Canada has extended its ban on cruise ships through February 2022, an act that is likely to block large cruise ships from visiting Alaska this year, just as it did in 2020.
Transport Canada announced the extension Thursday morning, saying that “cruise vessels in Canadian waters pose a risk to our health care systems” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“No matter who you talk to, it was a stunning morning,” said Julie Saupe, president and CEO of Visit Anchorage.
Canada has banned cruise ships of more than 100 passengers since spring 2020, and the ban had been set to expire at the end of February this year. The yearlong extension was a surprise to some tourism officials who had been expecting something shorter.
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