In a recent move to boost city revenues, the Juneau Assembly unanimously approved a resolution to increase port fees associated with large cruise ships.
This new fee structure, which will come into effect during the 2026 cruise season, represents a significant shift from the current system.
Rather than employing a flat increase across the board, the new rates will be primarily based on passenger capacity, with larger ships facing correspondingly higher fees.
Currently, dockage fees for these vessels are determined by their tonnage and length, thus the change is anticipated to substantially raise the dockage revenue collected by Juneau.
City officials project that the revised structure could nearly double the $2.5 million generated in dockage fees in 2024.
The decision aims to align Juneau’s fees more closely with those imposed on cruise ships at privately-operated docks throughout Southeast Alaska, ensuring competitiveness and equity across docks.
These port fees, which the cruise lines pay for each passenger on board, will continue to be passed on to travelers as line items under ‘port fees and taxes’ when booking their adventures.
Interestingly, these fees are incurred regardless of whether or not passengers disembark, impacting the overall cost of the cruise experience.
Juneau saw a substantial increase in cruise ship visitors, welcoming 1.68 million passengers in 2024 compared to 1.31 million in 2019.
So, what will the increased port fees finance?
Funds collected from cruise ships are already earmarked for new projects within the city, specifically going into the Docks and Harbors enterprise fund.
According to Carl Uchytil, the port director, these funds enjoy fewer restrictions compared to the marine passenger fees collected for individual guests.
The latter, due to an agreement with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), must only be spent on projects directly linked to the visitor industry, creating limitations on their utilization.
Simultaneously, Royal Caribbean is moving forward with ambitious plans to enhance Juneau’s cruise infrastructure.
In a surprising announcement made in October 2024, the cruise line unveiled intentions to construct a new dock on Douglas Island, in partnership with a local Alaska Native corporation.
This initiative, dubbed ‘The Port of Tomorrow,’ aims to alleviate traffic congestion in downtown Juneau, offering a modernized solution to growing visitor numbers.
However, local officials expressed concern regarding the lack of communication prior to the public announcement, citing their unawareness of the project’s details.
As Juneau continues to adapt to the growing cruise industry, these new fees and developments will undoubtedly change the landscape of Alaskan cruising, benefiting both local revenue and the tourist experience.
image source from：https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2025/05/27/popular-us-port-to-add-new-fee-for-cruise-passengers
