Large cruise ships to be banned from Canadian waters until Oct. 31

Ottawa on Friday announced a ban on all large cruise ships operating in Canadian waters until Oct. 31, a move first reported by the Star on Thursday.

“We are all in this together,” federal Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said in a statement released Friday. “Our Government continues to work with other levels of government, transportation industry stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples to re-examine measures and to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe and secure during this time,” he said.

“This is unprecedented ... it essentially closes the cruising season for 2020,” Stephen Burnett, executive director of the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition, told the Star ahead of the official announcement.

Cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited, according to Transport Canada. And as of July 1, “all other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations.

“Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to operate using mitigation measures. These could include reducing the number of passengers or using alternative practices such as keeping people in their vehicles, when safe to do so, or enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID -19.”

Windsor had been anticipating up to 20 visits this season by cruise ships that average about 200 passengers. Industry observers said the Great Lakes cruise ship industry, until COVID-19 hit, had been on an upswing with more operators, ships and itineraries expected to be added.

Friday’s updated measures don’t affect ferry service between Pelee Island and the Canadian mainland (all departures between Pelee Island and Sandusky, Ohio, are cancelled through June 30).

But the Owen Sound Transportation Company, which operates the ferry service to Pelee Island, is restricting service to essential traffic only. Drivers must remain in their vehicles during crossings, and those without vehicles must have face masks while aboard and walk-on numbers limited to 12 in the lounge, with an additional eight passengers allowed outside, weather conditions permitting.