Feds put Cruise Season on hold

The Crystal Symphony at Northland Terminal last year

See update from Port of Prince Rupert at bottom of article.

The Federal Government has put a pause on Canada's cruise industry,  issuing a suspension of Port Calls for Canadian Cruise Ship Terminals as part of their COVID-19 response, making for a pause in the season will last at least until July 1st.

Both Prime Minister Trudeau and Transportation Minister Marc Garneau delivered the news today.

The Prime Minister in a national address from his home where he has put himself in self-isolation after his wife Sophie contracted the COVID-19 virus following a trip to the United Kingdom.

The Transportation Minister issued his update as part of a wide ranging information session from a number of Federal Cabinet ministers to address concerns over the COVID-19 virus.

In a statement from the Minister, it was noted that the deferral will apply to Cruise Ships capable of carrying more than 500 passengers.


In 2019, Canada welcomed over 140 cruise ships that came to our shores directly from more than 10 different countries. The cruise industry brings at least 2 million travellers to our coasts annually.

As a response to COVID-19, the Government of Canada will 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.


The impact of the Suspension of the Cruise Ship season will have a larger impact on the Ports of Vancouver and Victoria over the sailings into and out of Prince Rupert.

The two southern ports are home to a much larger footprint for the Cruise industry, Prince Rupert which has been looking to increase its presence in that industry had 22 ship calls in 2019.

Of those sailings, ten cruise vessels hosted passenger levels over the 500 passenger mark outlined in today's announcement.

Update: The Port of Prince Rupert has outlined its latest update on the status for the 2020 Cruise Ship Season.

The Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) is aware of the Government of Canada’s announcement today restricting cruise vessels that carry more than 500 people until July 1st, 2020, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. PRPA is currently assessing the specifics of these measures to determine the impact to the 2020 cruise season prior to July 1, 2020. 

Five cruise vessel calls were scheduled to visit prior to July 1, 2020, totaling 4,192 passengers. It has yet to be determined if vessels that were scheduled to visit prior to July 1st, 2020 will postpone their visit until the restriction is lifted. 

Currently, the first cruise call under the new start date for the 2020 cruise season will be Hurtigruten’s Roald Amundsen on July 5. PRPA will provide an update should any additional changes to the 2020 cruise schedule occur. 

 PRPA is aligned with the guidance provided by federal and provincial authorities as required, and encourages everyone to continue to monitor public health updates and undertake recommended measures from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

For more notes on the local Cruise industry see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.