Cruise industry files lawsuit against popular Royal Caribbean port
Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America all visit this cruise port, too.
As Royal Caribbean’s popular Quantum Class cruise ship Anthem of the Seas embarks on its first-ever adventures in the Last Frontier this summer, a new battle is heating up between the cruise industry and one of its ports of call.
A total of four Royal Caribbean ships are sailing in Alaska this summer, taking adventurous cruisers to explore sought-after ports like Sitka, Juneau, and Skagway.
Related: Cruises to popular port may cost more as city hikes docking fees
Because of their popularity with cruise travelers, all three of these Alaska ports have been grappling with how to effectively manage cruise tourism to protect the environment and quality of life in their communities.
Although Alaska ports have mostly been working collaboratively with cruise lines on measures to regulate cruise tourism and offset its impacts, one port recently adopted a controversial cruise ship ordinance, igniting a fight that will now be settled in court.
Doug Parker shared details on the Alaska cruise port lawsuit, and other cruise news including significant cruise schedule changes made by Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, on the May 29th edition of Cruise News Today.
Want the latest cruise news and deals? Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter.
Carnival Cruise Line cancels seven cruises
Transcript:
Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.
Good morning, here's your cruise news for Thursday, May 29th.
Carnival Cruise Line has canceled seven sailings aboard Carnival Conquest in January over a rescheduled dry dock.
Now the impacted cruises — originally three and four-night Bahamas sailings from Miami — are now off the website and not open for booking. Impacted guests can rebook comparable sailings with price protection, onboard credits, and possible airfare reimbursement. Full refunds are also available.
No reason was given for the dry dock shift, but the original dates are now offered as casino sailings. Similar dry dock changes have also recently impacted Carnival Magic and Carnival Horizon.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line rep addresses adults-only cruise controversy
Cruise industry sues Alaska port town over new excursion tax
And the cruise industry is suing the town of Skagway in southeast Alaska over a new tax ordinance.
Yeah, the policy passed late last year allows Skagway to collect sales tax on full-price cruise excursions, including commissionable fees.
The Cruise Line International Association argues that this violates state and federal law, calling it unfair. Skagway officials say it ensures consistent taxation for all tourists, regardless of how they're booked.
The lawsuit filed in state court seeks to overturn the ordinance and recover legal fees.
Royal Caribbean moves up Star of the Seas debut, again
And Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is arriving ahead of schedule again and adding another sailing.
Yeah, the cruise line has announced a new four-night showcase cruise departing Port Canaveral on August 16th. This will be visiting CocoCay and offering two days at sea.
This is the fourth preview sailing ahead of the ship's official seven-night Caribbean cruise on August 31st. Guests booked on later cruises can now join this cruise if they'd like.
Related: Video: Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas clears sea trials
And cruise line stocks were down on Wednesday. Carnival Corporation: down two and a half percent, 23.00, Royal Caribbean: down two percent, 250.80, Norwegian: down three percent, 17.54, and Viking: down 1.3 percent, 44.32.
If you have a lead on a story, let us know, tips@cruiseradio.net.
This week's Cruise Radio Podcast: a review of Carnival Jubilee, where you listen to your favorite podcasts.
I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News today.
Have yourself a great Thursday.
