Cruise Lines

CEO Frank Del Rio made the threat during an earnings call Thursday, just days after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill that forbids so-called vaccine "passports."

The passengers, who will have to wear face masks and observe social distancing, must be fully vaccinated or clear of high-risk medical conditions.

The CDC released a letter that outlines guidance, along with a potential restart date for cruises departing from U.S ports this summer.

Shortly after the pop-up event, the CDC informed cruise companies about a change in guidelines that could lead to the resumption of passenger voyages by July.

In Miami, Torin Ragin heads the International Longshoremen's Association local. He says some of his 800 members have seen their hours and wages drop over the last year by more than 80%.

Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody says the CDC violated law in prohibiting cruise ships from sailing during the pandemic.

The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in Tampa, asks a federal judge to lift restrictions imposed by the CDC that have idled cruise ships in the U.S. for more than a year because of the pandemic.

Sen. Wilton Simpson's strongest comments on the issue so far come amid calls from the cruise industry to require proof of vaccination after ships have been docked more than a year because of the pandemic.

Proof of vaccinations for crew and passengers is now a requirement in most cruise lines' safety plans. Mandatory vaccinations on cruise ships also aligns with federally recommended protocols.

While CDC guidelines have shut down the industry, cruises are being operated around the globe with protocols and no new coronavirus outbreaks tied to a ship, the governor says.