Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio mentioned Monday he’s assured the cruise line operator can safely set sail this summer time for the first time in additional than a yr.
Earlier in the day, the firm despatched a proposal to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how Norwegian Cruise ships may journey once again in July. The proposed measures embody requiring passengers and employees on board its ships to be totally vaccinated weeks prematurely of disembarking and capping on-board capability at 60%. Capacity could be elevated by 20% each 30 days afterward.
“I challenge you to tell me of another venue anywhere that has this kind of iron-clad health and safety protocols in place … cruise ships will de facto become the safest place on earth,” Del Rio instructed CNBC’s Jim Cramer in a “Mad Money” interview. “We want to start in the safest manner possible and that is … everybody on board has to be vaccinated.”
The company’s proposal and Del Rio’s feedback come greater than a yr after the CDC positioned a no-sail order on cruises as a result of Covid-19 outbreaks on a number of ships round the world.
Norwegian noticed revenues plunge by 80% in 2020 as the pandemic response upended the journey and trip business. Executives hope to renew operations and progressively welcome increasingly visitors over time.
“It’s time to get back to cruising,” Del Rio mentioned. “I don’t want to say that I’m daring the CDC to do anything, but I want to hear any feedback that suggests that this is not the best way to come back and cruise again.”
Shares of Norwegian shot up 7% on Monday to shut at $29.71 per share.
