Johanna Jainchill
The cruise industry and its expanded community of ports and travel advisors responded extremely positively to that of the Senate Approval of the legislation the temporary repeal of the Passenger Vessel Services Act, a huge step to allow ships to sail in Alaska this summer despite Canada’s cruise ban.
Legislation now going to the House would temporarily ban cruise ships sailing in Alaska Cabotage restrictions while Canada’s cruise ban is in effect. The PVSA, enacted in 1886, requires foreign-flagged ships, which are almost all large cruise lines, to stop in at least one foreign port when sailing between two U.S. destinations. This is why Alaska cruises start or stop in Vancouver or Victoria, UK, or Columbia.
“This is a step in the right direction as Alaska needs the industry, infrastructure, and income that cruises provide to the great Alaskan people who have left about this thriving economic engine, “said Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners.” Let’s hope the house will be strengthened. Every step closer to cruising builds consumer confidence, and we are already seeing a surge in demand from eagerly sailing cruisers. ”
“The US Senate’s support in returning large cruise lines to Alaska this season is a positive step for our industry,” said Sarah Leonard, CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association. “We are confident that the House will act quickly to get these laws passed too. Many tourism companies are still sticking to them and we are fighting for them.”
Eben Peck, Executive Vice President of Advocacy at ASTA, called on the House to “pass the bill immediately”.
“We will continue to push for a solution to this impasse,” said Peck. “With the vaccination rollout in full swing and the [CDC] Working with cruise lines to resume cruising from U.S. ports looks promising for the 2021 cruise season. Government and industry must work together to find a solution and keep that promise. “
However, there are many hurdles to overcome before large ship cruises begin in Alaska or other US waters, even if the House also approves the legislation and President Biden signs it.
According to some, there are several areas of the CDC cruise restart plan that need to be resolved quickly to allow for a meaningful July restart. So far, progress between the CDC and the cruise industry has not been rapid. The main concerns of the industry are: Restrictions on cruises these are not being placed on top of other US recreational products, although the cruise industry is heavily incorporating vaccinations into its restart plans.
Then there are the Alaskan ports that have long said that many tour operators won’t open their doors without a cruise season this year because the upfront cost is so high. Even if the legislation is passed, they will still be pending due to CDC restrictions.
“Preparing for a late season is very challenging as we have no idea what we are preparing for,” said Andrew Cremata, Mayor of Skagway. “We don’t know how many ships, how many passengers, or how many visits. The community is ready, but business owners are wondering how to proceed.
“There are a number of stores out there, however, and we can adjust to what I suspect,” he added. “We’re starting to be really good at turning our attention to the unexpected.”
Cruise lines now believe they can make at least some Alaskan voyages this year.
“We remain optimistic that we can still operate part of our Alaska season,” said Charlie Ball, executive vice president of land operations for Holland America Group, which oversees Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, the two largest Alaska operators. “The progress is steady with that [CDC]and the passage of a solution to the [PVSA] The Senate issue, with the tremendous leadership of the Alaska delegation, should move things forward.
“Time is running out to have enough time for a season for our partners to invest in their start-up,” he added. “We hope that all problems can be resolved quickly.”
