By Salvatore R. Mercogliano, Ph.D. –
In March 2020, the Center for Disease Control issued a No Sail Order for cruise lines and that has remained in place, pending a successful plan to resume operations. Once the CDC releases the cruise ships, sailing to Alaska will be problematic as most of the world’s cruise ships are foreign built, foreign flagged, manned with foreign crews, and owned and operated by companies incorporated overseas.
Under the Passenger Vessel Service Act of 1886, while such ships can operate between American ports, they must include a stop at a foreign destination. It is for this reason that Captain Stubing, Julie McCoy, Gopher, Isaac, and the rest of the crew of the British-flagged