FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE
The Marine Highway System serves hot meals, snacks, and beverages
on all vessels. The M/V Tustumena and the M/V Columbia also provide
full-service dining rooms. Vending machines make a variety of foods
and beverages available around the clock. The cafeteria menu includes
Alaska seafood, hot meals, salads, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, juices
and snacks.
Effective July 1, 1996, alcoholic beverages will not be served
on any southeast AMHS vessel except the M/V Columbia. Beer and wine
are still served in the southwest system on the M/V Tustumena. Alcohol
may be consumed only in staterooms or cocktail lounges by persons
21 years of age or older, and may not be consumed in public areas
of the ship, including the solarium.
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CABIN SERVICE
Cabins are available on the M/Vs COLUMBIA, MALASPINA, MATANUSKA
and TAKU in the Southeast System, and the M/V TUSTUMENA serving
the Southwest/South central Systems, and are sold as a unit. Most
cabins feature private bathroom facilities. Room service or daily
makeup of cabins is not available. However, trash is collected daily
and fresh linens are available on request. The M/V KENNICOTT has
a limited number of Roomettes, these rooms have only 2 berths, no
linen and no facilities. Sleeping bags are welcome in these rooms.
Passengers without cabins will find a limited number of recliner
chairs and spaces to roll out sleeping bags. Many adventurous travelers
put up small tents on the deck. Pillows and blankets are available
for rent on most sailings. All vessels have public showers.
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RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
Please notify your agent if your vehicle is an RV or motor home. While
the fares are the same as the standard rates, for information purposes,
these vehicles are booked under a separate code. Passengers do not
have access to the car deck while underway, so RVs and motor homes
may not be used for dining and sleeping on the trip. Electrical hookups
for vehicle refrigeration units are not available, and bottled gas
containers on the RV must be turned off and sealed by a Marine Highway
employee at the time of boarding.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Wildlife experts from the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service are often on board to share information about
the marine life, birds, plants, and other wildlife you encounter
on your journey.
On some vessels serving the Inside Passage route, artists, musicians,
storytellers and performers are scheduled to entertain guests throughout
the voyage.Many vessels have a theater area and show scheduled films
and documentaries on Alaska and the outdoors. Our gift shops sell
magazines, books, and Alaskan souvenirs. In addition, some of the
vessels have a small video game arcade, card room, reading room
and toddler play area.
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SENIOR CITIZEN TRAVEL
From May 1 through September 30, seniors 65 years and older may travel
aboard the M/Vs LeCONTE, AURORA and TUSTUMENA between Alaskan ports
only at 50% of the adult fare. (This discount applies to the passenger
only, not the vehicle.) Advanced reservations are encouraged. Proof
of age is required. Vehicles, cabins, food and beverages are charged
at normal rates. Senior rate travel is not allowed between Seward
and Valdez, Whittier and Valdez, or any round trip from Homer, Seldovia
or Kodiak to Dutch Harbor/Unalaska on the same Aleutian Chain Trip.
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BAGGAGE
Foot passengers may bring hand luggage only, with weight up to 100
pounds total. To help passengers get their hand luggage on board,
baggage carts* are driven to the car deck. (*No baggage carts are
available on the M/V TUSTUMENA) Passengers are responsible for the
handling and safety of their luggage. Baggage handling is not provided
and the State is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged baggage.
There is no weight limit on luggage carried in or on a vehicle. Coin-operated
storage lockers are available aboard most ships for storage of small
hand-carried items. Unaccompanied baggage is not allowed on board
Alaska Marine Highway vessels. It is considered freight and must be
shipped via commercial carrier or U.S. mail.
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BRINGING YOUR PET
Yes, you may bring your pet on-board, but there are restrictions.
The animal's owner or attendant must possess a current health certificate
(within 30 days) for the animal in order to transport an animal through
Canada or into Alaska. The transportation of birds is regulated. Contact
U.S. and Canadian Customs for requirements. Dogs, cats, and other
household pets are charged $25 to/from Bellingham, and $10 to/from
Prince Rupert. There is no charge for a certified service animal traveling
with a disabled person. Animals not in vehicles must be in suitable
containers (not provided by the State), must be cared for by the owner,
and must remain on the car deck (except certified service animals).
Owners may visit their pets on the car deck only while vessels are
in port. Due to U.S. Coast Guard regulations, passengers are not allowed
on the car deck while vessels are underway unless accompanied by a
Marine Highway employee. Accompanied pet calls are announced approximately
three times a day by the purser between Bellingham and Ketchikan.
For information regarding transportation of larger animals such as
horses or cattle, please ask your reservation agent.
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TRANSPORTING A VEHICLE
Any vehicle that may be driven or towed legally on the highway may
be transported. Vehicle fares are determined by the vehicle's overall
length and width, motorcycle fares will be booked at the 10 ft.
length. Vehicles 8-1/2 to 9 feet wide will be charged approximately
125% of the listed fare. Vehicles over 9 feet wide will be charged
approximately 150% of the fare listed for the vehicle length. If
you are towing a vehicle, the overall connected length is used to
determine fares. Access to the car deck is prohibited while underway.
Escorted trips are periodically announced by the purser between
Bellingham and Ketchikan and you have access to your vehicle while
the vessel is in port.
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. Motorcycles without sidecars
or trailers will be charged at the 5ft. Motorcycle Tariff Rate.
Bicycles, Kayaks, or Inflatables
Bicycles, kayaks and very small boats (under 100 lbs) will be charged
at the "Alternate Means of Conveyance" rate. If the boat
exceeds 100 pounds, it will be charged at the "Vehicles to
10 feet" rate. Larger boats must be on a trailer and will be
charged the appropriate vehicle rate by length.
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 to/from Stewart/Hyder and $10 to/from all other ports.
The Marine Highway does not provide for loading or off-loading vehicles.
It is the shipper's responsibility to provide the service. 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; or (3) the Alaska Marine Highway System
will remove the vehicle and the shipper will be charged $100 before
the vehicle is released.
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GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
Alaska law is very specific about smoking in public facilities such
as 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. The vessels do not have a ship's doctor, and
medical services consist of first aid only. Ship-to-shore radiotelephone
service is available for emergency use only.
Electrical current on board is 110-volt, 60-cycle AC. Power is
unprotected from surges and brownouts. Use of personal computers
is not recommended. Electrical hookups for vehicle refrigeration
units are not available, and there is no refrigerated storage on
board for passengers' commodities.
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TRANSPORTING FIREARMS
Any walk-on passenger traveling with legal firearms or weapons is
required to check these items with vessel personnel. All firearms
must be unloaded and ammunition stowed separately from the firearms.
Unloaded firearms may be securely locked in a passenger's vehicle.
No concealed weapons are allowed on any vessels. You can get more
information on the Internet at Canada Customs and Revenue Agency,
the Canadian Firearms Center, and for U.S. regulations at the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms site.
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CHECK-IN TIMES
During the summer, reserved vehicles are required to check in at
the terminal prior to posted vessel departures as follows: Bellingham
and Prince Rupert: 3 hours; Skagway, Haines, Juneau, Ketchikan:
2 hours; Petersburg 1.5 hours; Homer, Seward and Kodiak: 2 hours;
all other ports: 1 hour.
CAUTION. The lengthy check-in times are needed so that the vehicles
can be arranged in the boarding lanes for safe and efficient loading.
Passengers with vehicles who do not arrive on time may find that
their reserved space has been given to someone waiting on the standby
list. Passengers without vehicles are required to check in at Bellingham
2 hours prior to departure, and 1 hour before at all other ports.
Departure times at Sitka will vary and are set by the vessel master.
Call the Sitka terminal (907) 747-8737 one hour before the arrival
time listed in the schedule for a confirmed check-in/departure time.
For departures from Whittier, check in at the Portage rail station
one hour prior to train departure.
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BORDER INFORMATION
If you live in the U.S. and will be traveling through Canada in
connection with your ferry trip, you will not need a passport or
visa. Native-born U.S. citizens (adults, children and infants) should
carry a birth certificate which proves their citizenship. Driver's
licenses are no longer being accepted as proof of citizenship. U.S.
residents who are not citizens should carry their Alien Registration
Receipt Card. 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. Permanent residents of Canada who are not Canadian
citizens should have their Landed Immigrant Visa.
CAUTION! You are NOT permitted to carry hand weapons to or through
Canada. Any person arriving at a Canadian port of entry with a restricted
weapon will be required to return the weapon to the United States.
Canada Customs will not hold weapons pending your return to the
U.S. Failure to declare possession of a restricted weapon will result
in seizure of the weapon and your vehicle, and possible prosecution.
Customs Offices Phone Numbers and Hours:
Haines - U.S. Customs: 907-767-5111; Canada: 907-767-5540 Hours:
7:00 a.m. -- 11:00 p.m. Alaska Time; traffic prohibited until next
morning.
Prince Rupert - 250-627-3003 (open for ferry arrival)
Skagway - U.S. Customs: 907-983-2725 Hours: Manned until midnight
year-round; traffic permitted into the U.S. after hours via camera
surveillance system.
Skagway - Canada Customs: 403-821-4111 Hours: Manned 24 hours during
spring and summer through October, but closes to traffic into Canada
in the evening during winter.
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ACCOMODATIONS FOR THE DISABLED
Elevator access is available on all vessels. Arrangements for using
the lift must be made at the time of booking. Wheelchair accessible
cabins are available on the M/Vs COLUMBIA, MALASPINA, MATANUSKA, TAKU
and TUSTUMENA. Arrangements for special cabins to accommodate wheelchairs
may be made through the Juneau reservations office. It is the policy
of the Alaska Marine Highway System that no qualified individual with
a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation
or be denied the benefits of the services, programs or activities
of the System, or be subjected to discrimination by any employee of
the System. It is the passenger's responsibility to notify the Alaska
Marine Highway System if special accommodations will be needed in
the event of an emergency. Please make these special needs known when
making reservations, and notify the purser upon boarding the vessel.
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ONE-YEAR PASS FOR THE DISABLED
Upon approval of an application and payment of a $25 administrative
fee, a one-year pass is available for persons having at least a
70% disability. From May 1 through September 30 this pass entitles
the disabled passenger and an attendant (if required by a physician)
to travel at 50% of the regular passenger fare between Alaska ports
only on the M/Vs LeCONTE, AURORA, and TUSTUMENA (with restrictions).
No travel on the pass is allowed between Seward and Valdez, Whittier
and Valdez, or any round trip from Homer, Seldovia, or Kodiak to
Dutch Harbor, Unalaska on the same Aleutian Chain Trip. Vehicles,
cabins, food and beverages are charged at normal rates. Requests
for disabled pass applications may be directed to:
Alaska Marine Highway System
Attn. Pass Desk
7559 N. Tongass Hwy.
Ketchikan, AK 99901
Upon approval, an identification card will be issued and must be
presented in order for tickets to be written. Processing applications
may take up to 6 weeks.
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