In response to growing concerns over overtourism in Juneau, cruise lines have reached a significant agreement to limit their capacity starting in 2026. The cap on daily lower berths for cruise ships on Sundays through Fridays will be set at 16,000, while on Saturdays, the limit will be reduced to 12,000 lower berths. This decision comes after days where the city has experienced more than 21,000 lower berths, leading to frustration among locals. The agreement between the City & Borough of Juneau and major cruise companies, including Carnival Corp., Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and Royal Caribbean Group, aims to address the pressing issue of quality of life and overtourism in Alaska’s capital city.
This recent memorandum of agreement builds upon previous efforts to manage cruise tourism in Juneau. Last year, officials and cruise lines agreed to limit cruise ship calls to five per day, a restriction that will continue alongside the new cap on lower berths. The memorandum provides Juneau officials with the authority to approve exceptions to the capacity limit on a case-by-case basis, thereby offering flexibility when necessary. Additionally, the agreement highlights the need to explore alternatives to ‘hot berthing,’ a practice where ships occupy unreserved spaces temporarily, contributing to overcrowding on peak days.
The Visitor Industry Task Force, established in 2019 to address issues related to cruise tourism, played a pivotal role in negotiating this agreement. The task force, comprised of industry representatives and city officials, will convene annually to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken and propose potential modifications. The tourism director of Juneau has expressed her commitment to reducing the number of days where lower berth capacity exceeds the agreed limit, emphasizing a balanced approach to managing tourism flow.
Despite these efforts, some residents are taking additional steps to address their concerns about cruise tourism. There is an ongoing push for a referendum to ban cruise ships from docking in Juneau on Saturdays and during major events, such as July 4. This grassroots movement signifies the community’s desire to have a more active role in shaping the future of tourism in Juneau, underscoring the importance of balancing economic opportunities with the well-being of residents.
The strategic agreement reached between Juneau officials and cruise lines marks a significant step towards mitigating the impacts of overtourism in the city. By setting clear limits on capacity and fostering ongoing dialogue between stakeholders, the aim is to create a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between the tourism industry and the local community.