In an effort to address the ongoing issue of overtourism in Juneau, cruise lines have come to an agreement to implement a capacity limit starting in 2026. This decision has been made in response to the frustration expressed by locals regarding the overwhelming number of tourists the city receives.
The new agreement states that cruise lines will be restricted to 16,000 daily lower berths from Sundays through Fridays, and further limited to 12,000 lower berths on Saturdays. This limitation is crucial as the busiest days in Juneau have seen a staggering number of over 21,000 lower berths. The City & Borough of Juneau, in collaboration with cruise companies like Carnival Corp., Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and Royal Caribbean Group, have collectively agreed to these new restrictions.
The memorandum of agreement comes as a follow-up to the decision made a year ago to limit cruise ship calls to five per day. This new restriction on lower berths aims to alleviate the issues of overtourism and maintain the quality of life for residents in the Alaskan capital city. Additionally, the agreement grants Juneau officials the authority to approve days that exceed the weekday lower berth limit on a case-by-case basis.
One of the practices that the agreement aims to abolish is ‘hot berthing,’ which refers to the temporary occupancy of a space by a ship before another vessel arrives. This practice has been identified as a significant contributor to days when the lower berth capacity exceeds 16,000. By actively exploring alternatives to hot berthing, Juneau officials and cruise lines are working towards a more sustainable tourism model for the city.
The Visitor Industry Task Force, established in 2019 to provide guidance on cruise tourism-related issues, played a significant role in reaching this agreement. The task force includes representatives from the tourism sector as well as local residents who are directly impacted by the influx of tourists. The annual reviews and consideration of modifications ensure that the agreement remains relevant and effective in addressing the challenges of overtourism.
While the new capacity limit agreement is a step in the right direction, some residents are continuing their efforts to combat overtourism in Juneau. A group of locals is pursuing a referendum to ban cruise ships on Saturdays and the Fourth of July as part of their ongoing advocacy for sustainable tourism practices.
The capacity limit agreement between Juneau officials and cruise lines represents a positive step towards managing overtourism and preserving the city’s unique charm. By taking proactive measures to address the concerns of locals and implement sustainable tourism practices, Juneau is setting an example for other popular tourist destinations facing similar challenges.
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