HAL, Princess, Seabourn Cancel 2021 Canadian Water Sailings; CCL Extends Suspension Through MAY

Holland America Line in Alaska.
Holland America Line in Alaska.

Just a week after Royal Caribbean Group brands said they would not cancel any Alaska and Canada/New England cruises, Carnival Corp’s Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn announced Wednesday that they will suspend select sailings, citing Canada’s Interim Order that closed Canadian ports and waters to passenger vessels through 28FEB, 2022.

Princess and HAL say discussions are underway with Canadian and U.S. authorities to try to find a path forward to preserve a portion of the Alaska and Canada & New England 2021 cruise seasons.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line says it has extended its pause of cruise operations to now include all sailings that depart from or conclude in a Canadian port in 2021. This includes several Alaska, three Canada/New England and two Pacific Coastal cruises in summer and fall of this year. It also includes all Land+Sea Journeys.

At this time, Alaska cruises departing from mid-MAY and sailing roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, are not being cancelled.

Cruises impacted by this pause in operation are:

  • Alaska: Cruises through September 2021 to Alaska from all departure ports aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zuiderdam. This also includes any Land+Sea Journeys connected with canceled Alaska sailings.
  • Pacific Coastal: Two sailings in early October aboard Koningsdam and Oosterdam.
  • Canada/New England: Three cruises aboard Zaandam departing in September 2021.

All 2022 Alaska and Canada/New England cruises will operate as scheduled.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has cancelled the following voyages:

  • Alaska seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruises, sailing between Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier)
  • Pacific Coastals that start or end in Vancouver, B.C.
  • Canadian Adventure sailing roundtrip from Southampton, UK

Princess says it will continue to operate the Kenai Princess Wilderness lodge along with McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali and Westmark Fairbanks Hotel this summer and is currently working on vacation land package details that will be announced shortly.

Seabourn

Seabourn is cancelling 19 voyages scheduled aboard Seabourn Odyssey in summer 2021 between Vancouver, Canada and Juneau, Alaska, including one Pacific Coast voyage at the end of the season.

“Our highest priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations we visit,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn.

“We have heard from many guests and they are eager to travel, seeing positive developments starting to take hold that will eventually lead to our return to service.”

Today’s Seabourn announcement did not mention Canada/New England cruises, suggesting they still hope to salvage at least part of the season on the East Coast.

Its smaller ships may be able to use tiny French territory St. Pierre et Miquelon instead of Canada as the required ‘foreign’ port on New England sailings; an option not available to larger ships.

Carnival Cruise Line Extends Pause From U.S. Through MAY 2021

Carnival Cruise Line has extended its pause in operations from U.S. ports through 31MAY, 2021, although it has not specifically announced any Alaska or Canada/New England cancellations yet.

“We continue to work on plans to resume operations and are encouraged by the focus to expedite vaccine production and distribution which are having a demonstrated impact on improving public health,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We appreciate the support of all of our guests, employees and trade partners who we know are looking forward to our return.”

As it has done throughout the pause, Carnival is providing guests on cruises cancelled today the choice of a future cruise credit plus onboard credit package, or a full refund.

You may also like
WestJet
WestJet CEO Maps Out Growth Strategy for Edmonton
"As the capital city of our home province, we are unwaveringly committed to maintaining and growing our title as Edmonton's leading air carrier“, ...
RCI Record First Quarter on the Heels of 'Exceptional Year'
After an "exceptional" 2023, with an even more surprising wave season, Royal Caribbean Group's Q1 2024 earnings report surpassed expectations. 
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises Debuts New Mediterranean Sailings for 2025
Oceania Cruises has debuted an array of new 2025 Mediterranean sailings, ranging from nine to 56 days, to whisk guests to ...
Saint John, Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week Returns
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will kick off May with the second annual Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week (ABRW). From ...
Intrepid Co-Founder on “The Importance of Gender Equality” in Travel
Open Jaw had the honour of attending Intrepid Travel’s Toronto trade evening where co-founder and chairman, Darrell Wade, reflected on the ...

Talk Back! Post a comment: