The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued latest guidance for the US cruise sector, but Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chief executive Frank Del Rio is not happy.
On Wednesday, the CDC issued Phases 2B and 3 of its Conditional Sail Order six months after unveiling the restrictions for cruiseships in US waters.
The newest recommendations provide measures for simulated voyages, but the CDC said a week earlier that owners may hold actual sailings as long as passengers and crew are vaccinated.
Del Rio is still frustrated with the CDC's order, which ultimately prevents the entire battered cruise industry from getting back to business at a time when bookings are hitting pre-pandemic levels.
"Just let me cruise, CDC, and we'll have incredible financial results!" he yelled during the call. "Just let us cruise!"
New York-listed Norwegian is one of several cruise outfits that plan to cruise with only vaccinated passengers and crew, but Del Rio has voiced strong objection to a particular mask-wearing stipulation nestled within the "technical instructions" of the Conditional Sail Order.
'Preposterous'
"While the order permits temporarily removing a mask for brief periods of time while eating or drinking, removal of the mask for extended meal service or beverage consumption would constitute a violation of this order," the Miami company said.
The CDC did not immediately return calls requesting comment.
Del Rio lambasted the CDC requirement on Thursday during a conference call with analysts on Norwegian's first-quarter loss of $1.4bn.
"Even though everybody onboard would be vaccinated, in between bites of your meal and in between sips of your beverage, you have to put on your mask, take off your mask," he said.
"Nobody should order soup because your mask might get sloppy, so that to me is just preposterous."
He said such a requirement is "not in the spirit" of President Joe Biden's plans to reopen the US amid expectations for a 70% vaccination rate.
Del Rio said he hopes that it pertains only to simulated voyages but is waiting for the CDC to provide clarification.
"Certainly on first read, we were disappointed," he said.
