Cruise ships, known for their potential to harbor bacteria and viruses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, are implementing stringent safety measures to prevent outbreaks like the one on the Diamond Princess. However, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings faces a significant challenge.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an order prohibiting businesses from requesting COVID-19 vaccination records, impacting Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ policy of requiring all passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated. This conflict has led the cruise line to file a legal complaint against the Florida government, particularly the surgeon general, citing concerns about health and legal implications.
The complaint states, “The risk of COVID-19 transmission among the unvaccinated in the close quarters of cruise ships, coupled with the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing the spread and reducing deaths, emphasizes the importance of vaccination information as a matter of life and death.”
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is seeking a court ruling to temporarily suspend the order to ensure safe operations. If a resolution cannot be reached, the company may consider relocating its cruise line business to other states.
NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio expressed, “At the end of the day, if we can’t operate in Florida, there are other states and even the Caribbean where we can sail our ships that would have otherwise gone to Florida.”
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