Dead Fin Whale Discovered on Cruise Ship Bow in Alaska

Terre Haute, IN, September 21, 2026 — A dead fin whale was found on the bow of the cruise ship Norwegian Joy during its voyage in Alaska. The discovery marks the second such incident involving a whale on the front of a cruise vessel in the region this year.

The exact date and specific location within Alaska where the Norwegian Joy encountered the deceased marine mammal were not immediately available. Following the discovery, the vessel’s crew would have had to address the situation, though details regarding the process of removal or subsequent steps were not provided.

This event follows a similar occurrence earlier in the year, highlighting a recurring challenge for maritime operations in Alaskan waters. The prior incident also involved a whale found on the bow of a cruise ship operating in the same region. The name of the other cruise ship and the specifics of that earlier encounter were not detailed in the available information.

Fin whales are among the largest species of whale and are known to inhabit the waters off Alaska. Collisions between marine mammals and vessels can occur, particularly in areas with high maritime traffic and significant whale populations. Further details about the circumstances leading to the whale’s death and its interaction with the Norwegian Joy were not disclosed.

The contractor responsible for the removal of the whale from the ship’s bow was not identified. Similarly, any potential fines or regulatory actions that may have been taken in relation to this incident were not specified. The frequency of these incidents in Alaska underscores potential concerns for marine wildlife interaction with commercial shipping and cruise operations.

Story summarized from the original created by Joey Klecka, Jayce Bertrand, Lars Hanson, Gray News staff on www.wthitv.com, see more information here.

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