In response to the frustration expressed by Juneau’s residents with cruise tourism, Royal Caribbean Group has announced plans to open a new port in the city of Juneau, Alaska. The company claims that the new port will help disperse foot traffic in the city’s downtown area, addressing a specific concern voiced by the community. The announcement came shortly after a local election where residents voted down a ballot measure called “Ship-Free Saturdays” that would have imposed cruise restrictions. The new port, to be built on the backside of Douglas Island, more than 10 miles from downtown, is expected to open in 2027.
City officials expressed surprise at the announcement by Royal Caribbean Group, stating that they were unaware of the plan and disappointed that they were not involved in the planning process. The company signed an agreement with Goldbelt Incorporated to construct the new port and plans to provide shuttle services for cruise passengers to access local attractions from the port. The decision to wait until after the election results were certified to make the announcement was seen as a strategic move by Royal Caribbean Group. The company has committed to honoring and upholding memorandum of understanding agreements with the city to manage the growth of cruise tourism in the region.
Juneau, a city with a population of 32,000, saw a record 1.65 million visitors last year, with cruise passengers contributing significantly to the tourism industry. Overcrowding and congestion in the downtown area, as well as concerns about the impact on the local ecosystem and waters, have been ongoing issues for residents. The popular cruise port of Juneau is part of many Alaska itineraries offered by major cruise companies such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival. Karla Hart, who led the effort behind the “Ship-Free Saturdays” measure, believes that the new port will exacerbate overtourism in the city and views claims of traffic alleviation as an excuse to generate more profits.
Prior to the election, Royal Caribbean and other cruise companies had threatened to sue the city if the ballot measure passed. These companies contributed to a coalition called Protect Juneau’s Future, which campaigned against the measure, spending over $600,000 in the process. Goldbelt’s Pierre, who is the chair of Protect Juneau’s Future, welcomed the new port as a sustainable and culture-rich cruise terminal that will help address local transportation and economic development issues. The city and the cruise industry have previously agreed to cap the number of large cruise ships docking each day at five, with limits on the number of daily passengers set for the upcoming years to manage the growth of cruise tourism. Royal Caribbean plans to work within these agreements to balance economic benefits with the concerns of the local community.
