Alaska Marine Highway - Montana Owners Club

RKassl · 02-22-2009, 02:00 PM

We are planning our Alaska trip and just wanted to see if anyone used the Alaska Marine Highway with the Montana.

What was your experience like, would you do it again. Any info would be appreciated.

mobrownies · 02-22-2009, 04:58 PM

We went to Alaska last August, but left our trailer in Washington. The Alaska Marine Highway was our favorite part of the trip. I don't think there is any reason you couldn't take yours, if you can afford it (they charge by the foot for anything over 22'). We saw tractor-trailer units, motor homes and trailers on board. Some of the turns are sharp and some of the ramps are steep especially at low tide. But they plan for that and they help you jockey it around. They have a website that you can look up rate info on. Have you thought about where you would want to get on and off at?

You only have access to your truck or trailer when in port or at set times in route, which could be tough if traveling with pets. We opted to get a cabin while on board since the trip was over two nights. It's not a cruise ship, but very workable.

After pricing everything, looking at the options, our time frame and how many miles we would be traveling we decided to leave the trailer behind and use motels. We only had 28 days and traveled 6,000 miles roundtrip from Washington. Motels were expensive and the options not too great, making that the worst part of the trip. But we didn't go for the R&R at the motel, we went for the site seeing and it was fantastic.

We took the Top of the World Highway with our truck, but were glad we did not have our trailer with us. I still have tar and crap over all of the underside and wheel wells from the "roadwork" season.

It is a great trip and we want to go again one of these days.

OntMont · 02-23-2009, 02:18 AM

We looked into it, but decided against it because we travel with our dog, and facilities for dogs are very restricted. I still think it would be a great trip. Maybe one day we will do it, but perhaps not with the Montana in tow.

capn chris · 02-23-2009, 03:22 AM

Bob,
We drove both ways, up through BC and back through Alberta. LONG drive The ferry is a nice alternative and gives you the opportunity to see SE AK that you can't drive to, w/exception of Skagway and Haines. Lots of choices. As Mobrownies said, check prices and choose. Good luck.

DnDatGrdJct · 02-23-2009, 11:07 AM

We did part of that trip last summer. We drove to Hyder to see the bears and then down to Prince Rupert. That is a convenient place to leave your RV. We just took our vehicle on the ferry. We also have a dog that went along. The dog had to stay in the vehicle . The noise in the vehicle area is substantial and it may bother some animals.

We thought about taking the Montana on the ferry but price ruled it out for us.

In some areas loading can be a challenge since you may have to back nearly a block down the ramp. There also are some very tight angles to get your 5th wheel in. Folks did it and the loading crew is very patient. I would have had trouble doing what some folks did easily.

The trip was great. We spent several days on the ships. Would also recommend getting a cabin.

Sure you would enjoy it.

Dean & Diane

rogue · 02-23-2009, 04:00 PM

It was 20 years ago, and with a Pickup, not a 5th wheel, so may not be relevant now. We took the ferry on the way up. Caught it in Prince Rupart, and got off in Haines. Then drove to all around upper Alaska, drove back the ALCAN when we were ready.
Great trip, on the ferry we brought sleeping bags to the upper deck and slept very well on the lounge chairs they had up there. Need to be quick to grab a couple before they are all gone. Yes it will be costly for the Montana, but you will be saving about 2,000 mile of driving, and see part of Alaska you can only see on the ferry. While in ports you can sigh up for short city tours which we found very good. Good luck and have fun.
Bob

Diamond · 03-23-2009, 04:46 PM

We did like Dean & Diane and left our Montana in a site at Prince Rupert RV Campground for 8 nites while we hopped on the ferry. This cg is only 1 mile from the ferry terminal and we got the cg owner to reduce his nightly fee for us by $5 or $10 since we were just hooked to electric. Caught a taxi to the ferry. We got off in Sitka, Wrangell, and Ketchikan, but you could add Juneau and/or St Petersburg if you so desired. We booked bed and breakfasts on the 3 islands and found we did not need our vehicle at all, but we are big walkers. Also rented cabins on the ferry for the longer overnight travels. We loved the ferry experience as you get to mingle with the Alaskans that use this transport system on a regular basis. Found the total cost for our 8 days, hotel, food and ferry costs were much less than taking the rig on the ferry and dealing with the tight travel conditions. Good luck whatever you decide! But try to get on the Inside Passage - it's a whole different Alaska than you will see by land!

RKassl · 03-23-2009, 11:28 PM

I was on the Marine Highway web site, and put an itinerary together for a group of stops, with the Montana and tow vehicle, it was somewhere between 6500 to 7000 with no cabin! In the mail that day I received ads for 7 to 1 day Alaska cruises starting at 695. I think we will use your method of seeing some of the remote places.

happy camping

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