Florida's ban on vaccination proof requirements complicates U.S. cruise line comeback

Florida banned vaccination proof requirements. Not all cruise lines appear to care. Some cruise lines are weaving a path that accommodates Florida's law and CDC sailing requirements. Others are not. NBC News

When cruise ships depart from Florida’s ports in the coming months, some won’t require passengers to get the most effective pandemic life preserver there is — a Covid-19 vaccination.

That’s because of new legislation Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed that bars businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccinations. The law goes into effect Thursday and opponents say it could threaten the recovery of an industry that is vital to the state’s economy, in addition to making it difficult for cruise ship companies to put some teeth into the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination recommendations.

At least 10 major cruise lines are headquartered in Florida, including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line.

Celebrity Cruises dropped its requirement that Florida passengers show proof of their shots. Royal Caribbean requires proof at certain ports, but none in Florida, and this week introduced a requirement complicating trips for the unvaccinated: those passengers must show proof of travel insurance.

Despite the law, two of the biggest cruise lines, Carnival and Norwegian have decided to impose proof-of-vaccination requirements, according to information published on their websites. Violations of the Florida law come with a maximum $5,000 penalty per violation.

“No corporation is above the law,” DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said in an email. “A couple of the biggest cruise lines have revised their policies, and we expect others to follow their example.” ...

When DeSantis signed legislation banning what he called “vaccine passports” in May, he said, “In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision.”

Bari Golin-Blaugrund, spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s trade group, called Florida “the heart and soul of the cruise world.”

“Prior to the pandemic, the industry directly and indirectly supported nearly 160,000 jobs in Florida.” ...