CRUISE SHIPS BANNED IN CANADA THROUGH FEBRUARY 2022

As Canada’s travel restrictions were set to expire February 2021, today the Canadian Government issued a new order which will prohibit cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022. 

With the current U.S. Jones Act this will affect the Alaska cruise season for foreign-flagged ships as well as other cruise seasons in the Great Lakes and Canada/New England for ships under foreign flag.

The new order stated, “Cruise vessels carrying 100 or more people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters,” as well as passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast. 

The Honorable Omar Alghabra, minister of transport stated “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. Temporary prohibitions to cruise vessels and pleasure craft are essential to continue to protect the most vulnerable among our communities and avoid overwhelming our health care systems. This is the right and responsible thing to do.

The Government of Canada is also continuing to advise Canadian citizens and permanent residents to avoid all travel on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice to assist with the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

For further information regarding a 2021 Alaska sailing that you are booked on, continue to monitor the cruise lines website as well as watch for any email updates from the cruise line or your travel agent.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES AT POPULAR DESTINATIONS

On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an order requiring all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021. Here is a list of locations where you may obtain a Covid-19 test prior to returning to the U.S. in several popular destinations.

CDC to Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for Nearly All International Air Travel To The U.S.

International Travel Update: The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved an order Tuesday expanding coronavirus testing requirements for nearly all international air travelers starting Jan. 26, 2021.

The new requirements will require all U.S. bound passengers age 2 and over to have a negative COVID-19 test results within three calendar days of travel. The CDC will consider temporary waivers from testing requirements for travelers from some countries with little or no testing capacity.

According to the CDC website: Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.

“Testing does not eliminate all risk,” says CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, “but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier, and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at destinations.”

This order was signed by the CDC Director on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE CANCELS MORE SAILINGS

Today December 2, 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line extended the suspension of cruises to include all cruises embarking through February 2021, as well as sailings on the following ships through March 2021; Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun, and Pride of America.

Currently, NCL has not suspended cruises in March 2021 for Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy.

Guests who have an active reservation on a suspended cruise through March 2021 will automatically receive a refund of their cruise fare in the original form of a payment for the amount paid by January 7, 2021. Additionally, a 10% off coupon will be automatically added to the guest’s account which is valid for one year from date of issue, and can be used for any Norwegian Cruise Line voyage embarking through 2022 and is combinable with any future cruise credits and all future promotions at time of booking.