Alaska cruise ends early after passengers test positive for COVID-19; next sailing canceled
A cruise on one of the first vessels to restart operations in Alaska is ending early after two passengers and a crew member tested positive for COVID-19.
Small-ship specialist American Cruise Lines' 170-passenger American Constellation is returning to its home port of Juneau, Alaska, four days ahead of schedule after the positive cases were discovered on Friday.
The ship was visiting the small Alaska town of Petersburg at the time.
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"American Cruise Lines has implemented its COVID-19 response plan in Alaska and is coordinating with state and local health officials following the detection of COVID-19 on board," the line said early Saturday in a statement sent to TPG. "Out of an abundance of caution, the line’s small ship will return to port in Juneau and the next cruise, scheduled to depart on July 14th, will be canceled."
The two passengers and one crew member who tested positive for COVID-19, along with their close contacts, were taken off the ship in Petersburg and isolated, the government of Juneau said in a press release.
The ship was sailing with 162 passengers and 52 crew members, including an onboard nurse -- all of whom were tested for COVID-19 after a passenger began feeling ill.
All of the passengers were required to be fully vaccinated to sail. Many, but not all, of the crew were fully vaccinated.
The government of Juneau said unvaccinated crew members will be quarantined on board the ship in Juneau for 10 days. The remaining passengers on board will be flown home from Juneau.
Isolated cases of COVID-19 on the cruise ships that have restarted operations in recent months are not unusual, and cruise lines have new protocols in place designed to minimize both the spread of the illness and the disruption to the cruise experience when such cases occur. The situation aboard American Constellation is unusual in that it is resulting in the early cancellation of the current sailing and the next sailing of the vessel.
Indeed, American Constellation is the only cruise vessel that has restarted operations in North America in recent months to have a sailing cut short due to COVID-19.
American Cruise Lines was one of the first cruise operators in North America to restart sailings and until this week had carried more than 10,000 passengers on 130 sailings this year without incident, according to the line.
The Connecticut-based line is the leader in small-ship cruises in U.S. waters with 13 vessels that sail along coastal waterways and on rivers from New England to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
A spokesperson for the line told TPG that passengers on this week's American Constellation sailing would be compensated for the portion of the trip they will miss.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
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Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees