Alaska’s capital has lost its patience with cruise ships
Renowned for its wealth of natural wonders, Alaska has become the latest front in the fight against overtourism, an issue plaguing many popular destinations.
In Juneau, simmering tensions over the rise in cruise ship visits have led residents to take a stand. Despite existing measures to limit cruise numbers, locals are advocating for “Ship-free Saturdays.” This proposal seeks to ban cruise ships carrying 250 or more passengers from docking on Saturdays during the summer months, as well as on July 4. The city’s Assembly has until August 15 to adopt the measure. If not, it will be put to a public vote in October, with planned implementation in 2025.
Juneau's Unique Accessibility
Juneau is accessible only by air or sea, making it a prime destination for cruise ships. Post-pandemic, the city has seen a surge in cruise ship calls during the April to October season. Last year, arrivals reached over 1.6 million, up from 1.1 million in 2022. This influx has significantly impacted Juneau’s population of 32,000, with around 18,000 cruise passengers descending on the city on peak days.
From Juneau, visitors often head to the Mendenhall Glacier, which has receded significantly over the past two decades due to climate change.
Economic Impact vs. Quality of Life
Tourism is Juneau’s highest earner, bringing in $375 million in direct spending last year. However, some residents feel that the surge in visitors diminishes their quality of life. Increased traffic, crowded trails, and the frequent noise of sightseeing helicopters are among their concerns.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has worked with local authorities to introduce a voluntary limit of no more than five large vessels in port per day. An agreement set to take effect in 2026 will limit passenger arrivals to 16,000 daily, except on Saturdays when the limit is 12,000. Some residents, however, believe these measures do not go far enough.
Community Voices
Deborah Craig, a longtime resident, supports the “Ship-free Saturdays” initiative, stating that the overwhelming number of visitors detracts from what residents love about Juneau. Karla Hart, another resident, believes that having one day a week without the cruise industry chaos would make everyone happier and healthier.
Opposition and Economic Concerns
Not everyone supports these restrictions. Protect Juneau’s Future, a coalition of residents and businesses, argues that ship-free Saturdays would harm the local economy. They estimate that Saturday cruise passengers will bring nearly $32 million in direct spending to Juneau’s economy next year, a sum that would be lost if the ban is implemented.
Laura McDonnell, president of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, believes the ban would be detrimental to the city’s economy. She notes that her business, Caribou Crossings, makes 98 percent of its annual revenue during the summer cruise season.
Sustainable Tourism Efforts
Captain Dan Blanchard, owner and chief executive of UnCruise Adventures, supports current initiatives, stating they help maintain a balance between viable business and preserving Alaska’s natural beauty.
Global Resistance to Cruise Ships
Juneau is not alone in its struggle against overtourism. Other destinations are also pushing back against cruise ships:
- Venice: Banned ships over 25,000 tons, redirecting them to ports like Marghera, Ravenna, and Trieste.
- Amsterdam: Plans to limit ocean cruise ships to 100 annually by 2026 and relocate the cruise terminal by 2035.
- Bar Harbor, Maine: Voted to limit cruise visitors to 1,000 a day, with full implementation expected by 2025.
- Barcelona: Closed one cruise terminal and capped the number of ships to seven at a time.
- Key West: Continues to face battles between local bans on large cruise ships and state legislation allowing them.
