Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio said Monday that he is confident the cruise line operator can sail safely this summer for the first time in more than a year.
Earlier in the day, the company sent a proposal to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on how Norwegian cruise ships could travel again in July. The proposed measures include requiring passengers and workers on board its ships to be fully vaccinated a few weeks before landing and capping capacity on board by 60%. Capacity would be increased by 20% every 30 days thereafter.
“I challenge you to tell me about another venue anywhere that has this kind of iron-clad health and safety protocols … cruise ships will become de facto the safest place on earth,” Del Rio said. to CNBC’s Jim Cramer in a “Mad Money” interview. “We want to start in the safest way possible and that’s … everyone on board needs to be vaccinated.”
The company’s proposal and Del Rio’s comments come more than a year after the CDC placed a non-shipping order for cruises due to Covid-19 outbreaks on several ships around the world.
The Norwegian has seen revenues fall by 80% in 2020, while the pandemic response has shaken the travel and holiday industry. Executives hope to resume operations and gradually receive more and more guests over time.
“It’s time to go back on the cruise,” Del Rio said. “I don’t want to say that I dare the CDC to do anything, but I want to hear any feedback that suggests this is not the best way to come back and navigate again.”
Norwegian shares rose 7% on Monday to $ 29.71 a share.