Why Are Alaska Cruises In Trouble
The global health crisis has nearly all cruise ships shutdown, including Alaska sailings.
In order to restart operations, Alaska cruises would require approval from two countries to sail: the United States and Canada.
Most readers are aware of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention ban of cruise ship travel, which has shutdown operations from the United States. This remains an unanswered question, although theoretically the new Conditional Sail Order could open up the possibility of cruises resuming sometime soon.
Over in Canada, Transport Canada has banned all cruise ship activity through February 28, 2021, and more extensions of that ban are very possible.
On top of that, Canada has closed its border with the United States for travel;until at least February;21, 2021.;
The land borders have been closed since March 18, 2020.
The reason why Canada matters for Alaska cruise is because any cruise ship needs to be able to stop in Canada to operate legally from the United States.; Cruises that would depart from Vancouver would need the Canadian government to open their ports.
Cruises sailing from the United States must adhere to the Passenger Vessel Service Act of 1886 .
Commander Don Goldstein, Retired United States Coast Guard, explained why these laws are in place.
In order for a cruise to Alaska to be allowed to sail, the Canadian and American governments would have to allow cruise ships to sail again.
Advantages Of Visiting Alaska In May
- May is part of the spring shoulder season and sees fewer visitors than later in the year, so you should be able to find better travel deals and lower cruise prices.
- For wildlife spotters, May offers migratory songbirds, pods of gray whales, and herds of moose. Bring a pair of binoculars and you may even catch the occasional wolf or lynx on the prowl.
When To Cruise To Alaska
When it comes to the time of year to take a cruise in Alaska, you’re at the whim of Mother Nature. Due to the cold winters, cruises to Alaska are only available from the end of April through beginning of October. Not only is this the safest time for the cruise ships to sail to avoid any ice that may form on the water passageways, it also is the time cruisers can most enjoy being on deck of the ship and exploring each port as the weather is much warmer than in the frigid winter months.
Even in summer, though, you’ll want to pack warm layers, such as sweaters and windbreakers. The nights in Alaska can get cold plus being on the water can result in chilly breezes. Also pack clothes you’re not afraid to get dirty. Many of the most popular shore excursions and activities to do while in port involve hiking, fishing and canoeing.
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Best Time To Cruise Alaska
The Alaska cruising season begins in March and ends in September. The peak season with best weather and wildlife occurs during summer months. Generally, there is less rain in May and precipitation increases as the summer progresses. As Alaska small ship cruise experts, we advise clients that the best time to cruise Alaska is May 15 through September 1.
If we had to choose one, the best month for an Alaska cruise is July. Typically, there are no scheduled cruises from October through February, but special Alaska charter cruises can be arranged during this time with advanced notice. Families typically visit mid June through mid August. View the best Alaska cruises for families. See our monthly Alaska weather tips and travel advice below to find your best time to take an Alaskan cruise.
What Is The Best Cruise To See The Northern Lights
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On Celebrity, cruises to Alaska and Iceland just might yield sightings of Aurora Borealis. That said, even if you dont see the Northern Lights during your cruise, theres plenty to fall in love with in these exciting destinations, from incredible dog-sledding competitions to hiking along stunning fjords.
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Which Cruise Lines Are Currently Sailing In Alaska
Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, the regions two major players, have been forced to pull out, canceling dozens of sailings. However, a handful of U.S.-flagged ships can still sail in Alaska because the CDCs framework and the PVSA dont apply to them, due to their small size and U.S. registry:
- Alaskan Dream Cruises
Checking The Weather Before Your Trip
Many travelers incessantly check the daily weather in Alaska as their trip approaches. We advise you to resist this temptation, it will only drive you crazy. Local forecasts in Alaska are astoundingly inaccurate and weather changes by the hour. Checking daily forecasts does little to help you prepare.
Stick to the broad guidelines above and as previously stated, follow the advice of your packing lists. Checking the weather before your Alaska trip will only serve to frustrate your preparations and offers little insight into what conditions will be like when you arrive.
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Alaska Cruise Weather In August
Like July, nights and early mornings can be very cold, so late nighters and early risers should be prepared to bundle up for icy temperatures. Plenty of layers are also essential in August, and travelers should be sure to pack waterproof jackets, shoes, and bags as August and September are among the rainiest months of the year.
Glaciers Mountains And Wildlife Await
Perhaps no land captures the adventurous frontier spirit better then Alaska. And, there is no better way to experience its untamed beauty than on an all-inclusive cruise with Regent Cruise Destinations.
Witness the grace and power of a humpback whale breaching the surface, sled across the otherworldly landscape of Mendenhall Glacier and journey through the verdant beauty of the Tongass National Forest, the world’s largest temperate rainforest. Then, discover the human side of Alaska in towns like Sitka, where contrasting cultures are revealed in the totem poles of the native Tlingit and in the domes of the Russian Orthodox church.
Thousands of miles of spectacular shoreline and massive glaciers offer a glimpse of Alaska’s hidden and impenetrable wilderness, and the best way to view it is on a Regent luxury cruise, with intimate ships that allow for deeper exploration and a front row seat to this untamed majesty.
No wonder they say that once you’ve been to Alaska, you never really come all the way back.
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Alaska Cruise Weather In May
May brings warmer weather within the cities and towns of the Alaskan inside passage. While it can be freezing cold at times, the weather can also be pleasantly cool. The low temperatures typically range from the mid-thirties to the low forties Fahrenheit, but the highs can get up to the upper fifties.
This month also experiences near constant cloud cover with a good chance of rain on any given day. Travelers get at least fifteen hours of daylight and twilight in May, providing more time for whale watching and other outdoor activities. With low wind speeds, cold temperatures, and precipitation, travelers may want to pack plenty of knit sweaters, a jacket, warm pants, and waterproof boots or shoes.
What Is The Best Month To Cruise Alaska
The best month to visit Alaska depends on what you hope to experience during your trip.
- Do you want as much sun and daylight as possible? Then book a June or July cruise.
- Would you like to see lots of wildlife? Then purchase a May, August, or September cruise as these months feature young animal families and migrations.
- Do you want to get into the interior and see Denali National Park or the Yukon? Then select July or August.
- Are you chasing bright tree foliage? Then book a cruise at the end of August or in September.
- Would you like to avoid mosquitoes? Then May and September are the best months for your cruise.
- Are northern lights on the itinerary? Then your trip will be in September or October. Would you like to fish for salmon? Then select any summer or shoulder month.
The good news is that no matter which month you choose, your Alaskan cruise will reward you with incredible experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
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Whats Being Done To Help Alaska
Pushing for cruises to be allowed to restart and citing how dependent the state is on tourism, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy joined Florida in suing the CDC in April. Shortly after, the agency released further instructions for cruise lines, but test sailings still havent started.
Additionally, the U.S. Senate voted to pass a temporary PVSA waiver, which would allow Alaska voyages to begin again without the foreign-port stipulation. A vote from the U.S. House of Representatives is expected soon, but the point is moot unless the CDC grants approval for ships to sail.
Carnival To Send Second Ship To Alaska
The 2,980-passenger Carnival Freedom will join the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle in Alaska in 2021. The Freedom will increase Carnivals Alaska capacity by 40%.
Carnival Cruise Line will sail the Carnival Freedom in Alaska in 2021, operating week-long voyages from Seattle. Starting in April, 2021, the Freedom will join the Carnival Miracle, which will operate 10- and 11-day Glacier Route cruises in Alaska from San Francisco beginning in May 2021.
Alaska is a bucket-list destination that offers a unique combination of fascinating wildlife and unique cultural and sightseeing opportunities. Were delighted to provide our guests with even more opportunities to choose fun as they experience and explore the beauty and majesty of Alaska, said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
The Freedom will operate 21 Alaska cruises from Port of Seattle from April 27 to Sept. 22, departing every Tuesday. Port calls on the Glacier Route voyages include Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, as well as Victoria, and scenic cruising of Tracy Arm Fjord. There is also an eight-day cruise featuring Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Victoria and cruising Tracy Arm Fjord.
Prior to its Alaska program, the Freedom operates a 17-day Panama Canal cruise from Galveston to Seattle from April 10-27, with stops in Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Source:;Cruise Industry News
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Alaska Cruises: Experiences Of Our Visitors
Top weatherSeattle really warm for embarkation and disembarkation, Juneau was a little fresher but enough for whale watching. Skagway blue sky, top view, Glacier Bay fantasticin the photos sky and sea almost indistinguishable.Ketchigan super weather and Victoria over 25 degrees and sunshine
Weather Rating: 5 stars Excellent
From Juno to Skagway we had good weather no rainy day
Weather Rating: 4 stars Good
Alaska Cruise In October
Help! My 50th birthday is in October…. I wanted to do an Alaskan cruise. There is only one cruise line in October for it. Is this a terrible time to go?
25 replies to this topic
Absolutely. NCL are milking the Alaskacruise market for what it is worth. Bloody stupid.
October is the start of winter in Alaska. Most activities/tours will no longer be available, waters can be rough due to storms. Personally I wouldn’t cruise Alaska past the first week of September.
G’day M_M.
I wanted to edit to add that NCL were also still trying to sell cruises for last August and September in June when nearly all others lines had cancelled months before.
I live here and would not recommend a cruise in October….we don’t take our boat out after mid Sept…..and even then there are days when it is too blustery, seas too high and weather just too uncomfortable to be outside…..
I can’t imagine they could have enough fool hardy folks to fill up a cruise ship for October……
Mombear the key word is “fool.” NCL knows many people are price sensitive but don’t realize October is not really cruise season in Alaska. Money talks so they book cuz it is cheap.
Kudos to the OP for asking about it. Travel in August and celebrate early!
Edited: 01 December 2020, 12:12
Great idea from FTI……let the cruiseline know that you have an upcoming birthday and maybe they will make a cake for you…….really, they did it for one of our tablemates on a Hawaiian
Alaska is more important than the cruise line.
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Alaska Cruise Packing List: Non
Now that you know what you need to bring from your closet, its time to go through all the other items you wont want to leave out from your Alaska cruise suitcase.
In addition to clothes, there are a few extra items that will go a long way in making your cruise to Alaska a memorable experience. For example, one of the highlights of traveling to Alaska is spotting wildlife in its natural habitat. Therefore, we recommend travelers bring a handheld camera and a good pair of binoculars, in order to fully experience the wonder of Alaskas nature.
Health Protocols For October 2021 Cruises
Royal Caribbean’s health protocols for October are fairly similar to the protocols from September, although there have been a few tweaks.
Royal Caribbean separated out the protocols for sailings from U.S. homeports in the first half and second half of October, although they seem to be nearly identical.
First and foremost, all passengers 12 years old and older are required to bring proof of vaccination, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions COVID-19 vaccination record card, with the final dose of the vaccine completed at least 14 days prior to sailing.
Guests under 12, who are currently ineligible for the vaccine,;can;still cruise as long as they continue to provide a negative test result at boarding and follow certain health and safety protocols.
One change to the testing protocols is kids;2 to 11 may present either a negative PCR or antigen test result. Previously only a PCR test was allowed.
You should review the full list of protocols related to where and when you need to wear a mask, vaccinated-only guest areas of the ship, and more on Royal Caribbean’s website.
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Whats Preventing Alaska Cruises From Restarting
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When the CDCs no-sail order expired in October 2020, it was replaced by the agencys Framework for Conditional Sailing. The plan lays out protocols for cruise lines to implement on their ships to keep crew and passengers safe before the resumption of voyages will be allowed from U.S. ports.
Under the framework, even after the new policies have been put in place on board, all ships must successfully complete test voyages with volunteer passengers in order for the CDC to grant each individual vessel permission to restart revenue sailings.
Since the framework was issued, cruise lines that rushed to meet the criteria for test sailings have found themselves in a hurry up and wait situation, with the CDC taking months to issue further information.
But, even if all ships were allowed to begin sailing again right this second, there are logistical challenges that come with having to restaff and provision entire fleets, both of which could take time.
Throwing an additional wrench into the mix for Alaska is the fact that Canada has closed its ports to large cruise ships through February of 2022.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canadas borders could open up this summer, but until they do, the Alaska season remains at a standstill.
Multiple Cruise Lines Announce Alaska Sailings Following Passage Of Bill That Allows Them To Bypass Canada
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A handful of major cruise lines have announced they will resume selling tickets for trips to Alaska after the U.S. Congress passed a bill Thursday allowing ships to bypass Canada on their way to the Last Frontier.
The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act passed the House of Representatives on Thursday, and allows the state to recover at least a portion of its cruise season, the absence of which in 2020 was felt deeply across the states tourism sector.
The bill was first passed by the Senate last week, and exempts large cruise vessels from the Passenger Vessel Services Act. That act prohibits foreign-flagged ships from taking passengers between two different U.S. ports without stopping at a nearby foreign port. For cruises coming to Alaska, thats Canada, which has;banned cruise ships from its waters due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Being exempt from the Passenger Vessel Services Act will allow large cruise ships to bypass Canada on trips to Alaska, and several cruise lines took advantage of that on Thursday, announcing they will resume sailing to the state later this summer.
Norwegian Cruise Line resumed selling tickets for its Norwegian Bliss cruise ship to Alaska on Tuesday, ahead of the bills final passage.
The state had been on the verge of experiencing another nonexistent cruise season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Canadas ban on large cruise ships until February 2022.
The trips will make stops in Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point.
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Any Cruise In October
Hi my husband and I will planning a trip for next mid October but I am not sure if there is any ferries still working … that will make a change in our itinerary so please if someone can give me these information will be very appreciated,
Thank you
No cruises in October. Ferries operate on a very limited schedule. Here is the *proposed* schedule for this October: .
October is not a good month to visit Alaska anyway. What is it you were hoping to see and do? What is your itinerary?
The reason why its not so good in October is that there will rains and most likely snow in some parts as well. Its low season so things start closing up in many areas for the winter. The season sales for the most part are done at the stores; they advertise heavily to September cruise ship passengers. Some Alaskans who do not stay the winter close up stores/attractons and are on their way south by car/RV, etc. before the weather gets worse.
Can you change your plans as mentioned above to visit in September?