Holland America Line's Oosterdam

Holland America Line's Oosterdam (wikipedia / September 27, 2012)

By The Associated Press Russell Stigall, Juneau Empire AP

2:01 p.m. AKDT, September 27, 2012
JUNEAU, Alaska—
Juneau's cruise ship season has ended and the city is tallying the economic benefits.
   
The Juneau Empire (http://bit.ly/SnzzB2) reports Holland America Line's Oosterdam departed Wednesday carrying the last of about 920,000 visitors.
   
A cruise industry study by Juneau-based McDowell Group estimates average passenger spending at $200. That would mean an economic effect in Juneau of more than $180 million over the summer.
   
Juneau port director Cary Uchytil says it also would account for a quarter of all sales tax collected in the city.
   
He says about 2,700 workers have jobs tied to cruise ships.