Major cruise lines that operate in Alaska have banded in the hope of fostering better relations with the Alaskans in the ports they visit. The Alaska Cruise Association will involve itself with adapting cruise industry practices to better align with what Alaska communities want. John Binkley, a former state senator and current member of the Alaska Railroad Corp, will head the association. "The cruise lines themselves have realized they need better representation in Alaska," he said. The cruise industry suffered a blow in August when Alaska voters imposed new cruise measures, including a $50 head tax. Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International, sees the new venture as a necessity of the cruise lines evolution in Alaska. While several cruise lines operate in Alaska, Binkley said none have tried to forge a relationship between communities and the industry. "I think this is an effort to do that," he said.
