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Florida to fine cruise lines that ask guests for proof of vaccine
Travel Weekly ^ | May 27, 2021 | Johanna Jainchill

Posted on 05/28/2021 7:24:16 AM PDT by Capt. Tom

Florida has no plans to exempt cruise lines from its law that forbids businesses from asking customers for proof of vaccination, and cruise ships in violation of the law could be fined $5,000 per passenger who is asked to provide such proof, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis' office.

The statement comes one day after Celebrity Cruises became the first line to get CDC approval to resume big-ship cruising from U.S. waters, with the Celebrity Edge slated to depart from Fort Lauderdale on June 26 on a seven-day Caribbean sailing.

In an email, DeSantis press secretary, Christina Pushaw, said that the CDC's vaccine guidance for cruise lines was "coercive" and pushing lines to violate Florida state law.

"The CDC has no legal authority to set any sort of requirements to cruise," she said. "Moreover, the CDC went on record admitting that the federal government chose not to make a legal requirement for vaccine passports. Now they provide coercive guidance, in the absence of any federal law or congressional authorization. In short, the CDC is pushing cruise ships to violate Florida law, in order to comply with CDC 'guidance' that is not legally binding."

Pushaw said the office cannot comment on the specifics of Celebrity's restart because the state is in mediation with the CDC.

"We hope to reach an outcome whereby all cruise lines will be able to set sail in compliance with Florida law," she said.

As per an April 2 law that was first put in place as an executive order by DeSantis, Florida does not allow businesses to ask for proof of vaccination, which is a central component of cruise line resumption plans.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) brands, for example, require all passengers to be vaccinated, while others, like Royal Caribbean International, have said that anyone eligible for a vaccine will have to be inoculated while those who are not, such as children under 12, must have a negative PCR test.

Celebrity is able to restart without a test sailing because it has promised that 95% of passengers and crew on the Edge will be vaccinated.

When asked about the law, Royal Caribbean Group said, "we continue to work with local and state governments to facilitate a return to service by July with fully vaccinated crew and guests who are eligible for vaccinations."

NCLH chief Frank Del Rio said earlier this month that the law "is an issue" and said that if the company's ships can't operate from the state they'd launch elsewhere. DeSantis brushed off those comments, saying that if NCLH didn't want to sail from Florida, another line would take its spot.

"We have a whole bunch of people who are itching to do business in the state of Florida," he added.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Travel
KEYWORDS: cdc; cruises; desantis; fl; florida; vaccinerequirement
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As expected another hurdle exists for Florida Cruise ship departures this summer. -Tom
1 posted on 05/28/2021 7:24:16 AM PDT by Capt. Tom
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To: Capt. Tom

How can the govt force a business to require or not require proof of vaccination ? How is it constitutional ?


2 posted on 05/28/2021 7:29:23 AM PDT by libh8er
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To: Capt. Tom

I just love federalism.

Power to the states and the people therein!

Go, Ron, go!


3 posted on 05/28/2021 7:30:46 AM PDT by Walrus (I do not consent)
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To: libh8er

Practicing medicine is a regulated affair, and that includes recommending or demanding medicines be taken.


4 posted on 05/28/2021 7:31:37 AM PDT by CodeToad (Arm up! They Have!)
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To: Walrus

Ron DeSantis is the ONLY person on this planet deserving my vote this man has balls of steel!! I would like to see a Trump DeSantis ticket in 2024 we would then have 12 years to get this nation back on the right track!!


5 posted on 05/28/2021 7:35:32 AM PDT by Trump Girl Kit Cat (Yosemite Sam raising hell)
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To: Capt. Tom
Just get out to international waters and then make the unvaccinated walk the plank. Then add "eaten by sharks" to the list of COVID symptoms.

Then while you're at it, test all pets on board for symptoms of vitamin C deficiency and keel haul the scurvy dogs.

6 posted on 05/28/2021 7:38:11 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (Police should refuse duty at NBA venues. Let them wallow in their desired chaos without police.)
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To: libh8er

A private company has no business asking you for your personal medical history to do business with you. Ever hear of HIPPA law?


7 posted on 05/28/2021 7:38:42 AM PDT by wetgundog
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To: Capt. Tom

Term should be “inoculate”, not just “vaccinate”.


8 posted on 05/28/2021 7:38:59 AM PDT by ctdonath2 (All worry about monsters that'll eat our face, but it's our job to ask why it wants to eat our face.)
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To: Capt. Tom

Vac Passports are an infringement of my freedom. HOWEVER, not allowing a BUSINESS to run the business THEIR WAY, is just as bad. (Gay Cakes?). We can’t have it both ways. If we believe vac passports on ships are an infringement of our PERSONAL freedom, then we don’t take a cruise. People not using the cruise lines, for this reason, will make the cruise line change. But such a “business practice” should not be “governed” by the government.


9 posted on 05/28/2021 7:39:38 AM PDT by ThePatriotsFlag (For accuracy, always replace “Biden” with “Biden’s Handlers”)
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To: Capt. Tom; Army Air Corps
The hits just keep on coming!

Good job Florida.

10 posted on 05/28/2021 7:39:50 AM PDT by KC_Lion
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To: Walrus

Amen.

Good for DeSantis!!


11 posted on 05/28/2021 7:41:18 AM PDT by Jane Long (America, Bless God....blessed be the Nation 🙏🏻🇺🇸)
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To: Capt. Tom

As expected another hurdle exists for Florida Cruise ship departures this summer. -Tom


The only ‘hurdle’ seems to be these absurd requirements, by the cruise lines.


12 posted on 05/28/2021 7:42:26 AM PDT by Jane Long (America, Bless God....blessed be the Nation 🙏🏻🇺🇸)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

I love the guy too. However, in a moment of sober reflection all of us should admit that there is no bigger petri dish in the modern world than a cruise ship. The “outbreaks” of norovirus, influenza, and other contagious diseases has been legendary.

The media will have a field day with any outbreak on a ship and it is certain given past history.

I have been wanting to take my family on an inland passage cruise up to Alaska for years. I am going to wait another year to see what happens first.


13 posted on 05/28/2021 7:42:27 AM PDT by volunbeer (Find the truth and accept it - anything else is delusional)
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To: KarlInOhio

Aaaarrrrrr! 🏴‍☠️


14 posted on 05/28/2021 7:44:20 AM PDT by Jane Long (America, Bless God....blessed be the Nation 🙏🏻🇺🇸)
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To: Capt. Tom

In an email, DeSantis press secretary, Christina Pushaw, said that the CDC’s vaccine guidance for cruise lines was “coercive” and pushing lines to violate Florida state law.

“The CDC has no legal authority to set any sort of requirements to cruise,” she said. “Moreover, the CDC went on record admitting that the federal government chose not to make a legal requirement for vaccine passports. Now they provide coercive guidance, in the absence of any federal law or congressional authorization. In short, the CDC is pushing cruise ships to violate Florida law, in order to comply with CDC ‘guidance’ that is not legally binding.”

Very clear and well stated!


15 posted on 05/28/2021 7:52:25 AM PDT by Grampa Dave (“Respond only to polite and intelligent posters, who don’t insult you or us! Forget the others!”)
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To: ctdonath2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inoculation

Interesting history about inoculation.


16 posted on 05/28/2021 7:58:11 AM PDT by deport ( )
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To: All

i agree, a private business should be able to make this a requirement, and people can vote with their wallet by not using them.


17 posted on 05/28/2021 8:04:14 AM PDT by VAFreedom (Wuhan Pneumonia-Made by CCP, Copyright Xi Jingping)
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To: Jane Long; George from New England; cll; DarthFuzball; Tennessee Nana; Fai Mao; CodeToad; ...
The only ‘hurdle’ seems to be these absurd requirements, by the cruise lines.

Agreed.

The naive Cruise Lines have for over a year shot themselves in the foot by trying to placate the hostile CDC by going beyond the restriction put on them by the CDC.

I seriously wonder if the multi millionaire CEOs of these cruise lines haven't risen to their level of incompetence.-Tom

18 posted on 05/28/2021 8:05:10 AM PDT by Capt. Tom (.It's COVID 2021 - The Events, not us, are still in charge -Tom)
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To: volunbeer
--> "there is no bigger petri dish in the modern world than a cruise ship. The “outbreaks” of norovirus, influenza, and other contagious diseases has been legendary. And yet the floating petri dish Diamond Princess, had 20% or less of passengers get ill with covid. No country has had more than 20% of it's population ill with covid (to my knowledge). I'm speculating that 80% of the population worldwide has T cell immunity or partial immunity already, which is perfected by exposure. I avoid cruse ships, but the covid thing is overblown.
19 posted on 05/28/2021 8:08:28 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (“Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.” )
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To: Capt. Tom

Cruise execs: “We’re making money, what’s the problem?”

Public: “How can you be making money when we’re not cruising??”


20 posted on 05/28/2021 8:24:43 AM PDT by CodeToad (Arm up! They Have!)
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