Ports

First-time cruisers to Alaska want to see glaciers and eagles and salmon and bears – but they don’t always know which port is best for the activities they want to do.

Not all weeklong Alaska cruise itineraries feature the same ports, so you need to know which destinations should be tops on your list. You don’t want to travel all that way to find out that your ship stops in Sitka, when your dream excursion departs from Icy Strait Point.

Canada announced it will not allow cruise ships to enter its waters for one year.

The sum of all fears related to the Alaska and Canadian cruise season in 2021 has been realized with the announcement by Canada's Minister of Tourism that cruises will ban cruise ships until February 28, 2022.

Canada had been banning cruise ships for a few months at a time, but this ban extends an entire year.

The Port of Los Angeles will be welcoming an array of cruise ships to its port without any passengers onboard, in an effort to help cruise lines get back to service.

The visits for fuel, supplies and services are part of the cruise lines’ operations to reestablish the ships in U.S. waters as a prerequisite to meet federal regulations in order to resume cruising in the future.

Canada has extended its cruise ship ban through the end of February.

Transport Canada made the announcement on Thursday to continue not allowing cruise ships to enter Canadian waters until at least February 28, 2021.

Canada has banned cruise ships with more than 100 passengers since March.

The Bahamas announced a series of new health protocols that it hopes will negate the need for visitors to quarantine.

Beginning November 1, the Bahamas will not require tourists to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Instead, a series of new protocols will be put into place so they can immediately begin enjoying their time there.

These new protocols will require visitors to obtain a RT-PCR (swab) test no more than seven (7) days prior to their travel to The Bahamas. 

The British Virgin Islands announced it plans to reopen its borders to visitors on December 1.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie said that the Government is optimistic and is vigorously preparing for the re-opening of the Territory to welcome back tourists among others.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is using a phased approach to the Territory’s borders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 1 of the Controlled Border reentry process commenced on June 2 for Virgin Islands, Belongers, Naturalised citizens and Permanent Residents.

The Bahamas Minister of Tourism released a new phased plan for how tourism will return following the global health crisis.

Minister of Tourism & Aviation Dionisio D'Aguilar presented his plan to the public on Monday that involves four phases, with cruise ship return part of the final phase.

Phase 3 of the Tourism Readiness & Recovery Plan will begin on October 15, which includes the reopening of beaches and major hotels.  

Some Key West residents are proposing the city restrict, if not ban, big cruise ships from stopping at the island.

Florida Key News reports the PAC "Key West Committee for Cleaner, Safer Ships" has outlined three goals it hopes to pass as law in Key West:

Last week, Puerto Rico's Governor announced the island will reopen and remove nearly all the restrictions it had in place, which includes the reopening of beaches and international travel prohibitions.

Gov. Wanda Vázquez said Puerto Rico will welcome tourists back beginning on July 15.