Two Destinations Raise, Implement Cruise Passenger Fees

Two cruise destinations, one in California and one in Alaska, will raise and implement (respectively) cruise fees in 2026 and 2025 (also respectively).

Catalina Island

In California, the Avalon City Council voted in favor of increasing the per person fees for cruise passengers visiting Catalina Island. The new rate — $7.50 per passenger – will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Cruise lines currently pay $5 per passenger.

The funds raised – approximately an additional $900 thousand, according to The Catalina Islander – would be used to maintain existing facilities and needed capital improvements.

The council also ended a program whereby 50% of the fees collected for a second ship that visited the island at least 50 times a year were being returned to the cruise line operating that ship. No cruise line has actually been eligible for the refund since 2019.

Haines

The Haines Assembly has passed its first-ever cruise passenger fee, scheduled to start next year. In 2025, the fee will be $9 per passenger, but will increase in 2027 to $12, and in 2029 to $13.

According to KHNS.org, the assembly did not specify what the funds will be used for, but by law, it must be used for maintenance and improvements that benefit cruise passengers.

Haines is a lesser visited port in Alaska. This year the port will host approximately 100,000 cruise passengers.