What makes the cruise industry's bond with Alaska so strong?

Cruise lines’ efforts to reduce their environmental footprint and integrate with local communities stretch back decades, long before the flooding in Juneau became such an acute issue.

Princess Cruises pioneered the concept of shore power, with the help of partners, in Juneau in 2001. It meant the city’s port was the first in the world to install the technology, which allows ships to connect to the local grid and switch off their engines in port – cutting emissions.

A measure of just how ahead of its time the introduction of shore power was at Juneau, the world’s largest cruise port – PortMiami – only began offering shore power connections this year.

Holland America Line (HAL) operates six ships in Alaska. It is among the initial partners to join the Alaska Green Corridor, which launched in 2022 along with Carnival Corporation’s other brands – Princess, Carnival Cruise Line, Seabourn and Cunard – and Alaska’s ports.

The aim is to decarbonise shipping routes between Alaska, British Columbia and Washington, with an initial focus on cruise ship operations.

Exploring Alaska ’a privilege’

Cruise lines’ efforts to effect change and support Alaska extend into the communities their passengers visit.

Patrick Hill, head of Paramount Cruises, sailed on Celebrity Eclipse in Alaska in 2022. “A highlight during the seven-night voyage was the daily talk given by the onboard naturalist,” he noted.

“This gave us true insight into the history and culture of native Alaskans and the rich wildlife that can be seen throughout the voyage. I ended the trip with a greater understanding and respect for the many unique challenges faced by those living in this beautiful state.”

The shoreside team at Seabourn volunteered more than 500 hours and donated to local non-profit organisations, shelters and schools in 2023.

The luxury expedition line said: “The privilege to explore Alaska’s incredible scenery and wildlife comes with great responsibility to respect and help maintain the culture, history and natural resources.”

HAL has also donated more than $85,000 to school districts throughout the state to help buy classroom supplies, musical instruments, sports equipment and furniture.

Royal Caribbean International connects its guests to Skagway-based Voyij.com, an online marketplace featuring Alaskan small businesses, retailers and artists. It estimates the three-year partnership has driven more than $1 million in sales to local businesses.

Elsewhere, The Hurtigruten Foundation – a collaboration between Hurtigruten, Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX), their guests, partners and private donors, which was set up to fight climate change, strengthen local communities and stop mass tourism – last year donated around £3,500 to a project supporting community storytelling, which included a travelling exhibit along coastal Alaska focusing on climate change.

HX said it was drawn to the project because it felt a number of smaller Alaskan communities such as Seward, Sitka and Wrangell often didn’t feature in the national conversation on climate change effects.

“They are experiencing glacial melt leading to rising sea levels and landslides resulting from extreme precipitation events,” an HX spokesperson said.

It is estimated that between 7,500 and 15,000 people will visit the exhibit across all the locations during the current Alaska season, which runs from May to September.

’More must be done’

Westoe Travel co-owner Graeme Brett has visited Alaska six times on cruises or land tours with his wife Joan and estimates their agency sells 30 to 40 Alaska sailings a year.

Brett believes lines “could do a lot more” to support Alaskan communities. “As far as I am concerned, Alaska is the best cruise you can do,” he said. “But I do feel the lines could invest more of their profits into local communities.

“The cruise season in Alaska is short. These communities have got to survive all year round as they don’t have any tourists coming in the winter. Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan are reliant on cruise passengers coming into port.”

HX chief expedition officer Alex McNeil has spent more than 15 years shaping the future of expedition cruise travel, first with Quark Expeditions and now for Hurtigruten’s expedition cruise division.

Following the recent flooding in Juneau, he succinctly laid bare the challenge facing the growing number of cruise lines seeking to operate in Alaska.

“As a company deeply connected to the natural world and the dramatic Alaskan coastline, this flooding event underscores the urgent need for further collective action on climate change,” he said.

“While we remain committed to leaving a footprint we’re proud of, it’s clear more must be done to protect these fragile environments for those living there right now – and for future generations.”