If a proposed deal goes through, the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway will be in the hands of Carnival Corp. & plc, the owners of the Holland America Princess Alaska Tours cruise ships.

Holland America cruise ships are a regular feature at the Skagway docks throughout the summer months.

The purchase, set to close July 31 subject to closing conditions, was announced Wednesday.

No selling price was disclosed.

Along with that deal, it was announced that Holland America has also signed off an a memorandum of understanding (also subject to review and approval) with Survey Point Holdings Inc. of Ketchikan, Alaska and its affiliated companies.

The MOU will create a joint venture that will make Survey Point the managing partner of the White Pass port, railway and retail operations that Carnival is purchasing from current White Pass owner TWC Enterprises.

“As part of the new MOU and joint venture, the partners plan to make investments in the business, which will enable continued economic development and job growth in Skagway and the surrounding region, making a positive impact on the local economy and further benefiting the Alaska tourism industry,” it was highlighted in the announcement.

“These investments will include support for expansion of docking facilities to accommodate the newest generation of cruise ships, a key to the port’s long-term success.”

The agreement will see Survey Point continue to manage White Pass’ day-to-day terminal operations and customer relations.

The 118-year-old railway runs summer excursions out of Skagway carrying scores of thousands of passengers per year.

Regular freight and passenger service to Whitehorse ended in the fall of 1982, after the simultaneous closures of several Yukon mines left the railway with no concentrates to haul from Whitehorse to Skagway.

There have been occasional forays as far as Carcross, including for the celebrations of the railway’s 100th birthday in the summer of 2000.

Survey Point has been part of the operations in Skagway for more than 40 years.

“As the gateway to the legendary Klondike Gold Rush region, Skagway is beloved by our guests and crew for its warm hospitality and distinctively Alaskan array of sightseeing and recreational activities,” said Stein Kruse, the group CEO of Carnival Corp. & plc’s Holland America Group and Carnival UK.

“We are delighted that the Skagway port will continue to be locally owned and independently operated by an Alaskan company.

“Along with Survey Point, we have a long and valued history in Alaska, and remain very committed to the continued development and success of the entire region as one our most popular destinations.”

The agreement states the Survey Point, and its affiliate P3 Group and Rail Management Services will have a majority stake in the joint venture, with Carnival retaining a minority position in the enterprise.

It was pointed out the Carnival cruise lines operate 103 ships that visit more than 700 ports around the world.

Another 18 new ships are expected to be added to the cruise line between 2018 and 2023.

Roger Frizzell, the chief communications officer for Carnival, noted in an email response to the Star today that “we will maintain business as usual at the Skagway port and railway operations.

“We look forward to working with the White Pass year-round and summer season employees, who have so warmly welcomed and supported our cruise guests year after year.

“We look forward to investing in the port with future enhancements, but at this point, it is a little too early to provide further details. We’ll be providing updates in the future.”

Frizzell went on to note that as part of the agreements, the company plans to “make investments in the business, which will enable continued economic development and job growth in Skagway and the surrounding region, making a positive impact on the local economy and further benefiting the Alaska tourism industry.

“These investments will include support for expansion of docking facilities to accommodate the newest generation of cruise ships, which will be a key to the port’s long-term success as interest in Alaska continues to grow and more of our guests want to experience this incredible destination.”

Highlighting the importance of Skagway as a port for the Alaska cruises and the long-standing history of having the ships visit the Klondike, the statement noted Carnival has a big interest in maintaining and enhancing the attractiveness of Skagway as a destination.

“Our Alaska cruises always generate high passenger satisfaction ratings, and we’re excited about being able to maintain and enhance the Skagway port to make sure our guests continue to fully enjoy their visits to Skagway and the region,” it was noted.