Ketchikan Alaska Landslide: Impact on Cruise Ship Calls

Update: Aug. 30, 2024
A spokesperson for Disney Cruise Line told TMR that there will not be any changes to Disney itineraries. Disney Wonder is scheduled to call on Ketchikan on Aug. 31.

Original Coverage:

A landslide that killed one person, injured more, and destroyed several homes in Ketchikan, Alaska on Sunday will not impact cruise calls in the foreseeable future.

Several cruise lines speaking to TMR on Monday said that the news would not impact calls to Ketchikan currently. Spokespeople from both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and a spokesperson for American Cruise Lines, told TMR the same—no changes to cruise calls as of yet.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Ketchikan impacted by the tragic landslide. Ketchikan is a valued partner for our Alaska vacations, and our cruise lines are working directly with the borough government on how we can best help as well as any changes we should make in our planned visits,” a spokesperson from Carnival Corp., which includes Oceania, Carnival, Holland America, and Princess, told TMR.

“Based on that consultation, there is no change in our scheduled calls. However, it is likely that some planned shore excursions will change or be canceled, and we are communicating directly with our guests on any changes. All decisions will prioritize the safety of our guests and team members as well assuring we are not impeding any ongoing recovery or repair efforts in Ketchikan.:

Ketchikan is a busy cruise port for Alaska itineraries and the landslide comes right at the tail end of the Alaska season.

Starting on Tuesday, Aug. 27, several ships per day are scheduled to call at Ketchikan, including Majestic Princess, Nieuw Amsterdam, Carnival Luminosa, Silver Nova, Queen Elizabeth, and Norwegian Sun. TMR has also reached out to Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Lines for a statement.

The expectation, according to sources, is that none of those ships will be impacted despite the news, though the area remaining unstable could change things should another incident occur.

What happened during the landslide?

According to the AP, the landslide happened on Sunday afternoon after a rain-drenched slope gave way and skated down towards the shoreline. Aside from the fatalities, the landslide damaged several homes and left even more without power.

“Meteorologists are onsite reviewing weather conditions and providing guidance for responders. Geologists have been working at the slide area assessing the soil stability and conducting measurements. The Third Ave landslide area was measured to be 1100 feet long, beginning at 650 feet in elevation and ending at 97 feet in elevation. At its widest point, the slide measured 250 feet,” the City of Ketchikan said in a statement on Sunday.

The area remained unstable as of Tuesday, with more landslides possible as a week of rain soaked the area prior to Sunday.

Sunday’s is far from the first recent, fatal landslide along that coast—one last November killed six people in Wrangell, about 100 miles north of Ketchikan.