While all cruises in 2021 are still questionable if they will be able to sail, Alaska cruises seem to be the most at-risk itinerary cruise fans are facing right now.

Every week the RoyalCaribbeanBlog mailbag answers a question a reader has sent in about going on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

We're getting closer to the Alaska cruise season in 2021, and I saw the Canadian government is still holding firm with their travel ban. Will any Alaska cruises be allowed to sail in 2021? - Frank Carter

The cruise industry has been shutdown in North America since March 2020, but Alaska cruises face the most obstacles to returning to service due to the government challenges between two countries.

Royal Caribbean's Alaska cruise season typically runs between May and October, and while there have been no changes to their schedule, other cruise lines are already canceling their Alaska 2021 cruises for some of the year.

Princess Cruises cancelled Alaska cruises through mid-May and Holland America Line cancelled all Alaska cruises through mid-May, and Alaska departures on three ships through early June.

Cunard even went as far as to cancel their entire 2021 Alaska cruise season, because they wanted to reposition their ship from the U.K.

Why are Alaska cruises in trouble?

The global health crisis has nearly all cruise ships shutdown, including Alaska sailings.

In order to restart operations, Alaska cruises would require approval from two countries to sail: the United States and Canada.

Most readers are aware of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ban of cruise ship travel, which has shutdown operations from the United States. This remains an unanswered question, although theoretically the new Conditional Sail Order could open up the possibility of cruises resuming sometime soon.

Over in Canada, Transport Canada has banned all cruise ship activity through February 28, 2021, and more extensions of that ban are very possible.

On top of that, Canada has closed its border with the United States for travel until at least February 21, 2021. 

The land borders have been closed since March 18, 2020.

The reason why Canada matters for Alaska cruise is because any cruise ship needs to be able to stop in Canada to operate legally from the United States.  Cruises that would depart from Vancouver would need the Canadian government to open their ports.

Cruises sailing from the United States must adhere to the Passenger Vessel Service Act of 1886 (sometimes referred to as the Jones Act).

Commander Don Goldstein, Retired United States Coast Guard, explained why these laws are in place.

Both the PVSA (1886) and the Jones Act (the Merchant Marine Act of 1920) are cabotage laws designed to protect the U.S. maritime industry.  Most countries with coastal ports have some form of cabotage laws, some very similar to ours.  The U.S. also has cabotage laws regard aviation. The justification for both the PVSA and the Jones Act is the same:  the need to protect the U.S.Merchant Marine (the licensed (officers) and documented (trades) personnel on the ships) and to protect U.S. shipyards that both build and repair the ships .  Both laws require that ships carrying people (PVSA) and cargo (Jones Act) between U.S. ports, including territories, be done on U.S. registered and enrolled (flagged) vessels.  This is called the Coasting or Coastwise Trade.  In order to be flagged in the U.S. the vessel must be built in the U.S.,the owner must be a U.S. citizen, and the vessel must be crewed primarily by U.S. citizens (all officers) or at least be authorized to work in the U.S.  It means that most, if not all, U.S. laws apply to the vessels and their crew, including wage and labor laws, OSHA laws, etc.

In order for a cruise to Alaska to be allowed to sail, the Canadian and American governments would have to allow cruise ships to sail again.

Even if the United States allows cruise ships to sail again, they would not be able to sail to Alaska without Canadian waters and ports open to satisfy U.S. cabotage laws.

There is some talk of a temporary amendment to the PVSA to allow cruise ships to depart without a foreign port stop, although there has been no progress made beyond proposals. 

Will there be Alaska cruises this year?

Like any sailing, it is unclear what to expect in the coming months.

Vaccines are beginning to be rolled out in mass quantities, which will hopefully turn the tide of new cases in the global health crisis and put governments at ease about lifting restrictions.

Both the Canadian and U.S. governments are keenly aware of the immense financial struggle these port towns are facing after an entire year without tourism revenue. Another year of no tourism would be catastrophic to many businesses in this region.

Realistically, a full cruise season in Alaska seems unlikely, but a limited cruise season in Alaska is far from out of the question.

A cruise to Alaska is one of the most popular kind of cruises, but which itinerary should you pick?

If you have never cruised to Alaska before, you may find the decision of which ship, embarkation port, and itinerary a tough decision.  There are many considerations when choosing an Alaska cruise, but ultimately the decision may come down to budget, convenience, and time.

Before booking a cruise to Alaska, here is what you need to know about picking the perfect Alaska cruise for your family.

Embarkation port

Royal Caribbean offers cruises from two primary ports, Seattle and Vancouver.

Cruises that go from Seattle are more convenient for Americans, because there are more daily flights to Seattle from around the country, and prices are cheaper since a flight to Seattle is a domestic flight.

Flights to Vancouver can be a little more difficult to get (especially direct flights), but you could always fly to Seattle and take the train or a rental car to try to save money.

Cruises from Seattle are roundtrip sailings that begin and end in Seattle. Many cruises from Vancouver can be open-jaw sailings, which means they begin in Vancouver and end in Anchorage. You could book the next sailing to return to Vancouver, but that would require two weeks. Otherwise, you will have to fly to/from Anchorage.

Be sure to consider where your cruise begins and ends the sailing before booking.

Ports you will visit

Where your ship goes in Alaska is also a major consideration, because there are a few different itineraries you can choose.

Cruises from Seattle tend to visit the more common ports, such as Juneau and Skagway, whereas cruises that begin in Anchorage or Vancouver get to visit more remote ports.

Cruisers that sail to Alaska often will tell you the more remote ports offer a more authentic view of Alaska, with more dynamic scenery and varied wildlife.

Of course, Alaska is stunning from any port you visit, and Juneau and Skagway are still beautiful places to visit and explore.

If you are looking to see the most stunning scenery, a cruise that takes you to further north is the way to go.

Ships and price

Royal Caribbean has four cruise ships offering cruises to Alaska, and each has a compelling reason to choose either of them.

Ovation, Quantum, Radiance and Serenade of the Seas sail to Alaska in 2021 and 2022.

The Quantum Class ships (Quantum and Ovation of the Seas) are newer ships, and offer much more to see, eat, and do onboard. They are also priced higher since you are sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships.

It is important to note that the Quantum Class ships have two indoor pools, one for adults and one for all ages.  The other ships only have an indoor pool for adults.

The Radiance Class ships (Radiance and Serenade of the Seas) are smaller vessels that do not offer all the bells and whistles of the Quantum Class, but are perfectly suited for a port intensive itinerary like Alaska, where the destination is far more important than the ship you are sailing on. 

Moreover, Alaska's constantly changing weather makes outdoor activities on a ship not nearly as important as in the Caribbean.

One other consideration is Royal Caribbean offers land tours that you can add onto Alaska cruises from Vancouver, where you can explore the interior of Alaska before or after your cruise. Land tours are not available with cruises from Seattle.

Generally speaking, the Quantum Class ships will cost you more than a cruise on the Radiance Class ships. The exact price difference will vary from week to week, but you will have to weigh the price versus airfare costs.

Which Alaska cruise should you choose?

Ultimately, the decision on which ship and itinerary to pick comes down to price, dates, and ships.

If you are cruising to Alaska for the first time, many will defer to the Quantum Class ships from Seattle for the convenient travel options to Seattle, ship accommodations, and the fact it is roundtrip.

If you want to see the most authentic and exotic views of Alaska, an open jaw sailing from Anchorage or Vancouver is what you want. You will see much more of the "real" Alaska on these itineraries.

Ultimately, there are no bad choices for which cruise to choose for Alaska. You will find stunning views and really fun explorations in any of the ports. Understanding the differences between the ships and itineraries will ensure you make the right choice for your family.

More Alaska cruise info

Want to learn more about a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska, as well as helpful tips and secrets? Check out these blog posts:

• What is the best time to cruise to Alaska?
• What to pack for a cruise to Alaska?
• Top 10 tips for planning your Alaska cruise
• 6 mistakes & 3 things we did right on our Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska

Royal Caribbean has released its Alaska 2022 cruises, which are available to book now.

In 2022, Royal Caribbean will send four cruise ships to Alaska, making it another big cruise season for the cruise line in the region.

Read more: Closer look at Alaska cruise 2022

New Alaska 2022 cruises are available to book between May and September 2022.

According to Royal Caribbean these new sailings are available for Crown & Anchor members on November 10, 2020, and the general public on November 11, 2020.

Ovation of the Seas returns to Alaska in 2022.  She will offer a transpacifc sailing from Sydney to Hawaii in April 2022, and then sail from Seattle and offer 7-night Alaska Glacier cruises.

Quantum of the Seas will also sail from Seattle, and offer 7-night Alaska cruises.  The Royal Caribbean website only lists one Alaska sailing for Quantum, so more could be loaded in later.

Both Quantum Class ships will vist scenic cities and towns along the Northwest coastline, including Victoria, British Columbia; Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska.

Radiance of the Seas returns to Alaska again to offer 7-10 night Alaska cruises that can also combine with Land Tours to offer immersive visits to Alaska, including in-land destinations such as Denali. Radiance of the Seas will sail from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sailing alternating, open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, Radiance will introduce a second northbound itinerary that includes a visit to Icy Strait Point – a port owned and operated by native Alaskans.

Rounding out the Alaska deployment will be Serenade of the Seas, which will sail out of Vancouver and offer 7-night Alaska cruises, as well as land tour options. Serenade even has a 7-night Multi Glacier Experience cruise for six weeks of the season.

Guests on board Serenade can extend their stay with Royal Caribbean’s signature CruiseTours, a series of 2- to 6-night pre- or post-cruise land tours led by local experts.

Radiance and Serenade of the Seas will further expand Royal Caribbean’s reach with a fresh take on 7-night itineraries anchored by visits to Haines, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau and Seward, Alaska.

View the full Alaska 2022 itineraries:

• Ovation of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas

Be sure to consult the Royal Caribbean website or your travel professional for further assistance with itinerary options and booking.

More about Alaska cruises

• What is the best time to cruise to Alaska?
• What Is an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise?
• What to pack for a cruise to Alaska?
• Top 10 tips for planning your Alaska cruise
• 6 mistakes & 3 things we did right on our Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska

Royal Caribbean has informed travel agents that due to the Canadian Government restricting all cruise traffic through October 2020, its Alaska, Hawaii and Canada/New England cruises are cancelled.

The cruise line indicated itineraries touching on a Canadian port through October 2020 are suspended.

Similar to other cancelled cruises due to the current global health crisis, Royal Caribbean is offering guests three options:

Lift & Shift: Move your existing booking to next year, protecting the current price/promotion, simply by electing to remain on the same itinerary type, sailing length, stateroom category, and within the same 4-week period of their original cruise date same-time-next-year. Opt-in deadlines are as follows:

• Sailings departing June 12-July 31, 2020
  • On-or-before June 10, 2020
• Canada Port closures departing August 1-October 31, 2020
  • On-or-before June 17, 2020

Future Cruise Credit: You client will receive a Future Cruise Credit for 125% of the amount paid, to be redeemed on-or-before December 31, 2021 on sailings through April 2022. This option is automatic and will default if neither of the other options are selected.

Refund: If a refund is preferred, you can opt to receive a 100% refund of their cruise fare. No need to decide now – refund requests are available through December 31, 2020.

Last week, Canada's Public Health Agency announced it was extending its ban on cruises ships with more than 100 people through October 31, 2020.

Canada had originally closed off its borders to all cruise ships carrying more than 500 passengers and crew until between April 2 and July 1, 2020.

Without the ability to visit Canadian ports, Royal Caribbean cruises cannot legally offer sailings because of U.S. cabotage laws that require foreign-flagged vessels leaving from a U.S. port of call to first call on a "distant foreign port" before returning to the United States.

Royal Caribbean's website no longer has 2020 cruises to Alaska or Canada available to book.

Canada announced on Friday it was extending its ban on cruise ships through the end of October 2020.

While Royal Caribbean has not officially informed guests that sailings that visit Canada between July 1 - October 31 are cancelled, all potentially affected sailings have been removed from being able to be booked on the cruise line site.

When searching for Alaska sailings, no dates in 2020 are available to search, and Brilliance of the Seas 2020 sailings from Boston are all removed, minus a repositioning cruise from Boston to Tampa.

Royal Caribbean indicated a "full update" will be made by Royal Caribbean on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020.

If cruise ships cannot visit Canada, Royal Caribbean cannot legally operate sailings that do not visit a "nearby foreign port" during the sailing, due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886.

Thanks to RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Bud Dickson for alerting us to this news.

The city of Haines, Alaska wants to expand its relationship with Royal Caribbean in order to get more cruise ships visit the city.

Haines Tourism Director Steven Auch said the city would like to see more ships on a regular basis.

According to KINY radio, Royal Caribbean had an agreement to bring ships to Haines for a few hours when they visit Skagway in summer 2020, but that was before the Alaska cruise season was put on hold.

Mr. Auch believes cruise ships would have a lot of support from businesses and the community to get more visits.

"Royal Caribbean wanted to make sure the community is interested.  Not only did the assembly pass a resolution but we received a flood of emails from the community in support of it," he added.

The 2021 Royal Caribbean schedule has ships headed to Skagway which will spend a few hours per day in the evening in Haines.

Haines would like to see Royal Caribbean make Haines one of their primary stops in 2022.

Summer cruises to Alaska are one of the highlights of Royal Caribbean's offerings, but the 2020 Alaska cruise season seems in doubt with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have a cruise booked for Alaska this year, here is a look at all the information we know that impacts sailings to The Last Frontier.

No cruises until at least July

Royal Caribbean has already taken a step to cancel all Alaska cruises until July 1, 2020.

On March 24, Royal Caribbean extended its suspension of cruises until May 12, however, they also decided to cancel all Alaska cruises through June 30, 2020.

The decision was based on two primary factors: the ongoing spread of Coronavirus, as well as American and Canadian port closures.

Canadian port closures

A major factor prohibiting any Alaska cruise is the decision of the Canadian government to close its ports to cruise traffic, which means Royal Caribbean's ships cannot enter these ports.

On March 13, Transport Canada announced it would defer the start of the cruise ship season in Canada from April 2, 2020 to July 1, 2020, at the earliest.  This deferral will apply to cruise ships capable of carrying more than 500 passengers and crew members.

There are two primary ports Royal Caribbean relies on for its Canadian cruises: Vancouver and Victoria.

Vancouver is where Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas homeport during the season, while Victoria is a port of call for cruises out of Seattle.

Without access to Canadian ports, it is impossible for Royal Caribbean to operate any cruises, since even sailings beginning in the United States require a foreign port stop at some point in order to be in compliance with U.S. laws.

Port of Seattle delays

In addition to Canadian port closures, the Port of Seattle has delayed its start to the 2020 cruise season.

The Port now expects the launch of the cruise season will be delayed until the resolution of the public health emergency.

As a result of COVID-19, the start of Seattle’s cruise season will depend on the status of the public health emergency and the advice of local, state and federal public health officials.

The CDC has issued a nonessential travel warning and a temporary no sail order for cruise ships, and the State and King County have imposed a number of strict limitations to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Royal Caribbean announced that Quantum of the Seas will sail from the Pacific Northwest for the first time when she calls Seattle home in May 2021.

Quantum will join Ovation of the Seas to offer 7-night cruises, leaving on Mondays.

Quantum’s summer 2021 Alaska itineraries open for sale today. The additional cruises build on Royal Caribbean’s previously announced summer deployment for Ovation, Radiance and Serenade of the Seas, sailing from Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska.

Quantum of the Seas will begin her Alaska itineraries with a May 10 sailing, and her season will extend through the end of September 2021.

The addition of Quantum of the Seas to the Alaska 2021 season was no simple task, and it appears Royal Caribbean has been working for months to make this change.  A source confirms that the decision to move Quantum was made late last year.

Quantum of the Seas sailed for a brief period out of Bayonne, New Jersey when she debuted in 2014, but since 2015 has been sailing in Asia.

Going on a cruise to Alaska means seeing incredible scenery, spotting wildlife, and trying to pack for three seasons in one vacation.

Many first time cruisers to Alaska struggle with what to bring on their cruise, so here are the important things to bring along for a cruise to Alaska.

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is on your must-pack list for an Alaskan cruise?

There is a fair amount of Alaska cruise lingo, and you are very likely to hear about something called the Inside Passage.

The Inside Passage is usually what people refer to when they talk about an Alaska cruise.

Alaska’s Inside Passage is a water route between the Gulf of Alaska and Puget Sound.  It is a common route for cruise ships that depart from Seattle or Vancouver, and offers stops along Alaska's panhandle.

The term "Inside Passage" is commonly used to refer to the entire region of Southeast Alaska, as well as British Columbia. This area spans 500 miles of shoreline, with the of the best wildlife and landscape viewing you can see from a ship.

Nearly all Royal Caribbean's Inside Passage sailings are 7-nights, although the cruise line does offer land-tours that you can add onto your cruise to expand your exploration inland.

In addition to the ports, the Inside Passage features fantastic animal viewing opportunities, with whales, orcas, sea lions, seals, eagles, bears, raptors and more along the way.  This is usually why many people that have cruised to Alaska before recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars to be able to see it all from your ship.

Of course, this area is also know for its glaciers and quiet towns your ship may visit. The ports of Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka and more are along the Inside Passage, and known for the natural beauty and incredible history you can discover.

In addition, you may have the opportunity to visit some well-known state and national parks and preserves, including Tongass National Forest, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Misty Fjords National Monument, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Cruises to the Inside Passage are available between May and September. The best time to take an Alaska cruise is somewhere between those months, depending on a your budget and availability.

Inside Passage Tips

Bring a sleep mask: During the summer, Alaska enjoys up to 19 hours of daylight, which means it is light out most times of the day and night. A sleep mask is a necessity if you want it dark when you sleep.

Best time to spot bears: According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game there can be as many as one grizzly bear per square mile in parts of southern Alaska.

Your best bet for seeing a bear is in the spring and summer, primarily around dawn and dusk, when they hunt for food. It’s also common to see them along the shoreline, scouting fish and other food that may have washed ashore.

Buy an all-weather jacket: The weather in Alaska will change throughout the day, from chilly to rainy to warm to rainy and chilly again. You want to invest in a waterproof, breathable jacket that can handle all of these weather changes, while keeping you comfortable.

There is no best side of the ship for an Alaska cruise: A lot of readers are curious if the starboard or port side is a superior choice for viewing glaciers, animals, scenery or anything on a cruise. 

There is fantastic scenery to see on both sides of the ship while sailing the Inside Passage.  When your ship enters the fjords, you will find equally good viewing from either side of the ship.  In short, you will see scenery from both sides of the ship.

Best port for hiking: Juneau offers more than 250 miles of hiking trails, with a variety of skill levels. You can see the beauty of  Nugget Falls, the gleaming face of Mendenhall Glacier, or sweeping views of the Inside Passage islands from the summit of Mount Juneau.

Best time to spot whales: June and July are the best months to see the humpback whales when they migrate to Alaska’s Inside Passage.