Juneau Passenger Cap Paves the Way for Alaska Cruise Ships to Shift Focus to Ketchikan

Ketchikan is set to welcome more cruise passengers than Juneau for the first time, following the implementation of new passenger caps in Juneau. The city opted for voluntary ship limits in collaboration with the cruise industry, which is expected to keep overall passenger numbers close to the 1.69 million recorded in 2025. However, the introduction of restrictions has altered the flow of cruise traffic in Southeast Alaska.

Starting in 2024, Juneau will limit daily cruise ship arrivals to five, with a maximum of 16,000 passengers per day, reduced to 12,000 on Saturdays. These measures aim to control growth in cruise tourism in Juneau while influencing the itineraries of cruise ships throughout the region. Projections for 2026 indicate that Ketchikan is likely to surpass Juneau in cruise passenger totals as a result of these limits.

Royal Caribbean Group is adjusting its Alaska cruise scheduling, with Royal Caribbean International cutting back on calls to downtown Juneau from four ships in 2025 to three in 2026. The company plans to maintain its overall capacity by increasing calls at other Southeast Alaskan ports, including Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point. Additionally, there are discussions concerning a new two-berth cruise facility on Douglas Island, set to open in 2028, but it is unclear if this would affect Juneau’s current ship limits.

Ketchikan’s cruise infrastructure has been evolving since the opening of the Mill at Ward Cove in 2021. This privately developed cruise port has streamlined visitor access and has encouraged the growth of new tourist attractions and services. Future expansions are anticipated, along with improved transportation connections between the facility and downtown Ketchikan.

Sentiment toward cruise tourism in Southeast Alaska is mixed. Recent surveys in Juneau show a divided opinion on the benefits of cruise tourism, while communities like Wrangell and Haines express greater support. Residents of Sitka have recently indicated a preference for organized discussions around balanced passenger levels and municipal involvement in managing tourism.

Local tourism officials in Southeast Alaska are keen on regional cooperation, with Juneau’s tourism management emphasizing support for each other’s proposed caps. As Ketchikan braces for the increasing number of cruise passengers, discussions on long-term capacity planning and resource management are becoming increasingly essential.

Juneau’s Visitor Industry Task Force has resumed operations to assess community feedback regarding cruise tourism and sustainable management practices, aiming to balance economic interests with visitor and resident experiences.

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