Six Cruise Ships Alter Alaska Itineraries as Storm Hits

The Alaska cruise season may be winding down, but the weather isn’t going quietly. A powerful storm system in the Gulf of Alaska has forced several cruise lines to rip up their itineraries, cancelling popular ports and rerouting ships to safer waters.

From Juneau to Skagway, and even scenic cruising spots like Endicott Arm and Hubbard Glacier, this week’s storm is shaking up plans for thousands of passengers. Here’s a look at which ships are affected, how cruise lines are adapting, and what it means if you’re sailing in Alaska this week.

Ports Affected

The storm’s impact is being felt across both Southcentral and Southeastern Alaska, disrupting calls at some of the state’s most popular cruise destinations. Southcentral ports such as Seward, Whittier, and Anchorage are seeing heavy rainfall and rougher seas, making docking operations more challenging.

Further south, ports including Juneau, Skagway, and the scenic Endicott Arm fjord are also in the storm’s path. These locations are especially exposed to wind and swell, and scenic cruising areas can quickly become unsafe for navigation. As a result, multiple cruise lines have chosen to cancel port calls or stay in sheltered waters until conditions improve.

Ships and Itinerary Changes

Cruise lines have been quick to respond to the forecast, with at least six ships announcing significant itinerary changes to keep guests safe and comfortable.

Princess Cruises

Princess has been hit particularly hard, with four ships adjusting plans:

Sapphire Princess – Nearing the end of a 14-night sailing from Vancouver, Sapphire Princess has cancelled her scheduled call to Juneau on 17 September.
Ruby Princess – On an 11-night cruise from San Francisco, Ruby Princess has also dropped Juneau from her itinerary.
Discovery Princess – Guests on this 7-night sailing from Seattle have been informed that both Juneau and scenic cruising in Endicott Arm have been cancelled due to unsafe conditions. One passenger reported, “They cancelled our Endicott Arm cruise and Juneau stop due to weather. It’s a bummer but I understand safety is first.”
Caribbean Princess – Instead of cancelling Juneau, this ship is staying put. She docked on 16 September and will remain overnight at the South Franklin Dock to ride out the storm, departing at 6 p.m. on 17 September. This adjustment means skipping Skagway entirely but still visiting Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Glacier Bay, and Victoria before the cruise ends in Vancouver.

Holland America Line

Nieuw Amsterdam – Operating a 7-night sailing from Whittier to Vancouver, Nieuw Amsterdam has replaced her Skagway call with a full day in Haines (6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.). Guests were also informed that scenic cruising to Hubbard Glacier would not be possible this voyage due to heavy swells.

Viking Cruises

Viking Orion – The smallest ship affected, Viking Orion is on a 23-night voyage from Vancouver to Tokyo. Her call to Sitka (a tender port) has been swapped for Juneau to avoid unsafe tender operations. She will be in Juneau from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., carefully timed to fit around the worst of the weather.

Passenger Reactions

While many guests were disappointed to miss bucket-list ports and scenic cruising, most agreed that safety came first.

One traveller aboard Discovery Princess said, “They cancelled our Endicott Arm cruise and Juneau stop due to weather. It’s a bummer, but I understand safety is first.”

Another guest praised Princess Cruises’ decision to keep the ship in sheltered waters, saying that even with two-metre swells earlier in the trip, they felt reassured by the crew’s cautious approach.

On social media, cruisers on rerouted sailings reported making the best of the changes by enjoying onboard entertainment, dining, and relaxation days at sea – turning an unexpected setback into bonus time on the ship.

Wrap-Up

While itinerary changes can be frustrating, cruise lines put safety first, especially when storms hit Alaska’s exposed waters. For most guests, the detours simply become part of the adventure and a story to tell later. With a little flexibility and the right mindset, even a stormy day can turn into a memorable part of your Alaska cruise experience.