Cruises to Alaska seem to be unaffected despite the strike at British Columbia ports that began on July 1. The initial fear that the actions of these workers will disrupt many cruises at the beginning of July seems to have been unfounded, especially at this time.
Three major ports in British Columbia run regular cruises. Vancouver is the port of call for many ships, and Prince Rupert and Victoria are popular as ports of call.
Strikes at British Columbia Ports
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU) went on strike after months of negotiations and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) failed to offer a new industrial union. Central to the dispute are job creation, port automation, and the rising cost of living, which is forcing 7,400 port workers to go on strike.
While the protests may have an impact on the region’s economy in some way, the cruise industry, for now, has not been affected. The ILWU has said it wants to serve the ships during the strike, which has brought relief to the sailors.
Robert Lewis-Manning, CEO of the Greater Victoria Harbor Authority, gave encouraging comments din a recent radio interview. He acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the situation but remained optimistic about its impact on the navy.
“Apart from the fact that the union has issued strike notices, it does not mean that they will go on strike,” Robert Lewis-Manning began.
“The International Longshore Union is essential to everything we do at the Deep Water terminal at Ogden Point. They help anchor the ship, manage the logistics, and manage the transportation. We can’t do it without them.”
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Regarding the potential impact of the strike on shipping, Manning added: “He cares a lot about this business. My hope is that if they go on strike, they will not stop the shipping service even if they are on strike because of cargo issues in other ports.”
A statement from Victoria port’s CEO has eased concerns about travel disruptions. Alaska’s sailing season is in full swing, with 23 cruises sailing to and from BC ports from July 3rd to July 8th.
Cruises Calling British Columbia Ports
Several cruise ships will dock at various ports in British Columbia this week.
Monday, July 3, Disney Wonder will be in Vancouver. Following the Disney cruise line is Crown Princess on July 4, ms Volendam and The spirit of Norway on July 5, Silver Whisper on July 6, and Celebrity Millennium and Queen Elizabeth on July 7. The week ends with Majestic Princess and ms Koningsdam on July 8.
The Miracle of Carnival and Ruby Princess he arrives on July 3, and A symbol is expected on July 7.
Spirit of Carnival and Crown Princess starting the week of July 3, later Carnival Luminosa on July 5. Celebrity Solstice and The Burst of the Sea port on July 6. On July 7, ms Eurodam, Norwegian Bliss, and Royal Princess will be in port. The week ends with Discovery Princess, ms Westdamand Norwegian Encore notes on July 8.
Impact on Cruises
Major disruptions at these ports could cause nightmares, delay travel, and inconvenience thousands of people. However, if cruise ships from US ports were unable to call Canada at least once during their voyage, further problems would arise.
The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) of 1886 mandates that any vessel not built in the US cannot carry passengers between two US ports.
Therefore, these ships must stop at a foreign port when traveling between two US ports. This is one of the main reasons why many people travel to Alaska from the US to stop at a Canadian port.
The current situation is uncertain, and any change could disrupt future cruises, causing problems for ships bound for Alaska. The cruise industry is closely monitoring the situation and resolving the labor dispute to achieve the best results.
