For Alaskans and Alaska visitors who yearn for a different kind of day cruise in Southcentral or Southeast Alaska there's good news this spring, summer, and fall from the folks at the Alaska Marine Highway System. And we're talking fast ferries here -- sleek, spiffy double-hull catamarans that can transport passengers from Cordova to Valdez or from Juneau to Skagway faster than you can say "Beam me up, Scotty."

Well, maybe not that fast. But fast. As in 36 knots (41 miles per hour) fast.

Two high speed ferries will offer this kind of service: the M/V Chenega will home port in Cordova and the M/V Fairweather will be based in Juneau.

Each ship is barely a year old and can accommodate up to 150 passengers. Each boasts a comfortable observation lounge that can accommodate all 150 travelers. Or, for a change of perspective, 109 of these passengers may also travel in either vessel's mid-ship area. The interior space features a combination of reclining airliner-type seats and table arrangements with some zones dedicated to work and study. Additional seating is available in the ship's exterior solarium, located aft. There are no passenger cabins. Each ship offers a full-service snack bar and can carry up to 35 cars.

From Cordova, the Chenega will offer daily service through Prince William Sound to Valdez and Whittier, both connected by road to Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska.

From Juneau the Fairweather will offer non-stop sailings to Sitka, Haines, and Skagway, the latter two connected by highways to the main body of Alaska via Canada's Yukon Territory.

30% Discounts on Selected Routes

More good news: Starting May 1 passengers will get a new 30 percent discount on one-way and roundtrip Chenega travel between Cordova and Valdez and between Cordova and Whittier. The discounted fares will be valid May 1 through September 30.

This translates into one-way fares of $34 for adults 64 years and younger and $24 for seniors 65 years and older on the Valdez run. Between Cordova and Whittier the fares are $60 and $43, respectively. The 30 percent discount also applies to children's fares, cars, bikes, and kayaks.

In Southeast Alaska the same discount - 30 percent - applies to trips between Juneau and Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park, May 1- August 16. Fares will be priced $28 for adults and $20 for seniors. Between Juneau and the picturesque tiny community of Pelican, fares will run $34 for adults and $24 for seniors from May 1 through September 30. (Please note: The Bartlett Cove and Pelican trips will be aboard either the traditional ferry vessel LaConte or the Aurora. not the Fairweather.)

Chenega's Spring Schedule in Southeast

At present the Fairweather is laid up for engine repairs. In the meantime, until mid-April when the Fairweather returns to Southeast Alaska service and the Chenega heads to Southcentral Alaska and its Cordova summertime homeport, the Chenega is providing fast ferry service between Juneau and Sitka on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and between Juneau and Haines/ Skagway on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The Juneau-Sitka trips depart at 8 a.m. for an approximately four and a half hour journey to Sitka (depending on tides in Sergius Narrows), then a departure from Sitka at 1:30 p.m. with arrival back in Juneau around 6 p.m. - again depending on tides.

Chenega's Juneau departures for Haines/Skagway are at 8 a.m., arriving in Haines in two hours and 45 minutes. The vessel will then execute a 30- minute shuttle Haines-Skagway-Haines for a southbound departure to Juneau at 12:15 p.m. Arrival in the capital city will be at 4:45 p.m.

Fairweather's Summer Schedule in Southeast

May 1 through September 30, 2006 the fast ferry Fairweather will again sail the popular routings that garnered the vessel high praise in summer '05: Juneau non- stop trips to and from Sitka, Haines, and Skagway. The schedule is especially attractive for both Alaskans and visitors from Outside who are looking for a one-day cruising excursion or a two-day (or longer) overnighter. Here's how it all shapes up:

On Mondays and Wednesdays, ship will depart Juneau's ferry terminal at nearby Auke Bay at 8 a.m. for a 12:30 p.m. arrival in Sitka. Departing from Sitka at 1:30 p.m., the vessel will arrive back in Juneau at 6 p.m.

Tuesdays, the vessel will leave Juneau at 8 a.m., arrive in Skagway at 10:30 a.m., depart at 11 a.m. and be back in Juneau at 1:30 p.m.

Thursdays through Sundays Fairweather will provide two round trips, one to and from Haines and the other to and from Skagway. The first will be an 8 a.m. departure from Juneau with a 10:15 a.m. docking at Haines; departure from Haines at 10:45 a.m. and arrival back in Juneau at 1 p.m. After a half-hour turnaround, the vessel will leave Juneau at 1:30 p.m., arrive in Skagway at 4 p.m. then depart Skagway at 4:30 p.m. for an arrival back in Juneau at 7 p.m.

You can make reservations for either of these vessels or aboard any other of the Alaska Marine Highway System's ships at http://www.ferryalaska.com or by calling toll free 800-642-0066.