Royal Caribbean Group and Alaska Native Corporation Goldbelt Inc. have signed an agreement to build a new cruise port in Juneau, Alaska called, The Port of Tomorrow. The port is scheduled to open in 2027.
The new port will remove nearly one-third of bus traffic from Juneau’s most congested roadways and will enhance the guest experience when taking a cruise to Juneau on Royal Caribbean Group’s three cruise lines.
The port will be located on Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act land on Douglas Island and will have two floating berths for ships. The port will overlook the Chikat Range.
A recreated 1800s Alaska Native Tlingit village will be built so cruisers can experience Goldbelt shareholders’ ancestral history through stories, art, songs, dance, and traditional foods.
The port’s designs will utilize the existing whale-watching tour operations so guest can depart directly from West Douglas Island. Cruisers will be able to board whale-watching tours here or take shuttle boats to Mendenhall Glacier to counter downtown traffic.
Conveniently located directly in major shipping routes alongside Steven’s Passage, the project blueprint would offer an environmental advantage, reducing time, speed, and fuel requirements for ships sailing north to Skagway or west to the Gulf of Alaska, making it the most ideal stop-over for routing to Sitka or Seward.
McHugh Pierre, President & CEO of Goldbelt, Inc, gave the following statement:
“Goldbelt has long sought to establish a cruise terminal and destination centered around Tlingit history on the backside of Douglas Island.
“We look forward to the prospect of bringing this sustainable, culture-rich cruise ship terminal to life in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, providing community solutions to local transportation and economic development issues.”
Goldbelt Incorporated is an urban Alaska Native, for-profit corporation in Juneau.
The Port of Tomorrow will open in 2027 and will be used by Royal Caribbean Group’s three cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.
This news is on top of the recent news where Royal Caribbean purchased Costa Maya and plans to build Perfect Day Mexico.
The cruise line is also building Royal Beach Clubs in Nassau and Cozumel.
