Canada, which has banned cruises to and through its ports for the past two years, is now ready to have them back, but with some restrictions as it prepares to end the pandemic rules.
Guidance from Transport Canada says that all passengers who set sail, visit or disembark at a Canadian port must be fully vaccinated, a rule that will apply to crew as well. There is no indication yet whether a booster shot will be required. Testing will also be required, but details on that are to come later
The changes would clear the way for Alaska cruises to resume originating in Vancouver, or stopping at Victoria, BC on the way from U.S. West Coast ports, as well as allow the resumption of East Coast itineraries that call at Halifax and other ports in Atlantic Canada and the Gulf of St Lawrence.
Alaska cruises were able to resume directly from U.S. ports under a special temporary exemption from rules of the Passenger Services Vessel Act, which requires that non-U.S.-registered ships cannot carry passengers between U.S. ports unless they also have a foreign port stop. Since all major cruise line ships are registered elsewhere, the stop in Canada was important.
While the exemption to the PSVA is scheduled to eventually expire, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is pushing a bill to make the exemption permanent, which could have a long-term effect on the Canadian connection. Both the exemption and the proposed permanent legislation apply only to Alaska, and not to East Coast ports.
