Juneau voters appear poised to reject a proposed ballot measure that would have banned large cruise ships from docking on Saturdays, according to initial results.
With over 59% of voters opposing the measure, early returns suggest the initiative will be defeated. Both supporters and opponents expect the outcome to remain unchanged.
The "ship-free Saturdays" proposal, a first-of-its-kind in Alaska, sought to prevent vessels carrying 250 or more passengers from disembarking in Juneau on Saturdays and on the Fourth of July. The measure was spearheaded by Karla Hart, a long-time advocate for limiting cruise ship traffic in Juneau. While her earlier efforts to place restrictions on cruise ship operations in 2021 were unsuccessful, Hart remains undeterred. In an interview she said it often takes multiple attempts to mature an issue in the legislative process.
Juneau has seen significant growth in cruise ship traffic in recent years, with ~1.7 million passengers visiting in 2023. According to a report by the McKinley Research Group, the industry contributed US$375 million in direct spending, supported 3850 direct and indirect jobs, and generated US$40+ million in municipal revenue. Despite these economic benefits, some residents have expressed concerns about the impact of increased tourism. Hart emphasized that the growing number of tourists has led to congestion downtown, frequent helicopter tours over residential areas, and conflicts between fishermen and whale-watching operations.
Local business leaders, represented by the group Protect Juneau's Future, opposed the ballot measure, citing the potential economic fallout of losing Saturday cruise ship visits. The group estimated that the restrictions could result in a US$30 million loss in revenue. McHugh Pierre, chair of Protect Juneau’s Future and CEO of Goldbelt Inc., warned that the effects of such a ban could ripple across the state, as a quarter of cruise passengers visiting Juneau continue their journeys to other Alaskan destinations, including Fairbanks.
In response to community concerns, Juneau city officials and major cruise lines reached a voluntary agreement last year to limit the number of large ships in port to 5 per day. Additionally, starting in 2026, a separate agreement will cap daily cruise passengers at 16,000, with a reduced limit of 12,000 on Saturdays.
Pierre emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between local communities and cruise operators to balance the needs of both residents and visitors. He said they need to ensure a positive experience for passengers while maintaining quality of life for locals.