Can you translate that for us, Marc? And Ann, SO glad to be cruising with you again!

Me too of course. I am in CRUISE WITHDRAWAL sure hope we get to cruise!

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Norwegian Cruise Lines Executive Vice President Howard Sherman said they have made progress in getting health protocols and standards in place so they can begin sailing again.

Sherman said it is Norwegian's goal to have a cruise season in Juneau this year.

"Sometime in the next week or so we hope to be able to go out to port communities including Juneau and have meetings to go over with them the protocols we've developed to get feedback, comment, and suggestion for improvement," he added.

Sherman said their goal is to resume cruising in Alaska in July, 'We do need to overcome some obstacles, like making sure the cruise lines protocols are compatible with what the CDC thinks will be safe. Our top goal is safety."

Sherman said Alaska relies on other regions to open up for cruise ships. The Port of Seattle and Canada will have to make decisions. Canada could extend the ban on cruise ships past June 30.

He said they've already talked with leaders to get a waiver on the passenger vessel services Act so they could send cruise ships without visiting British Columbia.

Sherman said bookings have increased in recent weeks. He noted bookings for 2021 are ahead of the pace set for 2020.

"I think people are sitting home stir crazy and dreaming about the day that they can travel again."

Sherman said payments for the subport property will be made on schedule. They also have continued the construction at Ward Cove in Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point in Hoonah during the crisis.

He said he would like to reschedule a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a second dock at Icy Strait Point in July. The previous ceremony planned for April was postponed due to the pandemic.

The Government of Canada continues to monitor the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts it is having on the marine and tourism sectors. Keeping Canadians and transportation workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic is Transport Canada’s top priority.

Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced updated measures pertaining to cruise ships and passenger vessels in Canadian waters.

Cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020.
As of July 1, 2020, all other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations.
Passenger vessels with the capacity to carry more than 12 persons continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters (including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador Coast) until October 31, 2020.

Beginning July 1, 2020, passenger vessels will be allowed to operate in inland rivers and lakes in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to operate using mitigation measures. These could include reducing the number of passengers or using alternative practices such as keeping people in their vehicles, when safe to do so, or enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

An idea that would allow this cruise to go forward.

Depart from the SF Bay Area where the Mariner is now or from Seattle. Do not go to the Canadian ports, Vancouver and Victoria, but do Alaska and then before returning to LA go to Ensenada and then back to LA. Skipping Victoria on the way south should allow for the time needed to go to Ensenada and then back to LA.