Small ship cruising getting ready to resume in Pacific Northwest and Alaska

Small ship cruise lines are pressing ahead with plans to restart overnight cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers, around Puget Sound and in Alaska. They aim to cast off in April and May while the big cruise ships remain laid up by a red light from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Connecticut-based American Cruise Lines is deploying a new high of six ships to the Pacific Northwest this season. The river cruise specialist said it will operate at a maximum guest capacity of 75% and require proof of a negative COVID-19 test for passengers when it restarts during the week of April 20. That will signal the end of a 13 month suspension of cruise travel in the Pacific Northwest.

Meanwhile, competitor UnCruise Adventures is relaunching with a requirement that all adult passengers and crew be fully vaccinated to go on board. The Seattle-based cruise line is also going with pre-departure COVID-19 testing as an extra measure of safety.