Boats and ferries - recommend your favorite water-based trips please
Replies: 29 - Last Post: Jul 25, 2012 1:22 PM Last Post By: moongoddess
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Boats and ferries - recommend your favorite water-based trips please
I'm suddenly obsessed with ferry and boat trips after a couple ferry rides in the NY area. I've got one planned in October for NYC--> Martha's Vineyard and am thinking about more. I would love your ideas for trips in the U.S. or Canada that are NOT on a major cruise line. Here's my wish list so far:1. Bellingham, WA to Alaska
2. A Mississippi river cruise (can you recommend a specific route or ship?)
3. Something on the St. Lawrence River (Same - need a specific recommendation)
4. Something in the Chesapeake Bay?
Bonus points if they're overnight, on smaller ships, or for local commuters.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
1
This one requires you to be in San Francisco at a specific time, as it's not a scheduled cruise, but rather special events scattered throughout the year. S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien. This is a restored Liberty Ship from World War II. During the war, it carried troops & supplies across the Atlantic & Pacific oceans and from England to Normandy after D-Day.Besides the all-day cruises they currently list, they also do occasional trips to the Sacramento & back. The ship is berthed at Fisherman's Wharf and can be visited except during the infrequent cruises.
San Francisco Bay is criss-crossed by all sorts of commuter ferries--it's actually a good way to see the Bay. A popular activity for visitors is to rent a bike, cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge & take a ferry back.
4
Lots of ferries in Washington State, British Columbia, and to and from Newfoundland and Labrador. More than a few in Quebec (along the Gulf of St. Lawrence) and Alaska (besides the ferry from Bellingham).If you want to branch out, think about northern Europe. Farther afield, Indonesia.
5
Boat (ferry) from southern California to Catalina Island (several departure points in LA-Orange County areas)Ski shuttle from North to South Lake Tahoe and visa versa.
Echo Lakes water taxi in Echo Lakes, near South Lake Tahoe
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7
San Diego - Coronado. Ferry is free during morning commute hours. That company also operates a water taxi.Once you have saved a fair amount of money, do a small boat Galapagos cruise. There are big cruise ships that go there, but the best way, I think is a small boat that sleeps maybe 15 people. You can do it in al price ranges, but the best guides come at the higher prices.
8
I'll suggest you get a copy of Conde Nast Traveler (Aug'12) starting on page 71 there is a extensive feature on how to travel Alaska by Ferry...carracar9
There is regular ferry service up and down the coast of Norway and Greenland.http://www.visitnorway.com/ferries-and-ships
http://www.ferrylines.com/
12
There is also the ferry service in Washington State to the San Juan's and other islands as well as to Vancouver Island. Then the BC ferries through the Gulf Islands and many other ports and islands offBC. The Alaska Marine Highway does the Bellingham to Alaska service but you can stop at many little ports and towns in SE Alaska spend a day or two then catch another boat. A beautiful area.
13
Not a match for anything on your list but here are some ferry trips I've enjoyed.Ferry to Macinac Island, MI from St. Ignace http://www.mackinacisland.org/transportation/
From Key West, FL to Dry Tortugas National Park - here's a link for one of the two companies
http://www.yankeefreedom.com/key-west-reservations.htm
Alabama Mobile Bay to Fort Morgan http://www.mobilebayferry.com/schedule.html
Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, British Columbia one company http://www.cohoferry.com/main/?Fares
Fabulous round-trip boat ride along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, MI
http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/boat-tour.htm
