:: Austere outlook for 2009
Following a stagnant 2008 cruise visitor season, signs are less than healthy for the 2009 season.
Advance bookings are down and companies are deeply discounting existing inventory. One line is already advertising seven-day Alaska cruises for $499 - or about $70/day.
"The outlook for 2009 will be challenging at best," said John Binkley, president, Alaska Cruise Association. "The economic meltdown has hit our most favored customer the hardest - and Alaska is one of the most expensive destinations...
Economists expect next season's cruise passengers to be more budget conscious. Here cruise passengers take a rest in downtown Juneau.
:: AML speaks out against permit standards
The Alaska Municipal League (AML) is asking the State Legislature to change a small portion of the cruise ship initiative and let the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) do its job by determining proper discharge standards for cruise ships.
In a resolution passed Nov. 14, the League notes that the standards imposed on cruise ships "are far in excess of those imposed on shore-based municipal wastewater facilities" because they are measured at the point of release. A search of permits has yet to find a similar requirement for any other discharger.
The "point-of-release standards could mean that beginning in 2010, cruise ships will have to defer all discharges until they are out of Alaska waters."...
The Alaska Municipal League has joined many other organizations urging the State Legislature to let the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation establish permit requirements for cruise ships.
:: Innovative program smoothes the way for Juneau residents and visitors
Juneau's Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP) is a sterling example of the benefits of industry and local government working together, thanks in great part to Kirby Day from Princess, who has worked so hard to bring divergent interests together and find solutions to sometimes challenging issues.
Since its implementation 12 years ago, resident and visitor satisfaction levels have annually increased even though the number of cruise visitors has almost doubled.
"TBMP has become the standard that other communities look to for improving community relations," noted John...
The TBMP program is a cooperative effort that has helped the visitor industry in Juneau while addressing key community concerns in a constructive manner.
The City of Seward received funds from the state's cruise passenger tax to help build a new dock that will help provide greater security and fire protection for cruise visitors.
:: Seward gets port security funding from cruise ship tax
A project meant to improve security at the Port of Seward will get more than $380,000 in revenue derived from the state's tax on cruise ship...
Bruce
Bustamante
:: Bustamante joins Sea Grant Advisory Committee
Fairbanks - Bruce Bustamante, Princess Tours' Vice President of Community and Public Affairs, has joined the UAF Alaska Sea Grant College Program Advisory Committee.
The 28-person advisory committee - comprised of marine and coastal community leaders, policy makers and stakeholders - guides the program's statewide...
:: Seattle approves 10-year lease with Carnival
The Port of Seattle Commission has approved a 10-year lease with the Carnival Corporation which guarantees that at least 420,000 cruise passengers will be brought through Seattle each year between 2009 and 2018 on Holland America and Princess Cruise...
:: No to cruise ship dock plan
Juneau officials and port users have given thumbs down to a new cruise ship dock jutting out from Fisherman's Wharf on the downtown waterfront. They say...