AMHS opens winter ferry bookings for Oct. 1 through April 30 sailings

Reservations opened Wednesday for Alaska Marine Highway System winter sailings on the Southeast, Southwest and Prince William Sound corridors. The travel window runs Oct. 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says the system includes nine ferries serving 35 communities.

"Winter service is a vital lifeline for goods, medical access, and community connection," AMHS Director Craig Tornga said in the release announcing the bookings.

The schedule is built around annual vessel overhauls. The proposed winter plan released in July had the Kennicott out from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1, the Aurora from Oct. 1 to March 5, the Columbia from Nov. 25 through April 30, and the Tustumena from Jan. 15 through April 30. The department said in July that the Aurora's overhaul was extended after crews found extensive wasted steel. The booking announcement does not say whether those overhaul windows carried over unchanged into the finalized schedule.

AMHS put the draft schedule out for public comment earlier this summer. Written comments were due by 5 p.m. AKST July 22, and two virtual hearings were held July 23. In its own planning document, AMHS described the winter plan as similar to the previous winter's operations. Residents and businesses in Tenakee Springs, Gustavus, Kake and Pelican argued during that comment period that a similar schedule would repeat the infrequent sailings and limited access those communities already face. The release announcing bookings does not address that criticism.

Travelers can book at bookamhs.alaska.gov or by calling 800-642-0066. Agents work weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Alaska time. Online reservations close four hours before departure at staffed terminals and 15 minutes before sailing from unmanned ports. During heavy call volume, AMHS directs customers to terminal lines in Petersburg at 907-772-3855, Sitka at 907-747-8737 and Wrangell at 907-874-2021.