Delayed Canadian visas are derailing South Africans’ dreams of cruising to Alaska.
South African cruise operators have confirmed that the lengthy delays, with processing times in excess of 500 days, have made Alaskan itineraries practically inaccessible, despite strong interest from South Africans.
According to a Travel News poll conducted in April, 57% of readers identified Canadian visas as the most difficult to obtain.
Ross Volk, MD of MSC Cruises South Africa, said the ongoing issues and challenges with Canadian visas were a concern for the cruise line, especially since travel requirements for South Africans were quite extensive.
“We currently have some local travellers booked to cruise to Alaska in 2026 and we would encourage those who are interested and are planning to do so, to consider the current issues, including waiting times, in their planning. We do hope that our embassies are prioritising the solutions to the challenges.”
Most Alaskan cruise itineraries require travellers to secure both US and Canadian visas. The result, according to operators, is that many South Africans are simply giving up.
Nirosha Sidat, Country Manager for Africa at Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), said: “The visa backlog and long turnaround times have effectively taken Alaska cruises off the table for South African passport holders for the time being – and this is because the Alaska cruises include stops in either Victoria or Vancouver, British Columbia. Most travellers simply won't risk booking without visa certainty, which is completely understandable – and disappointing for everyone affected.”
NCL has noted a decline from South Africa. “It's genuinely frustrating for South Africans who have Alaska on their bucket list – and a challenge for Canadian operators who work with the South African market. We’re all hoping for a speedy resolution,” Sidat said
However, she added that, on a positive note, NCL was still receiving Alaska bookings from guests holding international passports or with valid visas.
Sabrina Allcock, Director of Discover the World Southern Africa, which represents Princess Cruises locally, said the cruise line’s year-on-year stats report indicated a 65,9% decrease in Alaska sales.
“This is drastic for us, considering that Princess deploys seven ships to Alaska during the 2025 season.”
Allcock also noted that the dual visa requirement had made spontaneous travel nearly impossible. “If the visa process was less complicated and cumbersome, we’d likely see a big jump in interest and bookings from this market.
“Alaska has strong untapped potential from South Africa and has always been a strong bucket-list destination. There are some really good ‘deals’ available due to distressed inventory at times, but South Africans can rarely take advantage of those.”
What are travellers choosing instead?
Sidat said the Canadian visa challenges had created a gap for those seeking an ‘adventure’ or ‘expedition-type’ cruise, and adventure seekers should consider NCL’s Extraordinary Journeys, which includes Norway and Iceland, where guests can take in the Norwegian fjords or journey west to Reykjavik.
“These cruises offer very different landscapes, wildlife and excursions to what South Africans are used to, so they also hold massive appeal. They are an exciting option for travellers who want to get the most out of their cruise experience,” she said.
Allcock said South Africans were instead opting for destinations that offered easier visa application processes or destinations that required a single visa, such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Japan.
“Asia is hugely popular at the moment due to seasonality and a wonderful December holiday option. We’re also finding an emerging interest in Japan. It’s culturally rich and offers a less Westernised option with a definite ‘wow’ factor. South Africans require a visa for Japan, but it’s quick and easy.”
Still hopeful for Alaska?
The operators said the South African market had a strong appetite for the kind of adventure Alaska offered, from dog-sledding and helicopter tours to hiking and white-water rafting.
If the Canadian visa issue were resolved, they believe the Alaska demand would rebound.
“We have a growing adventure travel market, so there is significant potential, even with the premium price tag. South Africans are looking for their next adventure and next destination and are willing to pay a little more for an extraordinary experience,” said Sidat.
But until Canada streamlines the process, the market may continue to cool.
“Visas remain the biggest barrier. Once that stress disappears, South Africans will return to Alaska routes. Nobody wants to invest time and money in a holiday they might not be able to take due to visa processing delays,” Sidat noted.
