Following an agreement with cruise lines, the popular Alaska port of Juneau will begin limiting cruise ship visits in 2024.
The City of Juneau and major cruise lines have agreed to limit cruise ship stays in port to no more than five big boats each day.
This agreement is made through a Memorandum of Understanding. It comes just as the 2023 Alaska season begins, although it will not affect ship trips this year.
Beginning with the 2024 cruise season, Juneau and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have agreed to limit the number of big ships in the city to no more than five per day.
The news comes as the first major ship of the year, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, arrived in Juneau on 17 April 2023 for a 10-hour port visit. The ship will return several times throughout the season.
The agreement, signed in good faith by CLIA on behalf of its 40+ member cruise companies and the city of Juneau, is designed to benefit both the cruise lines, the local community, and the regional tourist business.
“This agreement gives our community the assurance we need to plan for the future,” said Alexandra Pierce, Tourism Manager for the City and Borough of Juneau.
“The visitor industry is critical to our local economy, and we must preserve the things that make Juneau such a wonderful place to live and visit.” We hope the tourism sector will remain strong for many years.”
Allowing up to five large ships per day will undoubtedly benefit the tourist industry, especially as cruise liner capacity expands with newer ships.
Norwegian Bliss (4,002 passengers at double occupancy), Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess (3,560), Holland America Line’s Koningsdam (2,650), and Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas (4,905), and Ovation of the Seas (4,905) will all visit Juneau in 2023.
Because cruise line schedules are set a year or more in advance, this new memorandum has no immediate impact on the current cruise season. Still, it will be considered as 2024, 2025, and beyond schedules are drafted and refined.
By collaborating, the cruise lines and the city of Juneau want to foster collaboration and understanding between two parties with the region’s best interests in mind.
“Our work on this MOA recognises the importance of cooperation, collaboration, and communication, which Juneau’s leadership has made possible.” “They consistently keep the wishes of the community at the forefront of the conversation while ensuring the cruise industry can continue to deliver a world-class visitor experience in Alaska’s capital city,” said Renée Limoge Reeve, CLIA’s Vice President of Government and Community Relations.
“Destination stewardship remains one of our highest priorities.” This stewardship ensures pristine natural habitats, the promotion of local artisans, the preservation of native history, and much more, all of which contribute to Alaska remaining a unique and highly desirable travel destination.
