While many destinations worldwide are pushing back against the rise in cruise ship traffic—some even banning large vessels—Sitka, a small town in southern Alaska with a population of 8,300, has taken a different stance: residents voted against limiting cruise ship passenger numbers.
Sitka is a popular stop for cruise ships due to its unique history as a former Russian outpost in Alaska. Like many ports, it has experienced a surge in summer tourism, with cruise visitors more than doubling over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. On peak days, over 13,000 visitors arrive—more than the town’s total population.
Local activists had long fought to put the issue to a public vote, and after multiple attempts, a special election was held on May 28, 2025. The ballot proposed daily limits of 4,500 visitors, an annual cap of 300,000, a cruise ship permitting system, and at least one cruise-free day per week.
The voter turnout surprised many: with nearly 3,000 ballots cast, 73% rejected the limits, while only 27% (773 people) supported them.
Despite this, the private dock operator acknowledged public concern and proposed voluntary measures:
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a daily limit of 7,000 passengers,
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refusal of ships carrying more than 1,000 passengers when the threshold is exceeded,
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additional smaller shuttle buses to ease congestion,
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coordination with cruise lines to stagger arrival and departure times.
Sitka’s decision contrasts with other Alaskan ports. For instance, Juneau, with a population of 31,500, has already implemented daily passenger limits in agreement with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Ketchikan (population 8,000) and others are actively exploring ways to manage growing visitor numbers.
According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, approximately 1.68 million cruise passengers visited Southeast Alaska in 2024—a record-breaking year. Including ferry and other ship travelers, the total number of sea-based visitors reached 1.785 million, accounting for two-thirds of Alaska’s 2.7 million total visitors that year.
Early forecasts for 2025 suggest a plateau due to port capacity limits, but Port of Seattle projects up to 1.9 million cruise visitors between May and October. Growth is expected to continue into 2026, with MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages launching their first Alaska seasons. In 2027, MSC’s luxury brand Explora Journeys is also scheduled to enter the market.
Most analysts agree: Alaska will remain one of the world’s top summer cruise destinations, and by rejecting strict limits, Sitka is betting on smart, collaborative management over hard restrictions.
