Alaska is one of the most desired destinations for any traveler, due to its pristine nature, its glaciers, its history of gold prospectors, and its Russian past.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
However, Alaska experienced a profound crisis as a tourist destination at the end of the last decade due to the application of ecotaxes, the easing of which has led to a new surge, culminating in a new record in 2018.
In the upcoming season, more than one million passengers will embark on a cruise to Alaska, slightly above the previous record set in 2008, just before taxes sent the destination into a downward spiral between 2009 and 2011. Since then, the Alaska destination has grown modestly but steadily year after year, surpassing the record in 2018.
60% of tourists in Alaska are cruise ship passengers
The main operator in this destination is Princess Cruises, followed by Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. A new record is expected in 2019, with the arrival of additional operators such as Cunard, Azamara, Viking, etc., and new megaships like the Royal Princess and the Ovation of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International.
The 2018 season:
This coming summer, more than one million cruise passengers (1,067,432, to be exact) are expected to visit Alaska, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) of Alaska. This projection surpasses the previous record of approximately 1,032,000 passengers in 2008. Thirty-three ships will visit Alaskan ports this year, making around 500 port calls, according to CLIA. In 2017, there were also 33 ships, making 498 port calls in Alaska.
This growing number of passengers demonstrates the strength of cruise tourism in Alaska, which is very important to the state's economy, given that cruise passengers account for 60% of Alaska's summer visitors. For example, in the summer of 2016, Alaska received a total of 1.8 million visitors, of which approximately one million arrived on cruise ships. That year, Alaska was the sixth most popular cruise destination in the world, a position it maintained in 2017 with an additional 35,000 cruise passengers.
Since 2016, Alaska has been receiving increasingly larger ships, thanks to its complementarity with emerging destinations in the Pacific, China, and Australia.
One of the most significant trends is the arrival of increasingly larger ships, which have been replacing (and will continue to replace) smaller vessels in Alaska. This strategy was first demonstrated in 2016 when Royal Caribbean sent its first Voyager-class ship, the Explorer of the Seas, to Alaska. The experiment was successful and was repeated in 2017, offering week-long round trips from Seattle to Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Victoria. In both seasons, it was the largest cruise ship in Alaska, beating Princess Cruises' Grand Princess-class ships by a wide margin. This year, the Explorer of the Seas will return for its third consecutive season, but it will no longer be the largest ship in Alaskan waters. CLIA Alaska notes that between 2015 and 2018, the average tonnage of cruise ships increased by 18%, and capacity increased by 14%. The strong demand for Alaskan cruises is expected to continue shaping the market in the coming seasons: growth based on increasing the size of ships, in one of the few destinations that seemed immune to this trend.
As a result, Alaska is poised for record-breaking years in both 2018 and 2019. Historically, the global cruise industry and Alaska as a destination have gone hand in hand in a steady and impressive growth trajectory. However, Alaska bucked this trend after the implementation of significant tax increases in 2007, but recovered after the cruise industry and the State of Alaska reached an agreement to reduce taxes.
The ability of cruise lines to move their assets—the ships—between different destinations is becoming increasingly important. The emergence of major source markets in the Pacific has benefited Alaska. All the major cruise lines operating there have discovered that using their ships in Australia or the Far East during the winter and in Alaska during the summer is a very attractive strategy. Examples include Holland America, which moves the Noordam from Australia to Alaska year after year; Carnival Cruise Lines with the Carnival Legend, and RCI with the Radiance of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas, also from Australia; and RCI's Ovation of the Seas, which sailed from China in 2019.
Holland America Line celebrated its seventieth anniversary of presence in Alaska in 2017.
The expansion of the Panama Canal has also opened up new possibilities, allowing older post-Panamax vessels that operated in the Caribbean during the winter to pass through to Alaska in the summer. Thus, ships like the Princess Grand class, or the new Norwegian Bliss, will navigate the new locks en route to the 49th state.
In 2010, the cruise industry had reduced capacity in Alaska by approximately 14 percent, but with the repeal of the main tax, the market has been steadily rebuilding. As a result, Alaska achieved a record number of out-of-state visitors in 2016, a four percent increase to nearly 1.86 million tourists, with the cruise industry contributing 55 percent of the total. It was the first time since 2009 that the cruise industry had surpassed one million passengers, and the momentum continues. CLIA Alaska projects that 1,089,700 passengers sailed in Alaska in 2017 and that this number will grow another seven percent to a projected 1,165,500 passengers in 2018.
Westours
in 1946. In 1957, he established Alaska Cruise Line with two former corvettes converted into cruise ships. In 1967, the company took a significant leap forward by acquiring its first modern cruise ship, the Polar Star, and changed its name to West Line Ltd. As the market continued to grow, in 1970, West Line expanded its fleet again with the purchase of the Cabo Izarra, the first Spanish cruise ship, which was renamed West Star.
Holland America Line has the most cruise ships in Alaska. Seven in both 2018 and 2019.
The ship arrived in Seattle on April 14, 1970. This North American port, along with Vancouver, were its home ports at that time, and from there it began to make twelve-day voyages, with stops in Prince Rupert, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Ketchikan and Alert Bay.
Due to the seasonal nature of the Alaskan cruise season, West Line opened a new market for its ships during the South Pacific winter season, a pattern now widely followed by other cruise lines. In 1971, the West Star returned to Vancouver to offer Alaskan cruises alongside the Greek cruise ship Orpheus, chartered to meet growing demand in Alaska.
But operating two cruise ships year-round required financial muscle that Westours lacked, and it quickly fell into the red. To avoid bankruptcy, Westours sold 70% of its shares to Holland America Line in 1971. By 1973, this stake had risen to 85%. The arrival of the Dutch shipowner meant the end of the Orpheus's charter, while the West Star continued sailing in Alaska until the summer of 1974. The oil crisis, a consequence of the Yom Kippur War (which began in October 1973), led to a sharp reduction in bookings, affecting mainly the longer, more distant cruises, such as those operated by the West Star. Thus, after the 1974 Alaskan summer season, the West Star was sold to a Filipino shipowner.
In 2017, the leader in the Alaska market was Princess Cruises with six ships and an estimated capacity of 288,450, followed by Holland America with seven ships and a capacity of 243,880.
The logical consequence of HAL's acquisition of a stake in Westours was to send its own ships to the Alaskan coast. The first HAL vessel deployed to Alaska was the inaugural Prinsendam, during the summer of 1975. In March 1977, HAL purchased the remaining 15% of Westours, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary. Since then, HAL has increased its presence in the Alaskan destination, becoming one of its leading players. In 2002, for example, it deployed six ships, offering a wide variety of package tours—up to 31 different options to complement its Alaskan cruises. That year included eight tours to Denali National Park and ten "Grand Alaska Journeys" packages ranging from 12 to 21 nights, offering an in-depth exploration of the state by sea and land.
In 2017, Holland America Line added a seventh ship to Alaska, marking the 70th anniversary of the first cruises led by Chuck West. Holland America Line offered 126 seven-night sailings and nine fourteen-night sailings in 2017. Highlights included 46 seven-night round-trip cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia, aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, Volendam, Noordam, and Zaandam. Additionally, the Noordam and Zaandam each offered 18 seven-night round-trip cruises between Vancouver and Seward. The Eurodam, in its first year in Alaska, offered 22 seven-night round-trip cruises, while the Amsterdam offered two-week “Great Alaskan Explorer” cruises from Seattle. The Oosterdam, which sailed to Europe in 2016, returned to Alaska in 2017, offering a total of 21 round-trip voyages from Seattle with stops in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria.
Alaska is the 49th state of the United States, which it purchased from the Russian Empire in 1867. Its capital is Juneau, and its most populous city is Anchorage, with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. It is the seventh largest state in the world, covering an area of 1,717,856 km², and has a population of 730,000. Summers can reach up to 30°C, while winter temperatures plummet to -46°C.
In 2018, HAL will increase its capacity by 3% thanks to the Amsterdam returning to seven-day cruises, reaching a total of 255,000 passengers. It will also redeploy the Eurodam to Alaska for the second time, sailing from Seattle, while its sister ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam (in its third year in Alaska), will sail the classic Inside Passage itinerary from Vancouver with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Glacier Bay.
Like Princess, as the second largest cruise operator in Alaska, Holland America offers a wide range of stays and pre- and post-cruise programs called "Land + Sea Journeys." There are up to 28 different options, ranging from three to seven days, between Vancouver and Fairbanks/Anchorage, visiting Denali National Park, Dawson City and the Yukon River, or exploring the Yukon wilderness and sights along the Alaska Highway. Holland America even offers a premium adventure for small groups, featuring remote wilderness experiences with expeditions to Denali and the Kenai Peninsula.
Princess Cruises
is another of the most important cruise lines in Alaska, and in 2019 it will celebrate its 50th anniversary in the state. That year, following the current trend, it will deploy its largest ship, the Royal Princess, to the Alaskan destination. Along with six other ships, it will sail in the 49th state between May and September. According to the cruise line, this will be its largest deployment ever.
In 2019 Princess will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in Alaska.
On June 3, 1969, the Princess Italia embarked on the first Princess cruise to Alaska from San Francisco, carrying 525 passengers. The Alaskan route was then served for many years by the famous Pacific Princess (The Love Boat) and its sister ship, the Island Princess. In the 1980s, the first Royal Princess cruised to Alaska. A decade later, Princess brought the first Panamax ships to the destination: the Regal Princess and its sister ship, the Crown Princess, in 1993. In 1997, the Dawn Princess arrived in the year of its delivery. The same happened in 1999 with its sister ship, the Sea Princess, which sailed to Alaska shortly after its commissioning. The next milestone was reached by the Star Princess, which in 2002 provided the first post-Panamax season in Alaska, followed by the Sapphire Princess in 2004 and 2005, and the Diamond Princess in 2008, sailing from Vancouver.
In 2018, Princess Cruises will increase its Alaskan capacity by nearly 20%, adding a seventh ship in its largest ever deployment to the Alaskan market. The Emerald Princess, with over 3,000 berths, has moved its homeport from Southampton to Seattle, from where it will offer nineteen round-trip sailings to Alaska.
Thus, five Grand Princess-class ships (Emerald, Golden, Grand, Ruby, and Star), plus the two Panamax ships Coral and Island Princess, will sail to Alaska. Their itineraries are quite revealing: four are based in Vancouver, two in Seattle, and one in San Francisco; four offer round-trip itineraries (all departing from Vancouver), and three offer round-trip itineraries.
In 2019, Princess also joined the trend of sending its largest ships to Alaska with the 141,000-ton Royal Princess, which has 3,560 beds. In 2019, the Royal Princess alone carried more than 3,500 passengers on each of its voyages.
Alaska cruises have been marketed since the late 19th century.
Princess Cruises completes its Alaskan presence with five Princess Lodges hotels, which it markets as the perfect complement to enjoying Alaska's natural beauty. All are custom-built for the cruise line and strategically located near the main attractions of the 49th state, offering stunning views of Alaska's breathtaking landscape. Princess passengers can thus combine their cruise with a wide range of onshore options: hotel stays (such as the renowned McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge or Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge), train excursions on the glass-roofed Midnight Sun Express Ultra Dome, and more.
NCLH
Norwegian Cruise Line also has a long-standing, 20-year relationship with Alaska, which began in 1998 with the Norwegian Wind, offering a full season of week-long cruises from Vancouver. Since then, it has maintained an uninterrupted presence in the destination. In 2017, Norwegian Cruise Line deployed three ships: the Norwegian Pearl and its sister ship, the Norwegian Jewel, sailing from Seattle, both with a similar seven-night itinerary, calling at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria. The difference lay in the glaciers visited: the Norwegian Pearl visited Glacier Bay, while the Norwegian Jewel offered Sawyer Glaciers in Tracy Arm Fjord. The majority of the offerings from the third ship, the Norwegian Sun, in Alaska were round-trip cruises between Vancouver and Seward.
Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce the new Norwegian Bliss, a 167,000-gross-ton ship with a capacity of over 4,000 passengers, in June 2018. It will be the largest cruise ship ever to sail in Alaska, and it will also mark the first time in many years that a new ship has debuted in the Alaskan market. Despite displacing the Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Cruise Line will increase its total capacity in Alaska by 18% in 2018.
Alaska will receive ships from Azamara and Viking Ocean Cruises for the first time in 2019. And Cunard will return after a decade-long absence.
Oceania Cruises began offering Alaskan cruises with the Regatta in 2011 and has been a regular visitor to the destination ever since. In 2017, it offered twelve Alaskan cruises beginning May 31, while this year the Regatta will be based in Vancouver, from where it will offer thirteen ten-night Alaskan itineraries.
Norwegian Bliss, the largest ship ever to sail in Alaska: it is designed with features and facilities to offer passengers the best cruise experience in that territory.
NCL Holding completes its offering with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which uses the Seven Seas Mariner, a super-luxury ship that will offer 7, 10, and 11-night voyages between Seward and Vancouver this coming summer. It will return to the same destination next year.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
This year marks RCI's 28th consecutive season in Alaska. In 1991, it sent the Sun Viking to Alaska, and on May 26 of that year, the first cruise departed from Vancouver, a seven-night round trip. The season concluded with the departure on September 15. In 2000, Royal Caribbean began selling combined hotel, train, and cruise packages to Alaska, including glass-roofed train journeys to scenic destinations in Alaska and Canada.
Royal Caribbean has been offering Alaskan cruises since 1991.
Two years ago, Royal Caribbean brought the largest ship ever seen in Alaska, the Explorer of the Seas, which continues in 2018 for the third consecutive year from Seattle, along with the Radiance of the Seas, which offers pendulum cruises between Vancouver and Seward.
But Royal Caribbean International will respond to the competition next year by relocating the Ovation of the Seas to Alaska, a ship that is only three years old, has a gross tonnage of 168,666, and a capacity of 4,180 passengers. This reflects a change in Royal Caribbean's strategy, which had previously positioned this ship year-round in China and Australia.
What to do in Alaska. Visit its national parks with their diverse flora and fauna. If you travel in the summer, you'll witness the phenomenon known as the midnight sun, which brings 19 hours of sunlight per day. Glaciers and fjords are another major attraction. Alaska is a true paradise for fishing enthusiasts. Skiing, rafting, sledding, kayaking, and canoeing are also options if you'd like to add some exercise.
In 1996, Celebrity Cruises launched its first Alaska season, with Horizon cruises sailing between Vancouver and Seward every Friday. Ports of call included Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Hubbard Glacier, and Valdez/College Fjord. Since then, the Royal Caribbean group's premium brand has maintained a significant presence in Alaska, consistently operating multiple ships. As early as 2002, it deployed three ships to Alaska: the Mercury and the Infinity from Vancouver, while the Summit offered cruises between Vancouver and Seward. In 2018, it offered three ships: the Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Solstice. For 2019, it planned to replace the 2,170-passenger Celebrity Infinity with the 2,850-passenger Celebrity Eclipse.
Azamara Club Cruises announced in 2017 that it would offer eleven Alaskan cruises in 2019, marking its inaugural season in the destination. The cruises featured itineraries ranging from eight to ten days and ran from May to September, with Vancouver as the homeport. The Azamara Quest offered seven departures from Vancouver and four from Seward. Three of these were round trips from Vancouver. The four eight-night round-trip cruises between Vancouver and Seward were complemented by four ten-night cruises in the opposite direction. Azamara's Alaskan itineraries were characterized by offering more time in port than is typical for this type of cruise, including overnight stops. Furthermore, these cruises could be combined with stays in the Rocky Mountains before and after the voyage, providing an added attraction.
New cruise lines like
Crystal Cruises also sent a ship to Alaska in 2017. The Crystal Serenity offered a full season between June and August of that year. Most of these cruises were round trips from Vancouver with stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, but it also docked at less frequented ports, such as Prince Rupert. This year, they are returning with the Crystal Symphony, which offers week-long round-trip cruises between Vancouver and Whittier.
Visiting Glacier Bay is a unique experience for a cruise passenger.
For the first time in 15 years, Seabourn Cruise Line returned to Alaska in 2017 with the Seabourn Sojourn, which offered voyages between June and September, sailing between Vancouver and Seward. It will repeat this offering in 2018.
Windstar Cruises returns to Alaska in 2018, offering 14-night cruises between Seward and Vancouver on the Star Legend; and Cunard Line will send the Queen Elizabeth on four cruises to Alaska at the start of the 2019 season. Among the smaller luxury cruise lines, both Azamara Club Cruises and Viking Cruises will launch their first Alaskan cruise programs in 2019.
Disney Cruise Line has offered Alaskan cruises since 2011, always aboard the Disney Wonder, the first cruise ship to use the new Panama Canal locks on one of its repositioning cruises. The Disney Wonder offered sixteen Alaskan voyages in 2017, and will offer the same number in 2018, always departing from Vancouver.
Super-luxury cruise lines, such as Seabourn or WindStar, have returned to Alaska in recent years.
In addition to large cruise ships, some cruise lines offer the opportunity to explore Alaska on smaller vessels with itineraries that include boutique ports. Their size allows them to maneuver in shallow waters, and they can sometimes disembark passengers in places like Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof, while also visiting major ports such as Juneau, Petersburg, Hobart Bay, Tracy Arm, and Glacier Bay. These are active cruises, offering excursions such as kayaking and hiking. The best-known operator in this segment is Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic, which offers cruises on four ships in Alaska: the National Geographic Quest, Venture (both delivered in 2017 and 2018, respectively), Sea Bird, and Sea Lion. Other cruise lines include American Cruise Lines with its American Spirit (which has a capacity of only 100 passengers); and UnCruise Adventures, which offers cruises on up to six even smaller ships (between 22 and 88 passengers) through the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. All offer the option of pre/post cruise stays in Denali National Park and Knik River Adventure, or a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train through Canada.
Homeports: Seattle.
Seattle's growth began in 2000 when Norwegian Cruise Line started offering seven-night cruises to the Inside Passage with the Norwegian Sky. Thanks to this initiative, the number of cruise calls increased from 6,600 passengers in 1999 to 36 calls and 120,000 passengers in 2000. Since then, it has continued to grow. In 2017, Seattle welcomed 218 cruise ships and 1,071,594 passengers. In 2018, it expected 212 ships and approximately 1.1 million passengers. In 2017, seven major cruise lines operated cruises from Seattle on eleven ships. The NCL Holding group, with its Norwegian Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises brands (Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, and Regatta), used the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66.
The two cruise giants, Carnival Corp and Royal Caribbean, through their brands Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival Legend, Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Eurodam, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess); and Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises (Celebrity Solstice and Explorer of the Seas) used the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91.
Juneau. Between the months of May and September, the city's daily population can increase by approximately 6,000 people due to cruise ship visits.
The Amsterdam, Holland America Line's flagship cruise ship, inaugurated the two-berth terminal at Pier 91 Smith Cove Cruise Terminal in April 2009. The industrial-style, metal-clad, two-story, 13,200-square-meter building offers panoramic views of Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier, and the city center. The new terminal, which replaced Pier 30, reverting to its original cargo terminal role, cost $72 million. That season, Seattle saw 211 cruise calls, primarily week-long voyages to Southeast Alaska.
In 2017, the Port of Seattle Authority and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings jointly renovated the Bell Street Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, investing $30 million. NCL Holdings committed to using the facility for 15 years with ships from all its brands, generating approximately $73 million in port fees for the port. NCL will manage all cruise ship embarkations at Pier 66 and will have priority berthing at its docks during the cruise season. The Port Authority will operate the facility during the off-season. The 15-year business plan anticipates generating $2.3 billion in economic activity in the region, creating nearly 900 jobs, and contributing $65 million in non-port taxes (municipal and state).
Seattle is the home port for megaships in Alaska.
The agreement included a renovation of the terminal, tripling its built area while maintaining the same exterior dimensions. This made it ideally suited for the Norwegian Bliss, which will become the largest cruise ship not only in Alaska but also on the West Coast when it begins operating in Alaska this coming summer. The renovation, based on a design by Bermello Ajamil & Partners (who had originally designed it), offers an expanded and renovated VIP area, as well as an improved check-in hall with expansive windows offering views of Elliott Bay. Other improvements include a new jetway.
In 2017, Seattle received 218 cruise ships and 1,071,594 passengers. In 2018, it expects 212 ships and around 1.1 million passengers.
According to John Binkley, president of CLIA Alaska, “Alaska is currently experiencing a boom in the cruise market. More and more people want to visit Alaska, prompting cruise lines to respond by increasing their capacity in the region, with a combination of larger ships and more cruises.” The Norwegian Bliss, a 329.8-meter-long vessel, is a prime example of this. “And it requires larger docks and terminals, so these new ships will necessitate significant investment to ensure Alaskan ports are ready for these megaships.”.
Homeports: Vancouver.
Vancouver is the historic homeport for Alaska cruises, and its location in Canada allows cruise ships to comply with the Jones Act, the U.S. cabotage laws. Its Canada Place terminal (see Cruises News No. 43) opened in 2001, a prime example of a cruise terminal integrated with local attractions designed to operate year-round. While the facility caters to cruise ships only during the summer months, it hosts other public events throughout the year. Its pier underwent significant expansion between 2001 and 2003 to accommodate the growing number of cruise ships and the increasing volume of traffic.
The fruits of this new infrastructure arrived in 2002. Princess sent its first post-Panamax ship to Alaska. The Star Princess, the largest cruise ship to dock in Vancouver at the time, and the largest to offer Alaskan cruises, arrived in May 2002. With its 2,600-passenger capacity, it represented a true revolution for the destination. That season, it sailed between Vancouver and Seward, offering "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruises, which could be combined with hotel stays. That year also saw the first time three Panamax and post-Panamax cruise ships—the Radiance of the Seas, the Zaandam, and the Star Princess—were simultaneously in Canada Place.
Vancouver, a historic port city, received 843,000 passengers and 236 ships in 2017. It is Canada's third largest city after Toronto and Montreal, with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants.
On July 11, 2003, another milestone also occurred in Vancouver: the christening of the Island Princess docked at Canada Place, the first such act in the Alaska destination.
However, it is losing ground to Seattle, which has become the home port for all the megaships that are joining the destination, such as the Explorer of the Seas and the Norwegian Bliss.
In 2009, the installation of shore power connections was completed, allowing cruise ships to shut down their generators and connect to the electrical grid while docked. This environmental initiative was the first installation of its kind in Canada and the third in the world.
In 2017, Vancouver received 843,000 passengers on 236 ships, 2% more than in the previous season.
History of Alaska Steamship Co. Cruises:
Alaska cruises have a rich history, beginning in the 1880s with the Pacific Coast Steamship Co. of San Francisco, which offered monthly voyages to Southeast Alaska in 1881 with two ships, the Ancon and the Idaho. In 1882, around 1,800 tourists visited Sitka during the summer. A few years later, in 1894, the Willapa, thanks to the development of fishing and canning, began sailing for the Alaska Steamship Company between Skagway and Seattle. That shipping company was founded by several pioneers, such as Charles Peabody, George Roberts, and Melville Nichols, and soon held a monopoly on passenger and cargo lines to Alaska. Just three years later, gold was discovered in the Klondike, and a veritable gold rush began, leading to enormous growth in maritime services.
In 1909, the Alaska Steamship Company bought its rival, the Northwest Steamship Co., which provided service to Valdez, Cook Inlet, and several ports along the Bering Strait. Its fleet grew to eighteen ships, serving all the ports between Ketchikan and Kotzebue. They primarily transported fish and minerals until the late 1930s, when most of the mines closed, dealing a fatal blow to the shipping company. Passenger service ceased in 1953, and the company finally went out of business in January 1971.
Canadian Pacific began offering cruises to Alaska in the late 19th century. During the 1920s, Alaskan cruises were highly profitable, with three ships providing trips to Alaska during the summer months. Occupancy rates reached 97%, and during some summers, the three ships, all named Princess, carried as many as 10,000 passengers on 22 voyages. The Great Depression dealt a severe blow to this trade, followed by World War II.
In the 1950s, the Princess Louise resumed summer cruises from Vancouver to Alaska, eight-day voyages with stops at Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Wrangell, covering more than 2,000 miles. It was retired in 1964, and Canadian Pacific decided to discontinue cruise operations.
Characteristics of Alaska Cruises
• These are seasonal cruises, generally running from May 1st to September 30th. However, cruise lines have been able to extend the season to approximately 20 weeks.
• It is seen as a safe and stable destination. Travelers who enjoy it tell their friends and family about it.
• Nature cruise: glaciers, fjords, wildlife, etc.
• Generates the highest passenger satisfaction ratings in the cruise industry.
• It is an expensive cruise, with a higher profit margin than other destinations, which encourages cruise lines to prioritize Alaska as a destination.
• Family cruise. The more adventurous excursions attract younger and more active passengers.
• Between 30% and 40% of passengers are first-time cruisers. However, although an Alaska cruise is perceived as a unique and complete experience, the number of repeat passengers is increasing, requiring additional ports of call and activities.
Cruise-train or cruise-hotel packages:
Cruise lines quickly realized that on the last day of their Alaskan cruises, after seeing shimmering glaciers, whales breaching, eagles soaring, and after tasting crab or salmon, passengers were asking for a second part of their adventure. So they decided to also offer the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains, with their canyons and rushing rivers lined with towering pines. It was the perfect combination: a luxury train specifically designed for sightseeing, and a cruise. Many cruise lines also offer the option of staying overnight in a hotel in Vancouver, Seattle, Banff, or Anchorage, allowing passengers to fully explore these cities; or in a hotel near Denali National Park or Yoho National Park. Holland America has its own hotel network that is constantly being improved, as evidenced by the expansion this winter of the Denali hotel, Denali Square, with 99 new rooms on three floors, including 55 new junior suites with balconies and a spacious living room.
Alaska Itineraries:
Alaska itineraries consist primarily of two routes: round-trip cruises to Southeast Alaska via the Inside Passage, departing from both Seattle and Vancouver; and round-trip cruises through the Gulf of Alaska, beginning or ending in Seward (Anchorage) or Whittier, also departing from Seattle and Vancouver, a distance of approximately 1,700 nautical miles. These round-trip cruises allow passengers to participate in optional excursions into the heart of Alaska. Both types of cruises are seven nights in length. With few exceptions, most Alaska offerings, particularly on the larger cruise lines, follow these two patterns, with one-week voyages departing from Vancouver or Seattle.
However, in recent years more options have begun to appear, especially longer cruises. For example, between May and September 2017, Holland America offered two-week round-trip cruises from Seattle called the "Great Alaskan Explorer" aboard the Amsterdam, with stops in Anchorage, Homer, Kodiak, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, and Victoria. This coming season, those cruises will be operated by the Zaandam.
In 2017, Princess Cruises offered ten-night round-trip cruises to Alaska from San Francisco aboard the Grand Princess. In 2018, it will repeat this offering between May and September, with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, and a day at either Tracy Arm Fjord or Glacier Bay.
The Norwegian Cruise Line group offers some longer cruises, mostly related to repositioning voyages, such as the Norwegian Sun's 14-night voyage from San Francisco to Vancouver on May 15, 2017. Oceania Cruises' Regatta offers ten-night round-trip cruises from Seattle in 2018.
And the Seabourn Sojourn offers twelve- and fourteen-day itineraries “Ultimate Alaska & Inside Passage” or “Ultimate Glacier & Fjord Adventure” from Vancouver, with stops at little-visited ports such as Wrangell, Klemtu, or Alert Bay.
