Cruise lines are scrambling to make adjustments to some scheduled Alaska itineraries after a busy berthing dock in Skagway was closed due to the threat of a potentially catastrophic rockslide.
The municipality hired a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm to assess the risk, following a rockslide in June. When TravelPulse Canada visited later that month aboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, guests were tendered ashore.
The report assessed a "significant risk associated with complete failure" for the North Slide of the railroad dock in Skagway. It added that the "consequences of such failure will be catastrophic in nature with significant risks to life and property."
The forward berth at the Railroad Dock is owned by White Pass Rail Road, which made the decision to close.
Earlier this week, Princess Cruises announced a number of adjustments to scheduled Alaska itineraries because of the closure. The berth is the primary location for its Royal-class ships in the Alaskan port.
"The health and safety of our guests and crew are always our top priority and we appreciate and support this decision," Princess said in a statement. The line says it will continue to work with officials from Skagway and the White Pass Rail Road to determine when scheduled calls can return.
In 2019, about a million visitors came to Skagway, the vast majority arriving by cruise ship. There were more than 400 calls that year.
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