Nightmare in Alaska: 250 Passengers Left by Cruise Ship

Editorial Summary

In mid-September 2025, passengers aboard the Holland America Line ship New Amsterdam encountered severe weather while traveling from Whittier, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia. After the ship cancelled a scheduled stop in Skagway due to unsafe docking conditions, it diverted to Haines, Alaska. While approximately 250 guests successfully disembarked via tender boats for excursions, a sudden intensification of wind and sea conditions forced the ship's officers to make the difficult decision to pull away from the pier to seek shelter in Ludic Inlet. This maneuver left the disembarked passengers temporarily stranded on shore. Local residents in Haines responded by opening a community center to provide food, warmth, and shelter to the stranded travelers. Onboard the vessel, the remaining passengers faced high winds and heavy waves, though the captain provided regular updates regarding the plan to return for those ashore. Once the storm eased, the New Amsterdam returned to Haines to retrieve the guests. While the storm caused the cancellation of some scenic cruising and delayed the ship's arrival in Vancouver, no injuries or vessel damage were reported. The incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of Alaskan weather and the hospitality of the local community.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.