So, I was looking forward to taking a group of guests on a Princess Alaska Cruise in June.  The cruise was officially cancelled this past week, as was expected.  What was even sadder is that Princess had to cancel their entire 2020 cruise tour season (May-September).  Princess has a very large infrastructure built in Alaska that supports their cruise tour itineraries.  They sail 8 ships (most of any cruise line) and also own five lodges and their own railroad system.  Knowing that cruises were cancelled until at least July 1, they determined that the shortened season would not be able to financially support all complexities of the land portion of their cruises.

         Along with these cancellations, came the loss of all the jobs that supported the cruise ships that docked in the Alaskan ports. The locals that ran the lodges and railways would no longer be needed and would be without jobs for the lucrative Princess cruise season.  Fortunately, there are still a few Princess cruises and other cruise lines that will sail some later itineraries that will be of some benefit to the locals that run excursions at the ports for the cruise lines.

           It has been a very difficult time for the cruise industry, but I am seeing the changes that are being made for the good of future cruise travel.  New procedures are being put in place that will better insure the health and safety of all future crew and guests.  The cruise industry is vital the economy of not only Alaska, but around the world.  Once things settle out from this unprecedented time, I encourage you to consider taking that cruise you have always wanted to take.  Cruising will come back, and it will be better than ever before!