3407 replies to this topic

[lanforod]

Naw, my point is, that in spite of Seattle being able to take the biggest ships, there are literally less than a handful of those bigger ships sailing here and absolutely none of the really big ones (which carry 6k - 7k pax!). Its not a lot, there are far, far more mid size ones doing Alaska runs.

[Barrister]

While certainly unfair, at this point I dont care if there are any cruise ships,

[Mike K.]

Alaska is right angry that Eby has threatened to tariff trucks transiting through BC. The Vancouver Sun says during COVID, Horgan challenged the Alaskans like Eby is doing now, and they pulled out all the stops to ensure their cruise ship industry could still operate after Canada blocked its ports that ordinarily satisfied PVSA requirements.

When Sullivan and his colleagues first voiced the threat, then Premier John Horgan mocked their chances of success.

“Anyone who has spent any time watching the U.S. Congress knows that the likelihood of success on any number of endeavours is remote in good times, much less in times of crisis,” Horgan declared. “I’m confident that this blip along the way is the result of frustration in Alaska.”

The Alaskans took Horgan’s bluster as a challenge. Led by Don Young, a 50-year veteran of the House of Representatives, they pushed the legislation through both houses of Congress in short order.

“Advice to John Horgan: Don’t underestimate Don Young and the Alaska delegation. Our bill — the blip as you say — is now headed to be signed into law,” said Young on May 22, 2021, rubbing it in.

Two days later, President Joe Biden signed the exemption into law.

Eby, with that childish elbows up rhetoric that is the latest along a long line of progressive talking points echoed across progressive-land like a wildfire, just picked a fight he’ll never win, and is maybe realizing it now:

“It is not because we hate Alaskans,” the premier has said on more than one occasion since making the threat earlier this month. “It is because there’s a Republican governor and there’s a Republican Congresswoman and they have access to President Donald Trump, they have the ability to deliver the message for us. I need them to go to the president and say, what are you doing?”

Eby surely has got the attention of at least one Alaskan politician — though not in the way he imagined.

…

“We don’t want to use this tool. We like Alaskans. We think they’re great. We like Americans; we think they’re great. They’ve just got a lousy president.”

He was doing so well there — not calling Sullivan’s proposal a blip, not saying the chances of success were remote — until he got around to insulting his choice of presidents.

The premier also tried to play down the significance of Bill 7, the measure introduced into the legislature last week allowing B.C. to toll Alaska-bound trucks.

“The legislation doesn’t impose the charge,” Eby emphasized. “It gives us the ability to do it.”

- https://vancouversun...id-eby?tbref=hp

This has the potential to decimate Victoria’s economy, but it’s being presented by the premier’s office like a matter of no consequence.

[Barrister]

Eby is an idiot and in this case, if nothing else, a really bad neighbour. This mess is not Alaska's doing.

[Mike K.]

I was going to say, that BC could have played this so much better.

Something like, “guess you’re stuck with us, Alaska. Let’s work on growing trade between ourselves and your great state. Anything you need?”

So much better, right?

But that’s ancient history now. BC fired the first shot, forgetting we’ve outlawed what semblance of half decent guns Canadians could still buy. Now Alaska is staring straight down a barrel of a 1980s Blazer-mounted Howitzer at our economy.

[Barrister]

Ebby is too busy making himself king.

[Blair M.]

Is B.C. now - or has B.C. ever been "friends" with Alaska though, or are we just cordial neighbours of forced circumstance?

Since achieving Statehood in 1957, Alaska has never seemed particularly friendly with B.C. (nor B.C. with Alaska) beyond some mandatory treaty documents that two bordering countries are obliged to have.

 

I look at B.C. border States Idaho and Montana exactly the same way - certainly cordial due to circumstance, and with some obligatory treaties - but I'm not sure I'd go as far as "friends"?

[Mike K.]

For sure we're friends. Half of our western coastline is Alaska.

 

We just mind our business and stay out of each other's way, I guess. Alaska didn't pick a fight with us in this instance.

[Victoria Watcher]

The arrival of Holland America's Koningsdam on Friday, April 4, marked the official start of Victoria's cruise season and the first of 12 cruise ships arriving at Ogden Point this month, said the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA).

 

https://www.vicnews....-begins-7925940

[aastra]

What's Koningsdam doing just sitting there near Port Townsend tonight? The itinerary says it's running an extended Hawaii/Pacific Northwest circle cruise before beginning the Alaska season. But what's it doing just sitting there right now? Does it spend the night there?

[Victoria Watcher]

What's Koningsdam doing just sitting there near Port Townsend tonight? The itinerary says it's running an extended Hawaii/Pacific Northwest circle cruise before beginning the Alaska season. But what's it doing just sitting there right now? Does it spend the night there?

 

https://www.cruisema...erary#itinerary

 

 

I don't know, where else would it go?

[aastra]

I'm certainly no ship's captain nor am I a cruise line executive but I was wondering maybe if it could proceed to its next port rather than sitting in one place for several hours.

But then again I was also wondering if a 7-day cruise that lingered just offshore of Sequim for the entire time could potentially save a lot of money on fuel, maintenance, etc.

[Victoria Watcher]

Well, presumably in port you have to pay the port fees maybe by the hour and also you lose on-board spending if you let people off the ship.  Sitting in one place in the water seems the best for revenue.  Maybe they whale-watch all day.  Since the plan is to spend all Thursday there too.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 April 2025 - 08:26 PM.

[aastra]

 

I'm certainly no ship's captain nor am I a cruise line executive...

 

For completeness I feel I should also mention I'm not a ship's doctor nor am I a bartender.

[Victoria Watcher]

For completeness I feel I should also mention I'm not a ship's doctor nor am I a bartender.

 

The one that was actually on coke was the cruise director!

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 April 2025 - 08:30 PM.

[aastra]

When I saw the ship sitting there tonight I was actually wondering if they were doing a stop at Port Townsend.

[Victoria Watcher]

When I saw the ship sitting there tonight I was actually wondering if they were doing a stop at Port Townsend.

 

That dock is taken.

 

 

https://www.cruisema...erary#itinerary

 

 

 

Puget Sound cruises:

 

https://www.american...t-sound-cruises

 

Cruise in ultimate comfort as we navigate the breathtaking waters of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty while spotting an array of remarkable wildlife, including the iconic orcas, majestic gray whales, soaring bald eagles, and playful harbor seals that call the Salish Sea home. Indulge in the finest regional cuisine, freshly prepared with locally sourced ingredients, and enjoy vibrant local entertainment, all while surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 April 2025 - 08:50 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Imagine flying all the way to Seattle just to visit Port Angeles. 

[aastra]

Well, darn it all. I once asked on this very board why there weren't any of those smaller northeastern-style ships doing local PNW cruises. Turns out there are.

[aastra]

 

I once asked on this very board why there weren't any of those smaller northeastern-style ships doing local PNW cruises. Turns out there are.

 

FYI: I did indeed once ask that question, but because I'm now very senile I forgot that I later answered the question myself back in 2019.