The Passenger Services Act of 1886, established to help the U.S. shipping industry, has outlived its intended purpose. Cruise ships with foreign registries that take on passengers in the U.S. must stop in a foreign country before returning them to the U.S. In order to fly a U.S. flag, a ship must have been built in the U.S. The industry the Act was designed to protect no longer exists. This law is the reason why most Alaskan cruises originate or at least stop in Vancouver B.C. And it is probably also why practically no cruises start in San Francisco. Legislation has been introduced to amend the law, but it has been slow going. The current downturn in tourism may help give some attention to the proposed changes. Meanwhile, in order to attract passengers unwilling to fly to Vancouver, Princess Cruises has added a 10-day Alaskan cruise from San Francisco to their 2002 itinerary and Crystal Cruises is continuing to sail under the Golden Gate. 7-day cruises to Alaska (without the necessary Vancouver stopover) and direct cruises to Hawaii could be next, legislation permitting.