CCL-Carnival Cruise Line passengers must be fully vaccinated prior to boarding in Texas – despite state guidelines that bar "vaccine passports."
On July 3, Carnival Vista is scheduled to set sail from the Port of Galveston Texas followed by Carnival Breeze on July 15.
In accordance with the CDC agency's latest guidance, passengers on both liners must show proof that it has been at least 14 days since their final dose of the COVID vaccine.
CCL's president Christine Duffy said:
"The current CDC requirements for cruising with a guest base that is unvaccinated will make it very difficult to deliver the experience our guests expect, especially given the large number of families with younger children who sail with us.
"As a result, our alternative is to operate our ships from the U.S. during the month of July with vaccinated guests."
This move goes against the legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday that is prohibiting any business/government entity from requiring vaccine passports/vaccine information. Abbott responded to Carnival’s announcement by signing into law a bill banning businesses in the state from ‘requiring vaccine passports or any vaccine information.’
‘Texas is open 100% without any restrictions or limitations or requirements,’ the governor said.
CCL is also expected to restart operations from Port Miami and Port Canaveral Florida, where there are similar laws in place.
Florida has sued the CDC and asked a court to lift restrictions imposed by the federal agency. Arguments in the case are due to resume this week in Tampa.