:: New discharge bill becomes lawGov. Sarah Palin signed into law HB 134 which extends the time large ships have to meet water quality discharge standards significantly more restrictive than those imposed on other dischargers. The legislation is a compromise from a bill originally introduced by Rep. John Harris and co-sponsored by 12 other representatives. It also establishes a science advisory panel on wastewater treatment and effluent... |
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:: Declaration of Independence aboard Princess
A rare, original copy of the United States of America's founding document made an exclusive appearance aboard Princess Cruises' Alaska-based ships the July 4th week, giving passengers the unique opportunity to see the only traveling copy of the Declaration of Independence - just as the country celebrated Independence Day.
Hosted in partnership with Declare Yourself, a non-profit organization founded by legendary television producer Norman Lear, this unique opportunity marks the first time a copy of the Declaration has visited Alaska, and the first time a cruise line has shown the famous document.
The Declaration was on display aboard the vessels for about two hours while each ship was docked in Juneau.
"This is an amazing opportunity for our passengers to get a first-hand look at history, which is especially poignant at a time of year when our country celebrates its independence," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "It's a...
Princess Cruises showcased a rare copy of America's founding document aboard Coral Princess. Pictured with the historic document from left to right: Coral Princess Capt. Justin Lawes; Win Gruening, senior vice president of Key Bank and grandson of former Sen. Ernest Gruening; Sen. Dennis Egan, state senator and past mayor of Juneau whose father was the first governor of the state; and Bruce Bustamante, vice president of community and government affairs, Princess Cruises and Tours.
:: A Century of Cruising
By Tim Bradner
Most Alaskans think cruise tourism to the state is something relatively new. Indeed, the big and shiny ships bringing thousands of visitors to Alaska each summer are a relatively new sight in Alaska's coastal waters, but tourists have actually been coming north on ships to sightsee for more than a century.
The business, which first bonded Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, was actually pioneered in the 1880s by the Pacific Coast Steamship Co. of San...
An Alaska Steamship Company vessel docks in Ketchikan in the 1930s.
The Alaska Cruise Association sponsored The Crab Feed at the Sitka Summer Music Festival. Pictured here are Rod Pleiger of the Alaska Cruise Association and long-time Sitka resident Karen Jones.
:: Fairbanks tourism takes a dive in 2009
By Amanda Bohman
An expected drop in visitors to Fairbanks this summer is proving to be true, preliminary numbers show.
City bed tax receipts for the month of May are down by...
:: Future of tourism industry discussed at economic summit
By Libby Sterling
The numbers aren't good. Alaska, once a confident giant in the cruise industry, is now a market facing crippling challenges. Several ships have already been pulled...
:: Protection zone expanded
It's a good summer for humpback whales cruising the chilly waters of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, and park rangers would like to keep it that way.
Park officials say a...
:: KTUU reporting from Ryndam
KTUU-TV News Anchor, Megan Baldino, was here in Sitka with cameraman, Micheal Nederbrock; traveling on the m/s Ryndam. Megan conducted a multi-part story on the cruise industry, and also...
:: Crystal is the world's best
For a record 14th year, Crystal Cruises has been voted "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. The ultra-luxury line is the only cruise line,...