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2021 Alaska Season Open
The Alaska cruise season has a short window, usually from mid-May through September. The cruise lines have been working closely with the CDC, Alaska, Canada, and government officials to try to salvage at least part of the 2021 Alaska Season. We are happy to report that it will be possible to have a shortened season.
While not all details are finalized, the cruise lines are beginning to announce their schedules and booking reservations. It is anticipated that demand will exceed supply, so book early if this is something you are interested in doing.
What is PVSA
The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (sometimes abbreviated to PVSA) is a protectionist piece of United States legislation which came into force in 1886 relating to transport of goods or passengers between two places in the same country by a transport operator from another country.
No foreign vessels shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, either directly or by way of a foreign port, under a penalty of $200 (now $762) for each passenger so transported and landed.The Passenger Vessel Services Act, however,
- does not prohibit foreign-flagged ships departing from and returning to the same U.S. port, provided the ship visits any foreign port;
- does not prohibit foreign-flagged ships departing from a U.S. port, visiting a distant foreign port, and then continuing to a second U.S. port. However, in order to embark in a U.S. port and disembark in a second U.S. port, the vessel must visit a distant foreign port outside of North America (Central America, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and all of the Caribbean except Aruba, Bonaire, and CuraƧao, count as part of North America).
Note: some people call the PVSA the Jones Act -- but they are two different things. The Jones Act is a federal law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on ships that are built, owned, and operated by United States citizens or permanent residents.Alaska Tourism Restoration Act
Late last week, after ASTA Legislature Day on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., both the Senate and House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow cruise ships to avoid stopping in a foreign port (somewhere in Canada) during the Alaskan cruise. President Biden signed it into law on Monday.
Several cruise lines have posted their plans for inside passage cruises from Seattle, Washington. These will be roundtrip seven day cruises. Cruisetours will not occur on these voyages, however we work with suppliers that could provide a land tour.
We will post additional details about the cruises to Alaska, as well as additional destinations, in blog posts. Be sure to follow us for the latest news. Contact us to help plan your next vacation on land or sea. Just like the Alaskans, we depend on tourism for our income, so we appreciate the opportunity to create new memories for you and your traveling companions. We also have all the details regarding health and safety so you can plan with confidence.
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