“I would like the premier to advocate on the important role the cruise ships play,” he said, estimating their value to the B.C. economy at more than $2.7 billion. “I’d also like him to say he will work with Senator Murkowski on laying out a plan on how we will welcome cruise back to B.C. when it’s safe to do so.” Robertson’s plea was made out of concern that anything temporary, such as the new cruise ship rules, could become permanent. He said with U.S. President Joe Biden signing into law the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act allowing large cruise ships to sail from Washington state to Alaska without stopping in Canada there is a chance it sets the stage for that to become the norm after the pandemic has passed.