Highway offers a unique alternative to cruise along Alaska's scenic coastline by ferry. It is one of the most popular routes to Alaska. Alaska port cities include Whittier, Seward, Homer, and Valdez, which are connected to Anchorage either by road or rail. The central Alaska coast and the Aleutian Islands are known for cultural depth and wildlife – especially birds.
The Alaska Marine Highway System has been operating year-round since 1963, with regularly scheduled passenger and vehicle service to 30 communities in Alaska, plus Bellingham, Washington, and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Independent travelers, who prefer to see this scenery by “Blue Canoe”, can reach Alaska by ferry by embarking in Bellingham, Washington or in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
Ferries offer cabins for private, overnight accommodations or public areas for laying out a sleeping bag. Cabins are available only on four Southeast ferries and one Southwest ferry. Food in available in either dining rooms and/or cafeterias on all ships. Many ships carry onboard naturalists, movies, small gift shops and other entertainment. Ferries offer the flexibility to stop and explore along the way, and to bring your personal vehicle or RV along for side trips to inland destinations.
Recently designated as a National Scenic Byway, travel on the Alaska state ferry is at a leisurely pace. Enjoy views from observation decks and meet the locals who use the ferry for basic transportation. All ferries have vehicle decks.
Reservations on all vessels are required and should be made as far in advance as possible to get the sailing dates you wish. Requests for space are accepted year-round and held until reservations open. Many cabins for northbound itineraries during the summer months may be sold out by the December before.
Contact the Alaska Marine Highway office for all schedules, fares and information: www.alaska.gov/ferry
# posted by Pat : 11:25 AM
