Tag: Alaska Highway Marine Ferry

On our last day on the ferry, we were invited on a tour of the bridge and engine room.  While on the bridge Darrin of course asked, “Can I drive?!?” The Captain, a young woman, thought about it for a few seconds, shrugged and said, “Sure, I guess so.” Darrin took the wheel and the captain ordered a small course correction. Darrin quickly realized the wheel was very sensitive, similar to flying an airplane, small corrections, overshoot the heading, correct the other way, small zigzags that from a distance look like a straight line (hopefully).  Darrin only had the helm (sailor talk) for a few minutes, but I think he really enjoyed himself.

I, Darrin, went down to the engine room next as Melissa wasn’t too keen on the noise below. The small group of passengers were met by Richard the Chief Engineer of the boat. Richard asked where everyone was from, when I said, Vermont. He replied, I would like to talk to you after about some other things. I knew the wee Rover had been spotted again!

We had a great tour and learned a lot about the ferry and what it takes to keep a little city running 24 hours a day. He showed us how the power moves the ship, heats or cools the ship, pumps the water, all of the things that happen, that as a passenger, we take for granted.

One funny thing I wanted to pass on. Before going on the tours, we were standing on the veranda of our Aft Lounge/stateroom with another couple watching for wildlife. The same couple was on the tour with me when I noticed on the wall was a security camera feed of our little veranda giving a view behind the ship! I pointed it out and we all started laughing. I guess they caught our little show as we were jumping around high fiving each other when we saw the whales, porpoises, sea lions, and otters!

We boarded the ferry Monday night at midnight and said our final good-bye to Whittier.

We set-up our “stateroom” and got a few hours sleep. The next morning we awoke to rough seas in the Gulf of Alaska and a bit of sea sickness.  A little bit of dramamine and a little nap, ok a nice long nap that included a bit of drool and a buckle mark on my face from my sack, and we were good to go.

Late afternoon we arrived at our first port, Yukutat. We wandered off the boat for a quick stretch of the legs while a few cars were loaded.

Our second night we started back out to the Gulf of Alaska to head south and encountered huge waves that turned the ship into a roller coaster. Our “stateroom” is in the back of the ship so it was quite a ride, good thing we were laying down! The waves rocked us into a great night sleep.

This morning we awoke to thick fog, the much calmer waters of the Inside Passage and whales! The Orcas were waving their fins at us and breaching. Sorry, we were too busy watching to get any pictures.

We are now docked in Juneau, well 15 miles outside of Juneau. They are loading cars and we will be heading south shortly.

Our picture windows out the back of the boat.

Our luxury suite on the ferry.  Our very own stateroom with a water fountain, private bath, window shades and dimmable lights!

It is also known as the Aft Lounge 😁.

The nice lady checking cars in tipped us off that this was a great place to camp out. She said it was quieter and darker than the Solarium where most people camp out.

Score! A private room!