Thousands of Cruisers Impacted as Juneau Tram Extends Closure Indefinitely

Juneau's Goldbelt Tram remains closed indefinitely following an April 30 accident that hospitalized two employees when a tram car entered the base station at excessive speed. The popular shore excursion, which serves hundreds of thousands of Alaska cruise passengers annually, initially targeted a May 24 reopening but company officials announced no firm date until safety certifications are complete. Goldbelt Inc. leadership stated the attraction will reopen before summer's end, with all tram cars undergoing removal from cables for comprehensive repairs, inspections, and recertification. Approximately 85 cruise ship calls scheduled during the closure will receive full refunds for affected guests. The Lower Terminal remains open daily, offering coffee, cultural experiences, and retail shopping at no charge. Repairs address safety concerns without yet revealing the accident's root cause.

Originally reported by Cruise Hive, Catie Kovelman (May 23, 2026).