Although all the votes aren't in, it appears that Juneau residents have rejected a ballot measure that would ban cruise ships from calling on Saturdays in the Alaska port.
According to preliminary results, nearly 60% of voters are opposed to Proposition#2 on the ballot, reported Alaska's News Source.
Juneau locals proposed banning all ships that carry at least 250 passengers from calling on Saturdays and on July 4 as early as next summer. Supporters of the measure gathered more than 2,300 signatures to put the question on the ballot.
Cruise traffic in Juneau had become an issue in Alaska's capital city shortly following the pandemic pause in operations. By 2023, passenger volume had exceeded 2019 levels. The state hit a record-breaking 1.7 million cruise visitors in 2023, about 30% more than in 2019.
In response to the swift growth, Juneau had struck deals to slow the cruise industry's growth, including a five-ship cap that went into effect this year and a 16,000 lower-berth cap that begins in 2026. That same year, Saturdays will be limited to 12,000 lower berths.
Several Alaska ports are trying to figure out how to manage cruise growth.
Haines will begin charging a cruise passenger fee in 2025. About 100,000 cruise ship passengers visited Haines this year, according to Alaska Public Media. The fee will begin at $9 and increase to $12 in 2027 and to $13 in 2029.