With the passing of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, Princess and Holland America announced yesterday Alaska cruises will resume. It could have started in May but with all the US red tape and the push back from the Canadian Government it's now starting July 25th to September 25th.
I am upset at the Canadian federal government! They should have allowed the Alaska cruise ships a short port stop at Canadian ports. They didn't need to let anyone disembark but just dock to fulfil the requirements of the PVA. Ports Canada would have received port fees and they are good revenue!
95% of cruise passengers will have to show proof they have received two vaccines. 5% of the passengers could board if they have a medical condition confirmed with a doctors note. Social distancing will be practiced and many new cleaning practices have been put in place. The cruise lines have been heavily impacted by this virus and have been working with the CDC to allow cruising to safely resume. Alaska has a huge tourism industry and they are anxious to resume their short season.
I heard on a news broadcast, when Canada reopens the ports to large cruise ships, the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act will terminate and future cruises will have to make an international stop. I hope that is right!
From Holland America:
We’re very pleased to let you know that based on recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and positive discussions with government authorities in the United States, we are announcing our plans to restart cruising to Alaska with 10 roundtrip Seattle cruises to Alaska later this summer. Voyages will set sail on Nieuw Amsterdam on Saturday, July 24, 2021 and run through September 25, 2021.
For our shortened Alaska summer season we will be sailing one ship, Nieuw Amsterdam. She will be sailing the 7-Day Alaska Explorer voyages that begin and end on Saturdays.
From Princess Cruises:
There will be 10 departures of our 7-day Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park!) cruise on the Medallion Class-enabled Majestic Princess®. These are roundtrip Sunday departures from Seattle, starting July 25 with the final sailing taking place on September 26. They go on sale 8am PT/11am ET tomorrow – May 21 – pinch me, I must be dreaming!
I'm sure the other cruise lines will be announcing their schedules soon. I'm really happy to hear the Alaska cruises are resuming. There are many people ready to book and Alaska is a gorgeous place to sail to.
