A fire broke out at the north cruise ship terminal in Whittier, Alaska, on Monday, September 14, 2026, around 11 a.m., spreading from the dock to damage the Klondike Express, a 137-foot high-speed catamaran operated by Phillips Cruises & Tours.
The Klondike Express was moored unoccupied and not powered when the fire started. Casey Neumann, managing partner at Phillips Cruises & Tours, confirmed the vessel sustained significant damage and that the company towed it away from the dock, with plans to repair it for the next season.
Firefighting Challenges and Response
Firefighting efforts were hindered by a lack of functional hydrants at the dock.
Firefighters established a water shuttle using water tenders that made repeated 10-minute loops between the fire scene and a working hydrant in Whittier to maintain the water supply.
Authorities estimate that about 161,000 gallons of water were used in combating the fire. The Anchorage Fire Department, Girdwood Fire and Rescue, Moose Pass, Bear Creek, Cooper Landing, and Whittier Fire Department participated in the response, which was coordinated across land and water.
Whittier city officials noted the collaboration involved firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, marine responders, dispatch centers, and state and federal partners. The Alaska Department of Public Safety Fire
Marshal’s Office is currently overseeing the ongoing investigation.
Operational Impacts and Event Changes
The emergency response led to a temporary closure of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the sole road access to Whittier. Nearby, the Norwegian Jade cruise ship, docked during the incident, was not involved in the fire and departed safely.
The planned commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens, originally scheduled for early October at the Whittier cruise ship terminal, has been moved to the Princess Cruises terminal but will proceed on October 3, 2026, as planned.
Ongoing Investigation and Infrastructure Details
The new $80 million cruise ship dock, built by Huna Totem Corp. in partnership with Norwegian Cruise
Line, opened in September 2025 and hosted multiple sailings this year. The official cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Alaska Department of Public Safety Fire Marshal’s Office.
Whittier city manager Jackie Wilde referred inquiries about the hydrant shortage to the state Fire Marshal following firefighting challenges noted by the Anchorage Fire Department on social media.
Travel and Cruise Operations Post-Incident
No injuries were reported from the fire, and cruise operations nearby continued with minimal disruption. With the Alaska cruise season winding down and few remaining sailings this month, Phillips Cruises & Tours is focused on repairing the Klondike Express for future use.
The coordinated multi-agency response and altered logistics reflect operational challenges at Alaska cruise terminals, with the investigation ongoing to determine the fire’s cause and any further impact on terminal operations.
