Since 2011, Disney Cruise Line has introduced families to the breathtaking beauty and spirit of Southeast Alaska while investing in community-led efforts spanning local engagement, environmental conservation, and economic development across the region.
With Alaska cruises traveling the Inside Passage via ports of call in Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Sitka, Disney Cruise Line takes pride in supporting its port communities.
One example is Disney Cruise Line’s sponsorship of Spruce Root’s Path to Prosperity Business Competition, which supports more than 20 community-based groups across Southeast Alaska — reflecting a broader commitment to the region that continues through Disney Cruise Line’s work in economic development, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.
These efforts are being recognized across the industry, as Disney Cruise Line was recently named the highest-ranked cruise line on the Forbes 2026 Best Brands for Social Impact list, which ranks companies based on social stances, sustainability, and community support.
How Disney Cruise Line Supports Alaska Communities
Disney Cruise Line supports youth, families, and local communities across Southeast Alaska through programs focused on food security, cultural connection, and educational opportunities, while also collaborating with organizations that strengthen cultural and community ties.
- Empowering Youth: Disney Cruise Line hosts ship tours for Junior Achievement and workforce readiness sessions for Ketchikan students.
- Developing Young Professionals: Through Alaska Youth Stewards, Disney Cruise Line helps connect youth with professionals in conservation, Tribal government, and natural resources, with a focus on future employment opportunities.
- Celebrating Culture: Disney Cruise Line also collaborates with Alaska Youth Stewards to involve Indigenous youth in community events and intergenerational engagement opportunities with residents of the Ketchikan Pioneer Home.
- Addressing Food Insecurity: Disney Cruise Line’s investments in the Southeast Alaska Food Bank help expand access to resources, including more than 19,000 pounds of food distributed to at-risk youth since 2024.
- Disaster Relief: Disney Cruise Line provided aid for relief efforts following the September 2024 landslide and flooding in Ketchikan by donating blankets, wellness kits, and books to impacted families.
Disney Cruise Line’s Economic Impact in Alaska
Disney Cruise Line contributes to Alaska’s economy by investing in local businesses and fueling jobs tied to cruise operations, tourism, and port activity — many of them Alaska-based, small, or family-run.
Disney Cruise Line Environmental Sustainability in Alaska
Disney Cruise Line helps minimize its environmental impact in Alaska by reducing emissions, conserving resources, and contributing to hands-on conservation efforts. Disney complies with Alaska’s environmental regulations, including wastewater treatment, emissions standards, and responsible wildlife navigation practices.
- Preserving the Environment: Disney Cruise Line works with Alaska Youth Stewards to engage youth in environmental stewardship projects, including trail improvements, planting, debris collection, and salmon habitat monitoring.
- Reducing Emissions: Disney Cruise Line uses ultra-low-sulfur fuel, eliminating the need for scrubbers.
- Eliminating Single-Use Plastics: Disney Cruise Line has eliminated nearly all single-use plastics across its ships, replacing those items with reusable or recyclable alternatives. Fleetwide recycling programs divert an average of more than 2,900 tons of materials annually.
- Protecting Wildlife: Disney Cruise Line has measures in place to help avoid marine life, including complying with local regulations and voluntary ship speed reductions. Before each Alaska season, captains and first officers complete refresher training and voluntarily report humpback whale sightings to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
From supporting Southeast Alaska communities and local businesses to advancing conservation, environmental sustainability, and responsible tourism, Disney Cruise Line’s Alaska sailings reflect an ongoing commitment to creating a positive impact in the port communities it visits.
To learn more about all that Disney Cruise Line does to support its port communities, go to disneyexperiences.com/cruise-line-community