Norwegian Cruise Line Is Finally Ready to Sail in Florida

With a return to limited sailing out of Florida now less than a week away, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH) scored a courtroom victory that could help it hit the open seas. A federal judge is siding with the country's third-largest cruise line in its legal battle against the state of Florida to request proof of vaccination for all of its passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line decided earlier this summer that a return to sailing as COVID-19 cases were starting to spike again could only be achieved safely if 100% of its crew and passengers are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. It's a strategy that has proven easier said than done in Florida, as Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed out a new law last month that allows the Sunshine State to fine businesses $5,000 for every instance where a customer is required to provide vaccination records.

The ruling may seem to come too late to save Norwegian Cruise Line from cashing in on the peak summer travel season, but it's not as if its larger rivals are faring any better. Carnival (NYSE: CCL) (NYSE: CUK) and Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) have been highly limited in the number of sailings that they have completed through iffy workarounds. At least now they can also follow Norwegian Cruise Line's lead, even if a true recovery doesn't seem likely until the pandemic is fully in check.

Source Fool.com