Allen Marine

What Allen Marine does

Allen Marine Tours, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned, and Alaska Native-operated marine tourism company headquartered in Sitka, Alaska, founded in 1970 by Bob and Betty Allen and now in its third generation of family ownership under Jamey Cagle. The company designs and constructs its own fleet of 30+ waterjet-powered custom catamaran vessels at an in-house shipyard in Sitka, a vertical integration that provides direct control over vessel quality, configuration, and cost. Operationally, Allen Marine is the largest day-cruise company in Alaska, running wildlife viewing, whale watching, glacier exploration, and combination tours from three primary ports (Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka) covering destinations including Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness Area, Hubbard Glacier, and Mendenhall Glacier, supplemented by two exclusive private island lodge venues (Orca Point Lodge in Juneau and Fin Island Lodge in Sitka) used for culinary, wedding, and corporate event experiences.

The business model is multi-stream and largely B2B2C in nature. The dominant revenue stream is shore excursion tours sold primarily through the booking platforms of 12 major cruise lines (Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Disney, and Crystal), making the company a preferred Alaska shore excursion partner. Secondary streams include direct-to-consumer bookings via TrueAlaskanTours.com for independent travelers, custom private vessel charters for events, lodge venue rentals, and onboard retail/F&B (galley gift shops, beer, wine, cocktails, and souvenirs). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; tours are quote-based and bundled through cruise line programs or the direct booking site.

Distribution is channel-partner driven, with cruise lines acting as the primary demand source, complemented by the company's own e-commerce booking platform, the Allen Marine Store (shopallenmarine.com) for merchandise, and direct sales for private charters. Marketing is executed through cruise line portals, organic social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), and content marketing on the company website. The business has earned multi-year Shore Excursion of the Year recognition (Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest) and is Alaska Green Certified, Whale SENSE affiliated, and a member of AIANTA, supporting both regulatory standing and ESG positioning in a tourism market where cruise line procurement decisions increasingly weigh sustainability credentials.

Name

Allen Marine

Legal name

Allen Marine Tours, Inc.

Website

https://allenmarinetours.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Allen Marine Tours, Inc. is a family-owned, Alaska Native-operated marine tourism company in Sitka, Alaska, operating 30+ custom-built waterjet catamarans across Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka to provide wildlife cruises, glacier tours, and lodge experiences primarily to cruise ship passengers via 12 major cruise line partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Excursion and Tour Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Whale Watching & Marine Mammal Tours (THAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Sailing, Catamaran & Day-Cruise Excursions (nature-focused) (THAAAIAG), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA), Private Charters & Yacht Experiences (Crewed, Bareboat, Day Charters) (THAJAJAB)

Keywords

• Alaska tour services
• Wildlife viewing tours
• Whale watching excursions
• Glacier cruise tours
• Custom vessel charters

Headquarters

HQ city

Sitka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Shore Excursion Tours: Ticket sales for guided wildlife watching, glacier viewing, and cultural tours primarily booked through cruise line shore excursion programs or direct via TrueAlaskanTours.com
2. Private Vessel Charters: Custom Alaska vessel charters for private events, weddings, corporate gatherings with personalized itineraries and in-house catering available
3. Lodge Venue Rentals: Revenue from hosting events at private island lodges including Orca Point Lodge (Juneau, 145 max capacity) and Fin Island Lodge (Sitka, 65 max capacity)
4. Onboard Retail and F&B: Onboard galley gift shops, beer, wine, cocktails, snacks, and Alaskan souvenirs available for purchase during tours

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Allen Marine Tours operates a fleet of over 30 custom-built, waterjet-powered catamaran vessels from its Sitka shipyard to deliver wildlife viewing, whale watching, glacier exploration, and cultural excursion services across Southeast Alaska (Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm, and Hubbard Glacier). The company also offers private vessel charters and exclusive private island lodge venue rentals (Orca Point Lodge and Fin Island Lodge) for events and corporate gatherings. Bookings are made primarily through major cruise line shore excursion programs and through TrueAlaskanTours.com for independent travelers.

Product overview

Allen Marine Tours operates a fleet of over 30 custom-built vessels from Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka as a family-owned and Alaska Native-operated tour company founded in 1970. The core offering consists of wildlife viewing and whale watching tours aboard high-performance waterjet-powered catamarans built in their Sitka shipyard, supplemented by combination tours that pair cruises with visits to Mendenhall Glacier, Orca Point Lodge, Fin Island Lodge, and glacier wilderness areas. The product portfolio includes individual whale watching tours, glacier exploration expeditions, culinary dining experiences, cultural wildlife combos, waterfront shuttles, and private vessel charters with catering and lodge venue rentals. All tours feature custom-built Alaska vessels with heated cabins, panoramic windows, and outdoor viewing decks, operated by expert naturalist guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Orca Point Lodge: Private island lodge destination in Juneau offering coastal dining with indoor/outdoor seating, firepit, and fresh Alaskan cuisine
• Fin Island Lodge

Products and services

• Whale Watching & Wildlife Quest
• Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest Combination tour featuring motorcoach transfer to Mendenhall Glacier followed by 3-hour whale watching cruise, exploring the glacier's Visitor Center, Nugget Falls, and prime whale habitat.
• Alaska Culinary Experience & Evening Whale Quest Evening whale watching cruise featuring Alaska-themed appetizers, snacks, and hot beverages, with expert naturalist narration on wildlife and regional history.
• Alaska Island Dining at Orca Point Lodge & Whale Quest Whale watching cruise combined with dining at Orca Point Lodge on Colt Island, featuring surf and turf meals, beach exploration, and marine life observation tank.
• Best of Juneau: Whale Quest, Orca Point Lodge & Mendenhall Glacier Full-day combination tour including Mendenhall Glacier visit, Orca Point Lodge dining with Alaskan surf and turf, and whale watching cruise.
• Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness Area & Glacier Explorer Full-day glacier exploration of Endicott Arm Fjord within the Tracy Arm–Fords Terror Wilderness Area, featuring Dawes Glacier, floating icebergs, and wildlife including bald eagles, harbor seals, and mountain goats.
• Misty Fjords National Monument & Wilderness Exploration Scenic cruise through Misty Fjords National Monument from Ketchikan, featuring towering granite cliffs, Rudyerd Bay, New Eddystone Rock, and wildlife viewing.
• Waterfront and Wildlife Cruise 2-hour relaxed cruise departing from downtown Ketchikan, exploring the historic waterfront, Metlakatla Indian Reserve, and wildlife habitat with views of Saxman Native Village totems.
• Wildlife Safari & Beach Campfire Expedition vessel cruise with wildlife viewing followed by beach campfire on Annette Island, featuring Tsimshian Native hosts, old-growth rainforest walks, and authentic Alaskan beach cuisine.
• Waterfront Shuttle: Ward Cove to Downtown Ketchikan One-way water transportation from Ward Cove to Downtown Ketchikan with locally ground coffee and light snacks, bypassing traditional bus shuttle lines.
• Waterfront Shuttle: Downtown Ketchikan to Ward Cove One-way water shuttle return from downtown Ketchikan to Ward Cove with included Alaskan beer or wine and scenic waterfront views.
• Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest Award-winning wildlife cruise in Sitka Sound with high success rate for spotting sea otters, whales, sea lions, harbor seals, brown bears, puffins, and bald eagles from Alaska-built expedition vessels.
• Coastal Expedition Vessel & Fin Island Lodge Open-air inflatable expedition vessel tour exploring shallow rainforest island waters followed by gourmet feast at Fin Island Lodge featuring Alaska crab, wild salmon, and prime rib.
• Wildlife Quest & Fin Island Lodge Wildlife cruise searching for sea otters, whales, and brown bears combined with island dining experience at Fin Island Lodge featuring Alaska crab, alder-grilled wild salmon, and prime rib.
• Best of Sitka: Otters, Raptors, & Bears...Oh My! Combo tour featuring Sea Otter & Wildlife Quest cruise, Alaska Raptor Center visit, and Fortress of the Bear sanctuary for orphaned Alaskan brown and black bears.
• Custom Alaska Vessel Charters Private vessel charters for events in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka with flexible itineraries, customizable catering, and purpose-built vessels for whale watching, glacier cruises, and corporate events.
• Orca Point Lodge (Venue Rental) Private island venue in Juneau with rustic coastal setting, indoor/outdoor seating, firepit, and fresh Alaskan cuisine; accommodates up to 145 guests for events and charters.
• Fin Island Lodge (Venue Rental) Private island lodge in Sitka offering beach access, scenic grounds, cozy beach fire with s'mores, and gourmet meals featuring Alaska crab and wild salmon; accommodates up to 65 guests for events and charters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Largest day-cruise company in Alaska with 30+ vessels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carnival Cruise LinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine provides shore excursions for Carnival cruise passengers visiting Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. Tours are booked through Carnival's shore excursion portal.
• Holland America LinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine is a preferred shore excursion provider for Holland America Line, offering wildlife tours, glacier excursions, and cultural experiences at Alaska ports.
• Princess CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine provides shore excursion tours for Princess Cruises passengers at Alaska ports.
• Celebrity Cruise LinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine offers shore excursions for Celebrity Cruise Lines passengers visiting Southeast Alaska destinations.
• Royal Caribbean Cruise LinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine provides shore excursion tours for Royal Caribbean passengers at Alaska ports.
• Norwegian Cruise LinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine is a shore excursion partner for Norwegian Cruise Lines in Alaska.
• Seabourn CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine provides luxury shore excursions for Seabourn's ultra-luxury cruise passengers.
• Silversea CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine offers premium shore excursions for Silversea's luxury cruise passengers.
• Regent Seven Seas CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine provides shore excursion tours for Regent Seven Seas passengers in Alaska.
• Oceania CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine offers shore excursions for Oceania Cruises passengers visiting Southeast Alaska.
• Disney Cruise LinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine provides shore excursion tours for Disney Cruise Line passengers in Alaska.
• Crystal CruisescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine offers shore excursion tours for Crystal Cruises passengers in Alaska.
• Adventure Green Alaska (AGA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGA acknowledges and promotes exemplary tourism businesses in Alaska committed to economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability. Allen Marine has achieved Alaska Green Certified status.
• Alaska Carbon Reduction FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllen Marine partners with the Juneau non-profit Renewable Juneau's Alaska Carbon Reduction Fund, enabling guests to offset their carbon footprint by contributing $2 when making onboard galley purchases.
• Whale SENSE (NOAA/Whale and Dolphin Conservation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllen Marine Tours adheres to all guidelines put forward by Whale SENSE, a voluntary program sponsored by NOAA and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation for responsible whale watching practices.
• Tourism Best Management Practices (TBMP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllen Marine Tours adheres to all TBMP guidelines including operational standards and whale watching guidelines to minimize tourism impact in Juneau.
• Juneau CompostsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllen Marine Tours partners with Juneau Composts by incorporating compostable plateware on all culinary excursions in Juneau, supporting local composting efforts.
• Juneau GreensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllen Marine Tours partners with Juneau Greens to showcase locally grown, year-round, pesticide-free hydroponic basil and greens at Orca Point Lodge and during Evening Whale Quest.
• AIANTA (American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIANTA supports and empowers Native American communities in tourism. Allen Marine, as an Alaska Native-owned company, participates in efforts to promote authentic Native destinations.
• Alaska Raptor CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine includes visits to the Alaska Raptor Center as part of their Best of Sitka combo tour, showcasing world-class raptor rehabilitation facilities.
• Fortress of the BearminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllen Marine includes visits to Fortress of the Bear sanctuary as part of their Best of Sitka combo tour, offering guests educational bear conservation experiences.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Major Marine Tours: Kenai Fjords-based day-cruise operator offering wildlife and glacier tours from Seward, Alaska, with a custom-built catamaran fleet. Closest direct competitor to Allen Marine in the Alaska day-cruise excursion market.
• Kenai Fjords Tours: Seward-based operator of wildlife and glacier cruises in Kenai Fjords National Park. Comparable offering in terms of vessel-based wildlife viewing tours sold to cruise passengers and independent travelers.
• UnCruise Adventures: Small-ship Alaska adventure cruise operator offering intimate wildlife and glacier itineraries in Southeast Alaska. Comparable vessel-based wildlife experience model targeting a similar Inside Passage geography.
• Gastineau Guiding Co. Juneau-based Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching tour operator with custom 6-passenger jet boat and catamaran vessels. Competes head-to-head in Juneau excursion channels.
• Phillips Cruises and Tours: Juneau-based operator of 26 Glacier cruise and whale watching tours using the St. Theresa. Direct competitor in Juneau's whale watching and glacier excursion segment.

Broad incumbents

• Princess Cruises: Long-established Alaska cruise operator that distributes Allen Marine shore excursions and also operates its own private lodges (e.g., Denali, McKinley). Acts as both a key channel partner and adjacent competitor in Alaska tourism.
• Lindblad Expeditions: National Geographic-affiliated expedition cruise operator offering Alaska small-ship itineraries. Broader portfolio across global expedition cruising, but overlaps directly in Southeast Alaska wildlife/glacier experiences.
• Holland America Line: Major Alaska cruise line that distributes Allen Marine excursions through its shore excursion portal. Significant channel partner as well as indirect competitor via its own shipboard programming and private island stops.

Regional players

• Sitka Sound Ocean Adventures: Sitka-based small operator running wildlife and whale watching tours in Sitka Sound. Direct competitor in Allen Marine's home port, but with a smaller vessel fleet and limited cruise line distribution.

Others

• Adventure Green Alaska: Alaska-based sustainability certification body for tourism operators, of which Allen Marine is a certified participant. Adjacent ecosystem player rather than a competitor, relevant for ESG positioning and peer benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AllenMarineTours
• Facebookfacebook.com/AllenMarineTours
• Instagraminstagram.com/allenmarinetoursak
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/allen-marine

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Allen Marine