Ship-Free Saturdays” Initiative Defeated: Juneau Voters Reject Cruise Ship Restrictions

Juneau voters seem likely to turn down a proposed ballot measure aimed at banning large cruise ships from docking on Saturdays, based on early results.

With more than 59% of voters against the proposal, early indications show that the initiative will likely fail. Both supporters and detractors anticipate that the outcome will hold steady.

The initiative for “ship-free Saturdays,” marking a unique effort in Alaska, aimed to prohibit ships carrying 250 or more passengers from arriving in Juneau on Saturdays and during the Fourth of July. Karla Hart, a longstanding advocate for reducing cruise ship traffic in Juneau, led the charge. Despite her previous unsuccessful attempts to impose restrictions on cruise ship operations in 2021, Hart remains committed, noting that legislative issues often require multiple attempts to gain traction.

Juneau has experienced a notable increase in cruise ship arrivals in recent times, with approximately 1.7 million passengers visiting in 2023. As reported by the McKinley Research Group, the cruise industry contributed around US$375 million in direct spending, supported 3,850 direct and indirect jobs, and generated over US$40 million in municipal revenue. Nonetheless, some community members have raised concerns regarding the effects of rising tourism. Hart highlighted that the influx of tourists has resulted in downtown congestion, frequent helicopter tours over neighborhoods, and tensions between fishermen and whale-watching businesses.

The local business community, represented by Protect Juneau’s Future, was against the ballot measure, arguing that losing Saturday cruise ship visits could have serious economic consequences. This group projected that the restrictions could lead to a revenue drop of US$30 million. McHugh Pierre, chair of Protect Juneau’s Future and CEO of Goldbelt Inc., cautioned that the repercussions of a ban could extend throughout the state, as a significant percentage of cruise passengers visiting Juneau continue on to other Alaskan locales, such as Fairbanks.

In light of community concerns, last year, Juneau city officials and leading cruise lines reached a voluntary agreement to limit the number of large ships at port to five per day. Furthermore, starting in 2026, a separate agreement will impose a cap on daily cruise passengers at 16,000, with a lower limit of 12,000 on Saturdays.

Pierre stressed the necessity of ongoing cooperation between local residents and cruise operators to balance the interests of both tourists and community members. He stated that it is crucial to ensure that passengers have a positive experience while maintaining the quality of life for locals.