Alaska is one of the most breathtaking itineraries you can take in the US, with breathtaking landscapes, a variety of unique wildlife, and lots of hiking and nature. Unfortunately, due to recent Federal budget cuts, if you’re sailing to Alaska this summer, some of those sites might be inaccessible.
Mendenhall Glacier Impacted by Budget Cuts
Mendenhall Glacier is one of the most visited spots in Juneau. This visitor center, located about 20 minutes outside of Juneau town center, allows you to view the impressive glacier, which has been slowly retreating over the years. You can also follow a variety of trails, visiting places like Nugget Falls.
A Reddit user who works with Travel Juneau posted a warning today across many cruise subreddits warning of the impact that many of the Trump Administration’s policies and the DOGE actions will have on summer sailings.
“Please be advised that the recent federal cuts have trimmed staff at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center (MGVC) to a single person. We don’t know at this time whether the visitors center or the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area will be open to the public, or how traffic and other visitor services will be managed.” Experiencing the Mendenhall Glacier is a top activity for many Juneau visitors. If it’s on your must-do list, as well as accessing other federal lands and national parks during your Alaska trip, Travel Juneau urges you to contact your federal delegation (senators and representatives) as soon as possible about reinstating critical funding to the US Forest Service. Reminder that the MGVC/MGRA are under USDA/US Forest Service management. In general, these cuts will impact services across the nation in all national forests and national parks, impacting the vacation plans of millions.”
According to the poster, at least 15 rangers are on staff during peak tourist season. This year, they have zero budget. They do more than just work the Visitor Center, they keep people safe from bears, collect tolls, clean facilities, and maintain the trails. Without them, the park cannot, and most likely will not, open.
Contact Your Representative
If you’re disappointed by the news, reach out to your representative and let them know you find these budget cuts unacceptable. Even If you have an excursion booked through the cruise line, you may be impacted.
Travel Juneau’s Website Will Have Updates
The Travel Juneau website is being updated with new information and will be updated as new updates come in.
Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 20 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.
