Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings buys waterfront Juneau property

NCL ships
Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy in Alaska this season PHOTO: Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings was the winning bidder for a three-acre parcel of land in downtown Juneau adjacent to the Coast Guard station.

$20m winning bid

According to the Juneau Empire, NCLH offered $20m for the property, while Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. came in second with $13m and Godspeed Inc., owned by the Binkley family of Fairbanks, close behind with $12.8m. The City of Juneau bid $4.25m.

In a statement, NCLH said it is ‘thrilled to be the winning bidder,’ adding: ‘We look forward to engaging with the City of Juneau to work together on a plan for the land that will greatly benefit both Juneau and our company. We are excited to be a part of the future of Juneau.’

The company gave no further details on Tuesday.

Investments in Ward Cove and Icy Strait

NCLH has been actively investing in Alaska, where It recently partnered with two local businesses on plans for a private two-berth dock at Ward Cove, near Ketchikan.

The company is also partnering with Alaska Native-owned Huna Totem Corp. to develop a second cruise pier in Icy Strait Point at Hoonah, set to be ready for the 2020 season.

President and CEO Frank Del Rio has stated NCLH is looking to make strategic investments in Alaska to ensure preferential berthing rights for its growing deployment there.