Canada's Cruise prohibition for 2021 causing much discontent in Alaska

Alaska's cruise industry is hoping that the involvement of their
three top political officials in Washington will help towards
addressing recent Canadian measures that will have an impact
on their 2021 cruise ship season plans

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may soon be getting a phone call from his new best pal in Washington, as Alaska communities and politicians at all levels begin to realize the impact that a Canadian Cruise ship ban for this year will have on their own cruise industry.

As we outlined earlier this month, newly installed Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced that vessels  carrying more than 100 passengers would be prohibited from Canadian waters until February 28, 2022, a situation which began ringing the alarm bells in Juneau, with a good portion of the state's cruise traffic coming from a starting point of Vancouver.

The Airport director for Alaska's largest airport at Anchorage Jim Szczesniak, outlined the disappointment from Alaska's largest city, as well as a suggestion for cruise passengers still hoping to get a summer cruise vacation in.

“We are extremely disappointed in Canada’s decision to restrict cruise ships this summer. However, Alaska is more than just a cruise destination. For this summer, Alaska is forecast to be one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. ANC, and our sister airport FAI, provide access to the wonders of Alaska.

“If Canada doesn’t want you—fly over Vancouver—Alaska will be more than happy to welcome you. And, travelers seeking to visit Southeast Alaska can take advantage of ANC’s non-stop flights to Southeast. Juneau, Ketchikan, and Glacier Bay National Park are just a short flight away"

Their full statement can be reviewed here.

Beyond the loss of the Vancouver gateway for departures to Alaska, Key to the percolating dispute, is the current requirement that vessels transiting from the lower 48 to Alaska must put in a stop at a Canadian port, some of those vessels are the ones that call on Prince Rupert during the course of a normal cruise season.

Having seen the 2020 Cruise season evaporate and with many countries following Canada's lead in barring the vessels from port last year, the industry is hoping that a combination of their own COVID plans and a desire for other countries to try and rebuild their tourism sector will deliver a way to return to the waters this year.

Large lines such as Norwegian Cruise Lines continue to offer up what they have to offer in the Alaska theatre as they consider how they will try to launch the 2021 cruise season

The Cruise lines are hoping to find a work around the provisions, or some progress in the COVID response towards the summer that could see the Canadian orders rescinded. 

And they have some powerful allies in Washington, with U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, released the following statement, expressing their concern over being somewhat blindsided by the Canadian announcement. 

“As the state with the most extensive shared border with Canada, the Alaska Delegation has worked in good-faith to seek compromise over border crossing restrictions due to COVID-19, keeping in mind the health and safety of Alaskans and Canadians. Canada’s announcement to ban all cruise sailings carrying 100 people or more traveling through Canadian waters, without so much as a courtesy conversation with the Alaska Delegation, is not only unexpected—it is unacceptable—and was certainly not a decision made with any consideration for Alaskans or our economy. We expect more from our Canadian allies. Upon hearing the announcement, we immediately reached out to Canadian and American agencies to try to understand the rationale behind this decision—particularly the duration of the ban. We are exploring all potential avenues, including changing existing laws, to ensure the cruise industry in Alaska resumes operations as soon as it is safe. We will fight to find a path forward.” 

The prospect of the Canadian government opening British Columbia ports seems unlikely at this time, though exploring some of the other solutions offered up by the Alaska delegation probably will get some attention from the Federal officials in Ottawa if requested.

That is providing that new administration in Washington feels that their COVID response will be such that a return to such travel options as cruises to Alaska will fit into their plans for this summer and beyond.

So far, there has been little heard in the way of reaction in this province as to how the Cruise ship ban will impact on British Columbia tourism and that of Prince Rupert.

For more notes on the Cruise industry see our archive page here.