RVing to Alaska By Ferry

 

 

 

“RVing to Alaska by Ferry” (this eBook) is a companion to “RVing to Alaska On Your Own.”

That excellent and popular book went through two printed editions but the 1st Edition did not contain information about the Alaskan ferry system. The 2nd Edition initially addressed that question… “How do you take a big RV to Alaska on the ferry?” We wanted to answer that plus visit some hard-to-get-to ports.

Then, in our seminars, feedback on our website, and my Alaskan blog, we learned that while many RVers had a passing interest in the ferry, most were planning to drive up and back.

So, for our third trip in 2015, the decision was made to do a major revision to our printed book, “RVing to Alaska, 2nd Edition” and also create an eBook companion with ferry information and include information about RVing in some of the major ports only accessible by ferry.

“RVing to Alaska On Your Own” (the companion eBook book) is the only book focusing on “how” you can make the trip to Alaska on your own by driving there and back in an RV. It is NOT about making the trip with a caravan. You can do this on your own and you don’t need anyone else with you.

“RVing to Alaska by Ferry” (this eBook) is the only book focusing on “how” you make the trip to Alaska on your own by putting your RV on a ferry for part or all of the trip up and back. Plus, you will learn about how to take your RV off at various ports, stay a few days, be a tourist, and then load back onto another ferry to go to your next port.

There were a handful of campground-recommendation books and a bunch of travelogue-type books and videos on how great Alaska looks—some good and some a waste of money. But “RVing to Alaska by Ferry” and “RVing to Alaska On Your Own.” are the only ebooks devoted to “how” to plan and make the trip to Alaska by driving your RV or using a ferry.

There are a few trips that are perfect for RVs. All other modes of travel will have certain limitations. Alaska is a long trip but a great one. I believe it is the best destination for RVers. There are tens of thousands of other destinations for RVers but Alaska is the best in my opinion. Try it.

We did it three times—yes, three full summers up there. It worked. You can, too. It was wonderful. Can’t wait to go back.

BAD NEWS RE ALASKA FERRY
I spoke with Alaska Ferry Reservations on June 12, 2020 and was told that their ferry NO LONGER stopped in Prince Rupert, BC. Now, if you want to go to Alaska (or any of the US ports on the way), you have to depart out of Bellingham, WA. While that may sound good at first, the price simply exploded!

My question to them (please note that I was just “fishing” for information) was, “What is the cost of the ferry from Bellingham, WA to Skagway, AK for two people (seniors) and two vehicles?” One vehicle was my motorhome (a 45-foot unit) and one “normal” car (a Saturn Vue). With no additional discussion, I was quoted $8,900.00!!! That’s a huge chunk of money to save about 800 miles of driving (from Kitwanga, BC up the Cassiar Highway to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and then back south to Skagway. Yes, back then it was a slightly higher cost than driving but we wanted to experience the ferry and see some of the ports and sights along the way.

We were on this ferry in 2015 (from Prince Rupert, BC to Skagway) and it was a great trip. This book is based on the experiences during that trip. While the book’s contents are still relevant and port information is good, the portion about Prince Rupert has changed. This change is NOT reflected in the book.

Sorry for the bad (and expensive) news. We really wanted to do this again and were looking at going in 2021. That’s out of my price range!!!