COVID-19 result cuts short 1st Alaska cruise of stunted season

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The first cruise in an already decimated southeast Alaska cruise season came to an end Wednesday when a small ship carrying 36 passengers returned to Juneau because one of the guests had tested positive for COVID-19.

All 36 guests on the Wilderness Adventurer will quarantine at a hotel and the 30 crew members will quarantine on the ship in Gastineau Channel, just off Juneau’s downtown.

The loss of cruise ships capable of carrying thousands of people has been devastating to Alaska’s tourism economy this summer, particularly for communities in southeast Alaska that would have seen their populations swell with the influx of tourists.

Larger cruise ships — those carrying more than 250 passengers and crew members — have been under no-sail orders, but smaller companies were allowed to continue operating.

The cancelled trip by UnCruise Adventures was the first of the season. The company had four additional cruises planned but opted to cancel the entire Alaska season after the positive test, spokeswoman Liz Galloway said.

“When we set sail last Saturday we had many loyal guests, an energized crew, and much of the general public rooting for us. This is not a development we’d hoped for but I’m proud that my team has shown their commitment to the safety of our operation and have managed the event expeditiously,” UnCruise Adventures owner and operator Dan Blanchard said.

“From an industry standpoint, people were hoping we’d lead the way and were hopeful for our less than 40-person group departures. We will continue to adapt to this evolution and look towards a new day,” Blanchard said.