But the extension of the ban will also reach Alaska and even Seattle, Washington, through a combination of geographic proximity and US maritime rules.
What Canada is doing – and why
Big ship cruises to the romantic city of Quebec, on the St. Lawrence River, will have to wait for now.
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The government said that “passenger ships carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering coastal waters in the Arctic, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador Coast. … Recreational vessels used by local Arctic residents do not will be affected by these measures. “
But the biggest impact of the vacation will be for those who enjoy the experience of a large cruise ship. Cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers will remain prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.
It is notable that there is no ban on “smaller cruise ships certified to carry 100 or fewer people”.
“While Canadians continue to do their part to reduce the spread of Covid-19, our government continues to work hard to ensure that Canada’s transportation system remains secure,” said Alghabra in the government statement. “Temporary bans for cruise ships and recreational vessels are essential to continue to protect the most vulnerable among our communities.”
If the pandemic situation “improves enough”, Alghabra could terminate orders before February 2022.
How it affects tourism in the US
Due to geographical proximity, Alaska and Seattle are inexorably linked to their international neighbor. Routes with ports like Seattle, Victoria (Canada), Sitka, Juneau and Glacier Bay have been popular for decades.
But it’s not just geography that will hurt America’s cruise industry. It is the way maritime law works that gives prohibition its strength for America as well.
For example, Carnival has most of its ships registered in Panama. And while Holland America’s headquarters are in Seattle, its ships carry the Netherlands flag.
Therefore, unless registered in the United States, a cruise ship that leaves Seattle for a trip to Alaska and back must first call at a Canadian port. Except for now, you can’t.
The reaction
Alaska’s stunning Glacier Bay will be out of reach for many tourists, unless Canada is able to terminate an extension of its cruise ship ban.
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The news is a blow to tourism in Alaska, which is still suffering since 2020.
“The extension of the ‘sailing ban’ order in Canadian waters is likely to have major negative implications for visitation to Alaska next summer,” Saupe said in a written statement. She said cruises account for about 40% to 50% of overnight leisure visits to Alaska’s largest city in the summer.
The Canadian ad has a direct effect on Seattle’s tourist economy.
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“Each ship transported home brings more than $ 4 million to the regional economy, $ 14.5 million in state taxes and generates almost one billion dollars in commercial activities throughout the season,” said the port spokesman. Seattle, Peter McGraw, in a statement.
“We also heard from port cities in Alaska that losing another year of revenue could be cataclysmic. We ask our federal leaders to consider relief for all communities affected by the drop in travel and tourism.”
Looking to 2022
Meanwhile, cruise lines appear to be optimistic for 2022, even though 2021 is a failure.
Top photo: Pedestrians walk through an empty cruise ship port in Juneau, Alaska. Photo credit: Meg Roussos / Bloomberg / Getty Images