Cruise ships might find a berth once again in Santa Barbara.
The city Waterfront Department plans to ask the City Council at Tuesday’s 2 p.m. meeting to welcome back cruise ships, which had been docking in Santa Barbara for nearly 20 years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The department already has 17 cruise ship calls on the schedule for Spring 2022, with the first set for March 16.
“With cases on the decline and readily accessible vaccines, the department is looking to resume the program,” according to a city of Santa Barbara staff report.
The Cruise Ship Program launched in 2002. Since that time, Santa Barbara has hosted nearly 200 cruise ship calls, with 20 to 30 cruise ship visits per year, and sizes ranging from 200 passengers to 3,500 passengers.
The majority of ships visiting Santa Barbara are on short West Coast trips originating in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Long Beach.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a “No Sail Order” on March 14, 2020, which canceled 24 calls planned for that year.
The order has since been lifted, and the Waterfront Department is now recommending that cruise ships that are “Highly Vaccinated,” where at least 95% of passengers and crew are fully vaccinated, be allowed.
In addition, all passengers and crew must provide a negative COVID test taken within 48-hours of embarkation. Any passengers who are not fully vaccinated must provide a negative COVID test taken within 24-hours of coming ashore in Santa Barbara
Additional Waterfront Department’s protocols would include requiring masks be worn by all staff and volunteers; strongly recommending COVID vaccinations and boosters for all staff and volunteers involved in the Cruise Ship Program; installation of hand sanitizing stations in the cruise ship area; and requiring rental of portable restrooms for ships over 1,000-person capacity.
If a ship experienced an outbreak or medical issue, it would be rerouted to its homeport. If there is a life-threatening incident, however, the patient would be taken to Santa Barbara Cottage Health.
Santa Barbara’s tourism partner is in favor of welcoming cruise ships back to town.
“Visit Santa Barbara supports the Waterfront Department’s intention to resume cruise ship arrivals this spring,” said Kathy Janega-Dykes, president and CEO of the organization. “Cruises bring a diverse type of spending to our city, with most port calls being in the shoulder season and mid-week, both of which are slower periods for local businesses.
“The schedule and program was designed strategically to support Santa Barbara businesses during need periods, and to minimize impact to local residents. We are looking forward to the cruise industry helping to fill a need period for area businesses, many of which are continuing to recover from losses and debts incurred during the past two years.”
Cruise ship visitors brought $3.9 million into Santa Barbara in 2016, according to Visit Santa Barbara. Of that, $1.2 million was from restaurant sales and $1.4 million from retail.
“We believe this is the right time to open our port and support cruise line business,” Janega-Dykes said.
Santa Barbara City Councilman Mike Jordan, whose district includes the harbor, is also supportive of the idea.
“A month ago, I was hesitant, but I think the lessening health order restrictions, and declining COVID numbers while other tourism numbers increase support allowing cruise ship guests to return to Santa Barbara,” Jordan said.
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.