Alaska Cruises Facing Another Obstacle

Cruisers may soon be saying goodbye to Hubbard Glacier

cruising if a group of federal scientists has its way.

Photo  © Aaron Saunders

 

Long-time readers of this blog will know that, being based in beautiful Vancouver, the Alaska cruise industry is near and dear to our heart.  The economic downturn, controversial Alaskan Passenger Head Tax, and increased demand in markets like the Mediterranean have resulted in the biggest struggle the Alaskan cruise industry has ever faced.

Now, on the verge of a rebound, a group of federal scientists is seeking to severely limit cruise ship access to popular Hubbard Glacier - or ban it entirely.

 

The Seattle Times reports scientists from the National Marine Mammal Laboratory have suggested cruise ships in and around Hubbard Glacier pose a threat to harbor seals, which are utilised by some Native Americans as a form of subsistence. 

 

The group claims cruise ships may prematurely drive baby seals into areas of colder water when they should be feeding, and goes on to propose measures up to and including banning cruise ships from the areas around Yakutat, Alaska, which includes Hubbard Glacier.

This latest piece of negative news comes hot on the heels of Carnival's surprise announcement that it would be pulling Carnival Spirit from the West Coast, opting instead to have her sail year-round out of Sydney, Australia.  Carnival has yet to announce what ship will replace her in Alaska in 2013.

 

The West Coast, it seems, just can't catch a break.

For the Alaskan cruise market, this news is potentially devastating.  Hubbard Glacier is the second-most popular glacier after Glacier Bay, and is regularly visited by a lines like Celebrity, Holland America and Royal Caribbean.  Calls to Glacier Bay are so limited that they are regulated by expensive permits which much be  purchased years in advance.  The removal of Hubbard Glacier as a viable option for cruise lines could easily be the final straw for many lines already struggling with high port taxes, changeable laws and regulations, and enormously strict environmental requirements.  

Holland America Line CEO Stein Kruse took the State of Alaska to task last year, saying their policy on greywater release was so restrictive that even the clean drinking water taken aboard the ship in many ports would not be allowed to go into the sea as-is under the existing regulations. 

There's no doubt the harbour seal is an important component of the livelihood of many Native American hunters.  Let's just hope it doesn't come at the expense of Alaska's already shaky cruise industry.