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.