Juneau Moves Another Step Closer to New Downtown Cruise Terminal

The City and Borough of Juneau and the Huna Totem Corporation have finalized a tidelands lease agreement that moves one step closer toward a new downtown cruise dock for the capital of Alaska.

Named Áak’w Landing, the project is more than just a cruise dock, but is an entire waterfront destination that will not only provide berth space, but also dining, retail, and cultural experiences cruise guests and Juneau residents will both be able to enjoy.

“Áak’w Landing is a meaningful investment in Juneau’s future,” said Russell Dick, president and CEO of Huna Totem Corporation. “The project creates a welcoming space to share our culture and provides opportunities for local businesses, events, and community use, further revitalizing the downtown waterfront.”

Of special interest to eager cruise guests is the fact that the new dock will be right in downtown Juneau, an excellent location for day port visits in the vibrant community.

Cruise Hive has previously reported on the collaborative project, which was green-lit by the Juneau Assembly exactly one year ago, in early April 2025.

The 2.9-acre stretch of land on which the new dock will be built was donated to Huna Totem by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) in 2022. While NCLH’s cruise brands, including Norwegian Cruise Line, will have preferential berthing rights at the dock, it will not be an exclusive terminal.

This will be great news for the bustling cruise port, particularly since crowded days in Juneau have meant that some ships must resort to tendering guests ashore rather than docking, as Grand Princess recently announced for her May 27, 2026 visit to Alaska’s capital city.

A total of 95 ships are expected in Juneau in 2026, and the demand for Alaskan itineraries is only growing. The additional capacity provided by the new dock would help keep operations smooth and efficient, both in terms of providing space for ships but also with its walkability to downtown attractions, restaurants, and shops.

This will provide an additional economic benefit for local businesses, particularly from cruise guests who may not book tours or excursions but who prefer to explore ports independently.

Sustainability is also a huge part of the project and shore power will be incorporated into the facility. This will permit ships to reduce emissions while docked, preserving the environmental integrity of the region.

At the moment, ships that are tendering because of a lack of available berth space must continue to run their engines the entire time while in Juneau, creating strong environmental concerns.

Three Phase Construction

Áak’w Landing is intended to be built in three phases. The first includes the dock on Egan Drive, underground parking facilities, retail space, and the welcome center for the property.

The second phase includes additional retail spaces and an upper-level plaza with cultural connections, while the third phase is the Indigenous Knowledge, Science, and Cultural Learning Center.

The overall design of the full project has yet to be finalized, but now that the lease agreement is confirmed, development can continue. Huna Totem intends to keep community involvement as a key component throughout all phases of the project.

“This project reflects many years of extensive community input and collaboration,” Dick said. “As the project moves into its next phase, we remain committed to working closely with the community as we bring this unique development to life.”

The corporation is also collaborating with the US Coast Guard to ensure the facility serves even more public interest. The dock alignment is meant to be compatible with the Coast Guard’s proposed pier, and the USCG may use the dock occasionally for icebreakers and other support vessels as needed.

This unique collaboration across native tribes, city officials, and the US Coast Guard will ensure the new facility is thoroughly integrated in the community and a useful addition to Juneau for years to come.