Peter Segall | Juneau Empire                                 The cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau will remain as empty as it was on Tuesday, April 14, for some time as travel restrictions put cruise industry on pause. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Peter Segall | Juneau Empire The cruise ship dock in downtown Juneau will remain as empty as it was on Tuesday, April 14, for some time as travel restrictions put cruise industry on pause. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Cruise companies extend delay, cut trips to Alaska

Summer 2020 season is going to be light

Holland America and Princess Cruise Lines extended their respective delays for the 2020 cruise ship season, and in Alaska have canceled certain voyages for the entire summer.

In a press release, Holland America said because of travel restrictions and global health concerns the company was suspending the majority of its summer operations.

“These are unprecedented times,” Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line said in the release. “Having to delay summer cruising and cancel our land tours for the entire season is the responsible thing to do, yet also very disappointing and a first in our more than 70 years of taking guests to Alaska.”

Princess Cruises, which like Holland America is owned by Florida-based Carnival Corporation, is also limiting the number and kinds of voyages the company will make to Alaska during the summer.

While Princess Cruises will still be running two ships out of Seattle, voyages across the Gulf of Alaska and certain onshore excursions have been canceled. Foreign-flagged ships must stop in a foreign port after departing the U.S., so the Port of Vancouver would need to be open to cruises in order for such ships to come to Alaska.

“Princess Cruises can confirm modifications to the Alaska season, which includes the cancellation of all Princess Alaska Gulf cruise and cruise tours. The five wilderness lodges, trains and buses operated by Princess in Alaska will not open this summer,” a release from Princess Cruise Lines said.

As sailings are being canceled, cruise ship companies are trying to retain their customers, offering reimbursement deals for future voyages.

According to Southeast Conference, the visitor industry makes up 18% of the economy in Southeast Alaska and the predicted number of tourists for the 202o season was roughly 1.4 million people and $793 million in tourist spending.

The lack of tourists will also mean diminished returns for the City and Borough of Juneau which collects a bed tax on the number of visitors coming to the city.

In October, Southeast Conference said the visitor industry “has the strongest outlook of all Southeast Alaska industries,” but with the season effectively canceled, the lack of revenue from the industry will have deep impacts for Southeast.

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnoEmpire.

Information on the coronavirus is available from websites for the City and Borough of Juneau, the State of Alaska at coronavirus.alaska.gov and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to contact their health care provider.

More in News

Suicide Basin as of 10:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2025, taken by a U.S. Geological Survey camera at the basin entrance facing northeast, into the basin. (Screenshot from National Weather Service Juneau page)
Glacial lake outburst swells Salmon River near Hyder

The isolation of Salmon River limits the impact of flooding

Kahyl Dybdahl, left, and Bronze Chevis eat an egg sandwich breakfast before school at Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
School board allocates extra state funds

More state funds available, but funding issues and federal uncertainty abound

Max Webster stands with Lemon Creek Correctional Center staff in front of new control tower on Tuesday, July 9, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
A towering accomplishment for new Eagle Scout

Max Webster honored at Firearms Training Center Control Tower ribbon-cutting ceremony

Andy Engstrom (left) uses bitcoin to buy lemonade and cookies from business owner Denali Schijvens (right) on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Alaska’s 1st Bitcoin conference held in Juneau

State leaders discuss integrating Bitcoin in Alaska energy, investment and universities

Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, delivers his keynote address to approximately 40 people, most of whom are from out of state, at the end of the Bitcoin Alaska conference on Sunday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Begich and Bitcoin fly to Juneau after passage of ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’

Protesters seek town hall with representative; he delivers keynote address at ticketed conference

Brad Hogarth, one of four finalists to be the new music director of the Juneau Symphony, guides the ensemble through a rehearsal at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A pink peony blooms in Chris Urata’s garden on Saturday, July 5, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Master Gardeners Tour showcases excellence in landscaping

Annual fundraising event features gardens on 11 properties

Seven- and 8-year-olds compete in the watermelon-eating contest at Savviko Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire)
Douglas picnic marks the beginning of 4th of July celebrations

Community members enjoy barbecue, watermelon eating contest

Most Read