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Disney Cruises resume today, Norwegian can ask for proof of vaccination

CRUISE LINER NORWEGIAN JEWEL
March 18, 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line. (AP Photo/Joerg Sarbach, File)

Beginning August 9, the Disney Dream will resume 3- and 4-night cruises from Florida departing from Port Canaveral to Disney Castaway Cay, in The Bahamas.

Disney says it is resuming sailing “in a gradual, phased approach that emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measures, developed in consideration of guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts.”

“We continue to prepare the Disney Fantasy and Disney Wonder to welcome Guests once again and look forward to sharing more information soon. As previously shared, Disney Fantasy departures through August 28, 2021, Disney Wonder departures through September 19, 2021 and Disney Magic departures in the United States through November 4, 2021 have been suspended.”

Meanwhile, a federal judge just granted Norwegian Cruise Line to ask passengers for proof of coronavirus vaccination before they board a ship in defiance of a Florida law banning cruise companies from doing so.

The U.S. district judge granted the preliminary injunction Sunday evening challenging the state’s “vaccine passport” ban, which was signed into law in May by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Some argue law’s aim is to prevent discrimination against passengers who don’t get vaccinated while Norwegian says vaccine proof is needed to protect the safely of its passengers.

A Norwegian cruise is set to depart from Miami on Aug. 15. It will be the company’s first voyage from Florida since the pandemic began and the CDC issued a no-sail order.