Military Family Resource Guide - 2010 - Keep Trees

SeA
Some travelers chose a land/sea itinerary for the trip north. Travelers can hook
up with the Alaska Marine Highway from Bellingham, Wash. or Prince Rupert, British
Columbia and continue their journey to Alaska aboard ocean-going ferries. By
using the ferries travelers can eliminate several hundred to a couple thousands
miles of highway driving depending on the itinerary selected. The water route
also affords ferry passengers the opportunity to take in the natural splendor of
southeast Alaska’s many communities not accessible by road.
The ferry offers passage for vehicles and people. Cabins are available, but
often sell out early, so make reservations as far in advance as possible. If you
do not have cabin space on overnight trips you will go deck passage and may
sleep in lounge chairs, on the floor inside lounges or you may set up a small
tent on the solarium deck or the stern of the cabin deck as space permits.
Public showers are available on most ferries and cafeteria service is available
on all vessels. The cost of meals is additional.
Pets with a valid rabies certificate and a health certificate are permitted but
are confined to your vehicle for the entire voyage, except when you are allowed
on the vehicle deck to exercise them during stopovers en route or at selected
times while underway. Access to vehicles is restricted for most of the trip.
Ferries are not cruise ships. The scenery outside the windows is the
same as that seen by more than 1 million cruise ship passengers every summer,
but the similarities end there. Bring coolers full of food and beverages;
plus blankets, pillows, towels and entertainment. As with any trip to Alaska,
bring your camera. You will probably see whales, other marine life and the
Alaska coastline.
AIR
If a cross-country journey and border crossing doesn’t appeal to you then
join the jet set and fly into Fairbanks International Airport. Flights from the Lower
48 typically take a few hours and many flights are available daily. Household
goods and vehicles can be shipped via road or sea.
Whether you come by air, land or sea your move to Alaska will be an
unforgettable journey across some of the most magnificent scenery in
North America.
GETTING HERE
Visit www.ferryalaska.com to
make reservations and find schedules,
fares and other information.
2010 • MILITARY FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE 7