With health & safety protocols unmatched by virtually any setting and designed to protect passengers, crew and the communities we visit
The first cruise ship to call on a Canadian port since 2019 arrived in Victoria on Saturday, April 9th. Holland America’s Koningsdam then sailed to Vancouver, arriving on April 10th.
“We’ve worked a long time to make this day happen, and we are delighted to be back,” said Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. “I want to acknowledge the support of British Columbia’s Premier John Horgan and provincial Transportation, Tourism and Health officials, as well as the Minister of Transport, Hon. Omar Alghabra and his officials, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Border Services Agency. They’ve all worked tirelessly with cruise lines, ports, and community partners to facilitate a responsible return of cruise tourism to Canada. We can now get on with rebuilding the 17,000 jobs in British Columbia and $2.7 billion in economic activity that cruise generate prior to 2020.”
The cruise industry has developed a robust multi-layered approach to health and safety, spanning the entirety of the cruise experience—including proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding; regular testing of crew; an environment where every eligible person is vaccinated; ongoing sanitation of all public spaces and guest/crew rooms; mask-wearing, social distancing, enhanced air ventilation, and other measures that public health experts around the world have endorsed.
As a result, CLIA cruise lines members are sailing today with some of the highest levels of COVID-19 mitigation, with effective health protocols that are unmatched by virtually any other commercial setting. In those rare occasions where medical treatment is required for passengers or crew, cruise ships have medical, isolation and quarantine facilities onboard. Extensive response plans have been developed using shoreside resources to prevent any burden on ports or communities.
“”British Columba celebrates the return of cruise ships and their passengers, as we work toward rebuilding our tourism economy and the significant contributions the cruise industry made to our province prior to the pandemic,” said Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We know that cruise ship passengers enjoy everything our communities have to offer, helping support thousands of jobs in the maritime, tourism, hospitality, and agricultural sectors across the province.”
More than 7.5 million guests have sailed in nearly 90 markets world-wide. It is anticipated that by August virtually all CLIA member cruise ships will have resumed sailing. While much of fleet was initially idled by the pandemic, our commitment to environmental sustainability has remained steadfast. With a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 40% by 2030 compared to 2008 levels and pursuing net carbon neutral cruising by 2050 across the global fleet, investments in research and new technology have continued. An increasing number of vessels are shore-power capable and there are now 26 LNG power cruise ships in operation or on order.
“Our government looks forward to welcoming cruise ships back to Canadian waters for the 2022 season,” said Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport. “Cruise ships are an important part of the travel and tourism sector and we will continue working with our partners to prioritize the safety of travelers and transportation workers.”
“The cruise industry is an important sector within Canada’s tourism economy,” says Beth Potter, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada. “Prior to 2020, it contributed more than $4 billion to the Canadian economy annually and supported 30,000 jobs. The past two years have been incredibly difficult and TIAC has been actively involved with shepherding the industry through these challenging times, creating the National Cruise Committee in June 2021 made up of our members, Canadian organizations that operate in the global cruise industry. As such, we’re delighted to welcome cruise visitors back to our beautiful shores.”