Cruise passengers arriving in Juneau, Alaska, this summer time could encounter restricted providers at one of many metropolis’s hottest excursions following sweeping federal layoffs underneath the Trump administration affecting the Nationwide Park Service and the US Forest Service.
The cuts, which started underneath Elon Musk’s new Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE), eradicated roles of greater than 2,000 US Forest Service and 1,000 Nationwide Park Service workers throughout america.
In accordance with Alaskan media, as of February 21, 2025, the cuts have severely decreased employees at Mendenhall Glacier Customer Heart (MGVC).
KTOO, primarily based in Juneau, reported three-quarter of the employees had been laid off whereas others report only one or two workers stay, leaving upcoming visitors questioning about customer entry.
A social media put up attributed to Journey Juneau, town’s conference and guests bureau – but not shared on its official web site – says it’s unclear if the MGVC “might be open to the general public, or how site visitors and different customer providers might be managed.”
The Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Space (MGVC), which generally welcomes round 700,000 guests yearly – many from cruise ships – depends on US Forest Service rangers to offer data, reply to medical points, and preserve path and wildlife security.
The put up, shared throughout quite a few social media platforms, urges cruise passengers to contact members of Congress to oppose the cuts.
“Experiencing the Mendenhall Glacier is a prime exercise for a lot of Juneau guests,” it stated.
“If it’s in your must-do record, in addition to accessing different federal lands and nationwide parks throughout your Alaska journey, Journey Juneau urges you to contact your federal delegation (senators and representatives) as quickly as attainable about reinstating essential funding to the US Forest Service.”
Whereas the put up raises much more concern, close by tour operators say the federal cuts won’t influence cruise excursions.
One other unattributed put up making the rounds on social media says, “Don’t fear – your glacier excursions are nonetheless taking place!”
“Whereas these cuts influence the staffing and operations of the Customer Heart and Bookstore, they don’t have an effect on the Mendenhall Glacier excursions themselves,” says the replace shared on February 26, 2025.
“The guided excursions to Mendenhall Glacier, together with these operated by native distributors, are run by seasonal workers who’re nonetheless scheduled to work as normal. Which means even when the Customer Heart itself has restricted hours or providers, the excursions will nonetheless be working.”
Nevertheless, not one of the updates seem on Mendenhall Glacier Customer Heart’s web site or social media pages, resulting in much more confusion as to what is going to occur this summer time.
Uncertainty Forward of April Season Begin
With 1.6 million cruise passengers anticipated to go to Juneau throughout the 2025 summer time crusing season, a attainable park closure might imply hundreds won’t have a possibility to view Mendenhall Glacier.
Situated simply 12 miles from Juneau, inside the Tongass Nationwide Forest, it’s thought-about one of many best glaciers to succeed in within the US.
The forest requires visitors to have a cross to entry the customer’s heart and pavilion, restrooms, and the Photograph Level Path, which supplies visitors with the most effective views of the glacier.
Learn Additionally: Your Information to the Greatest Alaska Cruise Ports
Nevertheless, the forest is definitely free to go to and doesn’t require permits or passes to discover different trails, together with the East Glacier Path, the Nugget Falls Path, and the Path of Time. It additionally doesn’t require guides.
Juneau’s 2025 cruise season will launch on April 14 with the arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss, bringing as much as 4,004 passengers to port. It will likely be adopted by Carnival Cruise Line’s 2,124-guest Carnival Spirit on April 18.
Cruise traces and tour operators might be monitoring updates from the Nationwide Forest Service and can make changes, if wanted.
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