“We also hear from port cities in Alaska that losing another year of revenue could be cataclysmic. “Each homeported vessel brings in over $4 million to the regional economy, $14.5 million in statewide taxes, and generates nearly one-billion dollars in business activity over the whole season,” Port of Seattle spokesman Peter McGraw said in statement. CNNĪnd CNN affiliate KIRO reported the fallout is being felt in Washington state’s largest city. The Canadian announcement has a direct effect on Seattle's tourist economy. She said cruises make up about 40% to 50% of overnight leisure visits to Alaska’s largest city in the summer. “The extension of the ‘no-sail’ order in Canadian waters is likely to have large, negative implications for Alaska visitation in the coming summer,” Saupe said in a written statement. “No matter who you talk to, it was a stunning morning,” Julie Saupe, president and CEO of Visit Anchorage, told the Anchorage Daily News, the largest newspaper in Alaska. The news has been a blow in Alaska tourism circles. They said they will pursue “all potential avenues, including changing existing laws, to ensure the cruise industry in Alaska resumes operations as soon as it is safe.” We expect more from our Canadian allies.” “Canada’s announcement to ban all cruise sailings carrying 100 people or more traveling through Canadian waters, without so much as a courtesy conversation with the Alaska delegation, is not only unexpected - it is unacceptable - and was certainly not a decision made with any consideration for Alaskans or our economy. “As the state with the most extensive shared border with Canada, the Alaska delegation has worked in good-faith to seek compromise over border crossing restrictions due to Covid-19, keeping in mind the health and safety of Alaskans and Canadians,” the statement read. Don Young – released a statement on Friday expressing strong disapproval of the move. ShutterstockĪlaska’s Republican delegation to Congress – Sen. Stunning Glacier Bay, Alaska, will be out of reach for many tourists unless Canada is able to rescind an extension of its cruise ship ban. It’s the way maritime law works that gives the ban its sting for America, too. Routes featuring ports such as Seattle, Victoria (Canada), Sitka, Juneau and Glacier Bay have been very popular for decades.īut it’s not just geography that will hurt the US cruise industry. If the pandemic situation “sufficiently improves,” Alghabra could rescind orders earlier than February 2022.īecause of geographical proximity, Alaska and Seattle are inexorably tied to their international neighbor.
“Temporary prohibitions to cruise vessels and pleasure craft are essential to continue to protect the most vulnerable among our communities.” “As Canadians continue to do their part to reduce the spread of Covid-19, our government continues to work hard to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe,” Alghabra said in the government’s statement. It’s notable that there’s no ban on “smaller cruise ships certified to carry 100 or fewer people.” Cruise ships that ferry more than 100 passengers will still be prohibited from operating in Canadian waters. Cruise line says only vaccinated passengers can sailīut the bigger vacation impact will be for folks who enjoy the big cruise ship experience.
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