Juneau cruise traffic tops 1.7 million passengers
The Alaska capital set a fourth consecutive annual record despite new daily limits on cruise-passenger visits.
Juneau received more than 1.7 million cruise passengers this year, surpassing its previous record for the fourth year in a row. The increase occurred even as the city implemented new daily limits on cruise-passenger visits.
Tourism officials attributed much of the growth to vessels sailing fuller than anticipated. Ships reached 104% of lower-berth capacity, a standard industry measure based on two passengers occupying each cabin.
Alexandra Pierce, Juneau’s visitor industry director, said unexpectedly high ship occupancy explained the increase more than the addition of vessels or passenger capacity.
Juneau’s visitor industry task force was expected to issue a report in December examining methods for measuring tourism’s effects and preparing for future growth.