Disney Cruise Line Secures Preferential Access to Alaska Port

Disney Cruise Line and Huna Totem Corporation have signed a 15-year agreement that secures preferential access at Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska. The agreement ensures that those sailing with Disney Cruise Line will continue visiting the Indigenous-owned destination through at least 2041.

Icy Strait Point, which is owned and operated by Huna Totem Corporation, offers visitors an authentic connection to Huna Tlingit culture, along with the opportunity to enjoy lots of outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. The cruise destination is the largest employer in Hoonah, and was developed by Huna Totem to curate authentic Alaska experiences that uplift the community’s people.

“Disney Cruise Line has been an important part of the Icy Strait Point story for nearly a decade, and we’re grateful to build on that relationship through this agreement,” said Howard Sherman, Huna Totem Tourism Group President. “Each Disney Cruise Line visit helps support local jobs, businesses and economic opportunity in Hoonah while creating meaningful connections between guests and the people who call this place home.”

An aerial view of Hoonah, Alaska, home to Icy Strait Point, the state’s first Alaska Native-owned cruise destination. Courtesy of Huna Totem Corporation. — An aerial view of Hoonah, Alaska, home to Icy Strait Point (Courtesy of the Huna Totem Corporation)

The agreement secures preferential docking for Disney Cruise Line at Icy Strait Point for one vessel per week. It includes a minimum annual passenger guarantee, supporting future Alaska sailings that connect Disney passengers with the culture and beauty of southeast Alaska. This year, Disney expanded its presence in Alaska to two ships, with select itineraries on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder featuring visits to Icy Strait Point.

In recent years, Disney Cruise Line has been involved in helping Alaskan communities in other ways, too. The line has supported community-led initiatives throughout the southeastern part of the state focused on food security, youth development, and environmental stewardship, including leadership development and workforce readiness opportunities for local youth.

Alaska cruising popularity is currently at an all-time high. As cruise lines who have already been sailing in the region, such as Disney, continue to add more ships to their Alaska season schedules, two other cruise lines began sailing in Alaska for the first time this year: MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages. The newly-renovated MSC Poesia is currently operating seven-night Alaska cruises out of Seattle, while Virgin Voyages’ new ship Brilliant Lady is sailing from Seattle and Vancouver on seven to 12-night itineraries. This growth reflects a huge demand for cruise tourism the 49th state, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.