Tag Archives: Sitka

MSC Adjusts Last Alaska Itinerary of the Season

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MSC Cruises informed guests that it’s adjusting the itinerary of one of its upcoming cruises to Alaska and British Columbia onboard the MSC Poesia.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the September 21, 2026, voyage will no longer include scenic cruising through Endicott Arm.

“We understand this is an experience many guests look forward to, and we sincerely regret that this portion of the itinerary will not be possible,” the company said, noting that the change was caused by seasonal operational considerations.

“However, we are pleased to inform you that this adjustment will allow the MSC Poesia to arrive in Juneau at 8:00 AM instead of 2:00 PM, allowing you six additional hours to experience this remarkable destination,” MSC continued.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the MSC Poesia is scheduled to offer a seven-night cruise to Alaska and British Columbia on September 21, 2026. In addition to Juneau, the itinerary features visits to Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria.

According to guest reports, MSC will offer a $50 onboard credit per person as compensation for the change.

The credits are reportedly being applied directly to guests’ accounts, with a limit of up to $100 per stateroom.

The adjusted sailing will close out MSC’s inaugural summer season in Alaska, which started in May and included a series of seven-night cruises from Seattle.

Following the cruise, the MSC Poesia kicks off a repositioning voyage to PortMiami via the Panama Canal ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean.

After departing from Seattle, the 19-night cruise includes visits to destinations in California, Mexico and Central America.

Before returning to Alaska for a second season in 2027, the MSC Poesia offers five- and 11-night cruises to the Caribbean during the 2026-27 winter.

The itineraries sail from PortMiami and include visits to destinations in the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Juneau Eyes New Seasonal Tax System Aimed at Cruise Visitors

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Juneau Eyes New Seasonal Tax System Aimed at Cruise Visitors

After doubling the fees that cruise lines pay to dock in the town, Juneau is now pursuing a plan to introduce a new seasonal sales tax system.

According to KTOO, the change is aimed at capitalising on the 1.7 million cruise ship passengers that visit the town every summer.

The new structure would raise sales taxes in the summer months and lower them in the winter, according to the local news website.

After being greenlighted by the Juneau Assembly, the proposal will now be presented to residents later this month.

Assembly members want to hear from locals before deciding whether to put it on a municipal ballot scheduled for October.

Other Southeast Alaskan towns, including Ketchikan, Sitka and Skagway, already adopt seasonal taxes, KTOO said.

Residents and visitors currently pay a five per cent tax on year-round sales in Juneau, the website explained.

If voters approve the proposed seasonal tax system, consumers will instead pay a 7.5 per cent tax in the summer and a 3.5 per cent tax in the winter.

The proposal determines that the summer season starts in April and ends in September, while the winter season runs from October through March.

In June, Juneau agreed to double the fees that cruise lines pay to dock their ships at the city-owned piers.

The change was unanimously approved by the town’s assembly and applies only to large cruise vessels.

At the time, Juneau’s Visitor Industry Director, Alix Pierce, said that the change was aimed at making the dockage fees in the town more competitive with the private sector.

“We know that our rates are definitely low compared to the private docks here, and other ports in the region are also looking at their fee structure,” she explained.

While dockage fees were previously calculated using vessels’ tonnage and length figures, the new rates are based on the ships’ passenger capacities.

Westerdam Embarks on Cruise to Alaska and Arctic Circle

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Westerdam Embarks on Cruise to Alaska and Arctic Circle

The Westerdam set sail from Seattle earlier this month for the second annual edition of Holland America Line’s “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” itinerary.

Cruising round-trip from the Pacific Northwest, the 28-night voyage will sail all the way to the Bering Strait while visiting 14 destinations in Alaska and Canada.

Described by the company as its most exclusive itinerary in the region, the month-long cruise sails to unique destinations, such as Nome and Dutch Harbor.

Other highlights of the itinerary include an overnight visit to Anchorage, as well as stops in Valdez and Kodiak.

Before returning to Seattle, the Westerdam is also scheduled to visit Haines, Juneau, Sitka, Wrangell, Ketchikan and Prince Rupert.

The voyage features scenic cruising as well, sailing across the Inside Passage, the Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Bay National Park.

A similar summer solstice itinerary to the Arctic Circle is set to be offered by the Noordam in early June 2026.

Part of Holland America’s six-ship season in Alaska, the Westerdam is set to offer seven-night cruises from Seattle after completing its summer solstice voyage.

Offering the company’s “Alaska Explorer” itinerary, the vessel sails from its homeport every Sunday for cruises that visit Victoria, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau and Tracy Arm Fjord.

The 2004-built ship also offers a unique month-long cruise that combines visits to destinations in Alaska and Hawaii.

Offered in partnership with the History Channel, the “Legendary Glaciers & Volcanoes” cruise is scheduled to sail round-trip from Seattle on August 31, 2025.

The 28-night cruise features four destinations in Hawaii, including Honolulu, where the ship is set to spend two days docked.

Other ports of call set to be visited include Vancouver, Dutch Harbour and Kodiak, as well as Valdez and Anchorage.

In addition to the Westerdam, other Holland America Line ships sailing in Alaska in 2025 include the Eurodam, the Koningsdam, the Nieuw Amsterdam, the Noordam and the Zaandam.