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I have no idea. I'm sure they have a limit on passengers but I don't know if they ever sell-out or not. Hopefully somebody else can pop in with an answer to that. I suppose you can always take your chances but the ferries don't sail every day and wouldn't that mess up all your other connections?
Strange that both their online checking system and myself somehow misunderstood the timetables and now, with the ferry company suddenly laying on an extra boat, it has completely sold out within minutes! I guess people are right when they say the cabins sell out quickly on this route!!Quote:
Yesterday Becky looked and today, just before emailing you I looked and the August 5th sailing was not on the schedule. You are right, it now is.
But glad you got it cleared up!
Well, I have never known anybody yet who has gotten a cabin for the trip. Either the tents on deck (take LOTS of duct-tape if you do this) or just rolling out a sleeping bag in the main passenger areas is pretty normal and should be a hoot.
I still have a full box of race tape from when I worked on the race team... I'll be sure to stick a couple of rolls in the rucksack (which was delivered this morning - very strange how that made it hit home far more than actually booking the flights!!)
The real benefit of 'roughing it' on the boat is the saving in terms of money. It's all starting to run away from me a little right now so any saving is a good saving.
Edit: Found this link which offers a lot of info for anyone else looking to do this run.
I always book a cabin whenever I go from Juneau to Bellingham so I am not sure how the whole tent situation works. However, from what I remember, there is a lot of them in the space provided so like I said in my earlier posts it is best that you do get there at the earliest possible time.
Well, as far as walk-ins go I think that any other time of the year it would not be a problem but the summer sailing (June-September) can get pretty packed like immediately. Also, contrary to what others believe, the Skagway-Bellingham route passengers do just that...they go to Bellingham. Not a lot of people get off the ferry when the ferry reaches Juneau, they stay in the ferry all the way to Bellingham and this is because there are other ferries that cater to the Skagway-Juneau route and are actually considered faster.
Thanks for that, I suspected it may be that way. Unfortunately the ferry people seem hopelessly inept at actually booking anything and, despite asking them a week ago to issue me with a booking reference, I have just got back home from working away to discover that they haven't even done that. I hope their ferries are more effecient than their office staff!
Just presume for a moment that I were to head up to Skagway (I know I really don't have the time) and then take the ferry from there... which is the most efficient way, in terms of time and money, of getting from Juneau to Skagway?
As far as the expense, taking the ferry from Juneau to Skagway is cheaper than flying. If you can book the fast ferry, it is better because it takes just 4 hours instead of about 6-7 hrs with the regular ferry. The fast ferry is called Fairweather.
I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with the ferry system. Have you tried calling them? It might actually provide a better result for you instead of email or you can book it online.
My brother used to work for the ferry system as one of the reservation agents and there are times when he is talking to a passenger and trying to arrange a reservation that is available but by the time he tries to reserve it it was already reserved by someone else online.
I also know that they do waitlist for people who want to have a cabin but there is none available. Some folks cancel trips and so they offer it to the next one available. Another thing is on the day of your trip you can go to the purser and ask her/him about available rooms that are empty (from no-shows) and if she/he can put you on a standby list for the cabins (if you really want a cabin).
Here is the link to reserve the ferry tickets and as of the moment when I checked it it seems there are some cabins available for the sailing from Skagway-Bellingham.
https://www.dot.state.ak.us/oars/res...esultsFM.amhsf
Thanks for the heads up on getting to/from Skagway. I am loath to fly as I'm already down for something like 120 hours flight time this year and, well, it seems a little silly heading up on a ferry just for the purpose of coming back again! :) I think I'll probably just stick with the original plan of boardin in Juneau.
I checked your link and, unfortunately, there are no cabins available now. It has continually been the same all through the time I've been looking that one moment it says its all good then, by the time the system has done its thing, its not. I guess I will have to bite the bullet and phone but I really prefer everything in 'writing' wherever possible. All booking online does is forward my request to an operator who should then (this is what is no longer working) get back to you via email to confirm your request and issue a booking ref.
I'd heard of the waitlist but the idea of asking on the day is ingeniously simple - thanks for the tip there!
Seems I was incorrectly informed. Surprise, surprise!
I have just managed to book a 'walk-on' ticket for the 5th August sailing from Juneau... yay! It has been painful to get to this point so I hope the trip is worth it!!
Thanks for all the tips and suggestions, guys
I know people who have done the ferry ride who have also traveled to many amazing places in the world who absolutely loved every second of their trip. I can't imagine that you won't find it a wonderful experience.
Glad things have worked out!
This is quite amusing...
Jaidjen, very kindly (thanks!), put a 'hold' request in on that cabin when she spotted it was available. In the meantime I had lost patience and made the 'walk-on' reservation mentioned yesterday. I emailed the ticket centre and asked if the two could be combined and I will pay the difference. I'm still waiting to hear back but, this morning, I received the following message relating to my original reservation request:
So, in the space of 24 hours, I seem to have made three reservations!! :oQuote:
Itinerary CONFIRMED.
Please contact us to make payment by April 14, 4:30PM Alaska time at 800-382-9229
Thank you for using Alaska Ferry Adventures!
I will try to waitlist your cabin and let you know when that happens. Sorry this took so long, but toooooo many people got involved. Any questions to me attention: LOIS
Good luck on getting a refund on the two extra! With your luck, they'll have your renting out the whole dang ferry by the time this is over!
It's okay, I've paid in full for the reservation that I made (well, the credit card has) but the other two reservations are just that. No money has changed hands... thankfully! :)
So I guess I can't swing a freebie trip for myself out of ya, eh? ;)
So, I'm confused. Did you pay for and get a cabin or what?
They are, I belive, trying to do the paperwork to make it happen... fingers crossed but, whatever, I'm looking forward to the trip!
Sorry things got so confusing...hopefully things will work out.
Let me know what happens :)
Seriously, no problems at all, I appreciate your intervention!
I have spoken with the ferry company and they are in the process of merging the two reservations. Once they've done so I'll settle the balance, contact them to cancel the third reservation (!!!) and then settle back and look forward to enjoying my cabin!
Cheers everyone
How did your Alaska trip go UKCraig? My good buddy and I are heading up to Alaska from Arizona this summer, staying through the fall and flying to Hawaii in the winter. We will also be hitting up a lot of National Parks along the way. Sounds familiar to your trip. I would like to hear how it went! and if you have any advice...
UKCraig is otherwise disposed, and has not been on the forum for some time. However, if you want to check out road trips to Alaska, the search function will lead you to quite a few. To start with you might be interested in checking out this thread.
Lifey has great memories of Alaska