After tragic landslide, port calls in Ketchikan continue as planned

Cruise ship docks in the port of KetchikanAlaska, will continue as planned following the tragic landslide that struck part of the city on August 25, 2024, killing one resident and damaging several homes.

Although Ketchikan, on the edge of the pristine Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska, is not a home port for cruise ships, the destination is regularly visited by almost all cruise ships that serve routes through Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which has four large ships in operation in Alaska in the 2024 season, has not changed any scheduled departures from the popular port.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic landslide that recently occurred in Ketchikan, Alaska. Our sincere condolences go out to the community and all those affected. There are currently no changes to our scheduled calls to Ketchikan,” Norwegian Cruise Line told Cruise Hive.

Cruise line officials have been in contact with port authorities and have promised to provide booked guests and their travel agents with all necessary information if there are any changes to the itineraries. Like NCL, other cruise lines' ships that operate in Alaska did not appear to be affected by the landslide. In a statement, Royal Caribbean said there were no changes to ship operations in the port.

Norwegian Cruise Line ships sailing to Alaska in summer 2024 include Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian, Encore, Norwegian sunAnd Norwegian BlissRoyal Caribbean ships sailing the region include Rays of the Seas, Quantum of the SeasAnd Brilliance of the seas.

Nearly every major cruise line visits Alaska during the summer season, but that season quickly comes to an end. Most cruise lines move their ships to new deployments in September, when fall weather sets in in the Last Frontier State.

The week following the landslide is a busy one for cruise tourism in Ketchikan. Ships scheduled to arrive on August 28, 2024 include Cunard's Queen Elizabeth And Norwegian sun.

On August 29, 2024, six ships will call, including Norwegian BlissHolland America Line Eurodam And Königsdam, and three ships from Princess Cruises — Discovery Princess, Crown PrincessAnd Sapphire Princess.

Princess Cruises has a particularly major operation in Alaska This year it is reducing almost half of its fleet and offering 158 departures.

Landslide is not expected to affect excursions

The landslide, which followed heavy rains in the region, prompted the evacuation of about 60 homes in the affected Whitecliff neighborhood, which is near downtown. The city said on its Facebook page that the landslide area is about 330 meters long and 76 meters wide at its widest point.

In addition to causing damage to homes, the landslide also caused a power outage in the area after debris from the landslide tore down power poles and wires. Geologists were working to assess the stability of the area before planned cleanup operations can begin. Roads in the area have been closed.

The impact of the landslide was not expected to affect shore excursions in the city. Many popular excursions include scenic flights and sport fishing, as well as wildlife cruises on small boats, all of which operate outside the city center. Tour buses that transport guests to and from their excursions can avoid the landslide area.

Popular excursions offered by Carnival Cruise Line include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show & Crab Feast Lunch, Wilderness Adventure, Crab Feast & Unlimited Drinks, and a seaplane flight over the historic wilderness.

Read also: The best time to cruise to Alaska: months to choose from

The Port of Ketchikan has four Panamax-sized cruise ship berths that can accommodate vessels up to 965 feet long and 106 feet wide. To put the size capacity in context, the largest ship in the world, the Royal Caribbean Icon of the seasis 1,198 feet long.

The Ketchikan landslide disaster is not the first in Alaska. In November 2023, a landslide hit Wrangell, Alaska, also in the southeast of the state, killing four people. Other landslides occurred in Haines in 2020 and in Sitka in 2015.