FL Governor Sues Federal Govt Over Continued Cruise Ship Closures

PORT CANAVERAL, FL — The nation's cruise capital is taking legal action against the federal government for continued coronavirus restrictions that prevent cruise ships from using U.S. ports.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he's suing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if cruise ship operations aren't permitted to resume soon.

“We have one of our major industries that has been idled by the federal government for over a year,” DeSantis said during a news conference in Cape Canaveral last month. “We need to get these cruise lines operating again. We need to start seeing some activity at this facility, and that’s part of the reason we’re here today. In Florida, we have everything going on except the cruise lines because the federal government won’t let the cruise lines sail."

“Let's get people back to the work. The health situation has changed,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line. “Cruise lines are cruising very successfully outside the United States, proving that, with the right protocols, cruising is a very safe and beautiful experience.”

On Oct. 30, the CDC suspended its pandemic no sail order on all cruise ships carrying at least 250 passengers and crew operating in U.S. waters.

While the CDC technically allowed cruises to resume in November when it suspended its pandemic no sail order, cruise lines said the CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order was so cumbersome, it effectively prevented cruise ship operations. Major cruise lines like Norwegian Cruise Lines responded by canceling December cruises.

According to Cruise Lines International Association, in 2019, the cruise industry generated $55.5 billion in economic activity in the United States and supported 436,600 American jobs paying $24.4 billion in wages.

Florida has been especially hard hit by the restrictions. The state has the top three busiest cruise terminals in the world, according to the Federal Maritime Commission.

In 2017, Port Miami handled 5.6 million passengers with 1,185 ships docked including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Norwegian cruise lines. Two other major cruise lines, MSC Cruises and Virgin Voyages, are expected to open terminals in Miami in the next year.

Port Canaveral in Brevard County, had 4.5 million cruise passengers in 2017, making it the second busiest in the world. On average, 10 ships docked at the port every day, including vessels from Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian cruise lines.

Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is the third busiest port, serving more than 3.8 million cruise passengers in 2017. It is home to 10 cruise lines including Princess, Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and

Also making the list of top ports in the world are the Port of Tampa, Port of Palm Beach and Port of Jacksonville, all in Florida.

In September, Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis E. Sola released a fact-finding report on the direct and indirect economic impacts of Florida's ports.

Sola said, while they are not directly tied to cruise lines, industries benefitting from Florida's ports include hotels, restaurants, bars, ground transportation companies, recreation facilities, the arts, entertainment and retail.

"It is not just large companies that benefit from the cruise industry. Cruise customers begin and end their voyages by using taxis, eating in restaurants, visiting museums and shopping in local businesses," Sola said. "These are small- and medium-sized businesses, many are independently or family owned. The cessation of cruise operations can affect them as much, or more, as it does the companies that operate the ships or the ports where the vessels call."

Joining DeSantis at a roundtable discussion in Cape Canaveral were Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and representatives of Carnival, Disney, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruise lines. During the past year, Port Cape Canaveral has experienced a 43 percent workforce reduction and a 79 percent loss in operating revenue.

Moody said is based on the fact that the CDC is using medical information that is no longer valid to prevent the cruise lines from resuming business.

“When you have a government that is working against the interests and vitality of its citizens it serves, that is a problem. And historically, you can see how that leads to the demise and destruction of those they are trying to govern,” Moody said.

The CDC has not responded to DeSantis' comments. However, during a Senate committee hearing, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky said the CDC isn't the only agency that decides when to open ports. She said the Department of Transportation and other agencies are involved as well.

“This is an inter-agency decision; it is not a decision solely up to the CDC, so I would be remiss if I would do that by myself because the decision is not solely up to us," she said.

See related stories:

• Cruise Lines Cancel Cruises For 30 Days Due To Coronavirus Fears
• All American Cruises Canceled Until Sept. 15