Cruising Returns to the USA

[@davidbing4578]

Thanks Alfie. My wife and I cruised Alaska in 2018 from Fairbanks to Seward by coach and train and then cruised to Vancouver via Glacier Bay . Absolutely fabulous although it poured with rain the whole day in Glacier Bay.

[@trbarton743]

I always enjoy seeing your stripes. Congratulations to what you have accomplished. Perhaps you’ll be a staff captain & soon the title of Captain. Good luck.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Thanks Tom!

[@denisebell8446]

Thanks is Alfie for the update. I’m in Australia, have cruised in Alaska, absolutely beautiful. I can’t even image the toll on their economy, my thoughts are the Alaskan people hope they are all OK. Would cruise their again in a heart beat....

[@brendas4577]

I did a Alaska cruisetour on the Coral Princess in 2009, my husband and I were to do a cruisetour in June also on the Coral Princess but have moved it to June 2022 on Grand Princess

[@francesm5976]

Have loved sailing in Alaskan waters. Scenery and wildlife are spectacular. Thanks Alfie!

[@JCResDoc94]

your vgs have inspired me to feel a lot better about returning to cruise ships. i mean, i never have gone: but im comfortable advising family to book now. jc

[@carolcogbill4752]

Very excited about this news!! Thank you! My next cruise was to be to Alaska. I’m disappointed and also concerned for people who live in Alaska. My next cruise will be in September. I’m so looking forward to it. Thank you for letting us know the current update with cruising. Take care.

[@ccm1767]

I understand that since the State of Florida changed its procedures for administering vaccine to include non-residents who are in the state to provide goods or services for the benefit of residents and visitors of Florida (i.e. people who help enable tourism), Port Canaveral has started vaccinating cruise ship crews in order to help with the restart effort.

[@joanhall3718]

Loved cruising in Alaska. My favorite part was Collage Fjord in Prince William Sound, 5 tidewater glaciers, and multiple other small glaciers.

[@brendaunzen3778]

years ago we did the Royal C to Alaska 3 years ago. Was so fun

[@jacquelyns9709]

This was a good summary of what's been going on in US recently regarding cruising. Several days ago Port Canaveral held a mass vaccination event for all port workers, crew in port, and family members (I think). I think I also read something about Mobile, AL doing something similar. As another poster said they're giving crew in Galveston vaccinations. Speculation is rife on which port(s) will have the first ship sailing with paying passengers. Some think that it will be a California port with a cruise to Mexico. Or perhaps a Hawaiian Islands cruise. Time will tell.

[@catherineb6561]

I'm Canadian (sorry Alaska, that Canadian ports are closed...) I LOVED my trip to Alaska. 2015, Princess celebrating it's 50th anniversary and I 'almost' celebrated my 60th birthday (actual birthday occurred while on my overnight flight from Fairbanks; spend majority of birthday in transit🤔). I did a 10 cruise + 5 day land...it was AMAZING. Alaska is beautiful. I would love to visit there again someday.

[@stackersmbe852]

In the UK here! Booked a Miami departure cruise in Jan 2020 for August 2021 before we even knew what Covid was... Have been expecting it to be cancelled but this bit of good news gives me hope that it might still take place! Thanks for the update Alfie!

[@darlenecrone5585]

I'm ready. Booked 3 more cruises today.

[@elaineedwards2530]

It's great hearing the latest from a man in the know! Great job!

[@Crazy.Sheller]

Loved my cruise to Alaska, would love to go again

[@teresamiller5412]

My heart breaks for Alaska, it’s such a special place, have been on 3 cruises up there

[@lovecruisin6457]

I have taken 7 cruises to Alaska. It is my favorite destination. I have another one planned for 2022!!!

[@elaine1140]

Alaska was my first cruise and we went right up to the Arctic Ocean

[@rogerglendening4604]

Hi Alfie no mention of Australian cruises start up

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Roger unfortunately no news at this stage. From other comments I see people saying September but I haven’t heard anything official

[@Rick062478]

Thank you for your very informative video's. The information and explanations you provide are very inciteful for those of us not especially familiar with the cruising industry. I have been following your journey for several years . . . very interesting. Thank you!

[@888buzzz]

Another excellent video. Thanks for keeping us informed. I hope to be back cruising again soon.

[@kimcarr7409]

I am so hopeful....missing cruising so much. Have about 26 days scheduled on the Enchanted Princess in November including a transatlantic to Fort Lauderdale. BTW, it is the Passenger Vessels Safety Act (the Jones Act applies to commercial vessels...same thing, different mission). Love your videos, keep them coming!

[@billyfearon941]

Hopefully real soon will be back on the water

[@lindak1768]

We went on a family cruise vacation to Alaska. There was 12 of us, it was one of my favorite cruises. On Princess I’m glad the are starting back up with vaccines. We want to keep the cruises moving with safe staff and customers.

[@cadicorniche]

Thank you for these very informative updates.

[@davidbartlett2908]

Thanks Alfie for this update. Very informative and right to the point with facts. I wish they would send less ships to FLL and Miami and that could help with the issues faced at shore. I am sorry to learn about Alaska. That was one of the trips I want to go on and also crossing the Atlantic. Some of the island stops are worthless in my opinion. Rather see the major cities around the world. Hey keep up the great videos and info for us. BTW will any sail into Boston, Portland, ME or NYC?? Stay safe Alfie and good luck with your new ship!!!

[@sandrarose881]

Hello Alfie, Have been to Alaska on your previous ship Coral Princess in 2017. Enjoyed the trip however, I need to go back as that was right after my ankle became very bad. Therefore I was rather limited on the trip. After that I chose to wait until after my ankle was dealt with. Unfortunately, recovery from that was completed just before all of this current mess hit. Hopefully I will get back on a ship, although 2022 looks more likely than this year. Cheers.

[@myraweinstein396]

This is really terrific news. Have been waiting for this for a long time. I now have hope that my cruise on Majestic Princess in November back to back to Mexico will be a go.🛳🛳

[@cynthiagannon3386]

soo good to SEA U again ! I love your" scoops" ~ we made the cut and will be sailing July 17 on the Ruby catch up later I'm subscribed but never get the announcement ?Keep Calm ~Sail On Seababe CA

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Cynthia, thank you! Make sure you have the bell selected next to the Subscribe button for notifications

[@chuckarock2001]

Hopefully we can cruise soon here in Australia.

[@Notladjr59]

You are articulate, personable, and handsome. Your cruise line would be smart to make you their brand Ambassador I know not your current professional field but you would sure be good at it.

[@shaikhsailor2947]

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE. ALFIE IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO YOU TO MAKE A VIDEO ON CREW MOVEMENT ON BOARD IN THIS TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS HOW IT'S GOING TO DONE.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Already made! Check out my channel

[@normanwoods1179]

How about a video of which cruise ships are anchored around you?

[@Tronblue007]

Anything about Australia 🇦🇺 cruising?

[@michaelbettison617]

Have a RC booked Sydney to Honolulu for April 2022 and a RC from Honolulu to Sydney Sep 2022, fingers crossed.

[@gailcraig4495]

I live 2 hrs from Seattle & have made 1 cruise to Alaska. A very special trip, indeed! Seems so crazy that a moratorium isn't being put on that "act" that requires docking at a foreign country port! Like for 1-2 years. What's up with that?

[@kellieboyd3607]

Question? Any idea when you will be back in Australia, would love a up date. Thanks love watching ur show

[@tammyherndon6701]

I'm ready to sail booked Norwegian Encore December 26 2021.

[@southerncaladygolfer8651]

Is there any sign of bringing all the crew back yet? Aren’t many few members from India and how will the situation there slow down moving crew back to their ships? How long of a process is it to get all of the staff back on board! TIA

[@criswisner8128]

I worked with Princess Cruises and Tours. I can't imagine how Ketchikan is doing. Dawson City as well in the Yukon. I feel so bad for all those folks. It's so sad congress won't lift the Jones act for 12 months to allow cruising to Alaska.

[@hidifung9234]

Hello 👋, can't wait going back to the ship,😁👏👏👏🥂🥂🥂

[@pb1963]

The Port of Galveston is vaccinating crew members from the Carnival Vista and Breeze today!

[@ruthkringle1353]

My cruise is July 3rd. Princess has said it’s going. I sure hope so. Otherwise it will be a foreign port. I will cruise if there’s any going.

[@wendykoek6757]

I am excited for the people in the USA 🇺🇸 that they will have cruises happening at long last woohoo 🥳 and I hope that Australia 🇦🇺 one day will let cruises happen at least for local cruising to start with at least that will be something.just got to wait and see what Australia will do after 17th June? I can at least hope though and I am waiting for my group to come up for the vaccine which will be soon, I have had my Pneumonia vaccine already in January and my Flu vaccine in March this year already. I feel sad for Alaska though not having cruising happening a lot of money being lost there at the moment during this big pause

[@spannerworks1]

Hi Alfie Great video and update - loving the beard Warm regards Richard

[@tjoines2]

We just had 2 carnival ships come back to the port of Galveston. It was reported that all crew members got covid vaccines not soon after. I think the health department in Galveston issued them. It was nice seeing them pull in and carnival had a reception get together for cruise goers to come see them. Big banners on the ships " we missed you " .

[@jackfrohreich2400]

If only we could pressure the Australian government like the cdc

[@Dave_Sisson]

Well Australia and New Zealand are free of the bug, so there hasn't been the need for rapid vaccination of people under 50. But New Zealand and individual Australian states (governed by both political parties, so I'm not being partisan) have occasional infections in quarantine, so that has to be fixed before they would allow cruising to resume. Either that, or restrict it to vaccinated people which effectively limits cruising to older people.

[@JCResDoc94]

australia has a gvt? huh. #themoreyouknow

[@bartneal8605]

I live in eagle River alaska, cruse ships have been replaced by planes, princes has been booking a lot of stays with small aircraft flying the southeast giving the views at a faster pace. I really haven’t noticed that much of a difference in tourism, but life hasn’t slowed down at all up here.......

[@anniemon]

Thanks Alfie, do you have any similar news about Aussie cruises? Or do we have to wait till next month & again be told, wait another 3 months..... as it’s been for the last year.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi Annie, unfortunately at this time I’ve not had any updates on Australia cruising

[@anniemon]

@@SameShipDifferentDay thanks for reply. Have to be patient till mid June & the Federal Health Dept might let us know then.

[@rafaeljimenez6403]

You are the man.

[@glypnir]

It seems to me that they can do US only Alaska cruising. When I did my Alaska cruise, we started in Seward and finished in Vancouver, which was to only Canadian port. It's not that far from Hongcouver to Seattle. They might have to take out a port somewhere on the itinerary, but people will probably put up with it. If they stick with the mandatory vaccination, I'll be willing to go. Although I wonder how it will work for Disney cruises and other kid oriented cruises. I've got so much grandchildren withdrawal to recover from that I want to take at least one on the cruise with me. How about your situation? Your ship's in that wet docking situation, getting painted up all pretty, but it looks like tickets aren't available for cruises before Sept.

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hi unfortunately due to the Passenger Vessel Safety Act, companies can’t/won’t cruise on in US ports. They instead need at least 1 non US port. As for me, no news on Australia. We will next be heading as a ferry for crew transfers in Asia. I hope you get your cruise with your grandchildren, I know my parents have been going through the same (my nieces are in Australia)

[@glypnir]

@@SameShipDifferentDay I forgot about that part. Too bad Canada wouldn’t designate something like Moresby Island as an open spot. Lighter a few groups ashore to see the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site and call it a port call. Kind of like Dejima in Nagasaki harbor when Japan was closed to the outside world. The Haida might object. As well as those who enforce the Passenger Vessel Safety Act. I wonder how much it would actually cost to conform to the requirements of the act.

[@SAF2603PLAY]

Present here💯WE WILL BE BACK SOON🙏🙏

[@ArlynnsCountryCraftCorner]

We've cruised to Alaska 8 times and at one point had 3 more in our queue for 2020...as a matter of fact, we should have been on your Coral Princess right at this moment had that 12-Day Vancouver RT not been cancelled. We then we were going to stay onboard and do a B2B Voyage of the Glaciers cruise, of course, that was cancelled too. Bottom line, we'd have been cruising in Alaska for the entire month of May 2020. So, so sad here for us obviously but, more for the local Alaskans and Canadians who are suffering because Alaska cruising has been shut down. Sigh...We now have a cruisetour in the queue for June '22 onboard the Sapphire Princess (a group cruise for a FB cruise group that I help to admin). I am hoping upon hope that Carnival Corporation requires fully vaccinated cruises...fingers crossed (my hubby and I are fully vaccinated). ANYway, thank you so much for continuing to provide content and I'm so happy for you that you are back onboard a ship busily working. :) Take care and stay safe.

[@billroettgen7099]

Re U.S. you really should look up Jones Act, then look up PVSA - trust me.

[@glypnir]

I see you’re now off Hong Kong reunited with the Pacific Encounter. I even see an RBP from the Golden Princess wondering around. Presumably you do crew transfers for everyone working for the parent company? I see 3 Royal Caribbean ships and one Norwegian. Do you do crew transfers jointly?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Hello. Yes we share crew transfers and “ferry services” with all brands within the corporation. However we are yet to collaborate with RCL or NCL

[@peterg.8245]

Saw the announcement that the Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze have returned to Galveston!!! It’s my “home” port only a 10hr drive from Tulsa so I don’t have to $$$ for airfare.

[@peterg.8245]

Booked the Disney Wonder in November!!!

[@hybridduncan007]

Did they say how full the ships can be ?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Not declared yet but I think the ships in the UK are pretty much capacity

[@stevenmccloughan]

Alfie any news on cruising returning to Australia?

[@ludmilam9488]

I got an e-mail fr P&O to posponded my July cruise within Australia until 17 Sep 2021 at least.

[@claudianowakowski]

Will the cruise lines ignore state laws not allowing the vaccine requirement,hope so,right now it is still in limbo

[@ruthkringle1353]

Going back to Alaska in June 2022. I feel so bad for the people that rely on tourism.

[@kellybryson7754]

How do you get to go on a test cruise?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

If they go ahead, they will be for volunteers that applied online or crew members and their families

[@888buzzz]

Sorry Alaska. I’m Canadian. Our government has closed Canada to all cruise ships mainly to keep Canadians from travelling and then bringing virus back. Not to keep Americans and others out but to keep Canadians in. We are at least a couple of months behind the USA in our vaccination program. I hope we can cruise to Alaska and the California coast next year.

[@jessicasmart3352]

Do you need a passport to travel on a cruise ship?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

If it goes internationally!

[@gregoryhaller8028]

What about excursions. Will we be able to get off the ship to go where we want?

[@SameShipDifferentDay]

Good question Gregory. We will see what cruise lines announce

[@papertheweb]

In our local paper at Port Canaveral (The second busiest cruise port in the world after Miami): Port Canaveral on Friday became the first U.S. port to coordinate COVID-19 vaccine distribution to cruise ship crew members, in advance of a possible return to cruising in July. The U.S. cruise industry has been shut down since March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The vaccination of crew members will help accelerate a return to cruising. Under the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, cruise ships can bypass the required simulated test voyages carrying volunteers and jump to sailings with paying passengers if 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are fully vaccinated. The start of vaccination efforts at Port Canaveral follows Thursday's Florida public health advisory approved by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees. That advisory expanded vaccine eligibility in Florida to include individuals who are in the state for purpose of providing good or services for the benefit of residents and visitors of Florida. "We have been working closely with our cruise partners, the Florida Department of Health and our port community to come up with a plan and timeline of vaccinating cruise ship crews that could begin the process for a safe return to cruising," Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer John Murray said in a statement released late Friday. "This expanded eligibility is significantly important for our cruise tourism business, and we’re proud of our efforts to help get this industry up and running.” It is expected that a number of other cruise ships will be docking at Port Canaveral in the coming weeks, so their crew members can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Port Canaveral was the world's second-busiest cruise port, behind Miami, for cruise passenger counts before the pandemic. Four cruise lines had ships based at Port Canaveral before the pandemic - Carnival, Disney, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. Additionally, MSC Cruises was planning to start cruises out of Port Canaveral last fall. It also is possible that cruise ships not typically at Port Canaveral will be docking there so crew members can get vaccinated aboard the ships. Port Canaveral said it developed its vaccination procedures in cooperation with the Parrish Healthcare Center, Canaveral Fire Rescue and cruise lines' medical personnel. The port said up to 1,000 COVID-19 vaccination shots a day can be provided to vessel crew members, as well as to shoreside and waterside support personnel. WE HAVE MISSED THE SHIPS! WELCOME BACK!

[@mspalmboy]

I want to hear our govt announce when we can resume cruising in Australia.

[@croberts709]

This is great news although Florida's governor has proclaimed that no private business can require vaccination so we're going to have to see how that plays out. I wish Canada would relent and allow US travel to their country. Not only for Alaska's sake but for all of us who would love to vacation there.

[@glypnir]

It's not a private business, it's the US government. If the honorable governor of Florida succeeds in getting non-vaccinated adults allowed on cruise ships, I will decide not to go. I'm pretty comfortable going if vaccinations are required.

[@croberts709]

Carnival is a private business

[@glypnir]

@@croberts709 that’s obvious. It is also obvious that Carnival is not requiring its customers to vaccinate. The Federal government is requiring it. Florida’s governor couldn’t override the cruise ban, and he can’t override this either. The federal government has jurisdiction over interstate and international commerce.

[@lyndaporter9156]

As a Canadian, I am extremely disappointed in my government! There is no reason why the ships can't just dock and not disembark to help Alaska. Human suffering is not necessary and this is such a simple request.

[@tommarsden661]

Agreed on top of all the other reasons are government is giving us to be dissapointed.

[@gailcraig4495]

I don't understand why a moratorium can't temporarily (1-2 years?) be put on that act requiring port visit to foreign country (Canada)!😕

[@tommarsden661]

@@gailcraig4495 it may be but as with anything political it is never easy. Hopefully they can get it done but not confident it will be timely enough for the ‘21 Alaskan season.

[@dodgers175]

This is awesome news. Unfortunately, the cruise lines were targeted by the CDC. Shame on them.

[@JCResDoc94]

*1:20** 28 days q'tins! what illness in the hx of humankind!* jesus tony. who's call was that? this is ppls lives. luckily, how many cruise ships are 'flagged'' in the USA? still (fxxxking crazy). never thought id say this but: thnk gAwd for florida. jc

[@Kompressor2007]

Well, not gonna cruise ever, because of vcc. Have a good one.

[@carold8345]

🎉🥳🍾🎆💃👏🏻👏🏻

[@andreagriffiths3512]

To all the folks asking about Australia, word is that it’s now off the table until mid September 💔💔💔😭😭😭

[@nonacee5065]

We're booked for January, Sydney to NZ on the Sapphire, still waiting to hear what we need to do, like vaccines or masks and ship tours at all ports.

[@andybrockbank3027]

P&O Australia has cancelled all cruises until Sept. 17. I'll bet the government calls them all off until that date and quite possibly until the end of the year.

[@brianstuart1867]

All fine and dandy, but we have a BIG problem. Per the CDC, the fastest way to get cruise ships back in business is by having 95% of the passengers vaccinated. Naturally, they would require proof or at the very least, passengers would be required to attest that they had been fully vaccinated. Unfortunately, the governors of both Florida and Texas have made it illegal for businesses operating in their states to either require vaccination, or even to ask for a passenger's vaccination status. A classic case of these states shooting themselves in the foot. Yes, ships can (and probably will) sail from US ports other than in FL and TX where this crazy restriction is not in place, but it really does not look good for the start of cruising from the "cruise capital of the world" unless good sense prevails.

[@carolynwilliams5154]

The State has no jurisdiction over the cruise lines. Federal gov't prevails

[@brianstuart1867]

@@carolynwilliams5154 A number of commentators don't think it's that simple, others think a work-around will eventually be found. It's just sad that muddled thinking might delay the start up in Florida.

[@carolynwilliams5154]

@@brianstuart1867 Not sure why this is so complicated. Are these "commentators" expert" in the law? are we talking about personal opinion and perceptions? I have seem comments in the past by professionals in the field that say the State has no jurisdiction over cruise lines (what happens on the ship). They are not US businesses,. They operate under Federal guidelines. It may be wrong but it makes sense to me.

[@brianstuart1867]

@@carolynwilliams5154 You're quite right that the state does not have jurisdiction over what happens on a ship at sea; even the Feds don't have jurisdiction once the ship is 12 miles offshore. But the state does have jurisdiction over businesses operating within its borders, and that includes the cruise lines' booking policies. As of now, cruise lines are prohibited from requiring passengers passing through Florida ports to be vaccinated or to ask about vaccination status. That's not complicated, we just need to see the difference between land based activity and international maritime activity.

[@stephenhope7319]

Hard to put a price on a life, no? I agree with the CDC doing its job to halt pandemics etc. I will sail when safe to sail, I am fully vaccinated and ready. I am not in favor of rushing openings just because companies want to make money. When its safe we will have the rest of our lives to sail safely.

[@davidr5597]

Here's a controversial idea: Given all Princess ships (in the US) are now Ocean Medallion enabled, can you program it to alert you when you're in the proximity of an unvacinated guest? I'm sure the crew will probably get this bit of meta-data. Why not make it available to passengers?

[@KS-kr4ok]

I am vaccinated. Tell me when I can cruise without a mask? Until I can cruise without a mask I will be keeping myself and my money at home.

[@captdavec590]

I'd like to see both Jan Swartz and Arnold Donald removed from their positions. Terrible, totally incompetent people!