SS Future Re-Open Plan: Timing, Testing Needs??!!

[QueSeraSera]

8 hours ago, taxatty said:

What about the pax who only booked these cruises based upon the expectation of almost 100% vaccinated pax and crew?

Totally agree.  Next phone conversation with our Silversea rep, I will state we are not going to cruise without 100% vaccinated, unless a cure of some sort is developed for the disease.

[Lois R]

Personally, I don't think SS is going to do the same thing Royal is doing. I think it is a different animal........I know they are part of the same company but they are so different.........I think SS will keep the procedures/policies in place. 

[TLCOhio]

17 hours ago, Lois R said:

Personally, I don't think SS is going to do the same thing Royal is doing. I think it is a different animal........I know they are part of the same company but they are so different.........I think SS will keep the procedures/policies in place. 

 

With all due respect to Lois, I have a varied take as to what Silversea will do compared to their parent/owner, Royal Caribbean.  Yes, SS has a different and more international audience, but Florida is Florida, good and/or bad.  Below is more for what Royal Caribbean has done and said.  So far!! 

 

From the Miami Herald Friday evening in the very heart of cruise-country, they had this headline: “Royal Caribbean reverses, won’t require passengers on U.S. cruises to be vaccinated” with these highlights: “Royal Caribbean International will no longer require any of its cruise passengers to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as it had previously planned to.  In a press release Friday announcing cruises for sale on eight of its ships from U.S. ports this summer, starting with Freedom of the Seas from PortMiami on July 2, the company said it will recommend passengers get the COVID-19 vaccine, but not require it. The announcement is a reversal from vaccine protocols the company submitted to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month that said it would require all passengers 18 years old and older to be vaccinated.  The company said in a statement: “Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date.' ”

 

Catch those "DETAILS" and the nuance?   You are not required to be vaccinated, BUT, if you do not, then lots of tests and other "hassles" will be mandated.  Also, Celebrity Cruises (also owned by Royal Caribbean) has not clarified if it will still be requiring all passengers 16 years old or older be vaccinated on its seven-night Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean was not available to comment or provide more details.

 

This long and detailed article also noted: "The summer cruises announced by Royal Caribbean International Friday are still pending approval from the CDC after each ship successfully completes a test cruise with volunteer passengers."

 

My best guess/analysis?  This is still a "work in progress" with Royal Caribbean "blinking first", but several twists and turns are nearly certain to follow.  "Negotiations" take time to evolve and clearly the Federal Judge last week was not interested in jumping in too quickly to pick a side and/or force his settlement (or splitting the baby) on both sides.  This is still like a three-level chess match with the CDC are a part of the overall puzzle.  Right or wrong?  It will all "HAPPEN", it is just a matter of when and how.   

 

Full story at:

https://www.miamiherald.com/article251909713.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 241,916 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[Lois R]

Hi Terry, we all have differing views on things.....that is fine. I still think Silversea will treat their sailings different from Royal.   If you go over to the Royal and Celebrity boards you will find plenty of differing views.😲

And I do agree it is a work in progress.....but for example, the sailings that are not out of Florida? I would think they could put a "100% vaccinated policy" in place from where ever the sailing starts. I cannot imagine them saying otherwise for example.......on the Moon cruises from Greece.

[TLCOhio]

16 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Terry, we all have differing views on things.....that is fine. I still think Silversea will treat their sailings different from Royal.   If you go over to the Royal and Celebrity boards you will find plenty of differing views.😲

And I do agree it is a work in progress.

 

YES, Lois, glad that we are 100% in agreement that much of this situation is a "WORK IN PROGRESS".  Two quick examples, not exactly direct cruise-related, but it makes a point about sailing in "un-charted" waters.  

 

Yesterday in Central Ohio, the major PGA tournament is here and the leader in this Jack Nicklaus golf tournament tested positive for having Covid, was leading by six strokes and ready to collect a $1.7 million prize today, but was forced to withdraw.  Jon Rahm had Covid earlier, but it is unclear if he had been vaccinated.  Now, he's OUT!  Costly??  Second, I was with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine yesterday.  He's been a national leader on this issue and he came up with the idea to have a VAX-A-MILLION lottery to push more vaccinations.  That idea was criticized initially, but it has attract wide attention/coverage, boosted shots, including many other states now copying this concept to reach different audiences. Yesterday, the Governor told me that even in Australia, they going to be doing a similar plan to encourage people to get the vaccine.  Progress has been made, but there is still a long, LONG ways to go.  BOTH in the United States . . . and . . . world-wide.    

 

From NBC-TV News morning, they had this headline: “Economy or environment? Cruise ship's return divides Venice” with these highlights: “For some it was a welcome sight, for others, a return to the bad old days.  As the first cruise ship since the coronavirus pandemic made its way through the heart of Venice on Saturday, it was escorted by triumphant water-spouting tugboats and elated port workers.  But the 92,409-ton, 16-deck MSC Orchestra was also met by a small armada of wooden boats carrying flags bearing the message 'No Big Boats' as it traveled down the Giudecca Canal, past the iconic St. Mark’s Square and the Doges Palace.  Hundreds also gathered alongside the canal to protest against the ship as it left the city en route to Croatia and Greece.  'We can’t accept anymore that just for the business of a few, they insult the city in this way,' one of the protest's organizers, Tommaso Cacciari, told NBC News.  The MSC Orchestra's voyage was the first through Venice by a cruise ship in more than 18 months, and it reignited a movement that for more than a decade has opposed the passage of the enormous ships through the fragile lagoon due to environmental and safety concerns.”

 

Cruising resumes in Venice!!  Good or bad??  Here is more from this NBC-TV reporting: "Francesco Galietti, director of the Cruise Lines International Association Italy, said that the community wanted ships to return after the economic havoc the pandemic wreaked on the Italian economy.  'We have been asked to come back,' Galietti said. 'We are happy to contribute to the prosperity of Venice.'  The Venice Port Authority said that the cruise ship business accounts for 3 percent of the city’s GDP, and there are around 4,000 jobs that depend on it."

 

Full story at:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/economy-or-environment-cruise-ship-s-return-divides-venice-n1269772

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 233,366 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[Lois R]

Hi Terry, I saw the whole story about Rahm........from what I heard he had actually been close to someone who had been infected.......even though his first tests were negative.  I think yesterday was his 3rd test in a row......that last one was the positive one.

 

[kimanjo]

3 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi Terry, I saw the whole story about Rahm........from what I heard he had actually been close to someone who had been infected.......even though his first tests were negative.  I think yesterday was his 3rd test in a row......that last one was the positive one.

 

And I read that as soon as he found out about being in close contact with a + person, he THEN went and got his first jab.  

 

[Lois R]

And I thought once you are positive you should go in quarantine.......

[Randyk47]

10 hours ago, Lois R said:

And I thought once you are positive you should go in quarantine.......

Yes.  In Rahm’s case he went into quarantine as soon as he tested positive and the the test was confirmed.  Up until then he had been potentially exposed but had several negative tests.   

[TLCOhio]

16 hours ago, kimanjo said:

And I read that as soon as he found out about being in close contact with a + person, he THEN went and got his first jab.  

 

Appreciate these various comments and follow-ups regarding the PGA golf pro who lost $1.7 million over his Covid situation.  Clearly waiting to get the vaccine until AFTER you were notified of "contact tracing" was not a wise, smart strategy.  Glad I have had my second Moderna shot since late February.  

 

On the Florida versus CDC legal battle, one news report this am indicated that since the court-ordered "negotiations" failed last week, then it will be up to the Federal Judge to rule in this "difference of opinion" situation.  When?  What direction will the Judge decide?

 

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Associated Press/AP this morning, they had this headline: “To the beach! Spain opens borders to tourists, cruise ships” with these highlights: “Spain jumpstarted its summer tourism season on Monday by welcoming vaccinated visitors from most countries as well as European visitors who can prove they are not infected with coronavirus. It also reopened its ports to cruise ship stops.  The move opened borders for the first vacationers from the United States and other countries outside of the European Union that had been banned since March last year, when the pandemic hit global travel.  The official certificates need to show that visitors were vaccinated at least 14 days before the trip or that they overcame a COVID-19 infection in the past six months, according to a Spanish government order published Saturday.  The certificates can be in Spanish, English, French or German — or their equivalent translations in Spanish, the order said. The vaccines accepted are those approved by Europe’s drug regulator — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson — as well as two Chinese vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization.”

 

Progress in Spain?

 

Full story at:

https://www.stltoday.com/news/world/to-the-beach-spain-opens-borders-to-tourists-cruise-ships/article_1ba9674b-e42d-5934-8d10-7456ee3257ed.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 90,607 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

[TLCOhio]

From a Florida newswire that cover state government there, they had this headline in the past few minutes: “Cruise industry, CDC and state of Florida due back in court Thursday after failing to reach settlement” with these highlights: “Following concerns about the state and federal government failing to reach an agreement over the fate of the cruise industry, the sides will be back in federal court in Tampa on Thursday.  The court set a hearing to address more issues surrounding Florida’s lawsuit over safety regulations and vaccines for the state’s cruise industry.  Florida’s lawsuit had been in settlement discussions at the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, in the Tampa division. The lawsuit involves the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and states with major ports, including Florida, Texas and Alaska.  The hearing Thursday is scheduled 'to review issues addressed incompletely in the earlier hearing, to evaluate the supplemental record and the consequent briefs, and any other matter,' according to the court documents.”

 

Who is this U.S. Federal District Judge?  He is Steven Merryday, per Wikipedia, appointed by President George H.W. Bush and started in this court in 1992.  He was Chief Judge of the Middle District of Florida, August 1, 2015 – November 1, 2020.  Age 70, Judge Merryday seems very experienced and not someone subject to the latest "political winds" and/or "flavors" on either side.  He has both University of Florida undergrad and law degrees with high academic standings.  He was in private practice in Tampa, Florida, from 1975 to 1992.  From my research, he does not seem like a Judge seeking to grand-stand, become the center of attention, etc.  Maybe some Florida "legal eagles" will know added info and can share more background/insights.  

 

 

Full story at:

https://www.islandernews.com/coronavirus/cruise-industry-cdc-and-state-of-florida-due-back-in-court-thursday-after-failing-to/article_342726d2-c788-11eb-832e-17f17ab64a92.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 68,464 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

[cece50]

2 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Appreciate these various comments and follow-ups regarding the PGA golf pro who lost $1.7 million over his Covid situation.  Clearly waiting to get the vaccine until AFTER you were notified of "contact tracing" was not a wise, smart strategy.  Glad I have had my second Moderna shot since late February.  

 

On the Florida versus CDC legal battle, one news report this am indicated that since the court-ordered "negotiations" failed last week, then it will be up to the Federal Judge to rule in this "difference of opinion" situation.  When?  What direction will the Judge decide?

 

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Associated Press/AP this morning, they had this headline: “To the beach! Spain opens borders to tourists, cruise ships” with these highlights: “Spain jumpstarted its summer tourism season on Monday by welcoming vaccinated visitors from most countries as well as European visitors who can prove they are not infected with coronavirus. It also reopened its ports to cruise ship stops.  The move opened borders for the first vacationers from the United States and other countries outside of the European Union that had been banned since March last year, when the pandemic hit global travel.  The official certificates need to show that visitors were vaccinated at least 14 days before the trip or that they overcame a COVID-19 infection in the past six months, according to a Spanish government order published Saturday.  The certificates can be in Spanish, English, French or German — or their equivalent translations in Spanish, the order said. The vaccines accepted are those approved by Europe’s drug regulator — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson — as well as two Chinese vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization.”

 

Progress in Spain?

 

Full story at:

https://www.stltoday.com/news/world/to-the-beach-spain-opens-borders-to-tourists-cruise-ships/article_1ba9674b-e42d-5934-8d10-7456ee3257ed.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!  Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture.  This posting is now at 90,607 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

Thanks for the info on Spain, Terry.....Can't wait to return.  Am I reading the Spanish directive correctly......certificate of vaccine OR proof of recovering from Covid Or proof of antibodies. Is this an either or situation.  

[chrism23]

Just heard on the network news that RCCL has just enacted a major policy change.  They have gone from requiring all passengers to be vaccinated to make it optional, and encourage passengers to be vaccinated   No mention was made of the crews.  No no no.  They had it right the first time.  No mention was made of testing reguirements.  As I write this there is another news show on, talking about the increases in communicability of new variants.  I find it fascinating that the variants no longer bear geographic names.  Right now are talking about the Alpha virus and the Delta virus.  As I understand it, and don't hold me to this, its breaking news, that the Alpha variant is a marriage of the English and Indian mutations and is the most virulent of the variants that have emerged.  The main point here is that today, June 7th, we are still talking about emerging variants stronger that their predecessors.    I have said this from day one, that we don't know where the virus is going.  There is so much happening that I don't understand.  The biggest head scratcher are the Olympics.  The vaccination rate in Japan is a paltry 3%.  And they will be playing host  to people from 160+ countries.  Talk about a super spreader event.  Which returns me to the RCCL  Would any of us get on a RCCL ship, no word if this includes Siversea, without them  having a mandatory vaccination policy in place.  It is so damn easy to do.  By the way you won't be seeing me in Tokyo either.  

 

 

 

 

[Lois R]

Hi Chris,  we have been discussing this news over the past couple of days......check out a couple of other threads too.  Bascially, Royal blinked--on cruises out of Florida anyway.

 

Personally, I think SS will leave their policies in place....they know their demographic and I think everyone who wants to sail with them wants a vaccinated ship.

[TLCOhio]

19 hours ago, cece50 said:

Thanks for the info on Spain, Terry.....Can't wait to return.  Am I reading the Spanish directive correctly......certificate of vaccine OR proof of recovering from Covid Or proof of antibodies. Is this an either or situation.  

 

Appreciate the above follow-up regarding Spain's exact policies and practices for dealing with these Covid-related issues.  Your guess is as good as mine!!  Clearly, there will be many varied "details" and rules that can get complicated and/or confusing.  Lots of interesting questions and areas to be "determined" later as things open up and we all try to move forward.

 

From the Wall Street Journal's sister publication of Barron's yesterday, they had this headline: “Cruise Prices Look Strong Amid Pent-Up Demand, Limited Supply, Flush Consumers” with these highlights: “After more than a year without cruising, it appears demand is robust as cruise operators prepare to resume sailings out of U.S. ports starting in July.  Ticket prices for sailings over the next 12 months 'are tracking well above 2019 levels,' according to a JPMorgan research note Monday. The note said the trend applies to the three major U.S. cruise operators— Carnival, Royal Caribbean Group, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings—for bookings over the past three months.  'Our bullish industry thesis that significant pent-up leisure travel demand, a strong U.S. consumer, and limited industry supply over the near and medium term' are key drivers of pricing power for these companies, analyst Brandt Montour wrote.  This year promises to be a transition period for these companies as they resume operations, barring a major Covid-related setback. And these companies aren’t expected to return to their peak 2019 profit levels for several years at least.”

 

Full story at:

https://www.barrons.com/articles/cruise-prices-look-strong-amid-pent-up-demand-limited-supply-flush-consumers-51623075967?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D77218066086166040764221166165335832900|MCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%40AdobeOrg|TS%3D1623094689

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 51,360 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

[Lois R]

Hey Terry, I just saw this article on line........I know it is not about SS but it is about cruising.....looks like NCL is going test DeSantis.........

Norwegian threatens to defy DeSantis with fully vaccinated cruises (msn.com)

[TLCOhio]

On 6/8/2021 at 7:02 PM, Lois R said:

Hey Terry, I just saw this article on line........I know it is not about SS but it is about cruising.....looks like NCL is going test DeSantis.........

Norwegian threatens to defy DeSantis with fully vaccinated cruises (msn.com)

 

Per above from Lois, much depends as to when and how do the legal battles work out in this "tug of war" between the CDC . . . versus . . . the State of Florida.   

 

From a television news station in Tampa this morning, they had this headline: “State set to present case to block 'vaccine passports' ” with these story highlights: “On Thursday, the State of Florida will present its case to a federal judge to block the CDC’s restrictions on cruise ships, all as industry giants like, Royal Caribbean, announce plans to set sail from Florida ports in the coming weeks.  The state is challenging the so called 'Vaccine Passports,' where the federal government has said cruises can set sail again, but passengers must prove they’ve received their Covid vaccine.  The judge could decide whether the CDC restrictions will be lifted immediately after the State and CDC weren’t able to reach an agreement on their own in mediation.”

 

Here is more from their story and legal analysis: "Spectrum Bay News 9 legal expert, Attorney Kevin Hayslett, said this is a classic case of Federal Government vs. State Government, but this time, he said the State doesn’t have as good of an argument because cruises don’t just stay in state waters.  'When it goes into international waters, we, the United States government, we have authority over federal government and federal waters, and you're going to come and go through state waters, but ultimately we're here to ensure the safety of the constituents of the entire country, not just the state of Florida,' said Hayslett."

 

Today is "THE DAY" for that show-down hearing before this Federal Judge.  Do not know how long his ruling will take, but it will be widely covered by the media and have major impacts for the cruise industry.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/06/10/state-set-to-present-case-to-block--vaccine-passports-

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Kotor/Montenegro:  Exciting visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 48,339 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

[cece50]

2 hours ago, TLCOhio said:

 

Per above from Lois, much depends as to when and how do the legal battles work out in this "tug of war" between the CDC . . . versus . . . the State of Florida.   

 

From a television news station in Tampa this morning, they had this headline: “State set to present case to block 'vaccine passports' ” with these story highlights: “On Thursday, the State of Florida will present its case to a federal judge to block the CDC’s restrictions on cruise ships, all as industry giants like, Royal Caribbean, announce plans to set sail from Florida ports in the coming weeks.  The state is challenging the so called 'Vaccine Passports,' where the federal government has said cruises can set sail again, but passengers must prove they’ve received their Covid vaccine.  The judge could decide whether the CDC restrictions will be lifted immediately after the State and CDC weren’t able to reach an agreement on their own in mediation.”

 

Here is more from their story and legal analysis: "Spectrum Bay News 9 legal expert, Attorney Kevin Hayslett, said this is a classic case of Federal Government vs. State Government, but this time, he said the State doesn’t have as good of an argument because cruises don’t just stay in state waters.  'When it goes into international waters, we, the United States government, we have authority over federal government and federal waters, and you're going to come and go through state waters, but ultimately we're here to ensure the safety of the constituents of the entire country, not just the state of Florida,' said Hayslett."

 

Today is "THE DAY" for that show-down hearing before this Federal Judge.  Do not know how long his ruling will take, but it will be widely covered by the media and have major impacts for the cruise industry.  

 

Full story at:

https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/06/10/state-set-to-present-case-to-block--vaccine-passports-

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Kotor/Montenegro:  Exciting visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 48,339 views.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

Thanks for sharing,Terry.  The Spectrum Bay News quote from the lawyers make sense.  It may be that DeSantis will be forced to agree to the vaccine required by cruise line, since he can't mandate what the other countries require when they leave port.  He will still be able to keep his anti passport stance in Florida, but he needs to acquiesse to this particular industry.    The cruise industry already has to make concessions regarding children under 12.   Hopefully, this can be worked out so everyone feels heard.

Edited June 10, 2021 by cece50

[drron29]

The incentives to vaccinate in Australia are not from the Government.Our major airline Qantas along with Accor are talking of offering up to 10 prizes of a years free travel on the Qantas network for a family of 4 with Accor giving them a million points for accomodation.

But all their vaccinated members are to get 1000 frequent flyer points so something for everyone.

Qantas to offer rewards for COVID-vaccinated travellers, says other businesses should do the same - ABC News

[Lois R]

Good morning.....so did anyone else see this news...2 people on Celebrity's Millennium tested positive for Covid..........

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/celebrity-cruise-two-covid-positive-guests/index.html

 

[kimanjo]

6 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Good morning.....so did anyone else see this news...2 people on Celebrity's Millennium tested positive for Covid..........

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/celebrity-cruise-two-covid-positive-guests/index.html

 

 

Saw that.  The biggest question to me is were the 2 positive pax vaccinated.  It says they hadn't released that info yet.

Or are they "breakthrough" cases?? It talks about what a breakthrough case is, but does not say that these were those type of cases.

 

That is another unknown. What if you are vaccinated, yet, say enroute to your cruise, become infected. You could possibly test positive.  But your'e vaccinated.  With the understanding of breakthrough cases, do they still allow you to board?

 

 

 

[worldtraveller99]

I don' t think they would let you on board with a positive test. Otherwise what's the point of testing people before they get on board? So I assume they were sent home to quarantine? But if you were in the middle of a holiday abroad what would you do? All awful.

[Lois R]

3 minutes ago, worldtraveller99 said:

I don' t think they would let you on board with a positive test. Otherwise what's the point of testing people before they get on board? So I assume they were sent home to quarantine? But if you were in the middle of a holiday abroad what would you do? All awful.

I am not sure they were sent home.......if the ship is in between ports, in the Caribbean Sea?

I would think they would be quarantined in their cabin.  The ship normally holds over 2000 but this sailing had about 500.  And the big discussion over on the Celebrity forum is, could this test be false positive? And are they doing a 2nd test?

[TLCOhio]

From the Miami Herald last night, they had this headline: “ ‘What is the acceptable risk?’: Federal judge grills CDC on its cruise safety rules” with these highlights: “Does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have the authority to require cruise companies in Florida to take specific measures to prevent the spread of disease? And are its current mandates an unfair burden on the industry?  Those questions were at the heart of a three-and-a-half hour hearing in federal court Thursday in Tampa over the state of Florida’s request that the court invalidate the CDC’s rules for cruises while a lawsuit against the agency proceeds.  It was the second hearing on the request. As with the initial hearing, held on May 12, U.S. Middle District of Florida Judge Steven D. Merryday issued no immediate ruling but said he would have a decision 'soon.' ”

 

Here is more from their reporting from yesterday's court hearing: "In the proceeding, Merryday waded into philosophical issues, such as what level of risk is acceptable to cruise passengers and who should make that decision. He also asked the federal lawyers if the government has evidence that masks are effective at limiting the spread of the coronavirus.  In reviewing the issues Thursday, Merryday asked 'What is the acceptable risk for traveling on a cruise vessel and who decides to take that risk or if it’s too much?' He noted that a passenger who contracts the coronavirus aboard a cruise ship has made 'a private decision with a public consequence.'  He also grilled the CDC’s lawyer about the source of their powers to regulate cruises and repeatedly asked for the agency to define how bad the coronavirus spread needs to be onboard a ship before the agency can intervene.  Amy Powell, who represented the Centers for Disease Control, said cruises are much more dangerous than other settings.  'Several thousand people are in close quarters for days and weeks,' she said. 'We have data showing the transmission rate aboard cruise ships is five times higher than elsewhere.' "

 

And this part of the story: "The judge’s questions hinted at skepticism. The federal government has used past cruise outbreaks, such as on the Diamond Princess, to help craft the rules and understand how the virus spreads onboard. Of the thousands of passengers on that ship, at least nine died, according to previous CDC statements, though Powell said the true number was higher.  'On a vessel without precautions designed for COVID, without knowledge of COVID and without therapeutics ... two-tenths of one percent of passengers died?' Merryday asked.   He also said the CDC’s own research suggested masks’ effect on tamping down the spread was 'barely statistically significant' in one community where the agency had done a study."

 

Interesting questions and discussions??!!  But, how soon as to when for an answer and what will be the final decision by this Judge on this complex Federal versus State legal challenge?  Will there be added delays by an appeal to a higher Federal Court as to these issues? 

 

Reactions and comments?

 

Full story at:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article252007683.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Dubrovnik!  Nice visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic and historic location. Over 47,952 views.    

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

Edited June 11, 2021 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

From a Tampa TV News channel last night, they had this headline: “Federal judge: Decision coming ‘soon’ in Florida cruise lawsuit” with these highlights from yesterday's Federal court hearing: “Legal representation for both the State of Florida and the CDC returned to federal court Thursday for a second injunction hearing in front of Judge Steven Merryday.   As the hearing began, the judge confronted a state attorney about statements made last week by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office — a news release that stated a mediator in the case had declared it at impasse.  Judge Merryday confirmed that an impasse was never declared, mediation is ongoing. And he made it clear that mediation proceedings are confidential, promising to investigate any future leaks.   The state argued that people have the ability to assess their own risk and make their own decisions, saying the CDC’s requirement that 95% of passengers must be vaccinated doesn’t line up with President Biden’s goal of reaching a 70% nationwide vaccination rate by July 4.   The CDC’s attorney stated that the agency has approved every test cruise application it has received and said the reopening process is going smoothly.   An attorney for the Department of Justice argued it is within the CDC’s jurisdiction to set guidelines to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships.”

 

Sounds as this Judge wants the parties, despite their significant and wide differences, to put their heads together and come up with an agreed settlement.  Am I guessing correctly or not?

 

Full story at:

https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2021/06/10/ruling-coming-soon-in-florida-s-cdc-cruise-lawsuit

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

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