FYI Canada is closing cruise ports until July 1st

[Cardiolite]

Here is the article on cbc

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-covid-19-1.5496367

 

Its buried a bit in there but this is a quote of the section...

 

During that news conference, ministers announced a series of new measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

• International flights will only be permitted to land at a smaller number of airports. Those locations have not yet been announced.
• A ban on boats and cruise ships carrying more than 500 people from docking at Canadian ports until July.
• A recommendation that all travellers arriving in Canada from international points self-isolate for 14 days.

[smwg]

My family and I are suppose to port in Vancouver on July10th.  Sure hope they lift the ban by then, we already have a tickets to fly home. 😞

[scottbee]

Full press release from Transport Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-announces-intention-to-defer-the-start-of-cruise-ship-season-in-canada-as-covid-19-response-measure.html

 

This will also affect (Seattle/San Fran) US based Alaska cruises, as the (required by the PVSA) foreign port stop (normally Victoria) will be unavailable

[LadyMac72]

Is there any updated information on the July 1 date?

[martincath]

5 hours ago, LadyMac72 said:

Is there any updated information on the July 1 date?

Nope - you can still click scott's link above and go right to the relevant government agency news posts, so even if somehow all the media forget to post an update on a further extension of the ban or that it's being revoked, the info will be on that page as soon as there is any info. And it'll be straight from the proverbial horses' mouth.

[cruiseryyc]

Update - there will be no cruise ships allowed to dock in Canadian ports this summer; or they might be allowed to dock to get provisions, but no one will be allowed off.

 

Basically the Alaska cruise season is over for 2020.

[badvector]

5 hours ago, cruiseryyc said:

Update - there will be no cruise ships allowed to dock in Canadian ports this summer; or they might be allowed to dock to get provisions, but no one will be allowed off.

 

Basically the Alaska cruise season is over for 2020.

 

Do you have a link to this information. 

Thanks!

[cruiseryyc]

To be specific, "passengers won't be allowed to disembark in BC ports" - so unless the US Federal Government adjusts the PVSA, no Alaska cruises will be taking place.  I also don't imagine the ports in Alaska are anxious to have thousands or potential virus carriers visiting.

 

https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/greater-victoria-harbour-authority-rejigs-for-no-cruise-season-1.24134920

[Milhouse]

Tuesday's daily news conference by the BC provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and health minister, Adrian Dix.

See 28m15s mark for the question and response about the port of Vancouver opening up for cruise ships July 1.  Key points:

• They're not in favour in opening the ports by July 1 and have had conversations with their counterparts in the federal government (as the port is federally regulated).
• They've also had conversation with counterparts in the Yukon, Alaska, and Washington state and all don't expect to have cruise ships in their waters and ports in the upcoming months.
• Current rules such as 14 day self isolation upon arriving/returning to BC would apply to cruise ship pax also

 

 

[cruiseryyc]

Just announced this morning that ships with more than 100 passengers won't be allowed in Canadian waters until October 31st.  So basically that ends any speculation on Alaska cruises this summer.

 

https://www.timescolonist.com/large-cruise-ships-barred-from-canadian-waters-until-end-of-october-garneau-1.24143300

[cruiseonecer]

That is actually not 100 passengers. It is ships having accommodation for more than 100 people including crew. From the link above:

 

"Transport Minister Marc Garneau said Thursday passenger ships with overnight accommodations for more than 100 people — including both passengers and crew — can't operate in Canadian waters until at least Oct. 31."