The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will allow cruise lines to resume operations this summer, but Frank Del Rio, CEO of the Norwegian cruise line, says it will be unlikely given the agency’s high demands.
“I seriously doubt we can deploy a ship from a US port in July. August is also in jeopardy, all due to the incoherent guidelines of the CDC,” said Frank Del Rio, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, on the closing of CNBC bell. “What we received yesterday was anything but a clear path to restart.”
The company announced that international cruises will resume from Greece, Spain, Italy, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica from July.
The CDC issued technical guidelines for the cruise industry last week, announcing that it would allow the industry to resume operations by midsummer.
Del Rio claimed the requirements of the cruise industry are stricter than any other industry.
“The unfair treatment that the industry has endured for over a year continues. It has to stop, it is unfair, it is un-American and it is certainly contrary to the goals set by the president [Joe] Biden, “said Del Rio.
The CDC issued guidelines to start simulated voyages and apply for conditional Covid-19 sailing certificates with restricted passenger travel.
“We have never seen this demand in the company’s history,” said Del Rio. “Not only do we have significantly more bookings for 2022 at this point, but they are also available at higher prices.”
The company said the time it takes to prepare its ships will delay the restart of cruises.
“We will vaccinate 100% of everyone on board our ship. We are frankly amazed at why the CDC continues to place high demands on our industry,” said Del Rio.
The company’s stock closed 6.8% on Tuesday after Norwegian posted less-than-expected quarterly losses before the bell and missed sales expectations. Shares rose less than 1% as trading expanded.
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