The cruise industry and those who sell cruises are celebrating after the Government of Canada announced significant measures to re-open cruise travel and assure that the Alaska cruise season will include stops in Canada for the first time in three years.
The current advisory "avoid all cruise travel outside Canada" will be lifted, meaning travellers are no longer advised against cruise travel and insurance becomes more accessible.
"ACTA is pleased at the significant progress to re-opening Canada's cruise industry, including the easing of the travel advisory," said Wendy Paradis, President, ACTA. " This is another milestone on the road to recovery, and will support travel agencies and independent travel agents who depend on cruise sales."
According to the new Canadian rules, all eligible crew and passengers (over 12 years old) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must self-monitor for symptoms.
All passengers must take a negative molecular test within 72-hours before boarding or a rapid antigen test within one day of boarding. The same testing rules apply for disembarkation.
Passengers must also complete the ArriveCAN app prior to disembarkation.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Canada welcomed the announcement by Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, confirming the return of cruise to Canadian waters the first week of April 2022.
"Many months of work have led to this announcement by Transport Canada, and we are delighted to be coming back," said CLIA in a statement. "When cruise resumes in April, CLIA member cruise lines will be sailing with COVID-19 protocols that span the entirety of the cruise experience and provide some of the highest levels of prevention, detection, and mitigation compared to virtually any other tourism setting."
The first cruise ship since 2019 is scheduled to call in Victoria, on April 6 before transiting to Vancouver. With the announcement, cruise lines are preparing for a full schedule of sailings this year from April to November, with itineraries that will include ports and destinations on both Canadian coasts.
The cruise industry is a vital artery for Canada's economy, and prior to the pandemic supported approximately 30,000 Canadian jobs and generated an estimated $4.3 billion in total economic benefits, including $1.9 billion in direct spend, and $1.44 billion in wages and salaries each year.
The 2022 cruise season in Halifax will start on April 26 with the arrival of Norwegian Getaway and Ocean Navigator, an American Queen Steamboat Co. vessel. The season will run until November 5.
"We are starting the rebuilding process in a strong position," said Captain Allan Gray, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority.
"With 152 expected vessel calls in 2022, we are at 85% of where we left off in 2019, which is a great position to be in. Nova Scotia is a place that people want to visit, and the cruise lines want to come here. We remain a safe, welcoming destination with natural beauty and authentic experiences to offer."
Holland America Line, a major player in Alaska cruising, says the new regulations will allow it to complete preparation for a full season of Alaska explorations and Canada/New England sailings. Holland America Line will sail itineraries as scheduled that include Canadian homeports and ports of call from late spring through fall.
"The completion of this guidance by Transport Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Public Health Agency of Canada, and port officials will allow us to sail our Alaska and Canada/New England seasons as planned," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "This is a positive step for everyone who loves to travel to these regions and for all of the businesses in Canada that we support through tourism.
"Many of the protocols Canada is applying were successfully implemented in the United States after the restart of cruising, and they are working well," Antorcha continued. "We are well-positioned to follow Canada's direction and continue delivering memorable cruise vacations that include Canadian ports."
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