1. Call the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) at 1-800-642-0066 and make your reservation/booking as complete as possible. Waitlist yourself for a cabin if it cannot be accommodated at the time of the booking. Be sure to let the AMHS know you are traveling on military orders or your reservtion will cancel automatically after 30 days if not purchased. You then have the option to pay for the reservation closer to your date of departure, or at the port before boarding. The following web site may also be used to work through your reservation and travel plans: www.ferryalaska.com
2. If you are waitlisted for a cabin, do not panic. Generally, most transferring members and families clear the waitlist inside of one to two months from the time the travel is booked.
3. If it appears that you are not going to obtain your waitlisted cabin on your scheduled dates, and within 45 days of departure, you can contact me at 1-800-872-4957 X317 (then #5). I may be able to put you in one of the few pre-booked berths we have.
Please do not overlook the port of Prince Rupert, BC (Canada) as an option. There are four to five (4 to 5) voyages/sailings per week from this port vs. two (2) Bellingham voyages per week. Some things to remember when traveling through Canada:
a. Have all children's birth certificates.
b. Have proof of rabies shots on all dogs.
c. No pistols or ammunition that can be used in a pistol my be transported through Canada.
d. All non-prohibited firearms must be declared through the purchase of a "Firearms Declaration". For details contact 1-800-731-4000 or www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca
e. Have vehicle registration papers and proof of insurance.
f. Be aware that any adult with two or more DUIs (driving under the influence) convictions in the past ten years, may not be allowed to travel in Canada.
4. Once you have obtained a completed ferry reservation, be sure to carry a copy of the itinerary with the total cost and travel date information to your servicing PERSRU/Personnel Office for payment processing. It is the responsibility of the losing command to either arrange for payment or give member PCS travel entitlement funds to cover ferry costs. If neither is done, a member can gain his/her money back once the final PCS travel claim is processed. A reservation must be paid prior to boarding an Alaska Marine Highway Vessel.
5. If a change occurs with a reservation in which the ISC Ketchikan Relocation Manager assisted you in gaining waitlisted portions to complete your reservation, please call the Transition and Relocation Manager (TRM) before rearranging your itinerary travel dates. WHY? This allows the TRM to reassign the space to another incomig member and family who does not have a complete reservation.
Another Option: See http://www.bcferries.com - British Columbia, Canada Ferries Link
You can drive about 30 miles farther into BC Canada from Bellingham, WA. Catch a ferry from Tsawwassen, BC to Duke Point, BC (Vancouver Island), and then drive to Port Hardy. Catch a 14-hr BC ferry to Prince Rupert, BC. Then catch the next Alaska Ferry from Prince Rupert, BC to a Southeast Alaska destination port.
You cannot be authorized to sail on a foreign flag vessel (Canadian) However, you will get mileage to Prince Rupert, BC. It doesn't matter how you get to Prince Rupert. The extra mileage allowance to Prince Rupert vs. the BC ferry cost is just about a wash on expense. (You will not be able to turn in receipts from the transport on BC Ferry). All else, cabins, lodging, and etc., are a reimbursable expense on the BC and Alaska ferries.
Be advised: This method (ferry is only one option you are authorized to use en route to your new duty station. If you are unable to use the ferry system due to time constraints or unavailability of cabins/vehicle or passenger space, be sure to explore your other methods of travel.
Community Links
Juneau
Ombudsman
Relocation
Teen Sponsor Program
Work Life Contacts
(page 1)
Work Life Contacts
(page 2)
