The company said refunds would be provided to all guests with existing reservations
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NEED TO KNOW
- Alaskan Dream Cruises abruptly “ceased business operations” for good, refunding all guests with existing reservations
- “Thank you for the lasting relationships we’ve built and for allowing us to be a part of your Alaskan stories,” the company said
- The small-ship cruise line operated four ships that each held between 40 and 80 passengers
Alaskan Dream Cruises has sailed its final voyage.
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the small-ship cruise line that once offered 5- to 10-night sailings to Southeast Alaska announced that it would be shutting down for good.
“Since 2011, Alaskan Dream Cruises has had the privilege of sharing the wonders of Alaska and the richness of our Alaska Native heritage with incredible guests from across the globe,” the cruise line began in a statement on Facebook. “It has been an equal honor to work alongside extraordinary communities, partners, and crew.”
“Effective immediately, Alaskan Dream Cruises has ceased business operations and will no longer be operating future sailings,” the statement continued. “We are deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in us over the past 15 years. Thank you for the lasting relationships we've built and for allowing us to be a part of your Alaskan stories.”
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Since the company primarily sails during Alaska’s cruise season from May through September, with each of its four ships hosting between 40 and 80 passengers, Alaska Dream Cruise had no active trips at the time of the announcement and shared that refunds would be provided to all guests with existing reservations.
Jamey Cagle, one of the owners of Alaskan Dream Cruises, told the Daily Sitka Sentinel that the decision to cease operations was “essential and necessary.”
“After careful evaluation of our long-term objectives, we determined that concluding cruise operations allows us to responsibly focus our resources where they will have the greatest impact,” he said, per The Independent. “We have had the privilege of sharing the wonders of Alaska and the richness of our Alaska Native heritage with incredible passengers from across the globe. It has been an honor to work alongside extraordinary communities, partners and crew throughout this journey.”
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While the cruise line will no longer guide passengers through Alaska’s intimate waterways, its parent company, Allen Marine Tours, will continue to offer premiere excursions that “respects and preserves Alaska’s natural beauty and cultural heritage,” according to its website.
“We’re really proud that we were a homegrown and Indigenous-owned line right here in Sitka,” Zak Kirkpatrick, a spokesperson for Allen Marine, told KTOO. “And that grew into world class cruises and winning national awards and appearing in worldwide publications, which was really something we’re proud about.”
He went on to explain, “When you just kind of boil it down, the company is just planning to refocus 100% of our resources on what we consider our founding strengths and roots, which are the day tour excursions and the shipyard operations and marine services.”
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