The Miami Herald reports Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has decided to not require proof of Covid-19 vaccination prior to sailing. Essentially, they gave in to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed off on a state law which fines any organization for each time it demands such proof. Atypically, I believe DeSantis wrong in this case.
The DrsC like to cruise, and in normal years do so once or twice. I am certain we would be more likely to resume cruising if we understood both passengers and crew were vaccinated.
I can also imagine such individuals suing the company if such disparate treatment is the case, even though the RCCL announcement makes it clear it may do so "for health reasons." Honestly, this FL law is a can of worms for the cruise industry.
I understand DeSantis' reasoning that we should not force people to be vaccinated. However, there is no Constitutionally-protected right to cruise, nor would being unable to do so in any way impede someone's chance to live an otherwise decent and productive life.
Cruising is voluntary recreation, nothing more. On a cruise to Antartica we were required to get a signed approval from our physician before being accepted for the trip. True, it didn't depart from Florida and apparently Argentina didn't care, or more likely thought it a good precaution.
People abstain from all sorts of things that logic suggests are okay. The Amish choose not to drive cars, Christian Scientists abstain from modern medicine, and some people are anti-vaccinations.
As is likely to soon happen, when our Covid vaccines move from "experimental" status to fully approved, the "don't make me" argument becomes even more far-fetched and idiosyncratic. Such choices should have consequences, as for example, the inability to cruise.
