Princess, Holland America, Carnival annnounce July cruises in Alaska

The news immediately follows Congress's passage of a cruise ship cabotage temporary waiver for Alaska operations which is on its way to President Biden to sign into law.

Plans for the lines' itineraries to fulfill obligations under the Passenger Vessel Services Act waiver are expected to be approved.

For fully vaccinated passengers

The three lines said that based on recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and close collaboration with Alaskan officials, they would sail a partial Alaska season, each with one round-trip Seattle ship.

These cruises are available for passengers fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise who present proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.

'We are excited to once again serve our guests from the US, and we express our deep gratitude to all national, state and local officials who have worked collaboratively with us, the CDC and our entire industry to make this possible. It is great news for cruising, for travelers ready to again explore the world and for all the communities in Alaska that depend on cruising and have suffered great hardships over the past year,' said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corp. & plc.

Princess, HAL, Carnival starting dates

Princess Cruises will resume operations July 25 through Sept. 26, with seven-day cruises on Majestic Princess to Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.

Holland America Line will offer seven-day itineraries on Nieuw Amsterdam to Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan, with scenic cruising locales including Glacier Bay and Stephens Passage. The first cruise is set for July 24, with 10 Saturday departures that will operate through Oct. 2.

Carnival Cruise Line has already opened Alaska sailings departing from Seattle beginning July 27, with weekly departures through Sept. 14 aboard Carnival Miracle. There are seven-day cruises calling at Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord. The Sept. 14 departure is an eight-day cruise with an additional stop at Icy Strait Point.

Carnival expects to finalize other cruises next week

Carnival is also working to finalize its plans to operate Carnival Horizon from Miami and Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston in July. Itineraries along with specific details about protocols are expected to be finalized and announced next week.