Some cruisers will pay more to visit Juneau Alaska starting from the 2026 season.
The Juneau Assembly approved a hike in fees for cruise ships to dock at the city-owned port facilities.
The docking fees will virtually double, although city officials say the cruise lines are still getting a good deal.
The rise just brings the city’s dockage fees in line with costs imposed at the privately operated ports.
“We know that our rates are definitely low compared to the private docks here and other ports in the region are also looking at their fee structure,” said Juneau Visitor Industry Director Alix Pierce.
Fee Hike Could Generate an Extra $2.5 Million a Year
Two of Juneau’s four cruise ship facilities are operated and funded by the city.
Pierce says the fee increase will likely generate about $5 million a year from 2026.
The fee change applies only to large cruise ships.
An increase in fees has been in the planning for some time and is no surprise to cruise lines, Pierce says.
“We’ve been talking about it for a few years. They’ve known that it’s coming.”
The additional funds will be the Docks and Harbors enterprise fund, which gives city officials more flexibility in how it can be spent.
“They’re not limited, like the port development fee, or the marine passenger fee. It can be used for other purposes,” said Juneau Port Director Carl Uchytil.
Revenue raised from the marine passenger fee, for example, which is paid on a per passenger basis, may only be spent on specific cruise tourism projects and port development work.
The Juneau Assembly recently approved the development of another new private downtown cruise ship dock.
This development will consist of underground parking, a retail space, and a culture and science center.
