Alaska updates, from big (Royal Caribbean) to small (Lindblad)

This contrasted with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' late February expectation of 'another blockbuster season' in Alaska. The company is deploying another big vessel, Norwegian Joy, there this season.

Weighing in today and yesterday were operators representing Alaska's biggest cruise ship (Royal Caribbean) and, of the publicly traded operators, its smallest (Lindblad Expeditions Holdings).

Royal Caribbean's highest yielding market

'We're pleased with Alaska,' Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said during his company's earnings call Wednesday.

The 168,666gt Ovation of the Seas, with 4,180 lower berths and total capacity for 4,905 passengers, is the biggest in Alaska and the first Quantum-class ship to operate on the West Coast, while sister brand Celebrity Cruises is sending a second Solstice-class ship in its lineup.

All told, capacity for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is up 24% to 25% in Alaska, however the region comprises just a 5% share of RCL's 2019 geographic distribution, 10% in the summer quarter.

'It's the highest yielding geographic market that we have,' Bayley said Tuesday.

'Maybe other brands and products are having a struggle,' he added, 'but we feel pretty good about where we are.'

'Incredibly strong' for Lindblad

'The Alaska market is still incredibly strong for us. Our occupancies are as high as they've ever been, and pricing is higher,' Sven-Olof Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, said Thursday.

This is the first summer Lindblad will have four ships operating in Alaska, totaling 320 beds. Included: Its newest ship, the 100-passenger National Geographic Venture.

'Bookings for 2020 are looking very, very strong so I see no dilution of the market at all,' Lindblad added.