Norwegian Cruise Line makes 1st return to Florida

Norwegian Cruise Line has joined the sailing party from Florida with only vaccinated guests thanks to a federal court injunction over a new state law that prohibits proof of vaccination.

The company’s return to the state was uncertain as it wanted to stick with its vaccinated-only guest policy despite the passage of the law on July 1 in Florida that would fine companies $5,000 per instance for demanding socalled vaccine passports.

A federal judge earlier in August granted a preliminary injunction against enforcing the law while the case continues. The state has appealed the injunction ruling to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is our No. 1 priority, today, tomorrow and forever,” said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings President and CEO Frank del Rio after the ruling. “It’s not a slogan or a tagline, we fiercely mean it and our commitment to these principles is demonstrated by the lengths our company has gone through to provide the safest possible cruise experience from Florida.”

Del Rio earlier in 2021 had traded barbs with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over its cruise policies threatening to have the company’s cruise lines, which also include Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas, find other ports of departure than Florida. DeSantis had at one point referred to NCL a smaller, expendable cruise line. It’s the thirdlargest in the world behind Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Group.

“We want nothing more than to sail from Miami, the Cruise Capital of the World, and from the other fabulous Florida ports and we welcome today’s ruling that allows us to sail with 100% fully vaccinated guests and crew which we believe is the safest and most prudent way to resume cruise operations amid this global pandemic,” Del Rio said.