In a move that most had written-off as impossible in 2021 a bill has been passed by both houses of congress with bipartisan support.  Oh, and that bill means that Alaska cruises can resume in July!

Until recently, most had not expected cruises to resume in Alaska until next year.  This is because Canada banned most cruise ships from entering their waters, and the Passenger Vessel Service Act (PVSA, explained here) requires most cruise ships berth in a non-US port during their sailing.  Back in February we explained that a pause to the PVSA could save the Alaska cruise season - but government cooperation seemed a stretch.

What Changed to Allow Alaska Sailings

Enter the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA).  Originally introduced by Alaska Congressman Don Young, and Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan in February and March, the bill required the cooperation of many elected officials, including cabinet members.  It provides means for Cruise Lines to sail from US ports such as Seattle, to Alaskan ports and back, without stopping in Canada.

“COVID-19 has devastated Alaska’s tourism industry. After missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Alaskans across the state have been feeling fear, anxiety, and uncertainty over whether or not their jobs—their livelihoods—could survive another cancelled cruise ship season. For many, the advice was just to ‘get through to 2022’, but for the Delegation, that was simply not acceptable. Together, we committed to bringing Alaskans some level of relief,” said Senator Murkowski.

Why This is So Important

Beyond the more obvious impact of the cruise industry being shut down for over a year, the consequences to Alaskan business owners have been dire.  Communities frequented by cruise ships in Alaska see the majority of their income during the summer months, when ships bring tourists to take excursions, buy ulu knives, and eat more salmon than most can imagine.  In 2019, it’s estimated that over 1.3 million cruise guests visited Alaska, but in 2020, that number fell to zero - as did the revenue of small businesses.  Now, these communities that truly didn’t know how they’d weather what was looking to be a harsh and penniless Alaskan summer, can expect an influx of business in the coming months.

Which Cruise Lines Are Sailing Alaska in 2021

Within hours of the bill’s passage, and before being signed by President Biden, several cruise lines announced their plans for the 2021 Alaska cruise season.  Some guests may already be booked on sailings (but with modified itineraries), but many had already cancelled their plans - so it remains to be seen how pent up demand matches with the desire to take somewhat last-minute trips to Seattle for Alaskan cruises.

Princess Cruises

The Majestic Princess will offer seven-night Inside Passage cruises visiting Glacier Bay National Park.  These are roundtrip Sunday departures from Seattle, starting July 25 with the final sailing taking place on September 26. 

Holland America Line

Starting July 24th, HAL Nieuw Amsterdam will offer seven-night sailings, calling on Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan. 

Carnival Cruise Line

The Carnival Miracle will start operating seven-night sailings out of Seattle on July 27, with calls calls in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord.  There is also a September 14 sailing of eight nights, which features an additional stop at Icy Strait Point.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

Nowegian is sailing Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle on seven night itineraries starting in August.  Selling of these sailings resumed today, but as of this writing, the itineraries hadn’t been updated to remove mention of Victoria, BC.  Additionally, Norwegian Sun is scheduled for a sixteen night sailing out of Seattle, visiting Alaska, Japan, and Russia.

Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean International

Celebrity and RCI haven’t yet announced their plans, but their executive team has taken to Twitter, and we’d expect updates soon.

Amazing development today for Alaska’s communities! One more signature and then Alaska, here we come! #WonderReturns pic.twitter.com/iOKF0FY4b8

— Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (@LisaLutoffPerlo) May 20, 2021

Vaccine Requirements for Alaska Cruises

All of the Alaska sailings so far require that all guests be fully vaccinated.  While NCL has previously announced that all guests must be vaccinated for their cruises for the foreseeable future, this is new for the other lines mentioned above.  At least initially, this is a requirement so that cruise lines do not need to complete Simulated Voyages to be issued Conditional Sailing Certificates, allowing them to begin sailing much more quickly.  You can read about the Conditional Sail Order updates here.

Vaccine requirements don’t mean that there may not be other restrictions and requirements of course, and while we expect some of these to become more clear for Alaska sailings, you can track major COVID-related requirements here: Masks, Testing, Buffets, and More - The Skinny on Cruise COVID Restrictions

Billy’s Take on ATRA/2021 Alaska Sailings

It may be that the first US cruises to resume visit The Last Frontier instead of the warm blue waters of the Caribbean, and that’s not a bad thing - just not what we expected.  Even though Florida doesn’t face the challenges of the PVSA (since various Caribbean nations are ready to welcome ships), Governor DeSantis’ executive order banning businesses from asking for proof of vaccination is a clear hindrance to the resumption of cruising in July.  Today’s news may further motivate Florida business to speak up as they look for the same shot in the arm Alaska is going to get.  That means the federal government is on track to pass a law before the governor changes course on immunizing his state against economic progress.  Enough vaccine puns?

In Alaska though, there is honestly nothing here but good news.  Business owners and hard working folks in Alaska will get to see some income again, cruise lines can begin ramping up for what may be the first US sailings since March of 2020.  Of course cruisers longing for a mild summer and beautiful sights are in luck too, including maybe, one South Florida cruise blogger who’s going to be ready to cool down after cruising the Southern Caribbean in July.