Florida’s vaccine passport ban could capsize cruise restart

Tuesday, 28 May, 2021 0

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is threatening to sink the cruise restart.

He recently signed an emergency order making it illegal for businesses to ask for proof of a vaccination as a condition of providing a service.

Celebrity Cruises is set to be the first line to offer US cruises from next month but Celebrity requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated.

That ‘violates the spirit ‘of the emergency order.

"Celebrity Cruises’ vaccine requirements violate the spirit of the Governor’s emergency order which prohibits vaccine passports and protects the fundamental rights of Floridians – including the right to medical privacy," DeSantis said.

"The policy would also be a violation of Florida’s recently enacted law banning vaccine passports. Companies doing business in Florida, including Celebrity Cruises, should immediately cease to impose such discriminatory policies upon individuals."

The state could fine a company $5,000 for every person required to show proof of a vaccination.

This now leaves cruise lines stuck in the middle between conflicting federal and state rules.

The CDC doesn’t make vaccinations compulsory for cruise ship passengers, but ships with most crew and passengers vaccinated can bypass the test cruise phase and start sailing again in a shorter timeframe.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has already voiced fears about Florida’s law which could see cruise lines pull out of Florida.

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TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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