The 2 leaders in Alaska cruising just gave up on sailing there until at least July
The two leaders in the Alaska cruise market just gave up on the idea of sailing there through at least July.
Princess Cruises and Holland America, which together traditionally operate more ships in Alaska than most other major lines combined, on Tuesday canceled all their remaining Alaska departures for May and June.
Both lines already had canceled sailings to Alaska out of Vancouver, B.C., for May and June as well as later months of the year. But until Tuesday, they still had a large number of sailings to Alaska out of Seattle in May and June on their schedules.
Another significant cruise operator in Alaska, Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as its smaller sister brands Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, also canceled sailings to the state through the end of June on Tuesday as part of a broader worldwide pause to operations.
Taken together, the announcements wiped away a significant number of all the remaining cruises that major lines had planned for Alaska in 2021.
The Alaska cruise season is a short one, typically lasting just from May through early September. With the new cancellations, Princess and Holland America have now canceled well over half of all their sailings to Alaska scheduled for 2021.
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
Both lines now only have Alaska sailings from one port, Seattle, on their schedules for just over two months of this year (July, August and the early part of September).
Even those trips may not operate due to a recently extended Canadian cruise ship ban.
While Canada's extended cruise ship ban only applies to Canadian ports, it's effectively a ban on cruises to Alaska, too, as Canadian stops are integral to many Alaska itineraries.
Related: Canada cruise ban 'devastating' for Alaska tourism
Princess, Holland America and many other lines that operate in Alaska use foreign-flagged cruise ships that legally cannot cruise between U.S. ports without visiting at least one foreign port. In the case of Alaska cruises, the only nearby foreign ports are in Canada.
Both Princess and Holland America are trying to negotiate a way to continue Alaska sailings this summer despite the law, which was enacted in 1886 and is known as the Passenger Vessel Services Act. The law was designed to give America’s maritime industry a monopoly on travel between U.S. ports.
Several smaller cruise lines, including Seabourn and Cunard already have canceled all their Alaska sailings for 2021.
Not all cruising in Alaska is in jeopardy because of Canada's extended cruise ship ban.
There are quite a few small U.S.-flagged vessels, such as those operated by small-ship cruise operators UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, and American Cruise Lines, that still will be able to operate in Alaska this summer.
Still, because of their small size (many hold fewer than 100 people), the U.S.-flagged ships only account for a very small percentage of the capacity for Alaska cruises in a typical year.
All cruise lines around the world halted departures in March of last year as the coronavirus outbreak grew and many have yet to restart operations anywhere in the world. Princess, Holland America and Norwegian are among the major lines that haven’t operated a single departure since March 2020.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.