2013 will see increased cruise ship capacity and new flight routes to Alaska

With another year of positive growth in the tourism industry coming to a close, Alaska is looking forward to 2013, a year that will see increased cruise ship capacity and new flight routes, offering even more options to travellers heading north. A total of 31 large cruise ships are scheduled to call 396 times in Alaska in 2013, a gain of one ship and 19 trips for a projected total passenger gain of 65,647. The Celebrity Solstice, a larger ship, is replacing the Celebrity Infinity and the 700-passenger Oceania Regatta is returning to Alaska after ceasing its Alaska sailings in 2012. The Grand Princess is replacing the Sea Princess, adding about 700 passengers and the Amsterdam returns to a 7-day Inside Passage sailing, which will double its visits.

2013 will also see a strong increase in airline access with the introduction of Icelandair's seasonal direct flights between Anchorage and Reykjavik, with convenient connections from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester. On the domestic front, Alaska Airlines is now offering twice-daily flights between Anchorage and Salt Lake City, JetBlue will add a Seattle to Anchorage service beginning in May 2013 and United Airlines announced plans for a new seasonal nonstop service between Fairbanks and Chicago beginning in June 2013.

"The expansion of cruise capacity and additional air service will make 2013 a strong year for Alaska's visitor industry," said Lorene Palmer, director of the Division of Economic Development for the State of Alaska. "Travellers will find that Alaska is more attractive than ever given the wide variety of large and small ship options, new domestic and international air service and a host of new tours and attractions to enhance their Alaska vacation."

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