Comments on: North to Alaska – Should You Take the Ferries with Dogs? Part 3

By: arizonatoalaska

arizonatoalaska — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 05:42:58 +0000

These rules are in place because of so many bad dog owners and lawyers. Plain and simple.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 23:27:32 +0000

I am a frequent traveler on the Alaska State Ferry and have no problems with my dogs and cat when traveling. They have been trained to travel with me, and plenty of room in the vehicle. The crew of the State ferry takes good care of them and I have never had a problem with their comfort. Even during a trip from Bellingham to Haines the dog did fine and wasn’t distressed. One thing to bear in mind is that the weather that the ALASKA State ferry travels through can be rough at times, therefore it can cause your animal some distress, so you need to keep that in mind. For many of us, this is the only way in or out of the villages during the year so don’t judge our highway system by your standards.

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:35:20 +0000

Thank you all for your info. We had planned on driving to AK in our motor home, then taking the ferries throughout the panhandle. But, after doing our own research, decided that AK is not in the cards for us. My husband spent a lot of time in Alaska, and I always wanted to go. Our English Cocker is part of the family and would be terrified on the car deck. He’s ten years old and very gentle and loving. He’d never treat us that way. Afraid Alaska is out of the question for us. Don’t know why they don’t allow people to sit in their vehicles during travel. The State of Washington ferries do. Anyway, thank you for all of the information. BTW, Oregon is VERY dog friendly. We have lived in Calif, WA. Oregon and Florida. Oregon is by far the most dog friendly.

By: lollie

lollie — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:03:19 +0000

What you are suggesting will never happen for the Alaska Hwy. Main reason they don’t want passengers down (even with a purser which is what they tell you on the phone) is the crew doesn’t want to clean up the urine and feces, much less accidents on the way to the car deck. Am sure there is a liability issue as well with other passengers.

BC Ferry is a whole other ball game. # 1 it’s not nearly as crowded; it’s not the main highway for freight as well as passengers as it is in southeast Alaska. #2 after the ferry was grounded a few years ago BC built a beautiful new boat. The Alaskan ferries go back to the 60′s. This is the first year for the renovated Columbia…but bet it still won’t be as nice and modern as the BC Ferry.

I’ve taken all of the ferries you mention many times for 35 years. Other problem now with the AK ferry is they allow people to sleep in the lounges. So unfortunately they snag areas of 5-6 seats…makes it very difficult for people to find a place to sit. They should be relegated to the sun deck like in the old days where we pitched tents, then came in and sat, not slept.

By: Jonna Austin

Jonna Austin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:42:44 +0000

We have traveled numerous times on the Alaska Marine Highway System (ferries) and our two dogs, a cocker spaniel and a tibetan terrier. We have found the state employees who work on the ferries to be helpful and pleasant when dealing with the issue of pet travel. Our dogs travel a LOT, so they are accustomed to being in our vehicle. I think they view it as their second home. Therefore, as long as their food and water is there, and as long as they get an occasional pee/poop break, they are just fine with it. It would be nice if they could be with us, but it’s just no big deal. Our biggest problem is getting them to poop on deck…they know better. But if push comes to shove (on long segments) they will do what’s necessary. We love the ferries. I would prefer the ferries, where I do have some control, to the airlines, where I do not.

By: tina

tina — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 01:54:17 +0000

I have taken my pet on the fast ferry from haines to skagway and back,so far no issues and it was free, just have to sit on the upper outside deck, no biggie.. And we did the short hop from skagway to haines on the alaska ferry and no fee ,and yes my dog had to stay in the car,the ferry ride was 1hr,but longer since the car had to be parked earlier,while they get the cars ready and packed.. cars are usually parked by cars and capmer/rv/fifth wheels are usually next or side by side,also depending which one is getting off at each port,will determine where you are parked on the car deck?

By: Monica

Monica — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:50:10 +0000

I will bring my English cocker spaniel for the 5th holiday around Usa and Canada: this summer will be Alaska and Yukon; thanks to Dogfriendly,we won’t take Alaska ferry but a flight with pet friendly United to Anchorage…
In Europe and finally in Italy too, we have ferries where we can bring pets on board, of course on outside deck, and in special petfriendly cabins: we are leaving soon for a week to Corse, our dog is well accepted everywhere on Corsica Ferries, there is a part of the deck where dogs can do thier businesses and people can wash with water, we also can take him to tables close to restaurant; there are lots of well behavied dogs , better than children, and the ship is always clean (it should be impossible for an european, especially german or swiss, to leave the dog among cars and Rv, here you can take pets also on trains and restaurants, for an european is hard sometimes to understand all the American laws about pets..)

By: AKPets

AKPets — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:38:27 +0000

This article about the pet situation is far overblown. I travel twice a year with pets on the marine highway with out any problems what so ever, also if you have concerns about your pet you are able to go at any time if accompanied by a crew member. And they do NOT charge you a fee as the author claimed. Also if you simply mention that you have a pet they will accommodate a parking spot so you have plenty of room to check on and let your pet out during car deck calls for them to do their business. Granted this is not as ideal as staying at home with your pets but with frequent access to the car deck, every 2-4 hours (which has been the policy for the last decade) the trip is not taxing on any pets except those who are so poorly adjusted that they cant spend a small amount of time away from their owners. Contrary to popular belief the car deck is climate controlled and the air is completely replaced at least every 10 minutes so that is not a concern that should be held.

For anyone traveling through alaska I would definitely recommend travel on the ferry over flying as flying is often far and away more stressful. The other option would be to avoid the panhandle and just take the alaska highway and have the pets with you in the car or just stay home.

That being said despite some negative attitudes towards the ferry system it is a great way to travel with and without pets and the crew are always willing to go out of their way to accommodate travelers and their pets.

By: Traveling North

Traveling North — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:50:03 +0000

I found your reviews by searching for boarding kennels in Port Hardy and after talking to a travel agent and reading the Ferry info about pets. So very glad I did as it confirmed all my fears. I had never thought of “not being able to get the doors of our RV open” to let our 75 pound German Shep out for the 15 to 20 minute break when and if the stewards called for the time. I was considering the short Ferry trips( 5 or less hours) and maybe even the Port Hardy to Prince Rupert one ( 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM) which is out now. Considering only the short hops from town to town. This certainly helps us redo our trip plans. I was a Humane Society director and this does sound like no one is dog friendly on these Water Taxi travels and it is the money/space that counts and not the animals. I even asked about a dog friendly deck or state room and got a “no can do” answer. So all my concerns were real and this is very comforting to know. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to post this site and I hope all pet owners will read it and not hope for results they surely won’t receive.

By: Dachshund

Dachshund — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 10:33:48 +0000

Dachshund…

When I was seeking Dachshund infomation I found your post on North to Alaska – Should You Take the Ferries with Dogs? Part …, thanks….