Alaska Cruises to Begin in July

[Ombud]

I'M GOING TO ALASKA!!!!!

[intrepid55]

Disappointing news that Canadian ports are deleted. That was a special part of the cruise!

 

 

[CynCyn]

9 hours ago, caribill said:

 

So that means these are not existing cruises that many people were booked on?

 

If so there will be many very upset people who stayed with their bookings and will now find them cancelled unless Princess moves them to these new voyages.

They just changed my itenarary from Endicott Arm and took out Canada ports. Kept my booking exactly the same I hear those on Emerald we offered a move.

[PescadoAmarillo]

12 minutes ago, intrepid55 said:

Disappointing news that Canadian ports are deleted. That was a special part of the cruise!

 

 

That was Canada’s decision and the reason the entire season was in question until yesterday. 
 

We just booked, and yes, the suites and best minis were mostly waitlisted the minute the cruises opened for booking, but I was mildly surprised that everything else seemed wide open. We now have 5 days to decide if we are going to do this, and basically pay for the cruise in full since final payment is in just a few weeks, but Princess yesterday addressed the majority of my concerns (vaccinated guests, not limited to ship-sponsored shore excursions) and I am willing to give it a try for a week, especially as that is prior to the final payment dates we have for more extensive plans. It will be nice to get a sense of what the experience will be like. 

[Ombud]

Well my favorite ziplining company is only available thru the ship so guess what I get to do twice in Alaska!! I'm stoked!!

[Astro Flyer]

26 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

We now have 5 days to decide if we are going to do this, and basically pay for the cruise in full since final payment is in just a few weeks

Depending upon when you’re booked final payment is now due 60 days in advance for cruises through 9/30/21.

 

“we have recently moved the final payment for all 2021 voyages through September 30, 2021 to 60 days prior to sailing date”.

[Cruise Raider]

15 hours ago, memoak said:

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 

 

The reason the casinos are closed in Hawaii is because there is no gambling allowed in that state. 

[c-boy]

30 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Well my favorite ziplining company is only available thru the ship so guess what I get to do twice in Alaska!! I'm stoked!!

ha ! I see that curious  deer looking up (is that you ? ).  Last time I zipped in Alaska a bear was looking up at me.

[Ombud]

5 minutes ago, c-boy said:

ha ! I see that curious  deer looking up (is that you ? ).  Last time I zipped in Alaska a bear was looking up at me.

No. This is us. I was going to do Alaska on our own this year but I prefer doing it with the ship. Will see cousins in Seattle for more than a day leaving from that port instead if my own. 

 

[Ombud]

20 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

Depending upon when you’re booked final payment is now due 60 days in advance for cruises through 9/30/21.

 

“we have recently moved the final payment for all 2021 voyages through September 30, 2021 to 60 days prior to sailing date”.

Yes ... its 60 days (going August 15th)

[Barry ATL]

Looks like there will be no exemption for unvaccinated children.  

 

There is no age restriction on this series of cruises to Alaska but guests of all ages must be fully vaccinated. 

 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/?cid=dm_email_promo_internal_destination_otherpromotional_rf1ak006_210521_alaska&eccn=TGN2TKIGFSYQW6JEIJCACLBQAE&rrid=581654267A&mi_u=581654267A&custId=TGN2TKIGFSYQW6JEIJCACLBQAE&mi_ecmp=RF1AK006

Edited May 21, 2021 by Barry ATL

[starboardcruiser]

Since these sailings already had booked passengers and Princess automatically moved anyone into a suite on the Emerald to the Majestic, it is not surprising there were few/no suites available. When we were working out our own details yesterday (during the 1-day window for current Emerald Princess bookings to rebook), there were very few options available to us (there was a suite for us to move to, but no selection as far as cabins/decks). I'm one who is disappointed to miss out on sailing on the Emerald but also excited to sail at all and hoping the Majestic is wonderful. Suite passengers have the option to cancel, so some may open up at some point if anyone decides they do not want to sail on the Majestic whose booking was automatically transferred. The September 26 sailing is newly scheduled.

Edited May 21, 2021 by starboardcruiser

[ChangeOrder]

I'm in, I'm in! I feel like I just got back in line to enter the meat grinder yet again, but man I really do hope this sailing happens 😄

[cattman]

15 hours ago, Jasperdo said:

Concerning traveling through Canadian waters to get to Alaska from Seattle...

 

I'm far from an expert, but I believe the Canadian order specifically states that Innocent Passage is allowable through Canadian waters. Which means that cruise ships will be able to transit through Canadian waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Outbound traffic is on the Canadian side, and inbound traffic is on the US side. Seattle cruises hardly ever sailed up the Canadian Inside Passage anyway, opting for the faster route out in the Pacific Ocean.

No passage is innocent, they're all guilty of something..😉

 

But seriously, would not sail out of Seattle again due to the fact that these sailings completely skip the Canadian Inside Passage(between the mainland and Vancouver Island), one of the best days of the cruise. Still, great news.

 

We are leaving for Ketchikan next Friday then catching the Alaska Ferry to Juneau, then three days in Glacier Bay. After over 16 wonderful cruises to Alaska, we are really looking forward to experiencing these places without the cruise crowds.

[Katjoy]

2 hours ago, CynCyn said:

They just changed my itenarary from Endicott Arm and took out Canada ports. Kept my booking exactly the same I hear those on Emerald we offered a move.

We are one the couples who were booked on the Emerald and recieved this email yesterday from Princess Cruise Line.  Our booking is now on the Majestic Princess.  We are thrilled and so excited.  We are already vaccinated as well.  ❤️  I am fine with not stopping in Canada since we live in the Seattle area and visit Victoria BC every couple of years.

 

Valued guest,

I have some exciting news to share! We know you have been eager for more information about your upcoming cruise to Alaska, and I am very pleased to let you know that following passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, work with Alaska government officials, and recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are announcing our plan to restart cruising to Alaska with roundtrip Seattle cruises to Alaska later this summer. Our first 2021 Alaska voyage will set sail on Majestic Princess® on Sunday, July 25, 2021.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, these cruises to Alaska 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.

For our shortened Alaska summer season we will be sailing one ship, Majestic Princess, on our 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage (with Glacier Bay National Park) itinerary, roundtrip from Seattle, that begin and end on Sundays. As a result of these changes, your upcoming cruise booking, referenced above, has been affected. 

We are offering you three options to choose from regarding your booking:

Option 1: Transfer to an equivalent Alaska cruise on Majestic Princess. We will rebook you to the cruise departing one day later than your current booking. Your cruise fare, incentives and promotions will all be protected. Your new booking will be in the equivalent or upgraded stateroom category. Please (click here) to see which cruise you will be rebooking to on Majestic Princess if you select this option.

For those of you who booked a full Suite or Club-Class Mini-Suite: due to the limited availability of suites on these equivalent cruises, we are automatically rebooking you to a suite on Majestic Princess for the comparable or equivalent cruise. You do not have to elect an option on the below form. However, if you would prefer one of the other options listed below, please reach out to your personal vacation consultant to make that selection.

Princess pre- or post-cruise transfers between the airport and the pier will transfer to your new booking. Other non-cruise-fare purchases through Princess, such as Princess EZair, shore excursions, specialty dining, spa or gifts will be refunded to the original form of payment.

Option 2: Bonus Future Cruise Credit. Sail with us again by accepting our special higher-value Future Cruise Credit (FCC) offer of 100% value of cruise fare paid as a refundable FCC, plus a Bonus non-refundable FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid.*

• This gives our team a chance to shine at a later date by using the Future Cruise Credit on any voyage booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022.
• Money paid to Princess in excess of the cruise fare for Princess Vacation Protection, taxes, fees and port expenses, EZair or hotel packages will be refunded, as will any prepaid shore excursions and/or special service items.

*Bonus FCC minimum of $25 per person (minimum varies by FCC currency: $25USD, $25CAD, $25AUD, $25NZD, £25GBP, €25EUR, ¥2,500)

Option 3: Refund of all monies paid. Money will be refunded to the original method of payment.

Let us know your choice by completing this (online form) before June 30, 2021. The form will give you the option to transfer to the equivalent July cruise, receive bonus Future Cruise Credits, or request a full refund of all monies paid.

We are giving you priority to transfer to a Majestic Princess cruise to Alaska before we open these sailings to the general public on May 21, 2021. Space in some categories is very limited, so we recommend that you act quickly to fill out the online form if you wish to accept Option 1 and sail with us to Alaska this summer. This will also give you the first chance to rebook your preferred shore excursions, as they are likely to fill up quickly. If a request is not received by June 30, 2021, you will automatically receive the FCC option. we ask for your patience in affording us the time to work through processing rebookings, refunds and FCCs. We are working hard to make sure every booking is handled accurately and efficiently.

Thank you again for choosing Princess Cruises. I hope that you will choose to be among the first of our guests to be back on board our ships. On behalf of our entire team, we cannot wait to welcome you aboard.

Sincerely, Jan Swartz President

[Ombud]

I canceled my summer Alaska cruise during the last rona spike. As it turns out, I don't need a minisuite bc the kids can't go. They won't be vaccinated.  They still have an Easter week cruise booked but no idea if the 7 yr old will be permitted in that ship either (no vax)

[Astro Flyer]

In previous discussions it was speculated that the 95% of vaccinated passengers requirement allowed 5% of passengers who were unable to be vaccinated due to health reasons or for youths who were ineligible to be vaccinated to take a cruise?

 

Has anyone been able to book a cruise for those who are ineligible for the vaccine? Probably only Princess would know that answer.

[AZjohn]

27 minutes ago, Astro Flyer said:

In previous discussions it was speculated that the 95% of vaccinated passengers requirement allowed 5% of passengers who were unable to be vaccinated due to health reasons or for youths who were ineligible to be vaccinated to take a cruise?

 

Has anyone been able to book a cruise for those who are ineligible for the vaccine? Probably only Princess would know that answer.

I never heard of the exact reason CDC came out with 95%?

I have not tried doing a phantom booking but agree it would likely take a call to Princess (or maybe your TA?).

 

My own speculation, it is critical these first attempts on cruises out of US have 100% success of zero covid cases onboard. If one of the lines fail, all the cruises in the future will suffer. Basically guessing that at first, they will want 100% vaccinated to to be extra safe.

[brisalta]

18 hours ago, Ombud said:

Is this an Elite window??

 

No!

[Bwana Tom]

What am I missing? Doesn't the Jones Act apply here requiring the ship to at least dock in one foreign port? I thought that was a requirement unless a temporary wavier is granted. 

[chrysalis]

11 minutes ago, Bwana Tom said:

What am I missing? Doesn't the Jones Act apply here requiring the ship to at least dock in one foreign port? I thought that was a requirement unless a temporary wavier is granted. 

Read the very first post....and you will be rewarded with information....(but the Jones Act has nothing to do with it)

Edited May 21, 2021 by chrysalis

[Ombud]

4 minutes ago, Bwana Tom said:

What am I missing? Doesn't the Jones Act apply here requiring the ship to at least dock in one foreign port? I thought that was a requirement unless a temporary wavier is granted. 

You're missing what happened on the Hill yesterday 

[oskidunker]

The waiver was granted. 

[ceilidh1]

As a Vancouver local, I am extremely envious of all who get to cruise this summer! There are still way too many hoops to jump through for me to even think about it just yet, but I am very glad that at least things seem to be making a move for the better. For anyone that is interested, the Vancouver cruise terminal (Canada Place) is currently the biggest vaccination clinic in BC - I work there, trying to get as many shots into arms as possible so that we can try to get our lives back to normal. I sure miss the view of the ships outside my window right now!

 

Bon Voyage!

[brisalta]

22 minutes ago, Bwana Tom said:

What am I missing? Doesn't the Jones Act apply here requiring the ship to at least dock in one foreign port? I thought that was a requirement unless a temporary wavier is granted. 

 

The Jones Act does not apply.   It is the Passenger Vessel Service Act that applies and a temporary law to modify it has passed congress.

 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1318/text

Edited May 21, 2021 by brisalta