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A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. Before cruise ships can sail to Alaska this summer, they must enter into a port agreement, which outlines health and safety terms. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

CBJ authorizes city manager to enter port agreements with cruise lines

CDC requires agreed-upon health and safety standards for cruises

A fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor in September 2014. The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

U.S. Senate passes bill that could allow cruise ships to come to Alaska

It now heads to the House.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. The future of large vessel cruise ship-based tourism is a topic of debate as a group of cruise reform activists are trying to advance ballot measures aimed at limiting cruise ships in Juneau. Another community group has started a Stop the Sign campaign to prevent the questions from appearing on the ballot in October's municipal election. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

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Cruise control on the ballot?

Not so fast, says Protect Juneau’s Future committee

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, shown here on April 9, held a news conference in Anchorage on April 16, 2021 announcing his office’s plans for supporting tourism in Alaska going forward. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

News

Free vaccines for tourists: Governor talks future of tourism industry

The governor wants $150 million to aid the tourism industry.

State lawmakers including Juneau Democrats Sen. Jesse Kiehl and Rep. Andi Story, pose with a copy of a joint resolution urging federal action to allow cruising to return to Alaska this summer. Gov. Mike Dunleavy stands to the left and Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon is in the left background in the hangar of Wings Airways in Juneau on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

News

Governor says help coming for beleaguered tourism industry

Alaska is open.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to the White House asking for federal action to get cruise ship passengers, like the ones seen here in this 2017 file photo, back in Alaska. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Dunleavy asks White House to allow cruises

Cites severe economic impact.

House lawmakers are hoping to see at least some cruise ship passengers like these seen in this Sept. 2017 file photo, and passed a resolution urging Congress and the president to take action on behalf of Alaska's tourist sector. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

House OKs resolution urging federal action to allow cruise ships to come to Alaska

Juneau’s lawmakers say tourism needed for Southeast.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has an ongoing study to measure the effects of air pollution from cruise ship emissions in Juneau, particularly the waterfront area, seen here on March 24, 2021. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

News

State scientist talks cruise ship emission effects in Juneau

Ongoing data gathering will show much the big ships affects air quality in Juneau.

City leaders are waiting to learn more about the City and Borough of Juneau’s protocols that allow cruise ships to resume sailing. The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Amid COVID, cruise season planning is off to a slow start

The Assembly faces obstacles in setting local health protocols for visitors.

The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. Emissions are among the many grievances raised by the Global Cruise Activist Network against the cruise industry. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

Cruise control: Activists voice goals for cruise industry reform

Pollution, human rights and community determinism are all on their agenda.

Meilani Schijvens, owner and director of Rain Coast data and former executive director of Southeast Conference, gives a presentation on Southeast Alaska By the Numbers at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, Tuesday. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

News

Juneau could clear 1.5 million cruise ship tourists by 2021

Projections show more tourists coming next year.

Tourists watch as one of two cubs crosses the path between groups of tourists visiting the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Opinion

Opinion: No place remains special by accident

To make and keep cohesive neighborhoods, it takes planning and zoning.

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file A humpback whale is seen near Shelter Island in August 2011. A humpback whale is seen near Shelter Island on August 3, 2011. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Stakeholders talk keeping whale watching bubble afloat

Nearly 3,000 people a day can go out whale watching during peak season.

Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Rezone Basin Road to lessen tourist traffic

Locals can be free of the crush of cruise ship tourism.

City and Borough of Juneau Visitor Industry Task Force Chair Carole Triem and Vice Chair Craig Dahl listen to testimony Saturday, Jan. 11 during a public input task force meeting. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

News

‘What we used to have’: Locals testify about need to regulate tourism

Should the city cap number of cruise ship visitors to Juneau?

Capt. Steve White, from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau, gives a presentation to the Visitor Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Coast Guard plays a role in Juneau’s tourism industry

Our waters have never been busier.

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

Opinion

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

We should also explore ways to gather more revenue from this industry.

Four whales struck by vessels this year in Southeast

News

Four whales struck by vessels this year in Southeast

NOAA investigates vessels for possible negligence.

Eric Fullerton makes his investment pitch during the Alaska Tourism Industry Association’s version of “Shark Tank” during their annual conference, held this year at Centennial Center, Oct. 9, 2019. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

News

Small businesses win big in Alaska version of ‘Shark Tank’

Some small companies got a big boost Wednesday.

A helicopter tour over the Mendenhall Glacier in August 2010. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

News

Unseasonable warmth causes sled dog camp to close early

It’s a cruel, (cruel), cruel summer.