Residents of Juneau in Alaska will conclude voting tomorrow on a proposal to ban large cruise ships (250 passengers or more) from docking in the town on Saturdays and on July 4th.
The “Ship-Free Saturday” initiative was introduced following the gathering of over 2,300 signatures by supporters, including activist Karla Hart, who argues that it would provide a necessary pause from tourism-related disturbances.
Juneau is a major stop for Alaskan cruise ships, with 12 large vessels scheduled to arrive on Saturdays in 2025. The industry generated $30m in revenue and $3.6m in revenue for the city in 2023.
Opposition to the initiative is led by the group Protect Juneau’s Future, which raised $300,000 to combat the proposal, including substantial donations from businesses linked to the cruise industry, and potential legal challenges anticipated if the initiative passes.
