Selling Groups, family and Adventure Travel. U.S. lawmakers are looking for a way to save the Alaska cruise season. Only on June 8 will the first large cruise ship sail into the port. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. .css-18jw8gc{-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;-ms-appearance:none;appearance:none;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-user-select:none;-moz-user-select:none;-ms-user-select:none;user-select:none;position:relative;white-space:nowrap;vertical-align:middle;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;line-height:1.2;border-radius:var(--chakra-radii-md);transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-normal);height:auto;min-width:var(--chakra-sizes-10);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);background:none;border:0;color:black;display:inline;margin:0px;padding:0!important;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-Roboto);font-weight:500;padding-top:0.625rem;padding-bottom:0.625rem;-webkit-padding-start:1rem;padding-inline-start:1rem;-webkit-padding-end:1rem;padding-inline-end:1rem;}.css-18jw8gc:focus-visible,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-18jw8gc:disabled,.css-18jw8gc[disabled],.css-18jw8gc[aria-disabled=true],.css-18jw8gc[data-disabled]{opacity:0.4;cursor:not-allowed;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}.css-18jw8gc:active,.css-18jw8gc[data-active]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:hover,.css-18jw8gc[data-hover]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);background:none;}.css-18jw8gc:focus,.css-18jw8gc[data-focus]{border:var(--chakra-borders-none);outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-none);}Cookie Consent. After two years without any cruise ships visiting the city, Saint John in New Brunswick announced that cruises would be returning to its shores at the start of May 2022. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Co-owner Maureen Gordon met with Cruise Critic for a walk around the harbor, where its three ships -- historic sailing vessel Maple Leaf, restored tugboat Swell and modern catamaran Cascadia -- are all in winter layup. Alaska senators are working to get the state's cruise season off the ground with new legislation following Canada's cruise ship ban. Most cruise ships affected by the current restrictions are foreign-flagged vessels. The bill outlines a temporary Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) workaround, allowing sailings between Alaska and Washington states to be categorized as foreign voyages. "And I was kind of surprised, and I asked her why. "Cruises in most cases [are]never a large revenue earner for a portit's about the economic benefit that goes into the community and it's about the support industries," he said. Anna Poustie heads up the Victoria Cruise Ship Industry Alliance -- a group of industry leaders, retail businesses and tour operators throughout the Greater Victoria area, and says confidence is growing among all stakeholders that the 2022 cruise season in Canada will go ahead as planned. Canada is now ready to welcome cruise ships safely back to our waters. And businesses and operators are beginning to hire staff for the upcoming season. Sens. In the letter, the Committee said that while the focus should be on protecting the public health and safety of citizens it should, at the same time, be on providing opportunities for economic recovery.. Still, a smattering of guests -- mostly locals -- held court in the Q Bar throughout our stay. But with the first ship due to arrive in Canadian waters April 6, when Caribbean Princess visits Victoria, British Columbia, prior to a stint in drydock -- the lack of clarity around testing measures and who will exactly be allowed to sail -- particularly as lines begin to relax protocols around U.S. departures -- still leaves those set to depart from popular Canadian ports like Vancouver in limbo. Will cruises to Canada happen in time for the 2022 Canada and New England and Alaska cruise seasons? Every cruise line calling on Victoria offers passengers the chance to experience the grandeur of tea at the Fairmont Empress hotel, the city's most recognizable landmark and one of the former Canadian Pacific Railway hotels built at the turn of the last century. We know they understand.". Halifax -- along with St. John, New Brunswick; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; St. John's, Newfoundland, and the Quebec ports of call of Montreal and Quebec City are among the most popular destinations for cruise ships calling on Eastern Canada. CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. The Government of Canadas plan to restart cruising for the 2022 season should help to reduce the risk of this occurring. Government action here and abroad has played a key role in the decimation of our industry, the most recent example being the Canadian governments announcement that it is closing its ports to cruise ships through early 2022, Kerby said. Now the cruise ban in Canada has been lifted, these cruises can finally occur again. And, like passengers on cruise ships, guests at the Empress are there to have a good time: one couple even bought the elaborate "Last Train to Paris" cocktail -- an exclusive libation served with gold-dusted macaroons and strawberries that comes with an astonishing $399 price tag. However, Heald used the strongest language yet to indicate the line was prepared to cruise to Alaska -- with or without Canada. Alghabra, meanwhile, announced $7 million in federal funding to help build a new $15-million marine container examination facility within the Port of Halifax. While a question mark still exists around the big-ship lines, Canadian small ship operators already have the green-light to set sail again in 2022. We also value the cruise industry and the economic contribution it makes to Canada," said Transport Canada spokeswoman Sau Sau Liu. The cruise industry has worked hard to meet important health standards in order to ensure the safety of their passengers and crews and the communities they visit. The hotel has seen, for the first time in recent memory, a colossal shift in demographic. New itineraries offered by lines like Viking on its new expedition ships are also beginning to offer Great Lakes cruises that start or end in Toronto and visit a number of Canadian ports of call, while Canadian small-ship operators like St. Lawrence Cruise Lines maintain a steady presence throughout Ontario and Quebec. If that cannot be worked out promptly, the industry will seek to have government regulations suspended like what took place last year, and our itineraries will bypass Canada altogether," he wrote. Bell Estabrookssaid passengers will be required to be fully vaccinated. "Despite vastly declining COVID-19 cases, a higher vaccination rate than any other mode of transportation and proven viral mitigation measures, Canada cannot guarantee that they will not take actions that may disrupt a complete and robust 2022 Alaskan Cruise season. With just months to go before the first cruise ship arrives in Canadian waters, the stakes are high -- but so is optimism around what could be a banner year for Canadian ports. 15 Surprising Reasons To Use a Travel Advisor for Your Next Trip, American Queen Voyages - Deeply Discover the Difference, Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Aboard Radiance of the Seas bound for an Alaska cruise from Vancouver. Cruise Critic recently traveled to Victoria to find high optimism surrounding the industry's pending restart this spring, and since then, ports of call from both coasts have rolled out their anticipated cruise ship schedules. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. The return of cruise ships to our ports (or shores) is a further step in Canadas reopening and a reflection of the progress we have made against this current Omicron variant. The Alaska cruise season runs from May to September. For the past two years, our team at Port Saint John and our industry stakeholders have been working closely with federal and provincial authorities on how cruise will resume safely in Canadian port cities, and now it is time to put those plans into action, said Craig Bell Estabrooks, CEO, Port Saint John. The aim is to reduce inspection turnaround times along with container congestion at the port, as well as truck traffic in downtown Halifax. and other partners to put in place the public health provisions and others arrangements to enable cruise ships to safely resume visits to Canadian ports when the season begins next year. Canada is extending its ban on cruise ships through February 2022 because of Covid-19, effectively shutting down popular summer trips to Alaska for another year. The cruise industry has developed some of the most stringent safety and operational protocols, which have been successfully demonstrated since global cruise resumption began in July 2020.. On the other side of the country, cruise contributes roughly $165 million to the local economy in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There will be four cruise ship calls in August, and from September, there will be cruise ships sailing to Saint John almost daily. Caribbean Princess arrives in Victoria on April 6, 2022, followed closely by Koningsdam on April 9, and Viking Orion on April 16, 2022. "We were one of the first to say we supported the decision taken by Transport Canada to close the ports," said Robertson. Two new BDMs will represent the Western U.S. and Canada, respectively. The Committee is pushing for a solution that, while not salvaging all Canadian sailings, would still allow cruise ships to stop in Canada but not disembark passengers. In addition, passengers must present a negative test result within 72 hours before their return to Canada or an antigen test result within one day of their arrival. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Government and industry must work together, find a solution and keep that promise, Kerby wrote. President Joe Biden signed it into law in May. Cruise ships have been banned from entering Canadian waters since March 2020, a major blow to Canada's $4 billion cruise ship industry that generates approximately 30,000 direct and. That announcement is sure to trigger a sigh of relief throughout Canadian and Alaska ports that have for decades relied on revenue generated by cruise ship traffic. The federal government revealed the cruise industry is worth about $4 billion annually to the Canadian economy and is responsible for about 30,000 jobs. Seattle vs. Vancouver: Where Should You Start Your Alaska Cruise? The cruise ban meant that no ships could visit Canadian ports during 2020 and 2021. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Flying to Your Cruise: A Guide to Long-Haul Airports, Airlines and Flights, Why There's Still Nothing Like a Day on the Water, Everything Alaska and Canadian Cruisers Need to Know About ArriveCAN, Some Cruise Lines Drop Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing on Selected Ships, Destinations, Flying to Your Cruise: How to Travel This Summer Amid the Chaos, 2022 Alaska Cruises Are Going Strong, But Supply Chain, Employment Issues Remain, Top 9 Reasons Why You Should Pick a Cruise You Can Drive To Instead of Fly, Cruise ship in Vancouver (Photo: Josef Hanus/Shutterstock.com), Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (Photo: Muriel Lasure/Shutterstock), Victoria's Government Street is now pedestrian-only for much of the day. The ban ended on November 1, 2021, which was too late for any meaningful cruises to take place. Transport Canada will also require that all passengers are informed about the risks of COVID-19, distancing, masking requirements and more, at embarkation. Cruise ships have been allowed to enter Canadian waters since Nov. 1, 2021, according to the federal government. What would otherwise be a random midweek day is the most hotly anticipated date of the year -- the .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}arrival of the first cruise ship in a Canadian port of call since October 2019. Passenger Vessel Services Act. And she said, 'I miss cruise because of the lack of ambiance and foot traffic and just energy that cruise brings to the city. They're tired of being stuck at home.". Bell Estabrooks said passengers will be required to be fully vaccinated. The ban, which has been extended until Feb. 28, 2022,. In addition to identifying and testing the close contacts of those infected, the CDC said cruise ships may consider a number of measures, including quarantine "until at least 5 full days after . Dixon hopes the government will act on the Committee's request to lift the cruise ban, effective Jan. 1, 2022. That solution would help save some of 2021s Alaska cruise season, preventing a second lost year. The 2022 cruise season in Canada will run between April and November. Bell Estabrooks said the number of ships comingin this year is the same as pre-pandemic seasons. During the Fall period there are ten days with double ships and five days with triple ships.. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, Will Cruises to Canada Go Ahead In 2022? All Rights Reserved. Ritzenthaler's announcement sent shock waves through the travel agency distribution channel. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The move will also ensure the Alaska cruise season will include stops in Canada. "The Plan should outline how the Company will ensure that all crew members and travellers will be assessed to confirm that they have completed an appropriate COVID-19 immunization series at least 14 days prior to onboarding," according to Transport Canada's detailed guidance. . Travelers can still be randomly selected for testing upon arrival by air and might be required to quarantine. Were hopeful, cautiously optimistic. Also last week, other cruise lines continued to make changes in light of Transport Canadas decision. After two years off because of COVID-19, cruise ships are expected to be back at Port Saint John this summer. It's reminded us that there is always room for improvement.". Search for related information by keyword: a comprehensive public health plan for cruise ships, Backgrounder: Preventing or limiting the spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships, COVID-19: Boarding flights, trains, and cruise ships in Canada, COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance issued by Transport Canada, COVID-19 guidance posters for marine transportation. ", "We're not great here at telling our story," Poustie said of Victoria, which rates consistently high on passenger satisfaction surveys. The city's famous flower decorations are poised to bloom around the inner harbour. The PVSA is a law that requires non-coastwise endorsed cruise ships to stop at a foreign port between domestic stops. Canada's Transport Ministry announced last week it was extending a prohibition of passenger cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people visiting its ports through the end of February 2022 . "If that cannot be worked out promptly, the industry will seek to have government regulations suspended like what took place last year, and our itineraries will bypass Canada altogether.". Currently under the act, foreign-built ships are not allowed to carry passengers between two U.S. ports without a stopover in a foreign country. "We understood that. My bill is simple: the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act provides a temporary fix by designating roundtrip cruises as foreign voyages, creating a workaround for the PVSA. "Operationally, we're planning for 100 percent" of the season to go ahead, said Robertson. Alaska Tourism Recovery Act proposes a temporary solution The Alaska Tourism Recovery Act, introduced last week by Alaska Rep. Don Young, proposed a temporary solution. Victoria -- the charming capital of British Columbia that is home to just over 85,000 residents -- has found itself in the driver's seat when it comes to cruise in Canada. If either of these bills are passed, it would have a negative impact on Canadas tourism industry, particularly in British Columbia. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both of Alaska, and Rep. Don Young, also of Alaska, came out swinging against the country, threatening to make good on plans to extend the PVSA waiver that will see Seattle-based ships bypass Canadian waters once again. "The issue at the moment is still about resolving Canadian government requirements," wrote Heald. Cruise lines that have cruises scheduled to Saint John include Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, and more. But I am also confident that those same decision makers will set the guidelines for us to follow and reopen. Some roadblocks remain before Caribbean Princess becomes the first ship to call on Canadian waters since 2019: Transport Canada and PHAC must issue their final requirements to cruise operators, which need to approve and implement them. Canada's guidelines create a higher standard for cruising than the CDC. It's clear the trade is going to miss her. At the moment, Canada does not have guidance on whether booster shots will be required to be considered "fully vaccinated." Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. "It's been a fantastic breath of fresh air. Craig Bell Estabrooks: As we emerge from the pandemic, we are seeing the careful and steady resumption of global travel and tourism, including cruise tourism. We can relax. Ottawa lifted its pandemic-induced prohibition on cruise ships in Canadian waters on Nov. 1, on condition that operators fully comply with public health requirements. The line was just starting to see Americans showing up to cruise again in October 2021 and expects that to continue in 2022. Cruises to these regions have been on-pause for two years. As Canada welcomes the first cruise ships back to Canadian waters in April, Transport Canada, working alongside partners, has developed a comprehensive public health plan for cruise ships, including: The Government of Canada is adjusting travel advice for cruise ship travel and continues to advise travellers to proceed with caution. Canada once again extended its ban on cruises - pushing back the possibility for large passenger vessels to sail in Canadian waters by an additional year after shutting them out last year amid. Port of Halifax CEO Allan Gray said the government's return of cruising announcement "gives a clear signal to ports and to tourism operators that ships are returning in a safe manner.". Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. "The industry will have to follow a robust protocol," Alghabra told the CBC. Transport Canada, the nation's transportation agency, said more announcements will be coming soon. the latest travel news, advice, updates, upcoming exclusive deals and more. Alaskans cannot gamble again on the goodwill and commonsense of our Canadian neighbors, who failed us last year.". The first ship is scheduled to arrive in Canadian waters in just 40 days. However, he is encouraged that Transport Canadas decision to close waters until spring of 2022 has been noted by various government officials.. "I was talking to a restauranteur, and she said she was excited about cruises coming back," Robertson concludes. Despite working for a land-based hotel, Fairmont Empress Director of Public Relations Brigette Diem-Guy says everyone is looking forward to the cruise ships coming back to Victoria. Today's announcement is another important step in a measured approach to safely transition into a new phase of Canada's response to the pandemic. "The Plan should include a mechanism for demonstrating that the vaccination status of all passengers and crew has been verified, and procedures to make them available to officials upon request. Between calls on Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia sees the most cruise ships and passengers of any Canadian province or territory. "It's been varying up and downso it's difficult for us at this point to get firm numbers.". On Thursday, Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced the interim orders that ban pleasure craft in its Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28,. Cruise ships have been allowed to enter Canadian waters since Nov. 1, 2021, according to the federal government. All Rights Reserved. While NCLH has suspended taking new bookings on Alaska, Del Rio said the company still holds out some hope that these initiatives led by the Alaskan delegation can open up Alaska for 2021.. Those that don't meet these criteria are labeled "not highly vaccinated.". "People want to have a good time. The Government of Canada is committed to reopening safely and this public health framework demonstrates that we are ready to restart cruise ship activity in Canada and to welcome travellers once again., The Honourable Randy Boissonnault Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance. Transport Canada had previously banned all cruises from Canadian waters in 2020 and 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a move that prompted Alaskan officials to seek -- and receive --. But Eastern Canada benefits tremendously from cruise as well. "The industry will have to follow a robust protocol," Alghabra told reporters in Halifax. "It's about the buzz and the energy of having a ship in port brings to our community.". Mechanical Issue Forces Disney Ship to Skip Port, Adjust Itinerary, First Cruise Ship Arrives for Busy Montreal Season, Another Overbooked Oasis-Class Royal Caribbean Ship. Alaska lawmakers are working on new legislation that would allow cruise ships to continue to sail past Canada without the required stop. As part of the new guidelines, all cruise ship passengers and crew members must show proof of a complete vaccination before being permitted to enter Canada and a negative coronavirus test taken within one day of boarding. No cruise shipshave stopped in Saint John since 2020, when the pandemic restricted travel. Transport Canada has been and will continue to pursue a series of consultations and engagements to establish and develop a plan for a successful restart of cruise ship sailing in Canada for the 2022 season. On the same day that Transport Canada released its guidance on cruise, U.S. Sens. "We find ourselves here again," Young said. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000, Image: Path on the water from a large cruise ship. According to the Canadian Press, Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced a series of COVID-19 measures that will be enforced when cruise ships return to Canada's ports next month after a nearly two-year hiatus. Transport Canada banned all foreign cruise activities from Canadian ports of call, initially until the end of February 2022, in a move that was deeply shocking to industry observers.
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