More than 150 passengers were on a cruise ship that was stranded in Canada after a massive rockslide on the route near Skagway, Alaska, on July 23, 2024. The incident happened to passengers from the Holland America Koningsdam and a Princess cruise ship traveling on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway. The rockslide blocked not only the railway tracks but the roadway between markers 80 to 86 of the Klondike Highway, effectively isolating Skagway.
A rockslide reported by Yukon Protective Services caused a closure to a 50-mile stretch of the South Klondike Highway from Fraser to Carcross. The closed Skagway Port of Entry created even more problems for the people trapped there, with both the U.S. border station and Canadian customs shut down as a result. Among those impacted were Laurie Wilcox, Michelle Plasschaert, and Dennis Hurd, who said the slide effectively blocked their buses when they tried to return to Skagway after preventing their train from getting through. “It came running down the road,” said Hurd, pointing out that their bus driver was really alert.
In an effort of collaboration, cruise line management, port workers, and local officials came up with an innovative plan to get the passengers to safety. The convoy was driven in a 300-mile long trip to Haines, Alaska. This trip lasted six hours. It was implemented by keeping the Dalton Cache-Pleasant Camp border crossing near Haines open so that the passengers could be united with their cruise ships. Leslie Ross, port manager for Cruise Lines Agencies of Alaska, and Haines harbor master Shawn Bell made sure the transit of passengers went smoothly.
But the ordeal did not dampen the spirit of many passengers. Australians Arthur and Sharon Green said it was a “bonus tour.” The Greens, on their first cruise, explained they were dropped off at Carcross and then back because of the bad road. They enjoyed the local residents who prepared food for them until late in the evening. “It was terrific,” said Sharon, reflecting on the ordeal.
The incident in itself poses resilience and adaptability on the part of the travelers and the coordinating teams involved, while the rescue process started with the return of the cruise ships to Haines for passengers. The rockslide was very disruptive but also brought about a display of sharing that took place within the community spirit and cooperation that helped each passenger get back safely aboard their ship to continue on the journey.
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