Celebrity Millennium docked in Ketchikan 7/25/21. Photo by Eric Stone/KRBD.

At least one passenger aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Southeast Alaska has tested positive for COVID-19. The unidentified guest onboard the Celebrity Millennium cruise ship, which is due to dock in Skagway on Tuesday morning, was reportedly fully vaccinated but came down with symptoms nonetheless. Officials in Juneau say preparations are being made to medevac the infected passenger out of the region.

Officials said Monday that so far only one person out of the approximately 1,300 passengers on board the Celebrity Millennium has tested positive for COVID-19. All other members of the group that were traveling together have tested negative for the virus.

Royal Caribbean said in a written statement that health officials on board “immediately began contact tracing to identify any guests or crew members who have been in contact with these individuals. All close contacts were isolated and subsequently re-tested negative.”

The ship is on schedule to dock in Skagway on Tuesday.

Skagway Mayor Andrew Cremata believes the COVID protocols are working.

“The Millennium was able to take immediate action with the problem, they identified the problem and they’ve been able to quarantine it. So you know, that’s what we should expect,” said Cremata.

The municipality of Skagway is still under a resolution suggesting mask use for anyone that works in a business accessible to the public. Cremata says it’s a worthwhile precaution.

“It’s a good reminder and a good wake-up call for everyone in Skagway especially people who are forward-facing with the tourism industry to take precautions to protect their own health. Even if you’ve been vaccinated. It’s a good idea to wear that mask,” said Cremata.

The Millennium left Seattle on Friday, July 23, and arrived in Ketchikan on Sunday. After a day in port, the ship sailed to Juneau and docked in the capital city on Monday afternoon. The infected passenger reportedly did not leave the ship in either port.

Industry voices say the protocols are working as designed. Brian Salerno from Cruise Lines International Agency says precautions are being taken on board to keep the virus from spreading.

“There’s quite a bit of protection on the ships themselves. Health and safety measures, that, you know, all contribute in a very layered defensive way, you know, to keep the virus off the ship, and certainly isolating anybody if they do become symptomatic. And doing that very swiftly, so that it doesn’t spread,” said Salerno.

The Millenium will be the first large cruise ship to visit Skagway in nearly two years. 

Civic leaders including representatives from the municipality, the Skagway Traditional Council, and local businesses all plan on meeting the ship at 8 a.m. Tuesday on the Railroad Dock in Skagway. Speeches will be made, gifts will be presented and music will be played by Skagway guitarist Steve Hites.