Update on Alaska Marine Ferries to Whittier and to Prince Rupert
2025 will unfortunately see no Alaska ferries sailing between Juneau and Whittier, nor any ferry service between Ketchikan & Prince Rupert BC
The cancellation of those routes by Alaska Marine began during COVID when the state system lost a number of their mariners to other jobs.
In addition to the loss of crew however, the states’ ocean certified ship remains in dry dock awaiting generator upgrades
Alaska Marine is working hard to find qualified mariners to rectify the crew issue & has advised that they see the cancellation of these two popular routes as only a temporary measure.
While the cross-gulf ferry is in dry dock, travellers using the Inside Passage sailings to access Alaska from the Lower 48, need to be aware that on disembarking in Haines AK in anticipation of driving on to Anchorage, Fairbanks etc, will require a current passport for everyone 18+ years old.
This is because the AlCan Hwy from Haines dips into Canada on the way to South Central Alaska .
There is currently no way to drive or ferry to Anchorage, Fairbanks, Whittier etc without travelling through Canada.