RCI-Royal Caribbean’s ship Odyssey of the Seas pulled into her homeport, Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida), Thursday morning (June 10).
Her crew members prepare to set sail on July 3 or the first time on 6- and 8-night Southern and Western Caribbean cruises.
There will be a limited number of guests onboard for the voyage. Social distancing and mask-wearing will be enforced. Everyone will be tested for COVID-19.
The arrival of the liner came the same day as U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday held a hearing in Tampa Florida regarding the state’s request for a preliminary injunction against restrictions imposed by the U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on the industry. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed a lawsuit against the Centers in April, challenging restrictions that Moody and Governor Ron DeSantis believe will continue to hurt the cruise industry.
Royal Caribbean reversed its vaccine policy last week, making COVID vaccines optional for most sailings.
“As the vaccines now have come online and the state’s working with the CDC and the lines are working with the CDC, the science is there to show that with the vaccinations working, that we are seeing the situation where it’s a combination of both testing regimen, as well as vaccines.”