Ketchikan Expects Record 1.6M Cruise Passengers in Summer 2026

Ketchikan is heading into a record-setting 2026 cruise season, with the city projecting more than 1.6 million cruise passengers over the summer. The estimate would surpass last year’s total by more than 100,000 visitors as larger ships and shifting Southeast Alaska itineraries reshape how ports manage peak days.

Record projections, larger ships, and shifting itineraries

According to the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, 58 cruise ships are scheduled to call in Ketchikan in 2026, up from 48 in 2025. Local officials say the story is not just about more visits, but about more passenger capacity per ship, including vessels that can carry more than 4,000 passengers.

• Ketchikan’s projected total tops 1.6 million cruise passengers for the 2026 summer season, a new high for the community and more than 100,000 above last year’s count.
• The Ketchikan Visitors Bureau lists 58 cruise ships scheduled to call in 2026, compared with 48 in 2025, while the largest ships on the schedule can carry more than 4,000 passengers.
• Juneau’s new daily cap, set at five ships per day, is also redistributing some calls around the region, including to Ketchikan’s Ward Cove.

Laurie Booyse, Ketchikan’s tourism manager, said bigger ships change what the city has to plan for even when the number of ship visits does not surge. “We are seeing some bigger ships come in this upcoming summer, and that is going to mean that our infrastructure is going to be affected a little bit differently,” Booyse said.

Ketchikan’s planning focus: safety, cleanliness, and basic services

Booyse, who serves as a liaison between the city and tourism stakeholders such as cruise lines, vendors, and the broader community, said off-season work includes coordinating with the city council on ordinances and other preparations for busy periods.

“But as a city, we are prepared to do what we need to do to make sure that people stay safe and that the downtown area stays clean,” Booyse said.

One of the near-term needs highlighted by the projected surge is additional public infrastructure downtown. City discussions have included building a public restroom on Creek Street, but the facility is not expected to be ready in time for the 2026 season.

Juneau’s first daily passenger cap and what it changes for the region

In Juneau, the 2026 season will be the first operating under a daily passenger cap, limiting the city to five ships per day and about 1.69 million passengers for the year. Juneau Visitor Industry Director Alix Pierce has said 1.69 million cruise ship passengers are expected in the coming season.

Pierce said the cap has already contributed to itinerary changes that boost other ports. “Juneau canceled a few Royal Caribbean calls to meet the caps, and they ended up shifting to Ketchikan’s Ward Cove instead,” Pierce said.

With Ketchikan projected to host more than 1.6 million cruise passengers, its seasonal totals could approach Juneau’s, even as Juneau works to manage congestion and the cumulative effects of high-volume visitation.

Mixed local sentiment in Juneau as cruise volumes grow

Juneau’s move to cap daily traffic comes amid community debate about how to balance the economic benefits of cruise tourism with quality-of-life concerns. An annual tourism survey of more than 500 Juneau residents found 53% believe the city is not doing enough to manage tourism’s impacts, with concerns including downtown congestion and strain around the Mendenhall Glacier area.

At the same time, Pierce pointed to the scale of long-term industry growth in Juneau, saying passenger volumes increased more than 350% between 1995 and 2025. “When I look at the trend lines over time, and I look at how much we’ve grown versus the growth in negative sentiment, which is pretty minor in comparison, that tells me we’ve done a lot of work, and that work is recognized, and it’s helping,” she said during a Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Major projects and development discussions beyond the downtown core

Juneau has large port-related projects in the pipeline, including a $500 million cruise ship port on the back side of Douglas Island planned by Goldbelt Incorporated and a downtown dock expansion by Huna Totem Corporation. Residents have raised concerns about vehicle traffic, emergency service access, and environmental impacts in areas slated for construction.

In Ketchikan, officials are also weighing how growth and visitor services should be distributed across the island, not solely concentrated downtown. Booyse said existing downtown businesses are expected to expand north around Ward Cove as early as May, reflecting both changing docking patterns and the desire to spread out visitor activity.

Visitor growth beyond cruising: more air and ferry travelers

Alongside cruise traffic, Booyse said Ketchikan is seeing growth in non-cruise segments. Airline and ferry visitation has “crept up significantly,” she said, and those travelers often stay longer than cruise day visitors.

“So they want to kind of dive deeper into the community,” Booyse said, pointing to local stops such as Monthly Grind and Fish Pirate’s Daughter as examples of places longer-stay visitors may seek out.

The season is set to begin soon, with the first cruise ship expected to dock in Ketchikan on Sunday, April 12. In Juneau, the first large ship of the 2026 season is slated to arrive on April 27.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many cruise passengers are expected in Ketchikan in 2026?

Ketchikan is projected to welcome more than 1.6 million cruise passengers during the 2026 summer season, which would be more than 100,000 higher than last year.

Why are Ketchikan’s totals rising even when ship visits have not surged?

Local officials attribute the increase to bigger ships and higher passenger capacity per call, including vessels that can carry more than 4,000 passengers, rather than a dramatic jump in the number of scheduled visits.

How is Juneau’s daily passenger cap affecting Southeast Alaska itineraries?

Juneau will limit cruise traffic to five ships per day in 2026, and Juneau tourism officials have said some calls, including Royal Caribbean visits, were canceled to meet the cap and shifted to Ketchikan’s Ward Cove.

What infrastructure and port projects are being discussed in Ketchikan and Juneau?

Ketchikan has discussed building a public restroom on Creek Street, though it is not expected to be ready for the 2026 season. In Juneau, projects include a $500 million cruise ship port planned by Goldbelt Incorporated on the back side of Douglas Island and a downtown dock expansion by Huna Totem Corporation.

When does the 2026 cruise season begin in Ketchikan and Juneau?

The first cruise ship is expected in Ketchikan on Sunday, April 12, and the first large ship of the season is slated to arrive in Juneau on April 27.