State ferry system announces summer schedule

The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) on Tuesday announced the release of its upcoming summer schedule, covering May through September.

The release of the schedule also coincides with the implementation of the new reservations and manifest system. AMHS has planned a phased implementation of the new reservations system starting with the reservations call center, then followed by online reservations for summer travel.

Implementation will continue with new hardware installations in terminals and aboard vessels through the spring. The system will be fully implemented by May 2016, at which time the current OARS reservation system will be retired at the conclusion of the winter 2015/16 schedule.

Reservations for the summer schedule are at the moment only being accepted through the AMHS hotline in Juneau at 1-800-642-0066. Travelers can still book reservations for the remainder of the winter schedule through the end of April, and the summer schedule will be available to book online in the coming weeks.

Sailing schedules and fare information can be reviewed at http://www.FerryAlaska.com. The ferry service reminds would-be travelers that making advance reservations is the best way to guarantee space for passengers and vehicles, and it allows the system to operate more efficiently.