New Bill Would Allow Alaska Cruises to Bypass Required Stops in Canada

The global health crisis has created many challenges for the tourism industry, especially for those businesses with cruise lines. Last year, even Disney confirmed that the last of its business to resume would be its cruises.

Disney Cruise Line Wonder Ship

As of this year, sailings for Disney Cruise Line were originally canceled through February, but that was extended to March and April. Select cruises have also been canceled through August.

After Canada extended its cruise ship ban through 2022, which prohibits cruise ships from entering Canadian waters, all Disney cruises departing from Canada (including some Alaska cruises) were removed from the Disney Cruise Line website for booking.

Animator’s Palate on Disney Wonder

Now, though, USA Today reports that Alaska officials have proposed the “Alaska Tourism Recovery Act,” which would allow cruise ships to go to Alaska without stopping in Canada. Currently, U.S. maritime law requires international stops for such ships, but Canada’s ban prohibits ships from stopping there.

Alaska cruise

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski said in a release: “Canada’s recent decision to prohibit Alaska-bound cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters creates legal hurdles that will hamstring the Alaska cruise season, creating additional economic strain on Alaska’s entire economy, especially in our Southeast communities.”

Donald on a Disney Cruise to Alaska

Last week, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to U.S. Canadian ambassador Kirsten Hillman requesting that Canada reconsider its ban through 2022. That letter asked the Canadian government to work with the U.S. to find a “mutually agreeable solution” for the cruise industry.