Yes, you can cruise to Alaska this year — here's how
With so much talk about how Alaska cruises might not happen in 2021, consider this a reminder that some lines are preparing to sail in the region, even as you're reading this.
In fact, one of them, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, is adding 13 more voyages across two ships -- National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion -- each of which carries 62 passengers.
Two different six-night itineraries will be offered, one sailing from Juneau to Ketchikan and the other traveling from Sitka to Juneau.
For sailings departing through July 31, all cruisers 16 and older must be vaccinated. For those departing on or after Aug. 1, all cruisers 12 and older must show proof of vaccination. Passengers also will have to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before boarding and submit to daily temperature checks and other protocols on board.
"Due to robust demand for ... Alaska programming, Lindblad will reactivate its two remaining U.S.-flagged vessels," the line said in a statement on Tuesday.
[table-of-contents /]
Why is Alaska cruise demand so high?
The North American cruise industry has been on hiatus for more than a year because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Hope that it could see a return by this summer is starting to dwindle as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) drags its feet on next steps.
Alaska has been hit especially hard, given that 10% of the state's jobs are tied to tourism and the fact that it faces more barriers to reopening than other destinations.
Alaska's reputation for bucket-list scenery, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and "get away from it all" wilderness vibes make it a popular destination under normal circumstances. But pent-up travel demand and barriers preventing many cruise ships from returning have made it even more desirable — and exclusive.
Below, we've outlined the hurdles Alaska faces, what's currently being done to overcome them and which cruise lines are still making the rounds in the Last Frontier this year.
What's preventing Alaska cruises from restarting?
When the CDC's no-sail order expired in October 2020, it was replaced by the agency's Framework for Conditional Sailing. The plan lays out protocols for cruise lines to implement on their ships to keep crew and passengers safe before the resumption of voyages will be allowed from U.S. ports.
Under the framework, even after the new policies have been put in place on board, all ships must successfully complete test voyages with volunteer passengers in order for the CDC to grant each individual vessel permission to restart revenue sailings.
Since the framework was issued, cruise lines that rushed to meet the criteria for test sailings have found themselves in a "hurry up and wait" situation, with the CDC taking months to issue further information.
But, even if all ships were allowed to begin sailing again right this second, there are logistical challenges that come with having to restaff and provision entire fleets, both of which could take time.
Throwing an additional wrench into the mix for Alaska is the fact that Canada has closed its ports to large cruise ships through February of 2022.
The U.S.'s Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) requires all foreign-flagged passenger ships to call on at least one foreign port on itineraries that leave from and return to the U.S. Because nearly all mainstream cruise ships are registered outside the U.S., and Canada is closed, there is currently no way for vessels to meet the foreign-port requirements during Alaska voyages.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada's borders could open up this summer, but until they do, the Alaska season remains at a standstill.
What's being done to help Alaska?
Pushing for cruises to be allowed to restart and citing how dependent the state is on tourism, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy joined Florida in suing the CDC in April. Shortly after, the agency released further instructions for cruise lines, but test sailings still haven't started.
Additionally, the U.S. Senate voted to pass a temporary PVSA waiver, which would allow Alaska voyages to begin again without the foreign-port stipulation. A vote from the U.S. House of Representatives is expected soon, but the point is moot unless the CDC grants approval for ships to sail.
Related: How the CDC's rules could hurt ports and your excursion options
Which cruise lines are currently sailing in Alaska?
Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, the region's two major players, have been forced to pull out, canceling dozens of sailings. However, a handful of U.S.-flagged ships can still sail in Alaska because the CDC's framework and the PVSA don't apply to them, due to their small size and U.S. registry:
- Alaskan Dream Cruises
- American Cruise Lines
- The Boat Company
- Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
- UnCruise Adventures
For more information on these voyages, check out our story on three ways to see Alaska in 2021.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees