The federal government has lifted the prohibition on cruise ships operating in Canadian waters, but not in time to save the summer cruise season. The suspension of the order takes effect Nov. 01 for operators that “are able to fully comply with public health requirements.”
What those requirements are have not been made clear, but some US cruise lines, which began sailing again earlier this summer require all, or almost all, passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated.
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra made the announcement yesterday in Victoria, BC, and while the cruise industry and politicians in British Colombia will generally welcome the long-awaited news, it comes too late for summer 2021.
Indeed, Algabra acknowledged the reality of the situation, stating, “We will welcome cruise ships – an important part of our tourism sector – back in Canadian waters for the 2022 season.”
Previously, federal officials earlier extended the cruise ship ban until the end of February 2022, but Algabra credited the enthusiasm of Canadians receiving vaccinations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 for the advanced timeline, even if in reality it is on paper, not the water.
Algabra noted that some small cruise ships may be able to operate after Nov. 1, but the suspension of the ban now would allow the large cruise lines to prepare for next season (including lucrative Alaska itineraries) and align with cruise line operations in the US.
Transport Canada says the cruise ship industry, which represents more than $4 billion annual input into the Canadian economy and directly and indirectly generates approximately 30,000 jobs, is an important part of Canada’s domestic tourism sector, and acknowledges, “We know that the maritime and tourism sectors have been hit hard by the global COVID-19 pandemic.”
It adds that it will continue to work with the Public Health Agency of Canada, other levels of government, the US government, transportation industry stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples, and Arctic communities “to help ensure Canadians and Canada’s transportation system remain safe and secure.”
Noting that cruising is an important part of BC’s economy, provincial minister of transportation Rob Fleming said, “We know that cruise ship passengers want a Canadian experience in British Columbia, and we know that British Columbians want to welcome them to our cities when it is safe to do so.”
Victoria mayor Lisa Helps said the decision to rescind the ban, “gives predictability and certainty to the industry going forward,” while Wendy Zatylny, president of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, added, “Rescinding the no-sail order will now allow the necessary vessel fit-up, staff training, and additional time needed for the sector to prepare for the safe resumption of cruise in Canada.”
Nevertheless, for all the immediate enthusiasm over the move, many in the cruise industry, on both sides of the border, could be less than thrilled that a second summer cruise season has been lost to the pandemic, some feel unnecessarily so.
However, cases of the virus are still showing up on cruise ships, and as late as Wednesday this week, nearly 3,000 passengers and crew disembarked a Dream Cruises ship in Singapore after being confined in their cabins when a passenger tested positive for Covid-19.
Opinions from the cruise industry will be interesting.