Feds banning cruises from entering Canadian waters until 2022

Bad news for those thinking of taking a cruise to escape from the pandemic.

Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, announced Canada has implemented two new Interim Orders, which prohibit pleasure crafts in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022.

As part of these orders, adventure-seeking pleasure crafts are prohibited from entering Arctic waters, and passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.

Additionally, cruises carrying more than 100 people are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.

Further, the Government of Canada is strongly encouraging Canadians to refrain from travelling on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice.

Moreover, essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis will continue to operate. However, they will still be bound by public health measures and protocols intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“As Canadians continue to do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, our government continues to work hard to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe,” Alghabra said in a news release.

“Temporary prohibitions to cruise vessels and pleasure craft are essential to continue to protect the most vulnerable among our communities and avoid overwhelming our health care systems. This is the right and responsible thing to do,” he continued.