Alaska Marine Highway - Ferry Ride [Archive]

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TripleThreat

12-26-2009, 07:17 PM

My brother and I are planning a month long trip through Canada and Alaska. On our return trip, we are considering a Ferry from Prince Rupert to Bellingham.

We have plenty of time to plan, as our trip will not be until July, 2011.

Have any of you taken this Ferry, or any other Ferry that is a part of the Alaska Marine Highway?

I'll be calling them on Monday to see about their schedules, but a couple of days on the Ferry sounds like a really neat experience and it will give us views that we would not be able to get by any other means.

Thoughts?, Comments?, Advice?

Jeff

G wizz

12-26-2009, 07:23 PM

TripleThreat

12-26-2009, 07:45 PM

Make reservations well in advance, as the ferrys tend to fill early.

That's why I'm planning now for a trip in July of 2011... Need to find out their schedule and then plan the trip around the departure date from Prince Rupert as that will really be the only date that will need to be firm about the whole trip.

Trailace

12-26-2009, 11:55 PM

I would have like to take the Ferry ride but did not have the time. You really need to take the Cassiar highway (37) in British Columbia on the way up or down. P^

TripleThreat

12-27-2009, 04:48 PM

Taking it (37) from 97 down to 16 on the way home on the way to Prince Rupert to catch the ferry :-)

Trailace

12-27-2009, 06:16 PM

Taking it (37) from 97 down to 16 on the way home on the way to Prince Rupert to catch the ferry :-)

That will work!

TripleThreat

12-28-2009, 05:28 PM

Found out today that there is no Ferry that runs from Prince Rupert to Bellingham. I'll have to either take a short one from Ketchikan to Prince Rupert ($115) or one of the longer rides from Ketchikan to Bellingham, or Haines or Skagway to Bellingham. Those are a little more pricey... between $544 and $841 depending on which port you start from. Prices listed are for one adult and one motorcycle with no cabin. If I decide to take one of the longer trips, I'll camp on the deck of the ship rather than spend the extra money on a cabin. Seems silly when I'll be camping the entire rest of the trip anyway.

Not sure that the 5.5 hour trip from Ketchikan to Prince Rupert would be worth the hassle of loading, strapping down the bike and unloading and I'm not sure I want to spend a week on a Ferry or the cash for one of the longer rides.

We'll see...

Mr. Guy

12-28-2009, 05:44 PM

On the longer trip with no cabin, camp on deck, does that include meals or are you responsible for your own food?

Guy

TripleThreat

12-28-2009, 06:05 PM

Food is separate regardless of whether or not you get a cabin.

Mellow

12-28-2009, 06:15 PM

That's a lot of gas money.. :rolleyes:

TripleThreat

12-28-2009, 06:18 PM

That's a lot of gas money.. :rolleyes:

Exactly what I thought... I'm hoping to only spend about $2500 total for the entire month. If I did a longer Ferry ride, I'd need to add an additional $1000 to my budget...

Not sure it's worth it.

Mellow

12-28-2009, 06:21 PM

Exactly what I thought... I'm hoping to only spend about $2500 total for the entire month. If I did a longer Ferry ride, I'd need to add an additional $1000 to my budget...

Not sure it's worth it.

I'm sure it's an incredible experience... but... but... I think I'd pass...

Black and Blue

12-28-2009, 08:52 PM

Go ahead and ride the bike instead of the ferry. The money you save and the trip experience will be well worth it...if you have the time.:) It seems that some folks can't take the time or some folks won't do the distance. It's your trip, you get to choose. Either way just have fun.P^

Trailace

12-29-2009, 01:54 PM

Let see a ferry is a boat right? The answer is in this old saying trailers are for boats and it works both ways boats are for trailers. Motorcycle are to ride.

Just having fun I think my 650X has more miles in the back of the truck then is does on the road. :eek:

lddave

12-31-2009, 11:38 AM

I looked into riding the ferry back in 2002 and I could not justify the expense.
But I am sure it would be a nice ride.

GlennV

01-02-2010, 11:00 PM

There is also the B.C. ferry that runs from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, which is on the north end of Vancouver Island. Ride to the south end; many ferries to choose from at that end.

Trailace

01-02-2010, 11:11 PM

There is also the B.C. ferry that runs from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, which is on the north end of Vancouver Island. Ride to the south end; many ferries to choose from at that end.

Welcome to the site GlennV.

Black and Blue

01-03-2010, 11:08 AM

There is also the B.C. ferry that runs from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy, which is on the north end of Vancouver Island. Ride to the south end; many ferries to choose from at that end.
Even though your join date is in Feb 2009 I guess it's not too late to welcome you to the site, GlennV, so WELCOME!:)

Ironheadziggy76

01-03-2010, 08:38 PM

Welcome GlennV!

GlennV

01-05-2010, 09:15 PM

<hijiack>

Thanks for all the welcomes. I enjoy the site.

</hijack>

swandog

01-14-2010, 04:19 AM

last time i checked the price it was about $300 for the ferry from port hardy to prince rupert for a bike , they have a new ferry for the route now as the last one sank . it is rumoured the crew at the helm were haveing sex when the ferry ran aground . two passengers drowned

Alan

01-14-2010, 03:02 PM

I took the ferry from Prince Rupert to Ketchikan last June to visit my son in Ketchikan on my ST1300. You have to provide your own tie down straps and it rains a lot on the Pacific coast, so you need good rain gear.

My son did the camping on the deck when he headed to his job in Ketchikan from Bellingham, WA. One of the two nights at sea, the tents were almost blown overboard by a storm, so camping on the deck is not the best option. The ferry does allow you to spread out your air mattress and sleeping bag on the floor inside on the observation decks, but only during the night, you need to roll the gear up during the day.