Tour ops talk cruise demand, winter uptick

Alaska’s tourism industry continues to set records, according to the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA), with 1.06 million cruise guests visiting in 2017 and some 1.13 million passengers expected this year. That follows a record-breaking 2016, when more than 1.8 million out-of-state travelers explored Alaska between May and September.

State officials and tour operators shared related statistics and trends during the 2018 Alaska Media Road Show held at the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort Spa earlier this month. The three-day forum drew representatives from nearly 20 Alaska destinations, tour companies, cruise lines and attractions, plus media professionals from across the U.S. and Canada.

Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford, who addressed attendees during a closing-night dinner presentation, said Alaska continues to be a strong market for his company. The company celebrated 70 years of Alaska exploration in 2017, a year after expanding its in-state land offerings with the introduction of the Denali Square shopping, dining and entertainment venue at McKinley Chalet Resort.

Ashford introduced Seattle chef Ethan Stowell as the newest member of Holland America’s Culinary Council. In the role, Stowell will help incorporate more Alaska and Pacific Northwest flavors into cruise menus. Holland America musicians also previewed the new “Alaska in Concert” onboard entertainment offering that features a live orchestra playing against footage from the BBC Earth TV series “Wild Alaska.”

Increased Alaska cruise demand is further reflected in new and expanded itineraries offered by companies like Princess Cruises, which is upping its 2018 capacity by 15%. The company will introduce its largest Alaska ship to date when the 3,500-passenger Royal Princess arrives in 2019.

After a 20-year hiatus, Windstar Cruises returns to Alaska in 2018 with its all-suite Star Legend, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will sail from Japan to Alaska in 2019 before offering several 10-night outings in the 49th state. Norwegian Cruise Line, UnCruise Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions and Alaskan Dream Cruises are also adding vessels and voyages to their Alaska rosters.

New March departures by Alaskan Dream Cruises, along with an earlier opening date for Pursuit’s Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge and new Arctic Circle mushing tours from Fairbanks-based Alaska Skies Aurora Tours, speak to an uptick in snow-season travel throughout Alaska.

“We’ve seen a 33% increase in winter passengers,” said Heather Dudick, senior passenger sales account executive for the Alaska Railroad.

In response, the company added midweek winter service for the fourth straight year and recently introduced a new Denali in a Day off-season package.

“Winter travel is growing for the state,” said ATIA vice president Jillian Simpson. “We’ve seen an increase in volume starting over the holidays and picking up again in February and March, when there are more major events, longer days and aurora-watching opportunities. Businesses are responding with new tours and longer operating hours.”