SKAGWAY, Alaska — One berth at the White Pass & Yukon Railway’s cruise-ship dock in Skagway has been closed because of concerns over rockslide risk, forcing Princess Cruises to change plans for some scheduled visits by its ships.
Travel Weekly reports the forward berth on the Railroad Dock has been closed following a report by an engineering firm saying a mass on the cliff above the dock “will eventually fail, and the consequences of such failure will be catastrophic in nature with significant risks to life and property.” The company, Shannon & Wilson, recommended excavation to reshape the slope.
As a result of the slide risk, one Princess Cruise ship has already called at a different port, and visits to Skagway scheduled for July 27, 28, and 30 by other Princess vessels will instead go to Sikta, Alaska. The cruise line said it is working with officials from Skagway and the WP&Y to determine when the berth will again be available.
Alaskan broadcaster KTOO reports a slide damaged a portion of the pier in June, leading a number of ships to make alternate plans.
About a dozen cruise ships normally visit the Port of Skagway each week during cruise-ship season. Most of the White Pass & Yukon’s excursion traffic comes from cruise-ship visits, with trains departing from the dock immediately adjacent to the ships.
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