Alaskan cruises to set sail from Seattle after Congress passes bill for ships to bypass Canada
SEATTLE - Cruise lines will resume Seattle-to-Alaska cruises after Congress passed a bill allowing ships to bypass Canada.
Holland American announced 10 sailings starting July 24, while Carnival's cruise lines will also return to Alaska starting in July.
The legislation, called the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, is waiting for President Biden's signature.
The law would allow cruise ships to bypass Canada temporarily because Canada has banned cruise ships from its waters through February 2022. It's needed to counter an older law that requires foreign-based cruise ships to stop in another country when going between domestic ports.
Typically, the cruise lines would have stopped in Victoria or Vancouver, B.C., while en route to Alaska.
Bookings for the Holland America cruises are open for 10 Saturday departures that will operate from July 24 through Oct. 2.
The seven-day "Alaskan Explorer" itinerary calls at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan. They will cruise through Glacier Bay and Stephens Passage.
The cruise line said dining and entertainment will still be available on the ship.
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