Anyone Taken the Ferry From Haines, Alaska to Bellingham, WA?

[JHAlaska]

Planning on taking the Alaska Ferry on an upcoming trip to California (Spring Time Frame) and was wondering if anyone has done it?

I am planning to take a F800GS and maybe get a cabin.

would it be wise to take some ratchet straps to secure the bike down?

how about food? is the ferry food reasonable (taste/price) or should I buy enough for the duration of the trip?

any help will be appreciated.. thanks in advance

[MikeS]

We went from Skagway to Prince Rupert via Juneau. Very nice scenery!

You can camp on the deck of the ferry, lots of folk do it. Don't think the ferry even had tie down straps so maybe bring a few if you have space, if not, rope will do fine.

Oh, and if you happen to stop in Little Norway, run up to the little bakery there, they had the best cinnemon buns ever!

[bobkat]

The web site for the ferry says you have to bring your own tie downs. They do not provide them. We will be traveling northbound on it this June and when I spoke with the agent they repeated the warning, "Bring your own tie downs."

[John Ferris]

We took the ferry from Bellingham to Juneau and you should have your own straps.
The food is OK. Its grill food, burgers, chicken.
We had a cabin and its nice to get some sleep any time you want.
Cabins must be reserved, if you want one call NOW for one next summer.
When I say call I mean call the ferry reservations and talk to a person.

[JHAlaska]

Thanks for the replies... much appreciated..

[Chris of Japan]

I took the ferry in 2004 and if I remember right they provided rope but not actual tie-downs. if you camp on deck, bring some strong duct tape. Most of the trip was on a passage between islands, so the boat didn't rock around much.
There was nothing to secure the tent to the boat with (although this may differer depending on the actual boat you ride). I had a pole snap, so I just put the tent away and slept on a deck chair under heat lamps. Some people slept in the movie theater, but I though it was pretty impolite to take the cushions off a bunch of chairs and take up a large amount of floor space during the day...

[ifdale]

I made the trip once between Bellingham and Juneau. ALthough your're looking at the route to Haines the 'inside passage' basically includes all of the same places, just that you get to decide where you'd like to get on and off. Remember that Southeast Ak is often foggy and visibility is tough, - in fact I think on my 4-day trip to Juneau we saw blue sky for maybe a minute, but it will be incredibly beautiful and worth the wait!! There is a an exposed crossing along the way that can get quite stormy - if you're in a tent duct taped on the back deck make sure you're in it when the wind starts howling or it may blow away. .in fact during our crossing the captain came over the intercom and advised us to secure our tents because the year prior somebody's tent had blown into the ocean because it wasn't properly secured. Anyway i've never been in the cabins but that would make one less thing to worry about. Hope you have a nice trip