The first large cruise ship to arrive in Alaska in nearly 2 years arrived in Ketchikan on Friday, July 9.
RCI-Royal Caribbean International’s liner Serenade of the Seas is currently on a simulated voyage per requirements from the CDC to test protocols for safe cruises.
Serenade OTS left Seattle WA and docked in Ketchikan AK for ~8 hours prior to sailing back south to Seattle in the evening. The ship had ~10% of her full guest capacity.
Many of the passengers are employed by RCI and volunteered for the voyage before ships with more passengers start arriving later from July through October 2021.
Tour operators were ready for the 300+ passengers arriving in Ketchikan AK.
Alaska Gov Kevin Meyer said that was just the economic boost the state needed after the COVID crisis devastated the tourism industry last year.
The shortened 2021 Alaskan season will see fewer voyages than a typical year. It is unclear to what capacity the vessels will be full when they sail to Alaska.