Port Canaveral Begins Preparations for Return of Cruise Ships

Port Canaveral Begins Preparations for Return of Cruise Ships

The cruise industry has been on standby since the first no-sail order was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2020. Now that the most recent no-sail order for passenger cruise ships has expired, many domestic ports, including Port Canaveral, are beginning preparations to hopefully set sail once again.

Even though Covid-19 numbers are rising, the CDC announced in October that they intended to let the no-sail order expire, allowing ships to sail before the end of 2020.

The next step includes a phased resumption plan of operations in U.S. waters. According to the CDC, this phased plan is meant to ensure that all cruise ship operators have adequate health and safety protections in place for crew members, as well as for future passengers. One aspect of this plan is to build in the laboratory capacity on the ship to test for future passengers in the event an outbreak occurs on board.

This plan was provided in detail by the Port Canaveral’s CEO and Director, Captain John Murry, during his annual “State of the Port” address.

The first phase involves all crew members getting tested for the virus. Additionally, ship operators will need to put in place safety measures for testing locations throughout their ships. Once these measures are set, cruise ships will set sail on simulated voyages to test these safety measures, should an outbreak occur on the ship.

The cruise industry has been on hold for the majority of 2020. The first CDC no-sail order was issued in mid-March during the onset of the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak. The no-sail order was subsequently extended three times during the last seven months.

Many cruise lines have already cancelled cruises for the remainder of 2020, including Carnival Cruise Lines and Disney Cruise Lines. Due to COVID-19 cases going up throughout the country, it is not certain whether people will feel comfortable taking a cruise vacation, even if the industry is officially open for business. Both Disney and Carnival have canceled November cruises that were previously scheduled to set sail from Port Canaveral and Port Miami.

Port Canaveral is expected to be one of the first ports to reopen since they tend to be best suited for shorter voyages. When the industry is given the all-clear, the first voyages are not going to be the longer, seven-day ones seen previously. Shorter voyages may be the best method for cruise companies to cautiously return to sea. Additionally, it can be anticipated that the first voyages will be at 50 percent capacity, with significantly fewer passengers.

Officials at Port Canaveral are anxious to get back to business after they reported a $18 million loss for the budget year due to the shutdown.  However, business can only begin once these safety measurers are in place and thoroughly tested.

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Our experience allows us to effectively strategize and advocate for every client we represent. We have handled all types of cruise ship passenger accidents over the years with a focus on slip, trip and falls, medical malpractice, FlowRider accidents, sexual assaults, Death on the High Seas, and more. Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation. Virtual sign-ups available. Visit https://cruiselawyermiami.com/ to learn more.