"This is About Survival:" Alaska Ports Issue Plea For 2021 Cruise Season

Cruise Critic ^ | October 07, 2020 | Aaron Saunders

[Capt. Tom]

After facing a devastating year that saw no cruise vessels call on ports in Alaska and British Columbia as a result of the global COVID-19 health pandemic, cities on the itineraries that rely on tourism say that having ships return in 2021 is crucial for their survival.

Andrew Cremata, borough mayor for the popular Alaskan cruise port of Skagway, Alaska, remarked on the current situation faced by his town, and numerous other port of call in Southeast Alaska, during a panel discussion at the Virtual Seatrade conference Wednesday morning. "This is about survival for Skagway," said Cremata, who said that the cruise industry makes up as much as 95 percent fo the town's overall revenue. "It is essential for our small businesses that they are able to engage the cruise ship companies and the cruise ship passengers in a normal way. They local businesses are going to go 17 months in a best-case scenario without any revenue. "April, May of 2021 represents the chance to right the ship."

Regulations, Border Closures Hamper Return to Cruise in Alaska The Alaska cruise industry has been plagued with massive job losses and severe economic effects as a result of both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's No-Sail order; and Transport Canada's current ban on cruise operations within Canadian waters. Both orders are currently in effect through October 31, 2020.

For Cremata, the closure of the Canada-U.S. border has also further served to isolate his town. Skagway rests approximately 15 miles from the border with the Canadian province of British Columbia.

The Canada-U.S. border is currently closed to all non-essential travel until October 21. It is widely expected to stay shuttered through the end of the year.

"We are concerned about when that border will open," said Cremata. "Even if we saw a reduction in cruise ship capacity moving into 2021, that…will keep us alive." Peter Xotta, vice president, planning and operations with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority which manages the city's Canada Place cruise terminal, stated that the health and safety protocols being developed by the cruise lines, along with the dramatic impact on tourism dollars on the West Coast, will aid in easing restrictions.

He echoed concerns about the cross-border shutdown. "The opportunity, I think, is one where the cruise industry can define itself, within that broader context of tourism, as being the one that has a lower risk profile than some of the independent travel or others have." Shore Excursion Bubbles Present Unique Challenges Another challenge presenting itself for the 2021 Alaska cruise season revolves around the unique nature and geography of Alaskan cruising.

While the concept of "bubble" shore excursions that are pre-arranged and booked through the cruise line, and which do not allow for independent exploration, are the prescribed method of going ashore for the Mediterranean voyages that have restarted so far this year, Skagway Mayor Cremata expressed concern over what that would mean for his town.

"We want them to have a completely free experience while they're in the port of Skagway," he said. "We want them to be able to get off of the boat, hike on a trail, take a tour, visit a restaurant, shop at a retail outlet, do whatever they want to do.

"What we're doing now is working directly with CLIA (the Cruise Lines International Association) to develop a way to bring seasonal workers in safely. I am confident that we're going to see protocols develop that are very community-specific."

Cremata expressed concerns that "bubble" shore excursions could benefit some local businesses over others and reduce passenger choice. Skagway has numerous bars, restaurants, breweries, shops, cafes and tour operators that conduct hiking, bicycle tours, flightseeing journeys, and trips up the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad into British Columbia.

"We can't lose business owners," said Cremata. "When you have a population of under 1,000, that population dwindles quickly. Rebuilding that would take a very long time."

Additional Facilities Need to Be Agreed Upon For COVID To date, Skagway is one of the few places to not have had a single case of COVID-19. Cremata points out that while Juneau and Ketchikan have hospitals, Skagway does not. And that poses an issue for COVID-19 isolation, should an outbreak occur aboard a ship docked in port.

"It's essential that we work with the cruise ship companies to develop a facility here that can manage all of the different scenarios that could potentially take place when a cruise ship docks," said Cremata.

The closest major American hospital facility to Skagway is Bartlett Hospital in Juneau -- a journey that typically requires expensive air ambulance transport. A similar situation is faced in many local communities in Alaska that lack adequate hospital care. Smaller communities will often have a clinic with basic care needs and the requirement to ferry residents, either by air or sea, to larger municipalities for more complex care.

Dedicated shoreside facilities for handling any possible COVID-19 positive cases would need to be established on-shore in these communities. Though Skagway is close to Juneau, it is a full overnight sail away from its medical facilities.

Strong Desire to Re-Open to Cruise Tourists Throughout the discussion, Skagway's Cremata and Vancouver's Xotta expressed a desire to take the winter months to fully plan and prepare for the resumption of the 2021 Alaska cruise season. The region has, however, already lost ships for next year: Cunard announced in August that it was pulling Queen Elizabeth from its scheduled Alaska sailings out of Vancouver for the season. Alaska and Vancouver lost a second ship when Princess Cruises unexpectedly sold its 1995-built Sun Princess, which was scheduled to cruise the region between May and August of next year.

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's Xotta concludes that the onus now rests on ports and cruise lines to work with community and government stakeholders to ensure that the 2021 cruise season is allowed to proceed. For Cremata, whatever it takes to resume cruise in 2021 will benefit his community. "Whether you're a pro-masker or an anti-masker, it's irrelevant," Cremata concluded. "The only thing that's relevant is being ready when the cruise ships arrive. "If that requires wearing 30 masks over our face before we engage the cruise ship passengers, I intend to be wearing 30 masks. I guarantee most everyone else in Skagway will be as well."

[Capt. Tom]

From shoreside USA, a look at cruising's economic impact on an American area.

Many Freepers who cruise have done an Alaskan trip or are planning to do one. I thought this might be of interest.

MY daughter who has done the Alaskan Trip encourages me to go. "Dad all you need is warm clothes and a raincoat and you would enjoy the the ship, the magnificent scenery, and the many shore excursions.

But now my wife and I don't fly just get driven to the Cruise ship locally in Boston. Otherwise I would like to do an Alaskan trip.

I hope many Freepers can do the Alaskan Cruise in 2021. -Tom

[freedumb2003]

I was in San Jose, Puerto Rico at the Marriott across the street from the main docks when the trouble in the government hit and cruises were cancelled. I was on a consulting assignment so was flying in weekly for several months.

It devastated the local economy. I wonder if ANY of the shops or restaurants there are even open now if a 3 or 4 weeks brought it to its knees. I can probably check a few like Sr. Frogs (worst damn food I ever ate btw).

[guido911]

I have been on an Alaskan cruise and did an excursion in Skagway. Played with the Iditarod dogs. I enjoyed that town. Went to Mass on Ketchikan, and hiked through Juneau. Loved it. Will easily go again, as long as the take off place is not Seattle. Hate that shithole

[June2]

Did the Alaska cruise last year. Loved it! Would do it again! Feel bad for the folks that depend on the cruise/tourist industry. Hard times.

[CondorFlight]

This is so when they say everything will go back to normal once you get a vaccine, everyone will rush to be vaccinated, without thinking through the consequences of everyone being registered with the government...

[Capt. Tom]

I was in San Jose, Puerto Rico at the Marriott across the street from the main docks when the trouble in the government hit and cruises were cancelled. I was on a consulting assignment so was flying in weekly for several months.
It devastated the local economy.

The collateral damage from cruise cancellations has to be enormous. I am aware the States in this country's reaction to COVID has also decimated small businesses especially restaurants.

Some places around the world have not had serious reactions to Covid but the lack of tourists has killed their businesses, like Skagway Alaska in this Article. -Tom

[JimRed]

I am aware the States in this country's reaction to COVID has also decimated small businesses especially restaurants.

We have eaten at and ordered takeout from our local pub more often than we did during normal times. We want them to still be around when normal returns!

[NormsRevenge]

We’re booked for September 2021 on the Ruby.

Have a niece and hubby that are located near Skagway and have spent many years up there.

We’ve never gotten a virus of any sort on numerous cruises and are in a group that is supposedly more susceptible to one like COVID.

Sacrificing one’s health for happiness doesn’t need to be a tortured endeavor.

Life itself is dangerous considering the chaotic universe we live in. Besides most serious injuries occur at home.

[Chgogal]

I am so disgusted. People pack into airplanes for hours, no peep from the CDC. But get on a ship.....

[polymuser]

“This is so when they say everything will go back to normal once you get a vaccine, everyone will rush to be vaccinated, without thinking through the consequences of everyone being registered with the government...”

Some related thingies:

Event 201 - highlight video at https://youtu.be/AoLw-Q8X174

ID2020

ImmuniPass

Blockchain Digital Identity Alliance - visit https://youtu.be/F1EVs2GMsRg

Can you say “mark of the beast”?

[BipolarBob]

But get on a ship.....

Yeah, but on a ship you're confined with all of those people in tight quarters. It's not like you can go outside (in the sun and fresh air) and walk around freely.

/sarc

[BipolarBob]

bkmk 4 ltr. That’s disturbing.

[PIF]

Take the Inside Passage cruise from Port Angles, WA

[guido911]

I’ve read about that one. Thanks.

[Capt. Tom]

I am so disgusted. People pack into airplanes for hours, no peep from the CDC. But get on a ship

The Alaskans will have not only to deal with our CDC but also with the Canadian Govt. -Tom

From the article-
Regulations, Border Closures Hamper Return to Cruise in Alaska The Alaska cruise industry has been plagued with massive job losses and severe economic effects as a result of both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's No-Sail order; and Transport Canada's current ban on cruise operations within Canadian waters.
Both orders are currently in effect through October 31, 2020.

[Tennessee Nana]

I went last Sept the last Alaska cruise for the Carnival Legend...and the last of the season...Legend went to Florida after that...

At Skagway I took the shore excursion on the train to the Yukon to Carcross (Caribou Crossing) the colors were amazing...

[George from New England]

Been on that Legend. We looked at that two years ago. Alaska, Hawaii, and the canal back to Florida. Cost a bundle then but if they ever go again, it’ll be double now.

[DugwayDuke]

Then there is this.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/cruise-ships-in-the-cdc-dock-11618526805?mod=hp_opin_pos_1
Excerpts:
“If ever there was a reason to celebrate federalism, look to the continued incarceration of the cruise industry. Even living in California lockdown would be preferable to living under the Covid tyranny of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

“Most businesses are subject to state laws. Not so the cruise business, one of the few industries subject to near-total federal control and the only one that has remained in complete lockdown since March 2020. Want to imagine life if the public-health oligarchy had free rein? This is your case study.”