Cruises to popular port may cost more as city hikes docking fees
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and every major cruise line calls on this key port.
Although most cruise travelers have come to expect rising prices these days, you may be surprised to learn that many summer cruises to this usually high-demand destination are actually being discounted right now.
As economic uncertainty seems to be leading many Americans to vacation closer to home this summer, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and other lines are offering major discounts on last-minute cruises to this bucket-list region.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival salute veterans with major perks
Like Europe, Alaska is a sought-after summer cruise destination that some travelers have apparently decided against visiting this year due to economic concerns. This has unexpectedly left cruise lines with unsold cabins.
If you’ve been dreaming of an Alaska cruise and can travel this summer, booking now might be a smart move.
Not only are the rare last-minute deals enticing, postponing your trip until 2026 or 2027 may cost you more than ever, as Alaska’s popular port cities begin to implement both new restrictions and higher fees for cruise ships visiting the region.
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Juneau votes to raise fees for cruise ship visits
On May 19, the Juneau Assembly voted to approve a significant increase to the dockage fees vessels pay to berth at city-owned cruise terminals and other port facilities, as reported by Juneau’s KTOO Public Media.
Fees vary based on ship length, but under the new fee structure, cruise ships can also be charged based on their passenger capacity. Because of this, most large cruise ships will pay about double to dock at city-owned port facilities in Juneau.
The new fee structure will take effect at the start of the 2026 Alaska cruise season.
Related: Popular cruise destination to get new downtown cruise port
Local officials say the change will bring dockage fees for city-owned port facilities more in line with fees charged by private cruise ports in Juneau and nearby areas of Alaska. The city of Juneau owns two of Juneau’s four cruise ship docks.
Recently, the Juneau Assembly also approved the development of an additional private dock in downtown Juneau that will become the city’s fifth when it opens in 2027. Backed by Norwegian Cruise Line, the new port development is expected to help ease downtown congestion in the booming summer cruise destination.
Juneau is carefully combating overtourism
Along with new port development projects and increased dockage fees, a new cruise passenger limit will also come to Juneau in 2026 as the city takes careful steps to combat overtourism in the typically in-demand cruise destination.
As Alaska’s most-visited cruise destination, Juneau has been overwhelmed by more than 20,000 visitors on busy days in recent seasons. With the 2025 Alaska cruise season underway, Juneau is currently managing the crowds with a five-ship daily cap, but restrictions will tighten further next year.
Related: Norwegian Cruise Line passengers share crucial cruise insight
Under a new agreement reached with major cruise lines that will roll out in 2026, Juneau will cap the number of cruise passengers able to disembark in the city to 16,000 people on most days and 12,000 people on Saturdays.
Activists have recently called for even stricter limits in the destination like “Ship-Free Saturdays,” but those measures have failed win enough support from local voters.
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
