Cruise Line Sues to Lift Florida Ban on Requiring Vaccination Proof

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings filed a lawsuit against Florida’s surgeon general on Tuesday July 13 over a state law that bans businesses from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination from customers.

The cruise operator will continue to require full vaccinations for all crew and passengers, including children, ahead of sailings, starting Aug. 15 out of Florida.

NCLH filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, citing surgeon general Scott Rivkees as the responsible state official enforcing the vaccine ban.

NCLH said in its complaint that Florida’s prohibition of requiring documentation of vaccinations blocks communication between a business and its customers and is in violation of the First Amendment.

The Miami-based company also argues the ban disrupts the proper flow of interstate and international commerce.

NCLH called the lawsuit a “last resort” and said that it could face penalties of up to $5,000 per passenger by enforcing vaccine documentation.

“Indeed, the only way NCLH could maintain its protocols and operations as currently planned is by abandoning Florida altogether,” the suit said.

The Florida governor’s office criticized the NCLH’s stance, saying it discriminates against children and individuals who can’t be vaccinated.

“Apparently Norwegian prefers the shackles of the CDC to the freedom offered by Florida,” the spokeswoman said in a statement, according to the Wall Street Journal. “This administration will not tolerate such widespread discrimination.”

Norwegian’s competitors Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise are requiring unvaccinated passengers provide proof of travel insurance to cover COVID-19-related evacuation and medical expenses.

Royal Caribbean requires a policy with a minimum $25,000 per person in medical expenses and $50,000 per person for quarantine and medical evaluation relate to a positive Covid-19 test result.

Carnival Cruise announced this week passengers will need a policy with a minimum $10,000 for medical expenses and $30,000 for emergency medical evaluation. The emergency policy must not have COVID-19 exclusions.