Government of Canada announces one-year ban for pleasure craft and cruise vessels

[Canadian Girl]

The Canadian government and some of the provinces are providing financial relief for many businesses. Not sure about seasonal tourism but possibly.

 

[Chemist]

The Canadian government and some of the provinces are providing financial relief for many businesses. Not sure about seasonal tourism but possibly.

Unfortunately the US does not have the social safety net that Canada has.

(I don't have a problem with the decision, I'm just saying that American's have a different perspective.)

 

[DCLMP]

Unfortunately the US does not have the social safety net that Canada has.

(I don't have a problem with the decision, I'm just saying that American's have a different perspective.)

We also have 10 times the population.

 

[otten]

Unfortunately the US does not have the social safety net that Canada has.

(I don't have a problem with the decision, I'm just saying that American's have a different perspective.)

No question, it is awful for the tourism dependent businesses, especially in Alaska. The BC ones are getting some government help and also potentially have hope for more local tourism in the summer (assuming local travel restrictions can be lifted by then which I am really crossing my fingers for).

Without a doubt it sucks but especially after what happened to our numbers here last summer it’s necessary. I do hope relief will be provided for the Alaska tourism industry.

 

[brentm77]

Not too surprising. Unfortunately, Canada is in very bad shape when it comes to the vaccine rollout compared to other countries of similar wealth. I have seen the blame laid on the U.S. for not sharing its vaccine supply, but in any case, their recovery may be a bit behind other countries. I suspect we will see cruises in the Caribbean before stops in Canada.

Frankly, its time to change U.S. laws so Alaska cruises can proceed without stops in Canada, or any foreign ports for that matter. It would make opening cruising sooner both easier and safer until the pandemic passes. Unfortunately, its wishful thinking and it won't happen.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I had to cancel an excursion I had with a company in Skagway for this May. She told me that most port businesses will survive until 2022, but if cruise ships don’t return in 2022, most will be go out of business. We are considering just traveling to Alaska by plane and giving up on cruising for 2022. We have already done a cruise there, and I want to support Alaska tourism.

I think it's a great idea. And you'll have the port towns pretty much to yourself instead of them being mobbed with tourists. Of course, some businesses and restaurants might not be open. If we lived on the West Coast and my boys were a bit older, I might have been tempted to try Denali this year, post vaccines for my family.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

I wonder what will happen to my placeholder that I was using in my Alaska cruise it expires in August 2021. Also I shudder to think what the cost of 2022 will be and how hard will it be to get a stateroom that you want

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I keep seeing people say they should just get rid of the foreign stop requirement but wouldn’t the ships still have to go through Canadian waters to move from say Seattle to Alaska?

 

[Garyjames220]

How long will it take DCL to cancel the 2021 Alaska cruises?

easy way to get a 25 percent credit if your wanting that

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I wonder what will happen to my placeholder that I was using in my Alaska cruise it expires in August 2021. Also I shudder to think what the cost of 2022 will be and how hard will it be to get a stateroom that you want

I believe that all OBB/placeholder bookings have been extended to May 2022.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I keep seeing people say they should just get rid of the foreign stop requirement but wouldn’t the ships still have to go through Canadian waters to move from say Seattle to Alaska?

Yep. Especially to do 7 night trips, which is the limit allowed by the CDC for a ship that clears RTS for US port stops.

 

[MillauFr]

The PVSA can only be suspended for national defense interest.

This is the United States. The rich and powerful can get any law changed if they contribute enough resources to the cause.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is the United States. The rich and powerful can get any law changed if they contribute enough resources to the cause.

It's never happened yet. It's been tried before. And Biden has already stated that he's not going to waiver the Jones Act.

 

[brentm77]

I keep seeing people say they should just get rid of the foreign stop requirement but wouldn’t the ships still have to go through Canadian waters to move from say Seattle to Alaska?

I honestly didn't know that. I haven't really looked at a map, but assumed they could just sail further out in the ocean to avoid Canadian waters. Why is that not an option? Learned something new today.

 

[mevelandry]

Not too surprising. Unfortunately, Canada is in very bad shape when it comes to the vaccine rollout compared to other countries of similar wealth. I have seen the blame laid on the U.S. for not sharing its vaccine supply, but in any case, their recovery may be a bit behind other countries. I suspect we will see cruises in the Caribbean before stops in Canada.

Frankly, its time to change U.S. laws so Alaska cruises can proceed without stops in Canada, or any foreign ports for that matter. It would make opening cruising sooner both easier and safer until the pandemic passes. Unfortunately, its wishful thinking and it won't happen.

Oh no, trust me the blame is put 100% on Justin.

But yes, the very slow vaccine roll out must definitely have an impact on this decision.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I honestly didn't know that. I haven't really looked at a map, but assumed they could just sail further out in the ocean to avoid Canadian waters. Why is that not an option? Learned something new today.

The biggest issue is the waters outside the inside passage (out in the big, wide ocean) can be quite rough. That's one reason that most of the cruises utilize the inside passage for Alaska cruises.

 

[Carolynleanne]

We're going to take the refund and bow it. We've had three cancelled sailings now and at this point, I'd rather just have the cash in my pocket and rebook a trip when things open it

 

[Intr3pid]

I honestly didn't know that. I haven't really looked at a map, but assumed they could just sail further out in the ocean to avoid Canadian waters. Why is that not an option? Learned something new today.

It will add at least one extra day of sailing into and one out of the Alaskan panhandle - not feasible for a 7-night cruise from Seattle.

Probably doable from Anchorage - but the question remains, is it really worth going through this hassle for just a few risky months during a pandemic year? A stimulus package for the Alaskan tourism industry is a safer bet.

 

[insureman]

The PVSA can only be suspended for national defense interest.

Congress can repeal it.

 

[brentm77]

Oh no, trust me the blame is put 100% on Justin.

But yes, the very slow vaccine roll out must definitely have an impact on this decision.

It is sad to see after what many would consider a quick and full response to the pandemic until now. I hope it gets better quickly. I am kind of surprised to see the US starting to get its vaccine game together after a bit of a bad start.