cruise ships

The Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau passed an amendment allowing for the possibility of a fifth cruise ship pier in the city’s Long Range Waterfront Plan on March 15, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City OKs ordinance allowing for fifth pier in long-term plan

It’s not that it will be built, but that it can be built under the plan.

The Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau passed an amendment allowing for the possibility of a fifth cruise ship pier in the city’s Long Range Waterfront Plan on March 15, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department is readying for the inbound cruise season as it makes headway on other projects around the city, said the harbormaster. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Docks and harbors rigs for cruise season

It’ll be the first full season since 2019.

Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department is readying for the inbound cruise season as it makes headway on other projects around the city, said the harbormaster. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
In this Empire file photo, a Princess Cruise Line ship is seen docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday the company pleaded guilty to violating the terms of its probabtion stemming from a 2017 conviction for illegal wastewater dumping. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)

Princess Cruises pleads guilty to probation violation

U.S. Dept. of Justice says company violated probation terms.

In this Empire file photo, a Princess Cruise Line ship is seen docked in Juneau on Aug. 25, 2021. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday the company pleaded guilty to violating the terms of its probabtion stemming from a 2017 conviction for illegal wastewater dumping. (Michael Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

City considers changing plan to allow cruise dock, more shore power

Public comment now open

The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to build a cruise ship dock on its waterfront property on Egan Drive. The city is considering amending the 2004 Long Range Waterfront Plan to allow the new dock. If the change is approved, it could clear the way for broader discussions with NCL. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
This combination image shows photos from stories that defined 2021. Top left, Vanessa Dickinson adjusts second grade student Kanani Dickinson’s glasses ahead of the first day of school. Top middle, doses of COVID-19 vaccination await arms during a vaccine clinic. Top right, a cruise ship looms large over downtown Juneau. Middle left, a sign marks the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area as part of the Tongass National Forest. Middle, the bygone calendar year is written in the sand. Middle right, Alan Salsman receives the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from VA nurse Michael Addo at Coast Guard Station Juneau. Bottom left, School board member Emil Mackey casts a ballot in Juneau’s municipal election. Bottom middle, the Alaska State Capitol stands behind a statue of William H. Seward. Bottom left, Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks during a sitdown in the Empire offices. (Juneau Empire Photos, Engin Akyurt / Unsplash)

The stories that shaped our 2021

Some loom large in 2022, too.

This combination image shows photos from stories that defined 2021. Top left, Vanessa Dickinson adjusts second grade student Kanani Dickinson’s glasses ahead of the first day of school. Top middle, doses of COVID-19 vaccination await arms during a vaccine clinic. Top right, a cruise ship looms large over downtown Juneau. Middle left, a sign marks the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area as part of the Tongass National Forest. Middle, the bygone calendar year is written in the sand. Middle right, Alan Salsman receives the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from VA nurse Michael Addo at Coast Guard Station Juneau. Bottom left, School board member Emil Mackey casts a ballot in Juneau’s municipal election. Bottom middle, the Alaska State Capitol stands behind a statue of William H. Seward. Bottom left, Sen. Lisa Murkowski talks during a sitdown in the Empire offices. (Juneau Empire Photos, Engin Akyurt / Unsplash)
Cruise ships float at PortMiami, on April 7, 2020, in Miami. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now warning people not to cruise regardless of their vaccination status because of an increase in cases fueled by the omicron variant detected in ships. (AP Photo / Lynne Sladky, File)

CDC warns against cruises, regardless of vaccination status

Warning comes as over 90 cruise ships under investigation or observation after COVID-19 cases.

Cruise ships float at PortMiami, on April 7, 2020, in Miami. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now warning people not to cruise regardless of their vaccination status because of an increase in cases fueled by the omicron variant detected in ships. (AP Photo / Lynne Sladky, File)
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The Nieuw Amsterdam sails into Juneau on July 26, 2021. On Monday night, city leaders reviewed the results of a community survey aimed at learning more about community attitudes about the impact of large cruise ships.

Tourism survey yields ‘remarkable,’ ‘interesting’ data

Questionnaire shows little movement in public opinion despite visitor surge

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The Nieuw Amsterdam sails into Juneau on July 26, 2021. On Monday night, city leaders reviewed the results of a community survey aimed at learning more about community attitudes about the impact of large cruise ships.
A Carnival cruise ship arrives in Juneau early in the morning on Aug. 14. Local business owners say that the short and significantly scaled back 2021 cruise season was welcome after the cancelation of the 2020 season. However, they say it was not enough and they are struggling to survive. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Small businesses still struggling due to pandemic’s effect on travel

“We are in survival mode”

A Carnival cruise ship arrives in Juneau early in the morning on Aug. 14. Local business owners say that the short and significantly scaled back 2021 cruise season was welcome after the cancelation of the 2020 season. However, they say it was not enough and they are struggling to survive. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. The Encore was visiting Juneau as part of an abbreviated cruise season this summer after COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season. The City and Borough of Juneau recently conducted an online survey for residents to share their views on the tourism industry. Local cruise critics say they are eagerly awaiting survey results. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Cruise critics reflect on shortened season

“It was not intolerable”

The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. The Encore was visiting Juneau as part of an abbreviated cruise season this summer after COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season. The City and Borough of Juneau recently conducted an online survey for residents to share their views on the tourism industry. Local cruise critics say they are eagerly awaiting survey results. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The last cruise ship of the year, the Norwegian Encore, sails out of Juneau on Wednesday, Oct., 20, 2021, ending a cruise ship season that almost didn’t happen. Despite a smaller season this year, local officials expect a robust season in 2022.

An abbreviated cruise season by the numbers

Fewer ships than 2019, but more than 2020

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire The last cruise ship of the year, the Norwegian Encore, sails out of Juneau on Wednesday, Oct., 20, 2021, ending a cruise ship season that almost didn’t happen. Despite a smaller season this year, local officials expect a robust season in 2022.
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Currently, the privately owned Franklin Street dock shown in this Nov. 1 photo is Juneau’s only electrified dock. Plans are underway to electrify two city-owned cruise ship docks. In addition to electrifying city-owned docks, more electric docks may be on the horizon for Juneau, as Norwegian Cruise Lines eyes electrification for the cruise ship dock the company seeks to build on their waterfront property on Egan Drive.

Study sheds light on electrifying cruise ship docks

City leaders await federal announcement of grant award

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Currently, the privately owned Franklin Street dock shown in this Nov. 1 photo is Juneau’s only electrified dock. Plans are underway to electrify two city-owned cruise ship docks. In addition to electrifying city-owned docks, more electric docks may be on the horizon for Juneau, as Norwegian Cruise Lines eyes electrification for the cruise ship dock the company seeks to build on their waterfront property on Egan Drive.
Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The Norwegian Encore slips past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, as part of 2021’s abbreviated cruise season. In 2020, COVID-19 halted all cruise traffic. Earlier this year, Norwegian Cruise Lines announced $10 million in donations to communities hard hit by 2020’s pandemic-induced suspension on cruising, including $2 million to organizations in Juneau. Recently, local organizations have started to receive the money.

Donations flow to local nonprofit groups

NCL money offers pier-to-peer support

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The Norwegian Encore slips past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, as part of 2021’s abbreviated cruise season. In 2020, COVID-19 halted all cruise traffic. Earlier this year, Norwegian Cruise Lines announced $10 million in donations to communities hard hit by 2020’s pandemic-induced suspension on cruising, including $2 million to organizations in Juneau. Recently, local organizations have started to receive the money.
The last cruise ship of the year, the Norwegian Encore, sails out of Juneau on Wednesday, Oct., 20, 2021, ending a cruise ship season that almost didn't happen. According to the Juneau's Docks and Harbor's department, the Encore brought more than 2,000 passengers Wednesday, far below an average year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Final cruise ship of 2021 leaves Juneau

A limited season winds down.

The last cruise ship of the year, the Norwegian Encore, sails out of Juneau on Wednesday, Oct., 20, 2021, ending a cruise ship season that almost didn't happen. According to the Juneau's Docks and Harbor's department, the Encore brought more than 2,000 passengers Wednesday, far below an average year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
A plane lands at Juneau International Airport on May 25, 2021, as the number of travelers in the state started to rise after the lockdowns of 2020. Travel numbers are not back up to their pre-pandemic levels, but they are increasing according to local travel authorities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

After steep decline, transportation numbers are slowly taking off again

Passengers are coming back by boat, plane and bus, but not yet at pre-pandemic numbers.

A plane lands at Juneau International Airport on May 25, 2021, as the number of travelers in the state started to rise after the lockdowns of 2020. Travel numbers are not back up to their pre-pandemic levels, but they are increasing according to local travel authorities. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly gave the city manager's office the go-ahead to begin negotiations with Norwegian Cruise Line over land the company needs to build its proposed dock on Egan Drive, seen here on Jun. 6, 2021. The company will need access to state and city-owned tidelands in order to complete the dock, and City Manager Rorie Watt told Assembly members Monday the company could now submit its applications. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Assembly says cruise company can submit plans

Next steps.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly gave the city manager's office the go-ahead to begin negotiations with Norwegian Cruise Line over land the company needs to build its proposed dock on Egan Drive, seen here on Jun. 6, 2021. The company will need access to state and city-owned tidelands in order to complete the dock, and City Manager Rorie Watt told Assembly members Monday the company could now submit its applications. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Serenade of the Seas arrives in Juneau early Friday morning. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the first large cruise ship to come to Juneau since the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 cruise ship season and delayed the 2021 season. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

They’re back: Large cruise ships return to Southeast Alaska

Juneau’s first large cruise ship since start of the pandemic arrived today.

The Serenade of the Seas arrives in Juneau early Friday morning. The Royal Caribbean cruise ship is the first large cruise ship to come to Juneau since the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 cruise ship season and delayed the 2021 season. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau City Manager Rorie Watt holds up a chart showing the increase in the size of cruise ships during a meeting of the Tourism Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. At Monday’s meeting, members of the City Assembly’s Committee of the Whole discussed three of the committee’s recommendations-a discussion that was sidelined by COVID-19. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)

City turns to tourism management ahead of short cruise season

Community survey coming, new tourism job being considered

City and Borough of Juneau City Manager Rorie Watt holds up a chart showing the increase in the size of cruise ships during a meeting of the Tourism Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. At Monday’s meeting, members of the City Assembly’s Committee of the Whole discussed three of the committee’s recommendations-a discussion that was sidelined by COVID-19. (Michael Penn /Juneau Empire File)
Courtesy photo / Norwegian Cruise Line Large cruises ships like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, seen here near Ketchikan in this undated photo, are returning to Alaska after being shut down due to COVID-19. Trade group Cruise Lines International Association says the industry is ready to get back to business safely.

Cruises are coming back to Alaska prepared, industry exec says

Post-pandemic passengers.

Courtesy photo / Norwegian Cruise Line Large cruises ships like Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, seen here near Ketchikan in this undated photo, are returning to Alaska after being shut down due to COVID-19. Trade group Cruise Lines International Association says the industry is ready to get back to business safely.
The American Constellation arrives at the cruise ship docks Monday evening. Crew members will quarantine on board he American Cruise Lines vessel following multiple reported cases of COVID-19 among the crew, according to City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Small cruise ship to stay at downtown docks during quarantine

Protocols in place.

The American Constellation arrives at the cruise ship docks Monday evening. Crew members will quarantine on board he American Cruise Lines vessel following multiple reported cases of COVID-19 among the crew, according to City and Borough of Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
The Alaska State Library Museum and Archives was open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 and according to staff, seeing a rise in the amount of visitors. Numbers aren't where they were before the pandemic, but local curators are optimistic about this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Juneau’s museums are optimistic for summer

Hope for a rebound.

The Alaska State Library Museum and Archives was open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 and according to staff, seeing a rise in the amount of visitors. Numbers aren't where they were before the pandemic, but local curators are optimistic about this summer. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)