FAQ

Border Information

U.S. Citizens

If you reside in the U.S. and will be traveling through Canada in connection with your Alaskan trip you need a passport to re-enter the USA.

Native-born citizens of all ages should carry a birth certificate together with photo identification and passports. Driver’s licenses alone are not proof of citizenship.

Foreign visitors and residents

Foreign visitors to the U.S. or Canada should be aware of the visa requirements pertaining to your home country. Should you have any doubt, feel free to e-mail us with particulars describing your situation.

U.S. residents who are not citizens should carry their Alien Registration Card.

Permanent residents of Canada who are not Canadian citizens should have their Landed Immigrant Visa.

All Travelers

Canada Customs officials will require travelers to show proof of sufficient funds for the trip. Motorists may be asked to show their vehicle registration card or proof of title and liability insurance coverage.

If you are a parent traveling with a child and without the other parent, you may be asked to show a notarized document from the other parent consenting for the child to be taken out of the country.

Customs Contacts and Hours

Haines Highway at Pleasant Camp
U.S. Customs: 907-767-5511
Canada Customs: 907-767-5540
Hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Alaska Time
Through traffic is prohibited when the border is closed.

Prince Rupert and Ketchikan ferry arrival and departures
U.S. Customs: 250-624-5351
Canada Customs: 250-627-3003
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Passengers proceeding into the USA from Prince Rupert will be inspected by US Customs in Rupert prior to departure.

Skagway/Frazier/Whitehorse/Yukon Territory Road
U.S. Customs: 907-983-2325
Canada Customs: 867-821-4111
Hours: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

U.S. Customs Website: http://www.cbp.gov/
Canada Customs Website: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

Border crossing hours and policies are subject to change at any time. Call ahead if you are planning on a border crossing at odd hours or have specific questions as to duty-free allowances.

Frequently Asked Questions / General Sailing Information

Here’s a picture of campers who’ve pitched tents on deck behind the solarium. Be sure to bring duct tape or rope to secure your tent to the deck or a railing.

The car deck is closed off when the ferry is underway, thus you cannot sleep in your vehicle.

If you would like a cabin or stateroom, those can be added onto your reservation at an additional cost.

Stateroom and Cabin Types

The type and number of cabins will depend upon the ferry making the sailing. Cabins are available on most of the ships in the fleet and are always configured as bunk beds. They are all single beds, no other configuration is possible. Staterooms are available on the M/Vs COLUMBIA, MALASPINA, MATANUSKA, KENNICOTT and TAKU in the Southeast System, and the M/V TUSTUMENA serving the Southwest/South-central Systems, and are sold as a unit with two, three or four bunks. Most cabins feature private bathroom facilities but are available as Roomettes, with facing seats during the day that are made up to upper and lower bunks at night. These use a “bath down the hall”. Room service or daily makeup of cabins is not available. However, trash is collected daily and fresh linens are available upon request.

A typical Two-Berth Outside Cabin or Stateroom on most of the ships provides private facilities (toilet, shower and sink) and a view!

2 Berth roomette with window - Limited space, facing seats make into upper and lower beds for sleeping, no linen and no sink (Pictures shown below)

2 Berth full facilities- 1 bunk bed, sink, shower, and a toilet

3 Berth- 1 bunk bed, 1 folding bed or couch, sink, shower, and a toilet (Picture shown below)

4 Berth- 2 sets of bunk beds, sink, shower, and a toilet (Bathroom shown below)

4 Berth Cabins are also available with a sitting room with table and chairs - 2 sets of bunk beds, sink, shower & toilet. Some of these 4 Berth Staterooms are available with an additional space called a “sitting-room”, equipped with a table and chairs. These almost double the space in the cabin.

Dining

All ferries except the M/V Litua serving Metlakatla have a cafeteria. The M/V Tustumena and the M/V Columbia also have a full-service dining room. The cafeteria and dining room are open three times a day during meal times. While there are food options aboard, you are welcome to bring food aboard the ferry. It typically costs us, medium to light eaters, $10-15 per person when we eat at the cafeteria. There’s a salad bar, cereals, fruit bar, snacks, and several main dish options such as Alaskan seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and several soup options. Cash and credit cards are welcome aboard the ferry.

Pets

If you would like to bring a pet they will have to remain on the car deck in a suitable animal carrier or within the vehicle. Various types are acceptable as long as it contains the pet for an extended period of time. You are given the chance to tend to pets during car deck call times, typically every six hours and when the ferry is in port. Certain small birds may be at risk due to car deck temperatures, thus may receive prior approval to be above deck. If this is the case a damage deposit and other restrictions may apply.

Should you want to take the pet into another state or across the border you must have a certificate of health including rabies vaccination valid within 30 days of travel. Pets traveling within Alaska travel free and do not need a health certificate. Pets traveling into Alaska or out of state are charged nominal fees. You can check for current prices on our Fare Calculator.

Entertainment

On longer sailings the crew on the ferry will show 2-3 movies a day, ranging from slightly new to older, or documentaries of Alaska and the outdoors. Ask the Purser for more information and the schedule.

The ferries do not have wireless internet access, but they do have outlets to charge electronics. However, electrical current on board AMHS vessels is 110-volt 60-cycle AC and is unprotected from surges and brownouts. Use of personal computers is not recommended unless you have a UPS unit to protect your equipment. Wireless access via Cell data may be available as the ship passes communities along the way.

The ferries have a forward observation lounge. Some have a small play area for children. The ferries have closed their cocktail lounges and gift shops and now serve beer and wine by the glass from the cafeteria for consumption in designated areas. Alcohol may be brought aboard and consumed in staterooms by persons 21 years of age and older. Alcohol may not be consumed in public areas of the ship, including the solarium. Some of the ferries also have a small video game arcade, reading rooms, and card rooms.

An Observation Lounge with airline-type recliner seating

General Restrictions

Alaska law is very specific about smoking in public facilities and that includes State Ferries. Smoking is restricted to the outside decks and posted areas only. The State reserves the right to refuse passage to any person apparently under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or any person whose conduct would be considered dangerous or objectionable to other passengers. Any person, who attempts to gain passage in a fraudulent manner, or any vehicle in an unsafe condition, will be denied boarding.

Telephone Service

Satellite telephone service is available for emergency use only. In addition, Satellite pay-phones are available on some vessels but should not be relied upon due to the mountainous areas in which the ferries operate. Cell phones have limited use except when near communities on the route. Caution should be used as International charges may apply depending on your mobile plan. Electrical current on board is 110-volt, 60-cycle AC. Power is unprotected from surges and brownouts.

Refrigerated Storage

There is no refrigerated storage on board for passengers' commodities although ice is available on most long-haul vessels.

Medical Services

Each vessel has the ability to provide basic emergency medical service with personnel trained at the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level. In the event of a medical emergency the ship’s crew will determine the best course of action and direct the vessel to the closest port where medical facilities or services are available. AMHS vessels do not carry ship’s doctors.

Vehicles

The Alaska Marine Highway does not provide for loading or off-loading of vehicles. It is the shipper's responsibility to provide for the loading and off loading of vehicles.

Vehicle Information

Long Overhangs

Drivers of vehicles with long overhangs are advised that due to the large tidal ranges, the angle of the transfer ramp may cause damage to undercarriage units, such as holding tanks or plumbing. Vehicles longer than 25 feet may experience high centering at the top of the transfer bridge at low tide level. The State of Alaska will not be responsible for these types of damage claims.

Construction/Freight Vehicles

Construction vehicles, and/or vehicles hauling freight, are required to provide a certified weight slip showing combined overall weight of the tractor, trailer/van and load. Because weigh stations are not always available at the departure port, truckers should obtain a weight slip before leaving the point of origin.

Motorcycles

All motorcycles must be fully secured on the car deck using the appropriate tie-downs. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure this is completed properly. Rope may be obtained from car deck personnel for lashing purposes but it's generally advisable to bring your own tie-downs. Motorcycles without sidecars or trailers will be charged at the 10 foot vehicle rate. Otherwise, the overall length vehicle rate applies.

Unaccompanied Vehicles

Non-drivable vehicles and vehicles not accompanied by a driver will be assessed a surcharge of $50 to/from Bellingham, $20 to/from Prince Rupert and $10 to/from all other ports. The Marine Highway does not provide loading and unloading services. If the shipper makes no arrangements to load the vehicle, it will not be loaded. If the shipper does not remove the vehicle from the vessel upon arrival, one of the following actions will be taken at the discretion of the State:

1. the vehicle will remain on the vessel and the shipper will be charged for additional shipping;
2. the vehicle will be removed from the vessel by a commercial towing company at the shipper's expense;
3. the Alaska Marine Highway System will remove the vehicle and the shipper will be charged $100 before the vehicle is released.

9 Ways to Avoid Crowds When Visiting Alaska

Brought to you by Ian Leaf

About a million people visit the ports of Alaska annually to join others in the cruising season, so when visiting you might be hit by the inconvenience of crowding within the cities and key places. However, there are many ways you could reschedule your visit to avoid encountering the huge crowds and here are few tips you should consider. Booking an Alaska Ferry Vacation is primary, but… 

1. Visit in shoulder season

You might not like the cold winter in Alaska, but visiting during summer when the season peaks you are not likely going to avoid the crowds. To effectively avoid huge crowds, schedule your trip for May or September and you will have the best time spotting wildlife and visiting various sights. Staying away from large ships and big ports is another, so try a trip on the Alaska Ferry to some of the smaller towns.

2. Take the Denali park shuttle

Instead of using a guided bus tour in Denali National Park, which will obviously have many tourists, you could pick a park shuttle that offers you the privacy you need to explore the park. You can explore a wide area within a few hours before taking another shuttle to drive back to your hotel. 

3. Hike independently 

Group hikes are a thrill and fascinating, but if you are not into moving along with crowds you might want to consider independent hiking. There are many gentle walking trails in national parks and towns that allow you to walk undisturbed to explore the beauty surrounding you at every turn. This is especially the case if you choose Denali National Park, which is ideal for hikers of every skill level. 

4. Go for a ride 

If you are moving in a crowd and you are looking for a way to have some time with yourself, you have an option of exploring the neighborhoods by foot, car, or taxi. Many roads in Alaska’s port towns are paved, two-lane, and easy to navigate. You will have more private time when you go for this option and another benefit is that it allows you to see more than when you are bundled together in one vessel with other visitors. 

5. Avoid the pier

Another thing that contributes to cruise crowds is the regular tendency of passengers sticking within a two or three block radius of a cruise ship dock. Most of them line up to shop, pass time awaiting excursions, or eat. One way to get away from such crowds is confining your stay further inland, something that will not come as a huge challenge to accomplish. Alaska Ferry Vacations feature overnights in the towns along the way, allowing you to experience what other travelers do not, true Alaskan hospitality. 

6. A guided wildlife experience 

Get the help of experts to choose the right places to visit for wildlife. A guided tour that is exclusively meant to cater for your needs will ensure you are not led to places where you are likely to suffer the inconvenience of having to deal with huge crowds. These tour experts understand the terrain and can tell which places are likely to be crowded at what time. It gives you much more convenience to also ask questions and learn about different species, so also consider this option to not only get the privacy you desire, but to also add the learning aspect to your trip. Most of our Alaska Ferry tours feature small boats and groups for excursions.

7. Stay up for midnight sun

In Alaska, most locals believe they don’t need a lot of sleep in summer, and sometimes they refer to winter as a long night while summer is taken as a long day. You could take advantage of these glorious and strange times to head deep into the Arctic Circle, where you will have more fun and a chance to experience the beauty of the ice-cream colored skies.

8. Take a learning vacation 

At Denali Educational Center, you are offered in-depth learning vacations at their various residential campuses, which are just six miles to the south of the park’s entrance. There are many programs that guide visitors and these are done at places you will not find any crowds. Basically, you can enjoy your time yet not get bothered by the possibility of meeting huge crowds.

9. Ride a bike

A bike comes as an alternative to bus tours, and although you will encounter a bit of traffic at some intersections, the experience is worth every cent as you are taken away from the huge crowds into a pleasurable world where you are free to take your own routes.