United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Florida’s vaccine passport ban could capsize cruise restart
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.
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.
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel