Alaska Cruises to Begin in July

[ProfMHC]

Three Carnival Corporation Cruise Line Brands Plan to Resume Cruising in U.S. with Alaska Sailings in July

Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line plan to return to service from the U.S. this summer with Alaska itineraries departing directly from Seattle

Carnival Corporation & plc

News provided by

May 20, 2021, 16:01 ET

MIAMI, May 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Three cruise line brands from Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, are expected to return to service in the United States starting in July with Alaskasailings departing directly from Seattle.

Based on recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and close collaboration with Alaskan officials, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line plan to resume guest cruise operations for a partial season in Alaska, each with one ship sailing round-trip. These Alaska cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

"We are excited to once again serve our guests from the U.S., and we express our deep gratitude to all national, state and local officials who have worked collaboratively with us, the CDC and our entire industry to make this possible. It is great news for cruising, for travelers ready to again explore the world and for all the communities in Alaska that depend on cruising and have suffered great hardships over the past year," said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. "As one of America's natural treasures, Alaskais a land of beauty and wonder, and one of the most popular destinations for our guests. We look forward to our brands restarting this summer from the U.S. while also supporting our longtime partners and the communities in Alaska."

Donald added: "Our highest responsibility and top priority are always compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside personnel. As we continue to work with the CDC on requirements for sailing in the U.S., we remain committed to returning to service in a way that serves the best interest of public health and provides our guests with a great cruise vacation at an exceptional value."

Plans for these itineraries to fulfill obligations under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) are expected to be approved. Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line are each continuing the return-to-cruising preparation already underway.

Princess Cruises will resume operations in Alaska starting July 25 through September 26, with seven-day cruises onboard Majestic Princess, a MedallionClass ship. Its cruises will visit signature ports, glaciers and attractions in Alaska including Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Holland America Line will resume its cruise operations to Alaska with seven-day itineraries aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, calling at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitkaand Ketchikan, with scenic cruising in Alaska's iconic locales, including Glacier Bay and Stephens Passage. The first cruise for the brand is scheduled to depart July 24, with 11 Saturday departures that will operate through October 2.

Carnival Cruise Line has already opened Alaska sailings departing from Seattlebeginning July 27, with weekly departures through September 14 aboard Carnival Miracle. There are seven 7-day cruises featuring calls in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord. The September 14departure is an 8-day cruise with an additional stop in Icy Strait Point. Carnival Cruise Line is also working to finalize its plans to operate Carnival Horizon from Miami, and Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston in July. Itineraries along with specific details about protocols are expected to be finalized and announced next week.

Additional details on the Alaska sailings will be announced in the coming weeks by each respective brand and available on their websites.

Carnival Corporation and its brands continue to work with the CDC and other authorities on protocols and requirements for sailings out of U.S. ports, which continue to evolve with changing circumstances. Each of the brands will provide guests with advanced, detailed information about protocols in place at the time of departure, as full details continue to be updated in collaboration with medical and science experts and government authorities.

The company is currently sailing with two of its brands in Europe – AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises – using highly effective enhanced health and safety protocols developed in conjunction with national and global health authorities and medical experts. Additionally, eight of Carnival Corporation's nine cruise line brands have announced plans to resume guest operations this summer in Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska, with AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and P&O Cruises (UK) resuming sailings from global ports over the next several months.

About Carnival Corporation & plc 
Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines sailing to all seven continents. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.seabourn.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com and www.cunard.com.

SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc

 

[AF-1]

I am happy for all those who have Alaskan cruises booked this year.  Keep the faith

[donaldsc]

1 hour ago, ProfMHC said:

Three Carnival Corporation Cruise Line Brands Plan to Resume Cruising in U.S. with Alaska Sailings in July

 

Plans for these itineraries to fulfill obligations under the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) are expected to be approved. Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line are each continuing the return-to-cruising preparation already underway.

Princess Cruises will resume operations in Alaska starting July 25 through September 26, with seven-day cruises onboard Majestic Princess, a MedallionClass ship. Its cruises will visit signature ports, glaciers and attractions in Alaska including Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

 

r

 

 

The text that I have highlighted in red is a really big "if".  What if Canada doesn't approve or congress does not go along with the PVSA modification.  Also will there be many Alaskan tourist destinations that will staff up and set up for a few weeks of cruising from just 3 ships.  Don't get your hopes up too high.  

 

DON

[Ombud]

18 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

The text that I have highlighted in red is a really big "if".  What if Canada doesn't approve or congress does not go along with the PVSA modification.  Also will there be many Alaskan tourist destinations that will staff up and set up for a few weeks of cruising from just 3 ships.  Don't get your hopes up too high.  

 

DON

Congress passed -- Canada not involved

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/legal-regulatory/alaska-cruise-ship-waiver-bill-passes-congress-heads-biden-signing-law

 

 

From WH spokesperson:

https://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/biden-administration-says-its-working-to-salvage-alaska-cruise-season/article_8143dd78-99b3-11eb-ab0c-2b9fe501ce71.html

 

 

 

Edited May 20, 2021 by Ombud

[LACruiser88]

13 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

The text that I have highlighted in red is a really big "if".  What if Canada doesn't approve or congress does not go along with the PVSA modification.  Also will there be many Alaskan tourist destinations that will staff up and set up for a few weeks of cruising from just 3 ships.  Don't get your hopes up too high.  

 

DON

Canada? Did I miss something, Canada has no voice in the matter...

[MsSoCalCruiser]

17 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

The text that I have highlighted in red is a really big "if".  What if Canada doesn't approve or congress does not go along with the PVSA modification.  Also will there be many Alaskan tourist destinations that will staff up and set up for a few weeks of cruising from just 3 ships.  Don't get your hopes up too high.  

 

DON

Don... Why would Canada have to approve?  

[Ombud]

Perhaps Don did not realize that the house passed the Senate's bill and it's onto Biden who stated last month that he was trying to salvage Alaska's cruise season

 

Bring crew members to California so we can mass vaccinate them. If J& J they reach full efficacy in 14 days. Start to finish

[Cool_Dude]

10 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

The text that I have highlighted in red is a really big "if".  What if Canada doesn't approve or congress does not go along with the PVSA modification.  Also will there be many Alaskan tourist destinations that will staff up and set up for a few weeks of cruising from just 3 ships.  Don't get your hopes up too high.  

 

DON

Huh? Canada? The whole point of this is that with the temporary change in the law, the ships will not be going to Canada - other words, Canada will be bypassed for this year. And Congress has gone along with it.

[brisalta]

Majestic Princess is going to be used. Some other Coastal cruises will be cancelled for the Alaska season.

 

https://www.princess.com/news/news_releases/2021/05/princess-cruises-plans-to-resume-cruising-in-united-states-with-alaska-sailings-departing-seattle-in-july-2021.html

Edited May 20, 2021 by brisalta

[Ombud]

The Royal skeleton crew is being vaccinated by Sharp HC off San Diego .... wondering how full Majestic crew will get theirs

[richstowe]

Hard to believe and wonderful to hear . Canada will suffer if the US decides that this temporary measure becomes permanent . 

[CeeCee59]

Canada - Inside Passage - not going to be cruising through our waters will have to go out to International waters.  Coast Guard issue?

[nocl]

The other piece of good news is for the first time you have CCL owned lines indicating that they will require passengers to be vaccinated

 

 Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line plan to resume guest cruise operations for a partial season in Alaska, each with one ship sailing round-trip. These Alaska cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

[lizord]

7 minutes ago, nocl said:

The other piece of good news is for the first time you have CCL owned lines indicating that they will require passengers to be vaccinated

 

 Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line plan to resume guest cruise operations for a partial season in Alaska, each with one ship sailing round-trip. These Alaska cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

In the US at least. I think HAL is doing some sailings in Europe later this summer with vaccinated guests. 

[LACruiser88]

28 minutes ago, CeeCee59 said:

Canada - Inside Passage - not going to be cruising through our waters will have to go out to International waters.  Coast Guard issue?

I think Canada is preventing cruise ships from docking in Canada, not going thru Canadian waters?  Anyone know the answer???

[memoak]

If there is no foreign port does that mean the casino will be closed ?  My recollection is that NCL cruises in Hawaii did not have gambling 

[Astro Flyer]

A list of the canceled early July cruises on Majestic & the replacements; also the canceled Emerald cruises with replacements.

 

 

[ringers0815]

23 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

I think Canada is preventing cruise ships from docking in Canada, not going thru Canadian waters?  Anyone know the answer???

I believe that its a prohibition of cruises in Canadian waters. See link of announcement.

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-announces-one-year-ban-for-pleasure-craft-and-cruise-vessels.html

 

But as vaccinations increase in Canada and covid cases go down maybe the Canadian government will allow ships in Canadian waters. It was reported in the news recently that talks are underway between the USA and Canada re re-opening the borders so maybe they are talking about this as well.

[2 cruises a year]

28 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

I think Canada is preventing cruise ships from docking in Canada, not going thru Canadian waters?  Anyone know the answer???

I believe that the new larger ships have mostly been skipping the Inland Passage anyway.  A decision that the Canadian Pilots have made.

[Astro Flyer]

Per their VP of Sales: “They go on sale 8am PT/11am ET tomorrow – May 21”

 

[Astro Flyer]

33 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

I think Canada is preventing cruise ships from docking in Canada, not going thru Canadian waters?  Anyone know the answer???

 

6 minutes ago, ringers0815 said:

I believe that its a prohibition of cruises in Canadian waters. See link of announcement.

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/02/government-of-canada-announces-one-year-ban-for-pleasure-craft-and-cruise-vessels.html

 

But as vaccinations increase in Canada and covid cases go down maybe the Canadian government will allow ships in Canadian waters. It was reported in the news recently that talks are underway between the USA and Canada re re-opening the borders so maybe they are talking about this as well.

If the map is accurate it appears they’ll remain outside of Canadian waters?

[ringers0815]

3 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

If the map is accurate it appears they’ll remain outside of Canadian waters?

Some of the inside passage (Hecate Strait and the Queen Charlotte Sound) depicted on that map is in Canadian waters.

[2 cruises a year]

7 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

 

If the map is accurate it appears they’ll remain outside of Canadian waters?

There is a good chance that that map is a boiler plate copy.  It may, or may not be accurate.  At this point it is anybody's guess.

[c-boy]

wonderful !

[beg3yrs]

1 hour ago, CeeCee59 said:

Canada - Inside Passage - not going to be cruising through our waters will have to go out to International waters.  Coast Guard issue?

No. Why do you think it would be? Cruise ships travel in international waters all the time.