Update on cruise ship scheduling
When, how, and if Juneau and the rest of Southeast will have a cruise ship season is still unknown due to several factors, including:
- Canada closed its ports to large and small cruise ships until July 1. The Port of Seattle has also delayed its cruise season indefinitely. Because large cruise ships that visit Juneau and elsewhere in Southeast are foreign flagged, and as such may not operate solely between U.S. Ports of call, they cannot operate in the region until Canada and Seattle reopen its ports.
- The Centers for Disease Control extended its federal No Sail Order for cruise ships
- Various State of Alaska’s Health Mandates make it essentially impossible for cruise ship passengers to board ships, dine on ships, visit communities, shop for goods, and go on tours on land- or sea-based transportation. It is unknown how or when the Governor’s Health Mandates will be lifted or relaxed and how new protocols will be applied.
In the event that cruise ships arrive in Juneau, the cruise industry will work with both the federal government, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to develop enhanced health guidelines and protocols for ships and passengers. When these discussions take place, CBJ will be involved and bring those discussions into the public process in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, this is a cruise ship update from TBMP. These are the definite cancelations. Looking beyond, the situation remains fluid:
- Princess Cruises announced cancellation of all sailings through June 30
- Princess Cruises announced cancellation of all cruises across the Gulf of Alaska and any interior cruisetour packages in 2020
- Princess Cruises plans to operate Ruby Princess & Emerald Princess in Alaska in 2020 from Seattle, roundtrip SE Alaska, planned sailing late summer
- Holland America Line announced cancellation of all sailings through June 30
- Holland America Line announced cancellation of all cruises across the Gulf of Alaska and interior Land & Sea Journeys packages in 2020
- Holland America Line plans to operate Koningsdam (from Vancouver) and Eurodam (from Seattle) roundtrip Southeast Alaska in 2020, planned sailing late summer
- Seabourn Cruise Line suspended sailings through June 30
- NCL suspended sailings through May 10
- NCL cancelled the Alaska season for Norwegian Sun
- Alaskan Dream Cruises suspended sailings through May 31
- Lindblad Expeditions suspended sailings through June 1
- American Cruise Lines intends at this time to start operating in June/July
- UnCruise Adventures suspended Alaska ship sailings until June 5
- Carnival Cruise Lines suspended all Alaska sailings (Carnival Spirit) through June 30
- Carnival Cruise Lines cancelled the 2020 Alaska season for Carnival Miracle
- RCI/Celebrity suspended all Alaska and Canada sailings through June 30
- Viking Cruises suspended operations through June 30
- Hurtigruten Cruises suspended sailings through June 30
- Silver Sea Cruises suspended sailings through June 30
- Disney Cruise Line suspended Alaska cruises through July 5
- Windstar Cruises cancelled 2020 Alaska season
- The Boat Company cancelled 2020 Alaska season
At this point, about 360 voyages have been cancelled, equaling approximately 695,000 passengers.