The ten best ferry journeys in the world - see the sights at a fraction of the price

By Sarah Gordon Untouched scenery: Local transport offers a cost-effective alternative to cruises in AlaskaUntil the Icelandic ash cloud elevated the humble ferry to heroic status - thousands of stranded travellers used them to return from Europe - most of us would probably have admitted we'd prefer to fly to reach our destination. These often-maligned ships can actually provide an affordable and