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Credit: Disney/Canaveral Port AuthorityPort Canaveral’s CEO has spoken out against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “No Sail” order, which currently extends through July 24, 2020.
Port Canaveral Chief Executive Officer John Murray stated that the CDC seems to have painted the cruise industry “as the folks that brought (the coronavirus) to the United States, and that’s far from the truth.”
Murray continued his backlash, saying, “It’s amazing how one industry has been singled out in such a negative way.” They’ve really been painted into a corner. Now, they’re in a hole, and they’ve got to dig themselves out.”
Port Canaveral is home to four major cruise lines – Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line – making it the second busiest Florida port based on volume. Port Miami takes the number one spot.
Murray shared that Port Canaveral, which is also a major tourist destination due to its proximity to Florida’s Space Coast/Cape Canaveral, is losing an average of $7.5 million a month in revenue while cruise lines are docked.
What can Port Canaveral cruisers expect when they set sail again?
As per a Florida Today report, Seaport Canaveral’s Vice President of Engineering, Construction, and Facilities Bill Crowe has outlined some of the measures the popular Florida port will be taking to protect cruise passengers when DCL and other cruise lines are allowed to resume services.
These include:
- Changes to passenger check-in and baggage-handling procedures that will make the cruise terminal more sanitary.
- Installing “contactless” sink and restroom facilities.
- Upgrading the filtering systems all HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) units.
- Installing additional Plexiglas barriers/sneeze guards.
What can Disney cruisers specifically expect?
Disney Cruise Line currently has discounted itineraries available starting on Monday, July 27, 2020 (presuming the “No Sail Order” is, in fact, lifted on July 24). This includes Bahamian cruises, with stops at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, on the Disney Dream out of Port Canaveral.
Although not directly related to its ships that make port in Florida, DCL has officially cancelled its 2020 Alaska sailing season.
If you are interested in learning more about Disney Cruise Line’s current itineraries or in rebooking a cancelled cruise on a cruise ship in the DCL fleet, contact Disney Cruise customer service directly at 1 (800) 951-3532.
What do you think about the Port Canaveral CEO’s recent statement regarding the “No Sail Order”? Tell us in the comments!