The Government of Canada has banned all cruise ships carrying over 100 passengers for the rest of 2021 and early 2022.
Cruise ships will not be allowed to visit Canadian ports until March 1, 2022. The ban was announced by Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra.
Minister Alghabra said that “Temporary prohibitions to cruise vessels and pleasure craft are essential to continue to protect the most vulnerable among our communities and avoid overwhelming our health care systems.”
This puts the 2021 Alaskan cruise season in jeopardy since not only do many Alaskan cruises start in Vancouver, but cruise ships that sail roundtrip from Seattle need to visit a Canadian port during the cruise.
Currently, cruise lines have canceled all cruises to and from the U.S. through the end of April. However, it is likely that more cruises will be canceled before they will be allowed to start back up.
Cruise lines are working with the CDC on implementing new safety measures on cruise ships. Many experts don’t expect cruises to start back up until the summer.
