Juneau Sets 2026 Cruise Passenger Caps After Record 2025 Season

The 2025 cruise season in Juneau concluded on Tuesday night with the departure of the Norwegian Encore at 10 p.m., marking the end of nearly 200 days of bustling tourist activity. This year, the season attracted an estimated 1.6 to 1.7 million passengers, similar to last year’s record numbers. Despite early challenges, including staffing shortages at major attractions like the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, community and industry efforts ensured a successful season for Alaska's capital city.

Final Call of the Season: Norwegian Encore Departs

The Norwegian Encore was the last cruise ship to dock in Juneau this year, arriving at the Alaska Steamship Dock in the afternoon and setting sail late that evening at 10 p.m. for Skagway. Its departure signaled not only the close of the current cruise season but also a turning point for the city, as new measures are set to shape future tourism volumes. On peak days earlier this summer, Juneau welcomed up to 21,000 visitors, highlighting the city's role as a premier destination for cruise tourists in Alaska.

New Regulations for the 2026 Season

As Juneau moves toward more sustainable tourism, the 2026 season will mark the implementation of new caps on cruise passenger volumes. Negotiated between the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) through voluntary, nonbinding agreements, these changes aim to better balance economic growth with community well-being:

• Daily cruise passenger numbers will be capped at 16,000 on most days and 12,000 on Saturdays.
• A five-ship-per-day limit, already in effect under voluntary agreements, will continue.
• Most cruise sailings in April and October will be excluded, significantly shortening the season.

The first ship of the 2026 season is scheduled to arrive on April 27, with the last call planned for October 6. These adjustments are expected to help alleviate peak-season congestion while maintaining a steady flow of visitors to support local businesses.

Mendenhall Glacier and Community Collaboration

Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, the city’s most popular tourist attraction, faced significant hurdles this summer due to layoffs among federal employees, which left the center understaffed. However, organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service, Discovery Southeast, and cultural ambassadors from the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska stepped in to ensure safe and seamless operations.

"The situation at the glacier out there really was a testament to community collaboration and also how important that asset is to our community and visitor industry," said Alix Pierce, Juneau’s Tourism Director. Guests who visited the glacier frequently highlighted it as a highlight of their Alaskan experience, with many taking advantage of hiking trails and guided tours despite rainy weather that typified October’s late-season charm.

Local Businesses Thrive as Season Winds Down

Downtown Juneau remained active through the season's final days, with businesses like Tracy's King Crab Shack staying open until the last cruise ship sailed. Employees at local establishments noted brisk late-season sales as tourists sought out end-of-season deals at retail stores and enjoyed popular local experiences, such as the Alaskan Duck Fart drink tour and visits to the Alaska State Capitol.

Late-season passengers also embraced Alaska’s autumn weather as part of the adventure. "It’s the atmosphere and the adventure we were expecting," said one visitor, who traveled from Colombia with friends. Others, like Jennifer Kravetz-Stansbery from Texas, celebrated milestone events such as her 50th birthday aboard the season’s final cruise. "We didn’t see any bears, but we did see a whale on our way up," she said, reflecting on her Alaskan journey.

Tourism’s Economic and Community Impact

Cruise tourism remains vital to Juneau’s economy, driving substantial revenue for local businesses and supporting seasonal employment. However, it continues to spark debate among residents and officials regarding its sustainability. Recent efforts to curb tourism's impact have included community-led initiatives, such as the rejected proposal for a "Ship-Free Saturday" ballot measure and a seasonal sales tax proposal, which preliminary results suggest voters rejected. These measures aimed to address infrastructure challenges linked to large-scale tourism.

"Not having to brace for continued year-over-year growth allows the community to better understand and prepare for what the season will look like," said Pierce, emphasizing the value of predictable visitor numbers.
Looking forward, a stable forecast for 2026 gives Juneau an opportunity to focus on maintaining the delicate balance between its thriving tourist economy and the quality of life for its residents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many passengers visited Juneau during the 2025 cruise season?

Preliminary estimates suggest that between 1.6 and 1.7 million passengers visited Juneau during the 2025 cruise season. These numbers are consistent with the 2024 season, which reported approximately 1.68 million passengers.

What changes are planned for the 2026 cruise season?

Significant changes coming to the 2026 season include daily cruise passenger caps, 16,000 visitors on most days and 12,000 on Saturdays, and a shortened season, with most sailings eliminated in April and October.

Why are these caps being introduced?

The new regulations are designed to stabilize visitor volumes, ease peak-day congestion, and better align community resources with demand, as peak days in 2025 saw up to 21,000 passengers.

Did staffing shortages affect tourist services this year?

Yes, federal layoffs left the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center severely understaffed, but local organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, Discovery Southeast, and the Tlingit & Haida cultural ambassadors, ensured the center could remain open to support visitor safety and operations.

What is the economic significance of cruise tourism for Juneau?

Cruise tourism plays a crucial role in Juneau’s economy, attracting millions of visitors each year and generating significant revenue for local businesses. However, the city is working to address challenges such as overcrowding and infrastructure strain through balanced tourism management strategies.