By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitkans will be masked up or socially distanced on Wednesday as they give a warm welcome to the Serenade of the Seas, the first large cruise ship to stop here in two years, the Chamber of Commerce says.
“The ship’s coming in,” Chamber executive director Rachel Roy said of the arrival of the Royal Caribbean vessel and its 800 passengers. “I can hardly believe it.”
The arrival of the ship coincides with Sitka’s seeing its highest rate of COVID cases, with a 14-day rolling average of 13.14 cases per day.
However, Roy added, “The cruise ship is also highly vaccinated, Sitka has a high vaccination rate. If everyone masks up when not socially distanced, disinfects, and follows precautions, that will help keep people safe. And keep our businesses open and ships returning. That’s going to be really important.”
Roy is inviting members of the public to come to the Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal, at 4513 Halibut Point Road. She’s asking greeters to arrive at 8:45 a.m., in time to “wave the ship in” when it pulls in to the dock by 9 a.m., and to disperse soon after. It will be here until 6 p.m.
The Chamber has been offering gift cards and contests to promote vaccinations for the past few months, and noted that Sitka’s vaccination rate has increased to just under 75 percent for those partially vaccinated, and nearly 70 percent fully vaccinated.
She said given the high vaccination rates of passengers and Sitkans, and their ability to follow precautions, the port call can be conducted safely.
Serenade’s company, Royal Caribbean cruise line, requires passengers 16 and up to present proof of full vaccination (final dose and two weeks) before boarding. After August 1, the requirement will apply to those 12 and up, which is the age of eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine.
“We will continually evaluate these requirements and make updates as local public health standards evolve,” Royal Caribbean said.
Those under the ages in the requirement will receive a COVID-19 test at the terminal before boarding the ship. Those vaccinated should take their vaccination record cards to the ship and should follow all vaccinated guest protocols while boarding and throughout their vacation.
Chris McGraw, manager of the cruise terminal, said unvaccinated passengers (those too young to be vaccinated) are allowed to participate only in ship-sold excursions.
He was working hard today to be prepared for the inaugural port call. The ship is expected to be carrying some 800 passengers, which is a portion of the ship’s 2,476 capacity.
McGraw believes the various cruise lines will ramp up capacity throughout the season, based on how the cruises are working.
But he added he’s pleased to welcome a ship, after it looked like Alaska would be facing a second full season without any cruise ships because of Canada’s ban on large passenger vessels due to the pandemic.
“Staff is still preparing the site, final cleaning of handrails, sweeping sidewalks, and setting up pedestrian controls,” McGraw said.
President Biden in late May signed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, allowing cruise ships to temporarily skip the required foreign port stop (usually in Canada) to visit Alaska. The legislation that was sponsored by Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, and Rep. Don Young.
McGraw has been watching the case rates in Sitka, and has some COVID-related concerns.
“I’m not particularly concerned about the safety of the passengers, since they’re vaccinated. But I do have concerns about the high case counts in Sitka and the cruise lines’ perception of Sitka - if we have high case counts it may affect their desire to call in Sitka.”
The Serenade plans to make a weekly Wednesday stop in Sitka, along with other ports of call around Southeast. McGraw said the pieces are in place for passengers to be picked up by Alaska Coach shuttles, and taken to Harrigan Centennial Hall.
“The shore-ex operators in town – Allen Marine, Alaska Coach Tours, Adventure Sitka – will take off from the dock,” McGraw said.
Holland America will make its first call next Wednesday, July 28, with the Nieuw Amsterdam, on the same day the Serenade of the Seas returns. Holland America also will be limited capacity.
“Looking forward to seeing a ship,” McGraw said.
Roy is hoping for a good turnout at the Wednesday event, including city officials, travel and local media, the business community and members of the public.
Deputy Mayor Thor Christianson says he believes the city will be well represented, but doesn’t plan to attend.
“I’m happy we’re going to get some visitors, but disappointed at the reception we can give them with our COVID rate,” he said. “I hope they have an enjoyable and safe time in Sitka.”
Roy said Sitka is having a robust independent visitor season, but now larger tour operators are gearing up for a higher influx with the arrival of the large ships. The Alaska Travel Industry Association gave grants to tourism-related companies to help prepare.
“This’ll be a nice run-through to shake out the operations,” she said. “Our operators can’t survive on just independent travelers alone. This is their bread and butter. We need higher volumes to sustain robust visitor attractions.”
For the Chamber’s Visit Sitka side, the staff is prepared to provide the visitors with maps, a pocket guide and other information about attractions.
