<\/a>Steve Moeller, senior vice president for commercial development for Norwegian Cruise Line, discusses NCL’s plans for Southeast Alaska during an interview with the Juneau Empire. (Ben Hohenstatt\/Juneau Empire)<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
“Personally, we are thrilled to be here. It’s our first business trip in 15 months,” Sherman said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
The pair were in town as part of a swing through Southeast Alaska to announce a $10 million donation to local communities hard hit by the pandemic-induced suspension on cruising.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Of the donation, the company offered $2 million to the City and Borough of Juneau. The City Assembly is considering whether to accept the money and, if so, how to spend it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“When our cruise partners meet economic disaster, we feel an obligation to step in. Southeast Alaska is uniquely dependent on the cruise industry. We need to show partnership, so when we return our cruise ships, we find a vibrant community,” Sherman said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Sherman said the donation had been in the works for several months and was similar to the types of donations the company has made to various Caribbean communities in the wake of hurricanes and other natural disasters.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Plans to sail<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Sherman said that the company is eager to restart cruises to Southeast Alaska and could do so as soon as August if the CDC gives the go-ahead. He said that Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Alaska’s congressional delegation, all Republicans, have been instrumental in working with the federal government to break the logjam of CDC silence on guidelines to restart cruising.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “We are seeing demand. We have existing sailings on the books, and we want to proceed,” Sherman said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t He explained that the company’s vaccination policy requires that all crew and passengers verify that they are fully vaccinated. In addition, he said that rapid antigen testing would take place for passengers during embarkation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t He said the company is still waiting on guidance from the CDC concerning onboard masking requirements.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t CDC sets rules for trial cruises with volunteer passengers<\/a><\/ins><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Alaska is a top destination<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Sherman said that Alaska is an attractive destination for travelers, but that he suspects passenger load is close to the cap.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “I don’t anticipate much incremental traffic growth. Mathematically we are near the peak based on the number of embarkation ports,” he said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t Sherman said that Alaska’s status as a top destination offers many advantages.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “We send our best ships to Alaska. People want to see whales, eagles, and bears and enjoy the cool air in the summer,” Sherman said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t He explained that Alaska’s status as a premier destination means that NCL sends the newest ships to the region. Those ships command premium pricing and attract more well-heeled travelers.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t “When you get new ships, people pay more to sail aboard those ships, and those passengers are better able to purchase high-value packages when they arrive in town, like the whale watching tours and the helicopter rides to the ice fields,” he said.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t