Alaska & Pacific Northwest

Alaska is America’s premier cruise destination, and the state will greet an estimated 1.67 million cruise visitors this year. Sustainability is also a driving force for the cruise industry in Alaska – sustainability of the destinations we visit, and sustainable operations to protect the environment and preserve marine life.

Alaska Passengers

1.67 million

Today Alaska is America’s premier cruise destination, and the state will greet an estimated 1.67 million cruise visitors this year.

Canada Passengers

3 million

Canadian reports receive more than 3 million passengers

Direct Visitor Spending

$3 billion

Between Alaska & the Pacific Northwest, direct visitor spending totals over 3 billion dollars each year

Total Economic Output

$8.8 billion

Between Alaska & the Pacific Northwest, total economic output totals over 8.8 billion dollars

Alaska & Pacific Northwest Region

Juneau, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska

Economic Impact

Cruise tourism has a strong economic impact in both Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Cruise tourism plays a major role in Alaska’s economy, with about 65% of summer visitors arriving by cruise ship. Annual visitor spending reaches nearly $2.2 billion, contributing to a total economic output of $4.5 billion when including related jobs and income. In Juneau alone, cruise activity generated $375 million in 2023, largely from passenger spending on tours and retail.

In Canada, the cruise industry welcomed over 3 million passengers in 2019. Cruise lines spent $1.99 billion directly, while passengers contributed another $780 million through local spending on accommodations, dining, and activities. The industry supported more than 30,000 Canadian jobs and $1.4 billion in wages.

Key Departure Ports

Juneau, Alaska: Busy cruise port with glacier access, wildlife tours, and a walkable downtown.
Seattle, Washington: Major U.S. departure port for Alaska and Canadian cruise itineraries.
Sitka, Alaska: Modern cruise terminal with shuttle access to historic downtown and coastal excursions.
Skagway, Alaska: Walkable cruise port known for Gold Rush history and scenic train rides.
Vancouver, British Columbia: Key departure port for Alaska and Pacific Northwest cruises.
Victoria, British Columbia: Popular port for Pacific Northwest cruises and occasional departure point.

Popular Destinations

Alaska Ports (Juneau, Sitka, Skagway): Frequently featured on Inside Passage itineraries with access to Glacier Bay, wildlife tours, and historic sites; often connected with Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point.
Pacific Northwest Departures (Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria): Major gateways for Alaska cruises.
Prince Rupert, BC: Acts as a scenic stop on routes between Vancouver and Alaska.
Portland, Oregon: Starting point for Columbia and Snake River cruises visiting Astoria, The Dalles, and Clarkston.

Fact Sheet

Juneau Financial Impact 2023 Infographic

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) contracted with McKinley Research Group to estimate the economic impacts of the cruise industry in 2023.

Research

2023 North America Market Report

North American passengers in 2023 exceeded pre-pandemic levels and surpassed 2019 by nearly 2.7M cruisers, representing a 17.5% increase with 18.1M total passengers sailing from the region in 2023.

Research

2022 North America Market Report

The resilience of cruise was at the forefront in 2022, as the industry continued to rebound from the voluntary pause in operations that occurred in March 2020, followed by the responsible resumption of operations over the past two years.

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Cruise Lines and Alaska Seafood – a Natural Connection

Sustainability. It’s more than a buzz word for Alaska’s cruise and seafood industries. It’s a movement – a system that is interconnected with mutual respect so important to us it’s mandated by our state constitution. In Alaska, we brag about our sustainable, wild seafood, and the culture of respect that is uniquely Alaska.These two industries are inextricably tied to our lives and livelihoods – past, present and future – demanding of themselves and others to operate responsibly. We do it as Alaskans and we expect others visiting our state to follow suit. Some might think it would be difficult to find another industry that could possibly match the level of commitment we have as Alaskans to protect our streams, rivers and oceans where our fish thrive. A surprising group is the cruise sector, one of the most misunderstood industries leading the way in environmental sustainability and embracing sustainable food sourcing – of which Alaska cruising is a model.Despite the size of some cruise ships, cruise itself is actually a very small part of a larger maritime industry. Cruise ships comprise less than one percent of the global shipping fleet, yet we are at the forefront of research and development, driving innovations from which the entire maritime industry benefits with technologies that protect the environment and the waters on which we all depend.Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a global trade association representing more than 50 member cruise lines and 250 ships that comprise the vast majority of the world’s ocean-going passenger cruise capacity. We support policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment. Our cruise lines meet and often exceed stringent national and international environmental laws and regulations and our clear commitment is to make net-zero carbon shipping a reality and to support a brighter, better and more responsible future.From utilizing alternative fuels, shore power, and state of the art wastewater treatment systems, to LED lighting and the elimination of single-use plastics, the cruise industry is committed to leading the way toward clean air, clean oceans and environmental responsibility. Efforts go beyond what you might expect, to special paints for ship hulls that reduce friction as ships sail, to onboard recycling and biodigesters that reduce food waste.Sustainability is at the heart of our culture at CLIA and drives what we do each and every day. Beyond our own operations, we seek partnerships with other industries and destinations who share our sustainability goals. For this reason, the marriage between cruise and Alaska seafood is a natural one. We know visitors are more focused than ever on where their food comes from, and Alaska seafood lets us tell a great story and serve a fantastic meal while our passengers enjoy the immense beauty of our state.Alaska’s fishermen know that wild seafood is one of Alaska’s most precious resources and, with their help, our state goes to great lengths to ensure its continued abundance. Alaska seafood is responsibly managed using a world-leading, science-based approach, which is verified by third-party sustainable seafood certifications like Alaska’s Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) program to help fish stocks, communities and entire ecosystems thrive for generations to come.From fishermen and processors to scientists and law-enforcement officials, sustainability is not only crucial to Alaskans’ livelihoods and future, but it’s a deeply ingrained tradition that is important to the cruise industry.Beyond the efforts of individual member lines that bring more than 40 ships to our market, CLIA is working with ASMI to find ways we can strengthen the relationship between the cruise and seafood industries in Alaska. We share the common goal of sustainability and we both work to promote this beautiful state we live in and the immense resources we’re blessed with. Both industries are significant to Alaska — providing jobs and sustaining local economies. The collaborative efforts of our industries expand the positive impacts of Alaska seafood and tourism to a broader range of stakeholders and Alaska seafood enhances visitor enjoyment and tourism businesses throughout the State. As they say, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” and in this case, those are fishing boats and cruise ships.

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