Florida Governor sues CDC and Biden administration, demanding resumption of cruising

Key West, Florida - November 22, 2011:  Tourist from a cruise ship waiting in line to take a tour of one of the Key West, Florida islands.  Cruise ship and lifeboats can be seen in background.

The Governor of Florida has sued the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the Biden administration for “singling out” the cruise industry and costing the US state billions.

According to the lawsuit, Governor Ron DeSantis is demanding the CDC allows cruise ships to resume sailing immediately.

“The CDC does not have the authority to issue year-and-a-half-long nationwide lockdowns of entire industries,” the documents read.

“And even if it did, its actions here are arbitrary and capricious and otherwise violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).”

The lawsuit is the latest development in the struggle between the cruise industry and the CDC over whether cruise ships should be able to resume in the US.

Cruise ships have been barred from sailing in US waters for just over a year and, according to the lawsuit, has pushed the cruise industry to the brink of financial ruin.

“The cruise industry has been singled out, and unlike the rest of America, prevented from reopening,” the lawsuit claims.

“Despite the demonstrated success of reasonable COVID-19 safety protocols in Europe and Asia, the cruise industry in the United States has been subject to a nationwide lockdown since March 2020.”

The document labels the CDC’s actions “unlawful” and claims the industry should be able to restart with “reasonable safety protocols” or Florida will “lose hundreds of millions of dollars, if not billions”.

On 2 April, the CDC released updated technical instructions for mitigation of COVID-19 among cruise ship crew, recommending all crew members, but not all passengers, get vaccinated when cruising resumes as well as undergo routine testing.

However, the update failed to push forward with the industry’s long-awaited test cruises.

“We don’t believe the federal government has the right to mothball a major industry for over a year based on very little evidence and very little data,” DeSantis said, according to The Washington Post.

“I think we have a good chance for success.”

On 31 October 2020, the CDC lifted its no sail order, replacing it with a set of strict new rules.

The framework calls for a phased approach to the resumption of operations alongside a stringent set of health and safety requirements including a series of “mock”, or “test” voyages.


Featured image source: iStock/fstop123

Latest News

  • Attractions
  • News

Inspirational Australians lead events across NSW as Australia Day Ambassadors

Innovators, educators, musicians, healthcare professionals, elite athletes and environmental advocates are among 80 inspirational Australians who will take part in events across NSW as Australia Day Ambassadors on 26 January 2025. These outstanding citizens and local heroes are handpicked each year by the Australia Day Council of NSW for their exceptional contributions to the community […]

  • Cruise

Royal Caribbean’s latest summer getaway deals with up to 60 per cent off

Royal Caribbean has announced its latest itineraries for short summer getaways aboard Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas with various savings. Prices for these cruises start from $659 per person for a balcony stateroom. Travellers can enjoy up to 60 per cent off second guests, with up to $850 in instant savings and kids’ sailings from […]

  • Luxury
  • News
  • Tour Operators

APT reveals rebrand for Luxury Travel arm with new look and new monogram

APT Travel Group, Australia’s largest family-owned tour and cruise company, has unveiled a transformative rebrand for APT Luxury Travel, introducing a new era with a fresh, contemporary new look. At the heart of the rebrand is a newly designed luxury monogram, replacing the company’s old logo. APT said the elegant, bespoke symbol represents the legacy […]

  • Events

Brand USA Trade Expo returns to Auckland and Wellington

Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the US, has announced the return of its New Zealand Trade Expos in partnership with Air New Zealand and United Airlines. Registrations are now open and are free for travel agents. Last year’s event sold out quickly, so agents are encouraged to register early to secure their place […]