The Alaska Marine Highway System, or AMHS, recently announced the release of its 2015-16 winter schedule. Reservations are now available for booking at FerryAlaska.com, by calling 1-800-642-0066 or visiting ferry terminal staff throughout the system.

Coinciding with release of the winter schedule, AMHS is applying a new reservations policy for all travel initiating Oct. 1 and thereafter. The new policy requires payment at the time of booking and includes a revised fee schedule for cancellations or changes.

The intent of the new reservations policy is to limit lost revenue due to late cancellations or no-shows. Late cancellations make it difficult for the AMHS to sell the limited space aboard ferries to other customers.

The new reservation policy includes the following cancellation or change fees (change fees apply to the reduced itinerary value):

• Cancellation/change within 24 hours of booking will result in no cancellation fee.

• Cancellation/change more than 30 days prior to the day of sailing will result in a cancellation fee equal to 5 percent of the reserved space value.

• Cancellation/change 15-30 days prior to the day of sailing will result in a 10 percent cancellation fee of the reserved space value.

• Cancellation/change 7-14 days prior to the day of sailing will result in a 20 percent cancellation fee of the reserved space value.

• Cancellation/change 1-7 days prior to the day of sailing will result in a 30 percent cancellation fee of the reserved space value.

• Cancellation/change within 24 hours of sailing, or a no-show, will result in a 40 percent cancellation fee of the reserved space value.

The new reservation policy may be found online at FerryAlaska.com.

Release of the 2015-16 winter schedule followed a public comment period held in July and August. The comment period is an opportunity for communities and individuals to review and comment on the proposed schedule, and to make AMHS aware of significant community events.