Florida's Cruise Industry Plays 'Political Football'

As the debate of when to open up the cruise industry as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides in Florida, media reporting indicates it may become a content between whose legal authority is greater, a US state or the Federal government.

The AP reported on May 7, 2021, Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Holdings is threatening to keep its ships out of Florida after Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order #21-102 on April 3, 2021, banning local businesses from requiring customers in Florida to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

NCL says the new Florida law is at odds with US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which would let cruise ships operate in U.S. waters if nearly all passengers and crew members are vaccinated. “It is a classic state-versus-federal-government issue,” said Norwegian’s CEO, Frank Del Rio. “Lawyers believe that federal law applies and not state law, but I’m not a lawyer. And we hope that this doesn’t become a legal football or a political football.”

On April 28, 2021, NCL confirmed, 'We are committed to taking all appropriate actions to combat the spread of COVID-19 and are working closely and in partnership with local, state, federal, and global agencies. Our teams are working around the clock to do what is right for our guests and travel partners and keep them informed of the latest happenings.'

In conjunction with our second return to service announcement, we have extended our voluntary temporary suspension for Pride of America and Norwegian Bliss through July 2021 as well as various September and October voyages across the fleet.'

And 'Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Epic, and Norwegian Gem now boast new homeports in Greece, Spain, Italy, and the Caribbean for six new itineraries.'

Since March 2020, the CDC has barred cruise ships from sailing in U.S. waters or stopping at U.S. ports.

However, some good news was announced on May 5, 2021.

The CDC released guidance for cruise ships to undertake simulated voyages with volunteer passengers as part of its COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate (CSO) application. In addition, this release includes the COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate application, which is the final step before restricted passenger voyages.

The CDC released the CSO in October 2020 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships, from cruise ships into communities, and to protect public health and safety.