Canada Effectively Cancels Its Cruise Season, Expanding Ban Through October

Posted on 30 May, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Halifax in Nova Scotia.

Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian authorities have effectively cancelled the rest of the 2020 cruise season in Canadian waters by banning any ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020.

The order came down via the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau.

The news cancels the Alaska season except for U.S.-flagged vessels and will put a stop to the late summer and early autumn fall foliage sailings in Canada/New England. It will also impact expedition operators in the Arctic.

“Our Government is committed to protecting Canadians, particularly during these challenging times. It is for that reason I am announcing updated measures for cruise ships and other passenger vessels in Canada, which includes prohibiting larger cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. Our Government continues to work with other levels of government, transportation industry stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples to re-examine measures and to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe and secure during this time. We are all in this together,” said Garneau.

As of July 1, 2020, all other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations, the government said.

Passenger vessels with the capacity to carry more than 12 persons continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters (including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador Coast) until October 31, 2020.

Beginning July 1, 2020, passenger vessels will be allowed to operate in inland rivers and lakes in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

Canada further tightens cruising restrictions

Posted on 8 April, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Canada’s government has enacted tighter restrictions on passenger ships, prohibiting commercial vessels with a capacity for more than 12 passengers from engaging in tourism and other recreational activities through at least June 30.

Last month, Canada banned cruise ships with more than 500 passengers from making port calls.

In other measures that will remain in place through Oct. 31, Canadian cruise ships are prohibited from the mooring, navigating or transiting in the country’s Arctic waters, and any foreign passenger vessel seeking to enter Arctic waters must give Canada’s minister of transport 60 days’ notice.

The new restrictions do not apply to “essential passenger vessels” such as ferries, water taxis and medical-use vessels nor to cargo ships and fishing vessels, said Transport Canada.

“These new measures will help reduce the spread of Covid-19 while continuing to support the continued movement of goods through the supply chain and ensuring Canadians can access their homes, jobs and essential services in a safe manner,” said transport minister Marc Garneau.

Coronavirus: Royal Caribbean extends suspension of sailings

Posted on 25 March, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Coronavirus: Royal Caribbean extends suspension of sailings

A suspension of sailings by all brands under the Royal Caribbean Cruises umbrella has been extended until the middle of May.

The world’s second-largest cruise company originally paused all global operations on March 14 until April 11.

That date was last night changed to an expected return to service on May 12.

But Alaska, Canada and New England sailings will not resume until July 1 due to port closures.

The group’s global fleet includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises.

The company said: “Given global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to extend the suspension of sailings of our global fleet.

“We are working with our guests to address this disruption to their vacations, and we are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience.

“We are also working with our crew to sort out the issues this decision presents for them.

“We expect to return to service on May 12, 2020. Because of announced port closures, we expect to return to service for Alaska, Canada and New England sailings July 1.”