PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – After 14 months, Port Canaveral CEO finally has positive news about the restart of the American cruise industry.
“We’re seeing progress,” said Captain John Murray. “We haven’t seen it in a long time and we’re really excited to see it now.”
In an interview following Wednesday’s Port Canaveral commission meeting, Captain Murray said Port Canaveral could have its first test cruise in June pending CDC clearance.
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A test cruise from Miami is already booked for late June, where the Royal Caribbean CEO announced that his cruise line has received approval for a three-day test cruise starting June 20th.
“There will be more restrictions on restart than before. However, we assume they are temporary and similar to what we have all grown accustomed to on land, ”said Richard Fain in a video produced by Royal Caribbean.
The CDC said test cruise passengers must be at least 18 years old and vaccinated or not have a disease that would put them at high risk of becoming seriously ill.
The port said it helped give vaccines to 2,500 cruise ship workers with an additional 5,000 planned.
When ships have vaccinated 98 percent of their crew and 95 percent of passengers, the CDC can skip the training runs and resume regular cruises in US waters.
“The exciting thing is that our community is working again,” said Captain Murray.
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Port officials also shared an update on Florida’s lawsuit against the CDC.
The mediation is scheduled for Thursday morning and both sides have to find a solution by June 1st.
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