Sunsetz
An Alaskan cruise can be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for travelers and is certainly a bucket-list sailing even for experienced guests.
Thousands of guests booked to visit the Last Frontier in 2026, however, are now learning that they won’t be going to one of the state’s most important and historically significant cities.
Royal Caribbean guests booked on different Alaska cruise dates aboard Ovation of the Seas have been informed that Juneau is being removed from their itineraries.
One such impacted sailing is the ship’s May 15, 2026 departure, a one-way voyage between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska.
“Due to port availability changes in Juneau, Alaska, we’ll now enjoy a visit to Ketchikan, Alaska, instead and then travel onto Sitka, Alaska, the next day,” the email notification explained.
The 7-night sailing was to have visited Sitka following two days at sea, with port stops in Juneau and Skagway on the next two days before scenic cruising near the iconic Hubbard Glacier.
The visits to Skagway and Hubbard Glacier have not been impacted, nor is the ship’s May 22 arrival in Seward adjusted in any way.
In addition to the May 15 departure, guests booked on other 2026 sailings of Ovation of the Seas have reported similar changes and Royal Caribbean is removing Juneau from various itineraries.
Among the impacted cruises are the ship’s June 26 and July 24 sailings, though other notifications may yet be in process.
Not all sailings are being adjusted the same way, as some travelers report that Icy Strait Point is being added to their itinerary as Juneau is removed.
Royal Caribbean will undoubtedly need to confirm docking arrangements and availability for each cruise date as necessary before informing guests.
Reactions are mixed for the changes, depending on what individual guests’ shore excursion plans may have been.
Juneau does offer excellent whale watching options and sled dog experiences, but the frontier lifestyle in Ketchikan, especially the famous lumberjack show, is popular with visitors. Be sure to try the hot chocolate!
Read Also: Alaska Cruise Ports – What Are Your Options?
At this time, only Ovation of the Seas has confirmed changes related to Juneau, but it is possible that other Royal Caribbean ships may have similar adjustments and port substitutions coming.
In 2026, Voyager of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Anthem of the Seas also have multiple visits to Juneau scheduled, along with ships from Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Cunard Line, and more.
Why Remove Juneau from Multiple Sailings?
Royal Caribbean has not provided any further details other than “port availability changes” as to why Juneau has now been dropped from the various itineraries.
That said, just days ago, officials in Juneau unanimously approved increasing dockage fees on cruise lines, changing the fee structure from a vessel’s gross tonnage to its passenger capacity.
While no cruise line objects to fees overall – many times the revenue is used to improve port facilities, improve harbor access, promote local conservation, etc. – rapid or extreme increases do give cruise lines pause about their operational plans.
Royal Caribbean in particular is already planning a new private destination on Douglas Island, just across the Gastineau Channel from the city of Juneau.
This private port would not be subject to the increased fees, yet is conveniently located to permit visitors to enjoy many of the same shore tour opportunities and local attractions.
The new port, however, is not scheduled for completion until the 2027 Alaska season, meaning guests in 2026 will simply be bypassing the capital of Alaska entirely.
