New Ferry to Cross Gulf of Alaska

Starting this month, you can, for the first time, cross the Gulf of Alaska on a state-run ferry, rather than private cruise ship, via the scenic Inside Passage and Prince William Sound. The full trip from Bellingham, Wash., to Seward, Alaska, takes 4 1/2 days; the crossing itself, from Juneau to Seward, takes two days.

The service is via the 380-foot, 750-passenger Kennicott. The basic one-way Bellingham-Seward fare is $386; add $337 for a cabin and $860 to $1,024 for a vehicle (depending on size). There is a restaurant, but on ferries, “a lot of people just pitch their tents on the deck” and bring their own food, said spokeswoman Kathy Day.

Although the ship begins plying the Bellingham-Juneau route weekly starting Tuesday, it won’t begin crossing the Gulf from Juneau until July 24; then it will cross again Aug. 21 and Sept. 11. Reservations: telephone (800) 642-0066.