Ferry to Alaska

[J. Frank Smith]

My brother & I are planning to hunt in Alaska this fall in area 14.  We're traveling with a pop-up camper and are wondering if anyone travels by ferry from Washington state to Alaska.  Any advice concerning routes, experiences, & costs would be appreciated.  We're going for moose.  jfs

[reelhook]

This is absoultely the greatest trip-you will enjoy it so much and you don't have to worry with Canadian problems with firearms since you will not set foot in canada.
Take along a sleeping bag and pad and sleep in the solarium-you will meet the nicest people and the views are great. They have good showers and the food is adequite though a little pricey. There will be access to your vehicle twice a day for "pet" calls -you can get food out of your vehicle at that time.
They have state rooms but the solarium is more fun and with free showers-it cost less. I should also mention that they have movies on board but take a bood.Wish I was going again.

[Daveinthebush]

I haven't done the trip myself, I have driven it many times tough.  We ferry the kids in school quite often to basketball games and such.  When ever you can get out on the ocean and see Alaska it is stunning.  Bring a good camera, snacks and food in the camper, sea sickness medication if you need it.  Our prices will astound you almost as much as the scenery.

[BW]

J. Frank,

Check out this link to the Alaska Marine Highway Schedule...

http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/schedres/scheds/S03web.pdf

There's only one way to avoid traveling through Canada, and that's by taking one of the few 'Cross Gulf' trips which travel from Juneau to Valdez/Seward.  In August and September, there's only one or two of these trips each month.  I'm not sure that you can make a good connection due to the lack of travel dates offered.  They offer more trips during the summer months (June and July) but don't offer much for us hunters in the fall.

Otherwise, you can get on a ferry in Bellingham, and travel north to Haines.  But from Haines, you have to enter Canada (not far out of town), drive to Haines Junction (Canada), turn left, and head for Alaska.

You could mail your rifles to yourself in Alaska, in care of someone you know here, or your outfitter.   Or, just go ahead and play the Canadian Customs game and bring your rifles with you.

Sorry for the bad news...