Alaska Tourism Restoration Act Sparks Hope For Cruises in Alaska

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that it is resuming ticket sales for its cruises in Alaska. The US Senate passed a bill that sparked hope for the cruise industry to restart its operations in Alaska. The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act will allow cruise ships to bypass Canadian ports when they travel Washington and Alaska.

What makes the Alaska Restoration Act a big deal? Most large cruise ships visiting Alaska are also registered in foreign countries. Under US federal law, foreign-registered ships are not allowed to sail between two American ports without stopping at a foreign port in between.

On top of that, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new mask guidelines. In most places, people who completed their COVID vaccination can take off their masks. Though mask-wearing policy stays on cruises, the latest CDC guidelines can increase the confidence of passengers to go on a cruise.

According to a Norwegian Cruise Lines spokesperson, “We remain optimistic that by working with the CDC and local port and government authorities in the destinations we visit that we will be able to resume safe cruising in the US this summer”. Tickets are now on sale for Norwegian Bliss for August until the end of the season.

Vaccinated Ship

Cruises can skip simulated voyages if they meet the required number of vaccinated passengers and crew. Cruises need to meet vaccination rates of 98% for the crew and 95% for passengers. Social distancing has to be observed at all times. Plus, people can only remove masks in a few places on the ship.

Passengers will have an incentive to get the vaccine. Those who completed their vaccination will not have to take the COVID19 test. However, vaccinated individuals showing symptoms or in contact with someone with COVID19 will have to take the test. And as for the unvaccinated individuals, they can take an antigen test or a PCR test.