Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Lines Wins Injunction vs Florida
Last Sunday, a federal judge ruled in favor of Norwegian Cruise Lines to temporarily suspend a Florida law from implementation. The law prohibits businesses from discriminating against customers who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19.
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Proof of Vaccination Required By Norwegian Cruise Lines
The preliminary injunction allows Norwegian Cruise Lines to continue requiring passengers proof of vaccination. Otherwise, the cruise operator won't allow them to board. The cruise operator’s crew also needs to complete their vaccination prior to going on duty.
US District Judge Kathleen Williams granted the preliminary injunction. This allows Norwegian to accept Florida passengers to screen passengers while the case prepares to go on trial.
The ship Norwegian Gem announced it will depart Miami by August 15. It’s the company’s first trip out of Florida since the pandemic started over a year ago. Cruise lines were among the first to fall during the lockdown. The federal government suspended all travel in order to cut down on breakouts.
Norwegian Cruise Lines Wants to Ensure Safety Of Passengers and Crew
Derek Shaffer, an attorney for Norwegian Cruise Line, attended the court hearing held Friday that requested the injunction. “It’s scary what’s happening in Florida. All of Florida is a hot spot,” he said. “All we’re doing is trying to protect our staff and passengers,” the lawyer added.
Meanwhile, Norwegian CEO Frank Del Rio said they are doing their best to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. He issued a statement on behalf of the company last Sunday.
“The health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is our number one priority, today, tomorrow, and forever. 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,” the statement read.
COVID-19 Experiencing A Surge In Florida
During the past seven days, COVID-19 Infection levels in Florida rose over 51%, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Between July 30 to August 5, the state reported 134,506 new Covid cases. This is more than any other 7-day period tracked by Johns Hopkins. In addition, new case positivity is now at 18.9%.
Meanwhile, Florida attorney Pete Patterson insisted that the state law aimed to protect customer’s civil liberties. It also prevents businesses from discriminating against the unvaccinated.
“You can’t discriminate against customers on the basis of their refusal to give you information,” Patterson said. If not for the injunction, Norwegian Cruise Lines’ continued insistence to request proof of vaccination would get them in trouble. Florida can take the company to court for prosecution. It can also impose fines of up to $5,000 per passenger.
‘Political Points’
However, NCL’s Shaffer said that no business can afford Florida’s penalties. He said that “no cruise line in Norwegian’s position can afford to withstand” a fine of that amount. THen, Shaffer proceeded to claim that the Florida legislature just wanted ”political points” when they passed the bill into law.
However, if the judges ultimately rule the legality of Florida’s law, Norwegian and other cruise lines will likely cancel upcoming cruises. Shaffer also said that they can also “sail in ways that are worse for our passengers and crew.”
Watch the CNBC Television video reporting that Norwegian Cruise Line sues Florida surgeon general over vaccine policy:
Loading ...Do you agree or disagree with Florida’s ban on showing proof of vaccination? Why do you think Florida wants to implement this?
Let us know what you think. Share your comments in the comments section below.
23 Comments
If you think that the v protects you why do you care if someone else is around you? You have NO CONFIDENCE in the substance
that you injected into your body.
I agree. We supposed to be a free country. Not commies. Move to cuba. Than tell me commies are good for people!
Wife and I are fully vaccinated and scheduled on a 12 day cruise next month, on a different cruise line. I like the idea of everybody on the ship being vaccinated. Not foolproof but it helps.
These cruise ship will all close down again for this.Then the ships will become living Quarters for Illegal alians and the Government will pay for it.It is Redistribution of wealth from the middle class to the bottom people of society,Then we will have Rich and poor.A Communist world.
No shirt, no shoes, no service. Let them decide what’s best for their business. This is the epitome of government overreach.
3 persons close to me have had life altering reactions 2 strokes 1 heart problem to the 2nd Moderna shot. The people who are getting COVID are the vaccinated ,what’s the point? I have a May 2022 cruise which I will probably be canceling if they require vaccines. Get woke go broke.
More concerning are the other stops the ships make. The carribbean Islands are getting hit hard by the virus currently.
They have you show up with three day proof of a Covid test or a vaccination. What’s the problem? Neither violates the Constitution as does the mandate on vaccination. I say once again Florida’s law hits The nail on the head unlike the administration who couldn’t hit a nail with a sledgehammer!
If the “vaccine ” actually worked, this fear-mongering garbage would be OVER. Notice how no gets the “flu” anymore? If mandatory injections of experimental drugs are needed for cruises, then they will lose business. That’s Nazism right there. Funny how the “left” screams” facisism, racism, exclusion, and determines life decisions based on FEELINGS instead of FACTS. The fact is, Americans have been duped for so long with political correctness they don’t understand what’s real FACTS and what’s not. Covid “increase” does not mean people are dropping dead in the streets. This isn’t Ebola or Yersinia Pestis (Bubonic Plague). Get a grip. And yes, I’ve had covid and being “exposed again and again” have NATURAL IMMUNITY. Why aren’t they bringing that up?!?!?
Until Biden stops all the unvaccinated immigrants from coming across the southern border and letting them go all over the US, we are all in danger anywhwere we go. He certainly doesn’t seem to care about the spread and our safety.
Only when states rights are fully respected and states laws completely and equally applied, can the whole country compare and learn from each state. This is a primary truth in the beauty of these United States. The obvious reason Floridians are comparably happier, more free and successful, and why families/people are increasingly moving to Florida is because of its current common sense governor and his supporting administration/government are demonstrating great faith in virtuous freedom, honoring and protecting righteousness within individual choice and personal responsibility.
The state legislators should take up this issue, make a decision and governor can sign or veto as he determines best.
Honor and protect the system.
I keep telling them that the vaccine is against my religion, Church of Nunya, nunya business and I am the pastor
In this state , at this time , Florida is
experiencing a spike in the VIRUS . Gov .
DeSantis is one of the most “Level-headed”
Politicians / Governor’s on this subject .
He needs the ability to discern when it is
necessary [ when to “Mitigate” and when it
is not time to ]
I formerly worked @ Port Everglades , I
know the “variables” that puts EVERYONE IN
JEOPARDY. GOOD-BY [ N C L ]! £
I am free to decide what goes in my body just as everyone else is. If you don’t like it stay the heck away from me and everyone else in Florida. My body my choice. Is that only ok with abortion these days? Are my rights to choose whether I take a vaccine or not yours to make for me? No they are not. This country is fast becoming Nazi Germany. And everyone wanted to accuse Trump of being Hitler reincarnated. Open your eyes people. Trump is not the problem. The one in office now and his lackies are. All though I suppose he’s the Lacky being controlled by the ones like Pelosi and everyone else in Congress. They just needed someone who would do what he was told. And of course everyone in the country is too scared to stand up for our rights to do anything about it. They can’t tell you what to do people. We’re the ones who tell them what to do. And if they don’t comply then we throw them out of office and put someone else in.
I think the shots are a waste of time my daughter got it after having covid and has had some major problems and her boyfriend has got cancer from it now. my husband and I have been going sopping and out to eat without the shops and have had no problems , we are 81 years old. Thank God
Very poorly designed responses. Outcome is already determined since all options are not offered.
The government is in the wrong. As a citizen of America the government gave everyone HIPPA rules which says no one can ask me about my medical profile. The GOVERNMENT said it not me and now that law seems to have gone by the wayside.
I’m from Washington state and I wish we had more people in this state that had ball to stand up for what is right like Florida’I don’t think any buddy should be told to take the vaccine
Uh it’s there cruise line they can do as they please all of a sudden a bunch of snowflakes who are afraid of the jabby jab are crying stfu and let them do with their company as they choose just accept capitalism isn’t your choice it’s the business owners choice don’t like it don’t use there cruise but they shouldn’t have to follow dumb ass Florida’s rules even Floridians don’t follow dumb ass Floridas rules grow up snowflakes see you in November when you all are crying again
Considering the number of issues that cruise lines have had with widespread infections, I would not see why they would have an objection to this. You would think that they would do everything they could to limit the possibility of spread. That said, I am not a fan of government mandates and edicts.
First off America is a Free Nation, at lest for now. The Covid Vaccine is for those LAB RATS THAT WANT IT, NOT for all Americans. So is the Mask wearing, if you are a SHEEPLE you can wear a mask, otherwise leave AMERICANS alone to do as their freedom allows us too. If you don’t like what Our Free Country is, then by all means leave at your earliest !!!!
Please, please all of you freedom loving people, the next time you have surgery tell the doctors and nurses in the or to exercise their freedom and remove their masks.
I stand against discrimination as the Florida law states and will not support any business that insists on taking away our God given rights. You should read the United State Constitution, it’s a wonderful thing!