Royal Caribbean International and sister brand Celebrity Cruises will both return to Alaska in July.
The sailings will be open to vaccinated guests over the
age of 16. Passengers under the age of 16 can sail with proof of a
negative PCR test.
Celebrity said that beginning July 23, it will sail seven-day itineraries
roundtrip from Seattle on the Celebrity Summit, which recently underwent
a $500 million upgrade. The ship will offer nine sailings through
mid-September, marking its first time in Alaska.
While the legislation would remove one obstacle, Alaska would still be handcuffed and in limbo until the CDC lifts its ban on large cruise ship sailing.
The Summit will visit Ketchikan, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Juneau and Skagway.
Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley posted on Facebook, "The light continues to shine! Serenade of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas will sail to Alaska in July and August."
Royal Caribbean will offer 7-day cruises roundtrip from Seattle on the Serenade beginning July 19, and on the Ovation starting August 13.
The Serenade, moving from its previously scheduled homeport in Vancouver, will visit Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, and cruise to the Endicott Arm fjord and Dawes Glacier. The Ovation will cruise to Glacier National Park, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska.
"We are so pleased that Congress unanimously voted to pass legislation enabling cruise ships to sail to Alaska this season," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group CEO, said in a statement.