Vancouver welcomes first cruise ship in more than two years

The cruise ship industry is back for the first time in more than two years as a cruise ship docked in Vancouver Sunday morning.

The return follows a rocky start after the first ship scheduled to arrive earlier in the week but the Caribbean Princess was hit by COVID and its voyage to Vancouver was cut short.

The Holland America Line’s Koningsdam arrived at Canada Place this weekend, carrying 1,200 passengers – half of its regular capacity. The ship had its passengers board in San Diego, and these visitors are expected to boost Canada’s hard-hit tourism sector.

Local businesses, restaurants, and hotels all eager to see a boost in business

Pam Zhang, a co-owner of a jewelry store in Gastown tells CityNews she’s thrilled to have more people in her shop.

“We’re very lucky, we’re very fortunate, to be the oldest store to be around for 26 years so we do have local supporters, local customers. But for new stores, I think it’s been very, very difficult,” she said.

Zhang believes that Gastown stores will see a 50 to 70 per cent boost in business come peak cruise season.

COVID-19 protocols

Because cruise ships posed a risk to Canada’s healthcare systems, according to the ministry of transportation, the federal government banned the vessels in all Canadian waters.

The measures were meant to limit the spread of COVID-19 and allow public health authorities to focus on immediate issues related to the pandemic.

But now that ships can return to Canadian ports, Transport Canada has provided a “comprehensive public health plan for cruise ships,” all passengers and crew must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to sail from Canada.

Only passengers under 12 and those with a medical exemptions do not need to be vaccinated.

Related Article: Transport Canada announces cruise ship COVID rules ahead of restart

A negative COVID-19 test to board a ship will also be required from passengers. A molecular test, like a PCR, will be accepted if taken within 72 hours before boarding or an antigen test taken within one day of boarding.

Additionally, passengers will need to enter their trip information into the ArriveCAN website.

Mask rules will be in place “according to local/provincial health guidelines,” and cruise ships must also have testing facilities onboard so passengers can take another COVID-19 test before disembarking the ship.

“So there’s a range of protocols that are in place today that are meant precisely to keep workers and travelers safe, but also to maintain confidence in the system,” Omar Alghabra, The Minister of Transport Canada, insisted Sunday.

In the scenario where an outbreak takes place, Alghabra says it will be “contained very quickly.”

“Because people are tested and those who are tested positive are asked to isolate. Those who come in contact with them are asked to isolate and then other passengers are being tested. And the arrangements are being made for individuals who need to isolate off the ship so at the next port they’re visiting that person can get off the boat and find a hotel where they can isolate until they’re feeling better,” he explains.

Environmental measures for cruise ships

In addition to the COVID-19 measures, Alghabra added Transport Canada is urging the cruise industry to take environmental measures.

“There have been a significant improvement to the environmental standards of the cruise industry. And we need to acknowledge the aspirations and the hard work that the cruise industry itself is leading in ensuring that we all are up to the challenge in combating climate change and protecting our oceans and protecting our environment. So we can do both,” he said.

“We can enjoy the cruise industry and at the same time maintain our obligation to the environment.”

For the 2022 season, a statement from Transport Canada says cruise operators will implement stricter environmental measures regarding greywater (drainage from sinks, laundry machines, bathtubs, shower stalls, or dishwashers) and blackwater (wastewater from bathroom and toilets).

Measures include:
“Prohibiting the discharge of greywater and treated blackwater within three nautical miles from shore where geographically possible;
Treating greywater together with blackwater before it is discharged between three and twelve nautical miles from shore to the greatest extent possible;
Strengthening the treatment of blackwater between three and twelve nautical miles from shore using an approved treatment device; and
Reporting to Transport Canada compliance with these measures as they relate to discharges made within Canadian waters.”

The 2022 cruise season kicked off in the country at the start of April and it will run until the beginning of November.

Over 300 ships expected to dock at Canada Place.

The cruise ship sector contributes more than $40 billion to the Canadian economy and employs some 30,000 people.

– With files from Angela Bower and Claire Fenton