Let Alaska’s Cruise Ship Season Begin!

April 27, 2019

While Power The Future normally focuses its efforts on energy creation and responsible natural resource extraction in Alaska, the cruise industry deserves some attention today.

Princess began its 50^th year in the Alaska market when it had the first cruise ship of the season dock in Ketchikan on April 27^th.  Its Ruby Princess is one of seven ships that will routinely visit Alaska’s waters this summer. Another is its Royal Princess, the first of its Medallion Class ships to navigate Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Cruising is a key economic contributor to the state, bringing in $319 million in2017. With a record-setting 1.3+ million visitors set to visit the state via cruise ships this season, the industry is responsible for 4,100 direct jobs, bringing the total number of tourism jobs in Alaska to 43,300.

While Princess and Holland America Lines dominate the Alaskan market, with nearly 50% of the capacity between them, other lines investing in Alaska include Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Azamara, Viking and Hurtigruten. Norwegian is upping capacity with an additional ship this year, as is Royal Caribbean.

Power The Future is glad these companies have chosen to bring their cruise ships to Alaska. We remind our readers that fossil fuels power each of them, and most of the key components on the ships are petrochemical and mining based. None of those cruise ships would be possible without hard-working men and women across America who work in the energy and natural resource industries.