Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
      • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
      • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Ottawa announces rules for return of cruise ships to Canadian ports

The Grand Princess cruise ship in Gastineau Channel in Juneau, Alaska. Strict COVID-19 measures will be enforced when cruise ships return to Canada’s ports next month after a nearly two-year hiatus, federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has announced. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer, File)

Ottawa announces rules for return of cruise ships to Canadian ports

March 8, 2022 //  by The Canadian Press

Share this:

By Keith Doucette, THE CANADIAN PRESS

Strict COVID-19 measures will be enforced when cruise ships return to Canada’s ports next month after a nearly two-year hiatus, federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra has announced.

Ottawa lifted its pandemic-induced prohibition on cruise ships in Canadian waters on Nov. 1, on condition that operators fully comply with public health requirements.

“The industry will have to follow a robust protocol,” Alghabra told reporters.

Under a framework developed with federal, local and provincial public health agencies, the United States government and the cruise industry, all cruise ship employees and passengers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to be allowed into Canada, Alghabra said.

Passengers, he added, will need to take a COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours before they board or take an antigen test within one day of boarding. They will also need a negative molecular test result within 72 hours before their return to Canada or an antigen test result within one day of their arrival, he said.

Cruise ship operators will be required to inspect proof of vaccination and monitor and report test results, Alghabra said, adding that no passenger will be allowed off a cruise ship unless they meet the testing and vaccine requirements.

The cruise ship industry is worth about $4 billion annually to the Canadian economy and is directly and indirectly responsible for about 30,000 jobs in the domestic tourism sector, the federal government says.

Allan Gray, president and CEO of the Port of Halifax, said Monday’s announcement gives a clear signal to ports and to tourism operators that ships are returning in a safe manner.

Gray said that while the revival of Canada’s cruise ship industry is certainly welcomed, the biggest economic benefit from the sector goes toward tourism operators in the cities in which passengers debark.

“Cruises in most cases (are) never a large revenue earner for a port … it’s about the economic benefit that goes into the community and it’s about the support industries,” he said.

Gray said he expects the 2022 season, which runs from April to November, will help re-establish an industry that is expected to rebound vigorously in the years to come. He said Halifax is scheduled to see 152 cruise ships this season.

“The uncertain part is the actual numbers (of passengers) on board,” Gray said. “It’s been varying up and down … so it’s difficult for us at this point to get firm numbers.”

Alghabra, meanwhile, announced $7 million in federal funding to help build a new $15-million marine container examination facility within the Port of Halifax. The remaining $8 million will come from the port, he said.

The aim is to reduce inspection turnaround times along with container congestion at the port, as well as truck traffic in downtown Halifax. Gray said plans are for the new facility to be in use by sometime next year.

***

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Canada, Cruise ships, Tourism, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Okanagan’s Keremeos Grist Mill welcomes 40th year with summer concert series launch

World-class talent is set to hit the stage this summer in a magical destination that…

Okanagan’s Keremeos Grist Mill welcomes 40th year with summer concert series launchRead More

New Lytton Chinese History Museum rises from the ashes

Quan Yin, the Buddhist embodiment of compassion and mercy, is once again greeting visitors at…

New Lytton Chinese History Museum rises from the ashesRead More

Westjet, Air Canada expanding services at Cranbrook airport

Two major air carriers are expanding capacity at the Canadian Rockies International Airport, beginning this…

Westjet, Air Canada expanding services at Cranbrook airportRead More

A guide to southern B.C. swimming holes, just in time for summer

Inspired in part by “wild swimming” of the U.K. and a shared love of exploring…

A guide to southern B.C. swimming holes, just in time for summerRead More

An original kind of country: Cloverdale Country Fair is rooted in tradition, reimagined for today

For 134 years, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair has been rewriting the rules of…

An original kind of country: Cloverdale Country Fair is rooted in tradition, reimagined for todayRead More

Summer drag racing returns to Port Alberni

Drag racing will return this summer to Port Alberni, on central Vancouver Island, after a…

Summer drag racing returns to Port AlberniRead More

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineup

The Everett Music Initiative has announced its 2025 lineup for its annual Music At the…

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineupRead More

Driving the Crowsnest Highway? Discover the scenic Similkameen Valley

As spring returns to the Southern Interior with longer and more vibrant days, the path…

Driving the Crowsnest Highway? Discover the scenic Similkameen ValleyRead More

BC Ferries reservations mandatory this fall on Horseshoe Bay-to-Departure Bay route

Major construction is set to start at B.C.’s Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal at the end…

BC Ferries reservations mandatory this fall on Horseshoe Bay-to-Departure Bay routeRead More

Previous Post: « Kickstarting the Comeback: BC tourism industry ready to get back to work
Next Post: Family travel 5: Vacation ideas that won’t break the bank »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Okanagan’s Keremeos Grist Mill welcomes 40th year with summer concert series launch

May 10, 2025

New Lytton Chinese History Museum rises from the ashes

May 8, 2025

Westjet, Air Canada expanding services at Cranbrook airport

May 8, 2025

A guide to southern B.C. swimming holes, just in time for summer

May 8, 2025

Recent Posts

Okanagan’s Keremeos Grist Mill welcomes 40th year with summer concert series launch

May 10, 2025

New Lytton Chinese History Museum rises from the ashes

May 8, 2025

Westjet, Air Canada expanding services at Cranbrook airport

May 8, 2025

A guide to southern B.C. swimming holes, just in time for summer

May 8, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved