:: Loss of third ship adds to cruise industry woes
Reaction was somber as Alaska Cruise Association (ACA) Associate Members received an update on the 2010 season and this year's legislative session.
So far, three ships will leave the Alaska market in 2010, reducing capacity by 142,000 passengers. The direct hit to the state's businesses and government is estimated at $165 million.
Norwegian Cruise Line followed statements by Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises to...
Norwegian Cruise Line will send the Norwegian Sun to Europe next year, bringing to three the number of large ships leaving Alaska in 2010. The redeployment will cost Alaska $165 million and the loss of 142,000 passenger and crew visits.
:: Legislature appropriates head tax
The Alaska Legislature appropriated $85.8 million from the $50 cruise passenger head tax to fund 49 projects that range in the amounts of $430,000 in improvements to Wasilla's airport train station, to $10 million for the Port of Anchorage expansion.
The following is a reprint from the Alaska Legislative Digest March 27th issue:
Gradually the legality of the cruise ship tax is getting 'outed' - yes there are problems
Alaska's cruise ship "head tax" seems to be gradually getting...
Restrooms in state parks and at the Palmer visitor center are among the 49 projects approved for funding from head tax receipts.
:: Time for Alaska to take a proactive role
Name: Jeremy Gieser
Title: Director of Tourism Marketing, Gastineau Guiding
His business: We offer guided interpretative wilderness trips for visitors to Juneau. Our small, guided groups provide an education on the nature of Southeast Alaska.
Jeremy's first tourism job: In 1997 I started as a driver-guide for Greyline of Alaska and have been involved in the industry since then. I've been with Gastineau Guiding for six years now.
The best part of Jeremy's job: I enjoy watching a quiet, empty office in the middle of winter with one or two employees ramping up and growing to 60 employees by spring. I feel we create a positive experience...
Jeremy Gieser and his wife, Tisha. Jeremy wants Alaska communities to "pull together and take a proactive role in accommodating the visitor industry while working to protect and sustain Alaska?s pristine environment."
Willie Hensley sailed aboard the Coral Princess this month.
:: Hensley lectures on board Princess Ship
Willie Hensley, respected Native leader and former state legislator, was a special guest lecturer aboard the May 18 sailing of the Coral Princess. Hensley provided passengers with his unique perspective on growing up in pre-statehood Alaska, the history of Alaska's establishment as a state and the Alaska Native Land Claims Act, which resulted in the formation of Alaska's Native...
:: Ocean ranger report lauds industry
A state report on the 2008 ocean ranger program found that "the cruise vessels are environmentally aware, and have sound environmental systems and operational practices in place to minimize environmental impacts."
Some 32 rangers completed 456 of 516 voyages last season and filed 2,180 daily reports. Some ships were inspected...
:: Cookbook now available
Holland America Line's new cookbook, "A Taste of Elegance," written by the cruise line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, is now available in bookstores. A sequel to "A Taste of Excellence," it contains recipes from the ships' dining room and alternative...
:: SB 183 broadens "Ranger" program
Alaska Legislative Digest
With the addition of amendment expanding the definition of cruise ship-monitoring "ocean rangers," increasing the possible number of applicants. SB 183, sponsored by Sen. Bert Stedman (R-Sitka) gave the Department of...