What commenced as a record-breaking year for Port Halifax (Nova Scotia Canada) is ending in the cancellation of this year's cruising season. The Canadian port will not see any cruise ships in 2020.
In March, Canada's Government announced a ban on cruise ships through June 1, 2020, which was recently extended through October 31. When the cruise ban was extended, Port Halifax had to cancel its remaining cruising season.
The cruise port sent a memo saying:
“The Halifax Port Authority has been and will continue to work with partners across tourism in Nova Scotia to rebuild the cruise industry in Halifax and Atlantic Canada. Together, we will weather this storm and prepare for brighter days ahead.”
The blow takes millions CAD out of Nova Scotia's economy, impacting everything from tour operators to part-time employees manning the docks on a seasonal basis.
Canada-New England's cruise season runs April through October, with most ship tourists visiting between August-October (on "Fall Foliage" themed voyages).
Canada's cruise shipping ban is not only impacting the country's east coast and New England (USA) but also the Alaskan season. Most major cruise companies already cancelled their Alaskan departures from both Vancouver BC and Seattle WA.
Currently, the only large-sized cruise liner allowed to cruise in Alaska is NCL America’s Pride of America - because the vessel is USA-flagged. Since its hull was built in the USA and has all-American staff and crew, the ship is exempt from the rule of visiting a Canadian prior before returning to the USA.