Following the decision last week by the US House of Representatives to pass the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA) (HR 1318) to provide foreign-flagged cruise ships transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska a temporary exemption to the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) requirement they call at a foreign port, three Carnival brands have announced plans to resume Alaska cruises this summer.
Because of a Canadian prohibition on passenger vessels travelling through Canadian waters, the legislative fix was needed to permit cruise ships sailing from Washington directly to Alaska, which the PVSA bars because the US law requires at least one stop in a foreign country. The measure had earlier been passed by the Senate and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
Carnival Corp said on Friday May 21st that three of its cruise brands were expected to return to service with Alaska sailings from Seattle, starting in July.
Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line plan to resume guest cruise operations for a partial season in Alaska, each with one ship sailing round-trip, Carnival Corp said.
The Alaska cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Princess Cruises will resume operations in Alaska starting July 25th and running through to September 26th, with seven-day cruises on the Majestic Princess.
Holland America Line will resume its cruise operations to Alaska with seven-day itineraries aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, starting July 24th and offering 10 Saturday departures that will operate through to October 2nd.
Carnival Cruise Line will start cruises from Seattle from July 27th, with weekly seven-day cruises aboard Carnival Miracle through to September 14th.
Carnival Cruise Line was also working to finalize its plans to operate Carnival Horizon from Miami, Florida, and Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston, Texas, in July. Itineraries along with specific details about protocols are expected to be finalized and announced this week.
The company is currently sailing with two of its brands in Europe – AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises.