Alaska Tourism Restoration Act
May 24, 2021
Statute: 135 Stat. 273
Became law: May 24, 2021
May 24, 2021
Statute: 135 Stat. 273
Became law: May 24, 2021
Summary
Lets certain cruise ships travel between Washington and Alaska without stopping in Canada, helping Alaska's economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What problem does this solve?
Canada's ban on cruise ships due to COVID-19 stopped tourism to Alaska because ships could not make a required foreign stop. This law temporarily lets these ships sail directly from Washington to Alaska by pretending they made a stop in Canada.
What does this law do?
Creates a temporary 'phantom stop' in Canada
Allows cruise ships traveling between Washington and Alaska to be considered a 'foreign voyage' without actually stopping in Canada, as long as they meet certain conditions.
Sets an expiration date for the workaround
Ends the special travel rule on March 31, 2022, or as soon as Canada lifts its ban on cruise ships, whichever comes first.
Requires automated external defibrillators on ships
Mandates that certain passenger vessels must install and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in clearly marked, accessible locations for passengers and crew.
Specifies eligible cruise ships
Provides a specific list of dozens of cruise ships that are allowed to use this temporary workaround.
Who does this affect?
- Cruise ship companies and their employees
- Alaskan tourism businesses
- Tourists traveling to Alaska
What is the real world impact?
•
Provides economic relief for Alaska
Helps Alaska's tourism-dependent economy recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada's cruise ship ban by allowing summer cruises to resume.
•
Creates a temporary exception to U.S. maritime law
Circumvents a long-standing law that requires foreign-flagged ships to stop at a foreign port when traveling between U.S. ports. This exception is temporary and specific to the Alaska cruise industry.
When does this start?
This law provides temporary rules for cruise travel that expire based on specific dates or when Canada lifts its travel ban.
End of temporary travel rule
The authority for ships to bypass a Canadian stop ends on March 31, 2022, or when Canada lifts its ban, whichever is earlier.
Deadline for voyages to begin
To qualify for the workaround, a cruise ship voyage must begin no later than February 28, 2022.