Glacier Bay Awards 10-Year Contracts to Four Lines
Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska awarded new 10-year concession contracts to four cruise lines. The four contracts allocate 82 cruise ship trips into the park, with an additional 71 trips allocated under historical rights.
The companies are Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Cruise West and Norwegian Cruise Line. Key factors in the decision were high standards for minimizing air and water pollution, the impact of underwater sound on marine mammals, a comprehensive educational program for cruise passengers and fees for operating in the park, said Park Superintendent Cherry Payne.
The number of cruise ships entering the bay during the prime season of June through August is limited to 153, with no more than two per day, to protect park resources. Up to 92 additional ships are authorized in May and September. In 2008, 225 ships carrying 416,703 passengers operated in Glacier Bay. The new 10-year contracts are for 2010-2019.
Payne said Princess submitted the best proposal of the six companies competing for the contracts and was allocated 58 trips (32 of them under historical rights). Princess proposed the use of turbine engines, low-sulfur distillate fuel and other strategies for reducing air pollution and to a “no discharge” policy to minimize water pollution.
They committed to underwater sound signature testing, developed a “whale strike avoidance program,” offered a number of enhancements to the interpretive/educational program focused on Glacier Bay, and proposed a franchise fee of $12 per passenger, $5 above the minimum. “Princess Cruises is to be commended for its excellent proposal,” Payne said.
The remaining contracts and trips were awarded to Holland America Line (65, 39 under historical rights), Cruise West (eight) and Norwegian Cruise Line (22). Disney Cruise Line submitted a proposal but withdrew from the competition.
