November 2019

The Royal Caribbean International ship Explorer of the Seas, the largest cruise ship to regularly call on Alaska, is docked in Skagway with the Celebrity Millennium behind it. The Explorer of the Seas is nearly 40 percent larger than many of the largest ships that already come to Alaska. It holds 3,835 guests and measures 1,020 feet long and nearly 158 feet wide.

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Bright spot amid economic uncertainty

For the first time since 2009, more than 1 million are expected to cruise through Alaska’s waters this summer.

Cruisin’ to the Interior

Almost 60 percent of visitors to the Fairbanks North Star Borough are on cruise land tours, and the area is poised to greet even more visitors this season.

Berth 3 back in business

A berth damaged on June 3 when the cruise ship Infinity slammed into Ketchikan’s downtown dock has been repaired.

My Turn: Juneau Ocean Center a model for the future

Plans for the proposed Juneau Ocean Center (JOC) continue to progress. The project is being designed as a world-class facility to educate the public on ocean resources and to provide a spectacular venue for scientific conferences and community meetings.

Worth waiting for

After 12 years and about $140 million, Alaska has a new state museum and archives.

Inside the largest cruise ship to sail Alaska waters

The biggest cruise ship to sail Alaska waters made its first stop in Skagway May 23.

First ship of summer

Visit Anchorage estimates about 11,000 cruise ship passengers came to Anchorage last summer, and predicts more will visit this year. In addition to passengers docking in Anchorage, more than 330,000 cruise passengers come through Anchorage, arriving from Whittier and Seward.

Holland America: ‘We're investing in Alaska for a reason’

Under a steady mist of chilly drizzle and cloudy skies, executives from Holland America Line cut the ribbon at Denali Square, a new hub for social activity at the line's McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali.

Sarah Leonard. President & CEO, Alaska Travel Industry Association

Leonard: ‘Alaska needs a competitive tourism marketing reinvestment’

When and how did you first become involved in the tourism industry?

One of my first jobs was as a hostess at the Space Needle Restaurant. I moved to Seattle after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism and public relations. From there, I moved to Tempe, Arizona and entered into the graduate level recreation management and tourism program. It is through this program at Arizona State University where I saw the depth of the opportunities in the tourism industry as well as the connections between industry and public lands. While finishing my Master’s degree, I worked in marketing and research for Arizona State Parks and interacted with park visitors. I saw firsthand how quality outdoor recreation experiences could benefit visitors’ well-being and be economic drivers for a community. After moving to Alaska, I thought what better place for tourism to be part of local and state economies while providing visitors amazing outdoor experiences. read more

Alaska Cruise Association

Leonard: ‘Alaska needs a competitive tourism marketing reinvestment’

When and how did you first become involved in the tourism industry?