Alaska Marine Highway Ferry (AMHS), What to expect!

What to expect when when taking the Alaska Marine Highway System ferry in Southeast Alaska. Some port calls are Bellingham, WA in the south and moving north are Ketchikan, Wrangle, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines, and Skagway. You will want to arrive 2 hrs. early and check in. They will give you a lane assignment, so they can load you in the correct order to allow you to disembark at your destination. once inboard head to the purser desk to grab your tateroom keys or pich a tent on the aft weatherdeck.
AMHS Playlist:
• Alaska Marine Highway ...
Tips:
1. They have fans! the rooms get hot.
2. Bring a lawn chair. there is bot much setting outside
3. Bring quarters for the ice machine
4. Grab all your stuff that you will need quickley. they load you in tighy and sometimes you cannot let your tailgate down.
5. Bring warm clothes so you can enjoy outside
6. Pack snacks
7. Ther is very limited cell service.
8. Bring binoculars to spot wildlife.
9. Bring soap and shampoo.
10. Bring sunscreen. the Alaska sun is hot!
#travelalaska
#alaskamarinehighway
#ferry
#sitka
#ketchikan
#Juneaualaska
#haines
#skagway
#petersburg
#wrangle
#bigships

[@LandlockedNoMore]

This brings back memories, we did Belligham to Ketchikan a few years back, then in 2022 we road the Matanuska from Bellingham to Sitka. I love traveling on the Alaska Ferries!

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Its a cheap way to cruise Southeast Alaska

[@bkbland1626]

Excellent. I'm headed up there in Aug, which should be excellent. Can't wait. Thanks.

[@monabiehl6213]

I took this ferry from Haines to Prince Rupert. This is the way to see the Inside Passage. It isn't partying and entertainment. the entertainment is the scenery. The movies they showed were about Alaska.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Heck yah 100% Ever since COVID they stopped going to Prince Rupert. Not sure if they are going back yet as COVID is officially over

[@jimtalbott9535]

My wife and I were on the Columbia in 2001 and 2003 - camped on the deck on the way up - big mistake there. In the way back down we had a cabin and a cooler full of beer, snacks, and liquor.

[@KevinsRoadtrips]

Really cool video. Made me chuckle when the guy said "you're going all the way to Bellingham?" Thanks for sharing.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Glad you liked it. Thank you for watching!

[@VintageInsightPhotography]

Thanks for sharing this. Just added this ferry to our bucket list!

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

It is pretty fun. Hope you get good weather and see alot of whales on your trip when you go.

[@kevtom1686]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 What about the whole cov aids scam. Do they play the whole mask game and all that ??

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

They made us wear the masks while walking around in the ship. You didn't have to while in your room, outside, eating or in a lounge away from everyone else. It wasn't too bad when I went.

[@alaska4939]

@@kevtom1686 most employees didn’t care if you wore a mask or not, I certainly didn’t. It was the pursers who had to tell people to wear masks. If they didn’t, they’d get in trouble from the company. The mask mandates are lifted now. It was a federal, not a state mandate. Since our ferries go down to Bellingham, WA from AK, we are under federal transportation regulations. Believe me, the crew didn’t like the mandates any more then the passengers.

[@deannyeltatzie7759]

Showing my age here. I miss going to Prince Rupert without a passport. Love the Ferry.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

They just took Prince Rupert off the schedule recently when COVID hit. You do get to see alot of the inside passage, which is always fun.

[@edwardellis2483]

Well done video. Thank you both..

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Glad you liked it. If you are going on an AMHS ferr, enjoy your trip.

[@suddenlysolo2170]

I live in BC Canada so I'm used to our ferry system, but it's interesting to see the differences with others. I'd like to see a tour of the Alaska ferry and it's onboard ammenities

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Unfortunately I live in FL now so I cannot get you that video. However check out this video for lounging options. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rauUhYWMfLSVh7M

[@jamesmathers9294]

My sis was the one that parked you on the car deck 👍

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Heck yah, small world. Every time I traveled on the ferry I have always experance top notch crew members. They are all very professional.

[@liamstone3437]

I hope your taste in beer has improved since this. Bud Light isn't a beer for men with self respect.

[@MichaelWite19]

Thank you! I hope to do this someday!

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

It sure is a fun, cheap trip. You get to see a lot of the country side, and a whales

[@ArcticNatureExperiences]

Hello and greetings from Norway! Really interesting to watch your experience on the AMHS. We have fjords and mountains in Norway, but nothing like the AMHS anymore (our coastal express is more like a cruise ship for affluent tourists from abroad). I noticed your car was pointing in the opposite direction of all the other cars on the car deck - did you leave the ship with no problems?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Yes, I got in the ship in Sitka Alaska where we drove in through the side of the ship and I got off in Bellingham Washington where you exit the ship out the back, so I was pointing in the right direction. All the other cars ended up getting off before I did at different ports. The crew is really good with directing you so you dont hit anything.

[@ArcticNatureExperiences]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 They know their trade! It is just a bit unusual for me to see ferries where you can enter both from the side and front/back.

[@cmcer1995]

A room with a view and a bathroom. You must be living right. Often people get no window or bathroom unless you pay more.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

I did pay a little more to get a bathroom for a 4 day trip. However there were not that many people on the ferry due to COVID. Thanks for watching.

[@alaska4939]

All state rooms on the Matanuska have bathrooms.

[@redwood9741]

Thanks for the video

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Hope it helps with your trip.

[@vfirehorse]

very nice thank you for posting !

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

No problem, just trying to infirm some people on what to expect before they start their journey. It can be a long trip and the more you know the better your trip will be. Have a good day.

[@tommyclifton8130]

Are you leaving Sitka for good? Great video! I miss the ferries but the schedules are horrible now.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

I am unfortunately, but work is taking me to FL. I guess I will have a whole other state to explore. Thanks for watching.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

They mentioned a few days ago that the M/V KENNICOTT broke down again. Possible major engine problems. Saw her in Ketch.

[@tommyclifton8130]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 I look forward to seeing Florida in your videos! Enjoy the sunshine state!

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Thank you!

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Thank you!

[@sincereuni4m452]

Where does one get tickets? I can not find any information online and am planning on going to Alaska next summer

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Where donyou plan on going? Just to let you know the ferry increase their ticket prices as the ferry fills up. The cheapest tickets are when the ship is at or below 30% capacity and increases by 50% when the ship reaches 90% capacity. I would recommend reading through this web page before getting tickers. dot.alaska.gov/amhs/web_bookings.shtml You can get tickets online here: bookamhs.alaska.gov/book/sailing-search/journeySearch/?_ga=2.32868665.64000668.1667475311-1418525873.1667475311&pk_vid=b9b4127abd262f9a1667477441550679

[@FreezerBoundOutdoors]

Nice tour. . .how long of a trip was it??? We were on one in jersey, but it was only a couple hours, no rooms, just waited on the weather deck. Great video, hope your trip went well.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Thanks. It was a 4 day trip. Its a cheap way to see southeast AK. However the way the gov. is running things it starting to become a lot more unreliable. We only had a couple hrs total where we saw some rough water, the rest was all on the inside passage.

[@gregcrowe8885]

Thank You for sharing

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

No problem, hope you enjoyed and learned something to make you trip more pleasurable. Thank you for watching.

[@TBrownRecords]

HI, you made a very helpful did you move back to Florida permanent or temporary ?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

No, I am in the US Coast Guard and got stationed in FL. Alaska is awesome and I sure do miss it. I hate snakes. 😆

[@Jeff-hp3vn]

What is the policy for firearms as I will be traveling from Washington to Alaska. Comming from Georgia state. I have alot of guns I'm moving to alaska

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Honestly,I would call and ask. I want to say that you are suppose to turn then in to the armory but I cannot remember. I dont think they really enforce it though. I always just kept them in my truck and kept my mouth shut when going hunting. Alot of people use the ferry to get to and from the road system for hunting and I am sure they just keep theirs in the vehicle as well. However if you are getting off in Haines and driving the rest of the way you will be going through Canada and they are very strict. It can take about 6 months to get clearance for a pistol but it can be done. Sorry I don't have a solid answer for you. Are you in the service?

[@Jeff-hp3vn]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 retired marine just trying to get to anchorage heading to fairbanks.

[@Jeff-hp3vn]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 will not cross into Canada

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

First off, thank you for your service! You should be fine just leaving them in your vehical. You could always look up "907 hunting and fishing" on Facebook and ask the question. They are a wealth of knowledge.

[@Jeff-hp3vn]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 thank you very kindly

[@geraldhigdon8086]

Has Alaska Marine highways gone crazy. They just told me. They're estimating $2,400 from Bellingham to Whittier one way. I asked him how much for a motorcycle they said they don't know yet. Are they trying to price themselves in the closing down. Oh I know fuel has gone up but they don't pay the same prices as people at the pump. It was 900 and something dollars. Maybe they just need to shut their doors cuz they're ridiculous

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

I do know they use a teired pricing system. In other words you pay more as the boat fills up. Its cheaper if your in the first 50%. Also it may be much cheaper to go to Haines and ride the bike to Whitter than taking the ferry. Where is your final destination?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Also if you go in the summer time it is very possible to just use a tent the whole way instead of getting a cabin. Check out this video for other sleeping ideas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rauUhYWMfLSVh7M

[@geraldhigdon8086]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 yes I know that that would save. By doing a tent. But the guy told me it's $2,400 if you stay in a tent that's not a state room or inside. There's no way we were me and my friends are planning a motorcycle trip we will go somewhere else. I lived in Alaska for 12 years so fortunately for me I got to see the beautiful place.

[@cherylsemrau4375]

I would like to travel on this ferry

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Its a fun trip. If you pick the right time of the year you can see alot of whales and porpoises. Very peaceful and there is not too much open water so there is little chance for big waves.

[@tomkelly3896]

Is there a video on the custom campershell on your truck?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

No. Sorry. Its just a 4x8 sheet of plywood on top. The sides are 2 foot tall and are angled i believe around 22 degrees. I tried to make it as big as I can with the least amount of seams that could leak. The back door came all the way down to the bed. It acted a a good back rest during tailgate parties and also protected your stuff as you could not open it if the tail gate was locked.

[@tomkelly3896]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 just box framed on inside...2x3...or 2x4? Thx

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

@@tomkelly3896 yes just 2x4s. I also put in some eye hooks to hang up some cloths to dry out after the rain.

[@pink_love_cat4928]

Do you know about how much it would be price wise to ferry a truck an camper from Washington to there

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

I guess it all depends on how long your camper is, how many people are going, where you are going and if you want a cabin onboard or not. You cannot stay in your camper. They only open the car deck about 2-3 times per day to let people grab stuff and take their pets to the bathroom. On the cheap end about $1500 to about $4k. Also the ferry system is hurting for state money so they do not run much in the winter. I believe Sitka is not on the schedule till spring.

[@russellsawyer5880]

15 foot truck plus passager fair. $ 800.00 room $ 150 a day food and stuff total $1100.00.

[@pink_love_cat4928]

@@russellsawyer5880 thanks that's not as bad as I was thinking it might have been

[@michaelallen2971]

@@russellsawyer5880 no. 15 foot car and one passenger is 1500 dollars with no stateroom

[@christianjames7301]

Hey. My wife and i are moving to alaska in July. Will the car ferry be going from bellingham to whittier? Do you know if it goes year round?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

It should be going at that time, and you should not have any issues crossing the gulf. The winter time gets a little dicey. What part of Alaska are you moving to?

[@christianjames7301]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 We are moving to anchorage

[@christianjames7301]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 living on the afb

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Thank you for your service. JBER is awesome. I am CG amd was there from 2014-2019 Honestly I would drive if I could. Or you can split it up a couple different ways. 1. drive the whole way 2.ferry from Bellingham to Haines then drive to Anchorage. This will allow you to see the beautiful southeast part of alaska by water. 3. Drive to Haines, then ferry from Haines to Whitter.

[@christianjames7301]

@AmericaOutdoors1 we were going to but I got a dui 10 yrs ago and canada has banned people with duis from crossing lol.

[@oriolesfan7807]

How much did you pay for your Spartan room? Btw, you should listen to the pursur, she clearly said 28B. Why would you bore yourself to Florida, there so much to see and do in Alaska.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

It was a simple mistake with the room number. I moved to FL because I am in the Coast Guard. They also paid for my room so I cannot really remember how much it cost. If I was traveling by myself and paying for the trip I would have probably opted for a tent and a cooler. Thanks for watching.

[@oriolesfan7807]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 oh ok now I'm cleared about Florida - sorry about bore part. Where were you stationed in AK?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Cordova from 99'04, Anchorage from 14-19, Sitka from 19-21

[@jwillar6173]

Cup holders for a Bud Lite - figures . . . . .

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Figures what???? Dude, you got some issues if this is what your commenting about on a video thats almost 2 yrs old. Give it another few months and everyone will be drinking Bud Light again.

[@sgladden84]

Are there any kind of Vehicle Inspection of any kind

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

I have never came across any. You are required to put your hazmat ( gas and stuff) in the hazmat locker but I don't think many do. Also don't tell anyone you have guns. I think you are also required to put those in the armory, but no one does. Also the car deck is closed for most of the trip. They only open it a few times a day so people can get to their stuff and let their pets out.

[@christianjames7301]

What if you have a service animal?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

@@christianjames7301 I am sure service animals will be allowed. I think its agains the law not to allow them. You would just have to call and check. I have been on 5 or 6 ferry rides and have not seen any animals on the passenger decks.

[@SamSitar]

i don't have a car. what would i do differently?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

There is not much difference. You will check in and then walk down the pedestrian walkway that is on the side of the car ramp. You will enter the ship from the car deck and would have to go up a few decks/levels to the main deck. From there you can get your room, go to any of the lounges, get something to eat or go outside and enjoy the scenery.

[@patrickbattaille2979]

What is the name of the bot on deck?Was it Robby from Forbidden Planet movie ,or Robot from Lost in Space,etc.? What types of potatoes are in the taterroom?

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

I don't know what you are trying to ask.

[@larrymiller4]

A rather Spartan "stateroom." Because the real show is outside.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Being in the military they provide a stateroom when we use the ferry to move. Going by myself I tend to sleep in the solarium on a lounge chair or a hammock. The stateroom was rather nice but got extremely hot at night.

[@tomkelly3896]

7,700 bucks r/t for dodge ram w truck camper 24 feet long....i was hoping id get to take an engine home w me for that price🙈

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Dang that's a lot of money. Where are you starting and what towns are you going to?

[@tomkelly3896]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 bell. To whittier and back....truck camper added 3 feet to length.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

@@tomkelly3896 for $7700 I would consider driving. And maybe trying to sell the camper before heading back. Could make a pretty penny up there if its in good condition.

[@suunto61]

That Bud Light comment did not age well... LOL

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Not at all.

[@alaska4939]

Just a ferry worker watching to see my coworkers. I work as a Steward on the Matanuska. Just started this year so I wouldn’t be in this video. We now have all mask mandates lifted for anyone who’s interested.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Hope you enjoy working on the MATANUSKA. The southeast is a beautiful place to sail.

[@alaska4939]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 I love where I work. My shipmates are awesome and the views are incredible.

[@rebeccarabinowitz6590]

It would be nice if America had more overnight ferry routes.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

It would be very nice, however its very expensive to run and operate a ship, especially one designed for overnight trips. Thank you for watching.

[@niviad4497]

I’m flying from “Vegas” into “Bellingham”. I have a few questions but more specifically. “Is there WIFI?” I work from anywhere. Meaning I have to work during the trip.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

There was no wifi on the M/V MATANUSKA. however there is some cell service along the way, but you will be using some Canadian tours for a couple of days. AT&T works the best. I did see some people use a GPS satellite wifi contraption but I dont know much about it.

[@nanangpratama2982]

The sister ship of MV. TAKU

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

It would have made for a party barge, or hunting lodge, or house for someone at the price it was sold for. From Wikipedia...M/V Taku is a Malaspina-class mainline vessel built for the Alaska Marine Highway System. The ship has been retired and was sold to a Dubai-based company for $171,000. The owner sought to sell the ferry internationally, and was unsuccessful, and it was last seen beached in Alang, India, to be scrapped.

[@nanangpratama2982]

@@AmericaOutdoors1 yes correct, I brought Her to Final Port from Alaska to Alang, India

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Oh wow. That must have been a cool trip to sail but also a sad one. Saying goodbye to a ship is never easy.

[@concidius]

I was in the cabin across the hall from you about six weeks before. Your cabin had an older couple in it. They attempted to have sex but were not able to due their various limitations. They had a long, detailed. and loud conversation on how it could be done. I do not think it was accomplished.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

Thats to funny. Hopefully they didn't keep you up all night.

[@ironhorsegladiator5034]

All that money they collect for a prison cell like room, an awful way to conduct business.

[@AmericaOutdoors1]

They are not all that bad for a ship. Hard to find a hotel for the price they charge for a room.