US cruises prepare to return 0:47
(CNN) -
Florida's new law that prohibits companies from asking if their employees or customers have been vaccinated against covid-19 could affect their cruise industry.
The CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. said Thursday that it could cause the company to suspend sailings from Florida and move its ships elsewhere.
“At the end of the day, cruise ships have engines, propellers and rudders, and God forbid we cannot operate in the state of Florida for whatever reason, then there are other states from which we operate and we can operate from the Caribbean for a ship I would have otherwise gone to Florida, ”CEO Frank Del Rio said during the company's quarterly earnings call.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order last month that bans the use of covid-19 passports in the state.
The decree prohibits any government entity from issuing vaccination passports and prevents companies from requiring such documentation.
The 2006 Senate bill became law Monday, making that decree official.
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"In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccines will be protected and no company or government entity can deny you services based on your decision," DeSantis said.
But the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it will not allow cruise lines to resume normal operations on the condition that 98% of the members of the crew and 95% of passengers have been vaccinated.
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Del Rio says he hopes the CDC mandate will overturn the governor's action when it comes to the cruise industry.
"It's a classic problem between the state and the federal government," Del Rio said. "The attorneys believe that federal law applies."
He added that the company has been in talks with the governor's office, but did not specify what was discussed.
DeSantis had previously cited concerns for freedom and privacy as the main basis for his decree, arguing that the implementation and enforcement of vaccination passports "would create two classes of citizens based on vaccines."
His order had noted that many Floridians have not yet had the opportunity to obtain a vaccine, while some may have immunity acquired from infection and others may not be able to receive the Covid-19 vaccine due to health, religious or religious reasons. another type.
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"Individual covid-19 vaccination records are private health information and should not be shared by mandate," the DeSantis decree read.
But Del Rio's company plans to stick to CDC vaccination guidelines.
"At least in the beginning, 100% of our guests and our crew will be vaccinated," Del Rio said. "I think everyone should want to start sailing as safely as possible."
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. operates three cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Representatives for the company and DeSantis did not immediately return messages from CNN for comment Thursday night.
CNN's Kelly Murray and Gregory Lemos contributed to this report
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