We flew into Anchorage and rented a car. Didn't use the ferry system, but we did take a sea tour of the fjord above the Kenai Peninsula. That was the highlight of the trip...pod of orcas chasing seals, blue whales, thousands of birds, glaciers calving...
Didn't have the time, then, to drive through Canada on the Alaska Highway. This was in the early 90's, so I'm not sure if the highway was totally finished ... but it is now, and is something I'd like to do.