Tourism

The National Park Service says seven cruise lines have been approved to conduct day trips inside Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The 10-year plan preserves the park’s two ships per day limit.

“We’re certainly pleased with the settlement,” the head of the cruise industry association said. “It’s really an opportunity for all of us in the cruise industry and the community of Juneau to move forward.”

While tourism demand is growing in Unalaska, Carlin Enlow of the Unalaska Visitors Bureau doesn’t see the small fishing community becoming a major cruise ship destination like Ketchikan or Juneau.

The tentative agreement brings an end to almost three years of litigation between Cruise Lines International Association Alaska and the City and Borough of Juneau over how the city spends passenger fees.

The four-day trip between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Los Angeles will be the Norwegian Joy’s inaugural U.S. voyage. But some Assembly members questioned the company’s motives at Monday’s meeting.

Allowing more cruise ships to connect to shore power when they visit Juneau might mean less pollution and more money for the local electric utility. But could Alaska Electric Light & Power handle the increased volume?