Port Canaveral Ends its Budget Year With an $18 Million Loss
Cruises have been halted at Port Canaveral since the mid-March closure due to the COVID-19 world health pandemic. Disney Cruise Line is one of the many cruise companies affected by the closure. The four Disney ships Magic, Fantasy, Dream and Wonder have been quiet ever since.
The CDC’s no sail order is scheduled to lift this week, but there is a chance it could be extended. This would be the fourth time the no sail order would be extended. It was extended already in April, July and September. Even after the no sail order is lifted, cruise line operators expect it to be another 45-60 days before the first cruises are able to sail.
Port Canaveral, like many other travel and tourism locations, has taken a big hit under the Coronavirus restrictions. At the end of the budget year officials are reporting a $18.36 million dollar loss. During a meeting this week, port commissioners unanimously approved an increase in the Port’s line of credit in order to have a monetary safeguard for emergencies if the no sail extends into 2021.
Officials have recommended over 74 safeguards for cruise lines to make cruising safe. These include mandated COVID-19 tests for both passengers and crew, masks, lower capacity on cruises, social distancing measures, staggered boarding times and increased medical personal on board.
“Port Canaveral has reduced its staff from 268 positions to 153, largely because of lost revenue related to the cruise industry shutdown. That was done through a combination of 68 permanent layoffs, 17 unpaid furloughs, and not filling 30 positions that were left vacant because of retirement or employees taking jobs elsewhere”. (Source: Floridatoday.com)
Hopefully, guests with early 2021 cruises booked on Disney Cruise Line will be able to sail and enjoy a much needed vacation, and help bring back the travel and cruise industries.
Source: Florida Today (floridatoday.com)
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