Royal Caribbean CEO Discusses Florida’s Anti-COVID Passport Law

In a video, Royal Caribbean CEO discussed several issues including their market’s approval to get vaccinated and Florida’s anti-COVID passport law.

Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain said that he’s “a very happy camper” after the CDC gave its go signal to restart the cruise industry. Royal Caribbean is expected to be doing their test voyage this month before accepting paying passengers.

Vaccine Supporter

Fain is a major supporter of vaccines. In his video, he even encouraged Americans who haven’t received their vaccine yet to get vaccinated. He said that “As we get vaccinated, we’re not only helping ourselves, we’re helping the people around us”. The Royal Caribbean CEO added that “even if we don’t feel that we need the protection for ourselves, we should still do it to help our friends and neighbors”.

Is COVID Vaccination Required By Royal Caribbean?

The bulk of Richard Fain’s latest video discussed whether or not Royal Caribbean is going to require vaccination.

When Royal Caribbean announced their return, the cruise line “strongly recommended” vaccination. Richard Fain, during the video, said that “we want all our guests to be vaccinated”. He added that “we want that because we believe it makes us all safer and we want that because our guests want that”.

Fain then discussed a survey from their guests that “the vast majority” are either already vaccinated or looking to get their vaccine. However, Royal Caribbean’s CEO also mentioned that there will be exceptions who are not yet illegible for vaccination such as children under 12 years old.

Though he never said that vaccinations are a must, he said that “our plan, therefore, continues to be that virtually everyone who’s eligible for a vaccine will have one”.

Florida’s Ban on Vaccine Passports

Fain also shared his thoughts regarding Florida’s move to ban COVID vaccine passports. He said that “This unique law only applies within Florida”. He believed that the law won’t result in a significant number of unvaccinated guests.

Fain explained that most of their guests wanted to get vaccinated and hurdles could discourage them from not getting one. Fain explained that “due to the health and legal requirements of many jurisdictions, those who are unvaccinated will need to undergo additional testing and other restrictions”.