Princess Cruises Marks 25 Years of Shore Power Innovation in Juneau

The collaboration between Princess Cruises, the City and Borough of Juneau, and Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P) began as a high-stakes engineering experiment. By linking massive cruise vessels to a small, isolated hydroelectric power system, the partners managed to bypass traditional fossil-fuel reliance during port stays. Over the last 25 years, this initiative has prevented the release of 84,533.60 metric tons of emissions, while simultaneously generating over $11 million in community partnership credits for Juneau.

For Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises, the milestone reflects a broader shift in how the industry approaches environmental stewardship in sensitive destinations. While only 3% of global ports currently offer shore power, the Juneau model remains the industry standard for feasibility and impact. As the cruise line continues its 60-year history of sailing in Alaska, the focus has shifted toward further scaling these infrastructure investments to meet net-zero targets by 2050. Local officials, including Mayor Beth Weldon, view the project as a successful template for how public-private cooperation can solve complex technical challenges without compromising community health.