 Alaska is one of the most popular destinations in the world for cruising. Due to COVID, there was no 2020 Alaska Season but this year we are back. Over the weekend we heard great news about Alaska cruises. The Alaska Recovery Bill was signed allowing cruise lines to skip Canadian Ports when cruising to Alaska. Although it is temporary, with the approval of the CDC, it will allow Alaska cruising to begin again. Earlier this year Canada extended the closure of their ports to cruise ships and leisure vessels until February 2022. Because of the Passenger Service Act which prevents Non US Registry ships from embarking and debarking in two different US cities. So, for Alaska, cruise lines have always started or ended in Vancouver or started in a US port and had a stop in Victoria BC. This order will allow the cruise lines to sail roundtrip Seattle for Alaska cruises. This is great news for the ports like Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and others who have already missed an entire season. These towns along the Alaska coast depend on those tourist dollars and without cruise ships, they hurt. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America NCL and Princess have all released itineraries for Alaska. Royal Caribbean will sail two ships, the Serenade starting July 19, 2021 and the Ovation starting August 13, 2021. All crew and guest 16 and older will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated. Starting August 1, that age lowers to 12 years old. Richard Fayne, Chairman of Royal Caribbean Group express high hopes that masking will not be a requirement. For Princess Cruise Line, currently only the Majestic Princess, a Medallion Class ship, is expected to sail starting in July She will sail 7 night Roundtrip Seattle cruises to Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Juneau and more. Bookings are now open for sale. Holland America will also sail only one ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam Roundtrip from Seattle. Sailings will begin July 24, 2021 and run through October 2, 2021. She will call on ports like Juneau, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point. Celebrity Cruise Lines will sail the Celebrity Summit starting July 23, 2021 for7 night roundtrip cruises from Seattle. As with Royal Caribbean, all crew and passengers 16 and over will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated. In addition, as of August 1, 2021, that age drops to 12 years old. Carnival Cruise Line will sail the Carnival Miracle for 7 nights roundtrip from Seattle starting July 27, 2021. Carnival will require all crew and guest to be fully vaccinated to sail. They did not provide an age as Royal and Celebrity did but did say, all ages that are eligible for the vaccine will be required. As of now, this only applies to Alaska sailings. Norwegian Cruise Line will sail the ever popular Norwegian Bliss. She will begin roundtrip Seattle sailings to Alaska on August 7, 2021 and run through October 16, 2021. NCL will require guest to be fully vaccinated as the other cruise lines have but did not provide an age. More information will continue to come out. Keep in mind, all of this is subject to change based on the CDC certifying these cruises. But, I have confidence we will sail again soon. If you are interested in any of these sailings and want more info, contact me at the info below. Mike Miller |