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 Travelling with an RV, camper or 5th wheel on the ferry to Alaska has become so popular that each year demand for summer vehicle and cabin space begins earlier & earlier
Bellingham WA is the most southern terminal for Alaska Marine ferries and the State of Alaskas' ships travel the Inside Passage year-round from both Bellingham WA, and Prince Rupert in British Columbia.
If travelling from Anchorage or Fairbanks to Washington, consider the ferry Whittier to Juneau, then Juneau to Bellingham - more expensive (about 30%) than travelling from Haines to Bellingham but a much shorter drive if coming from Anchorage / Fairbanks & one that avoids Canada. Alaska ferries do not travel to Seattle
The vessels typically assigned to the major ferry routes can accommodate recreational vehicles to 70'.
Anyone taking a vehicle up the Inside Passage during the high season, but especially those driving large units, should reserve their summer ferry space before February
 Recreational Vehicle Dimensions
Maximum height: 13' (this accommodates all tides)
Maximum length: approximately 70'
These measurements hold true for most vessels operated by Alaska Marine, BC Ferries and the ferries operating in Washington
Alaska Marine has 3 width categories
Standard width: 85; Wide: 86- 811; Extra Wide: over 9
Fares for RVs using Alaska and BC Ferries
Fares are determined on the overall length & width of a unit.
Overall length is the measurement from the front bumper to the back bumper. If travelling with a tow, it is the bumper to bumper connected length that determines the vehicle fare. On any ferry, it is often less expensive to disconnect a tow and make two separate bookings.
Regarding width, the Alaska Marine Highway imposes a surcharge equal to 25% of the vehicle fare to all wide vehicles: and a surcharge equal to 50% of the vehicle fare to extra wide vehicles
BC Ferries imposes a flat fee for units wider than 86
Propane Guidelines for RVs
Propane tanks must be turned off. Bottled gas containers will be sealed prior to boarding by terminal agents
Small portable containers of fuel (5 gallons or less, and limited to 2 containers) must be properly sealed, labelled with the owner's name for ID, and stored by AMHS while en route.
As all propane tanks are turned off during a voyage, it is important to stock up on ice if you are carrying perishables
Pets
Pets travelling into Alaska from another state or province must have a health certificate no more than 30 days old,
Alaska Marine charges $25 per pet entering or exiting AK through Bellingham and $10 per pet through Prince Rupert
There is no charge for pets travelling on BC Ferries
While onboard, pets must stay on the car deck but can be visited, fed & watered almost as often as desired. Simply request entry to the car deck from a purser
Reservations: Alaska Marine Highway and BC ferries
Because of the increasing popularity of the northern trips during the May Sept period, vehicle & stateroom reservations for most ferries in Alaska, and for the BC ferry between Port Hardy & Prince Rupert in British Columbia Canada, should be booked before February
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