Disney’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, to embark on christening cruise
Disney Cruise Line unveils newest ship, the Disney Wish Disney Cruise Line unveils newest ship, the Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Disney’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, will embark on its christening cruise on Wednesday. Last week, the ship made its way home to Port Canaveral for the first time. READ: Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish, arrives at Port CanaveralOn Wednesday, the ship will make its first trip back out to sea, with only crew members and members of the media on board for a three-day trip. Disney Wish is the newest addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet and offers new experiences you won’t find on other ships. PHOTOS: New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on MondayThe christening will happen at 11 a.m.
wftv.comDisney’s newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish, arrives at Port Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — A piece of Disney magic pulled into Port Canaveral on Monday morning. The cruise line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, arrived just after 5 a.m. READ: New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on MondayThere has been a ton of anticipation for the ship’s arrival. Disney Wish arrives at Port Canaveral (WFTV.com News Staff)WATCH: Disney Cruise Line unveils newest ship, the Disney WishThe ship is packed full of one-of-a-kind entertainment and industry firsts, including the AquaMouse — the very first Disney attraction at sea. PHOTOS: New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on MondayExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on MondayClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comNew Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on Monday
Video: New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on Monday Officials said it will be a trip unlike any other cruise passengers have experienced before. (WFTV)PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — After months of anticipation and delay, Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish, will be arriving Monday morning for the first time to Port Canaveral. Photos: New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on MondayExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 New Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Wish to celebrate homecoming in Port Canaveral on MondayOfficials said it will be a trip unlike any other cruise passengers have experienced before. WATCH: Disney Cruise Line unveils new dinner adventure ‘Avengers: Quantum Encounter’Guests can also see what it takes to be an “imagineer” and create a roller coaster. WATCH: ‘We made it’: Passengers return to Port Canaveral after cruise ship catches fireSee more in the video above.
wftv.comMemorial Day weekend brings large crowds to Central Florida beaches
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — If you’re headed to the beach for Memorial Day, prepare for crowds. People are visiting beaches across Central Florida over the holiday weekend. Volusia County Beach Safety is monitoring the tides and asks families to swim near a lifeguard if they go into the water. READ: ‘We made it’: Passengers return to Port Canaveral after cruise ship catches fireClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comPassengers return to Port Canaveral after cruise ship catches fire
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Nearly 2,500 cruise passengers will return to Port Canaveral after a fire broke out on their ship. Carnival had to send out another ship to pick up the passengers. SEE: Carnival cruise ship that departed from Port Canaveral catches fire in Grand TurkThat ship, the Carnival Conquest, is expected to arrive back in Florida on Monday morning. Channel 9 has a crew at the port waiting to hear from passengers. WATCH: Carnival Cruise Line gives guests first look at its newest shipCheck back and watch Eyewitness News This Morning for updates.
wftv.comSEE: Carnival cruise ship that departed from Port Canaveral catches fire in Grand Turk
WATCH: Carnival cruise ship that departed from Port Canaveral catches fire in Grand Turk Twitter user @Chester4x4 captured video of a Carnival cruise ship that caught fire on Thursday. A Carnival cruise ship caught fire early Thursday in Grand Turk. WATCH: Carnival cruise ship that departed from Port Canaveral catches fire in Grand Turk Twitter user @Chester4x4 captured video of a Carnival cruise ship that caught fire on Thursday. READ: ‘An exciting time for Carnival’: Carnival Freedom now calling Port Canaveral homeThe Carnival Freedom left Port Canaveral on Monday for a five-day cruise. READ: World’s biggest cruise ship ready to set sail from FloridaVideo: Carnival cruise ship that departed from Port Canaveral catches fire in Grand Turk Twitter user @Chester4x4 captured video of a Carnival cruise ship that caught fire on Thursday.
wftv.comCoast Guard breaks ground on new search-and-rescue building in Port Canaveral
Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral holds groundbreaking ceremony Cpt. Brian M Kostecki, resource management division chief of Coast Guard District 7, Cpt. Mark R. Vlaun, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, Chief Warrant Officer John P. Chandler, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral break ground at the groundbreaking ceremony in Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 2, 2022. Coast Guard District 7 PADE)BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral broke ground on a new 21,000-square-foot search and rescue building Tuesday. Chief Warrant Officer John Chandler, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral, presided over the ceremony.
wftv.comMSC Seaside to call Port Canaveral home starting April 2023
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — MSC Cruises announced it will bring its third ship to its home port at Port Canaveral, starting in April 2023. MSC SEASIDE COMING TO PORT CANAVERAL APRIL 2023! Our partners at MSC Cruises have just announced that they will deploy the MSC Seaside 🚢 to sail from Port Canaveral beginning April 16, 2023. Read: 9 tips to help you travel more sustainablyThe MSC Seaside will be the third ship from MSC Cruises to be based at Port Canaveral since the port began year-round service in 2021. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 19 MSC Cruises Seaside to Homeport at Port Canaveral Starting April 2023 MSC Seaside (Ivan Sarfatti/MSC Cruises)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.com‘An exciting time for Carnival’: Carnival Freedom now calling Port Canaveral home
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Freedom is now calling Port Canaveral home. READ: ‘C’ you soon: Here’s when Terminal C at OIA opens“We’re excited to welcome Carnival Freedom to the fleet of Carnival cruise ships homeported at Port Canaveral,” stated Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. SEE: Carnival Cruise Line gives guests first look at its newest shipThe ship joins three of her sister ships that call Port Canaveral home, the Carnival Mardi Gras, the Carnival Magic and the Carnival Liberty. READ: World’s biggest cruise ship ready to set sail from Florida“Having Carnival Freedom join Mardi Gras, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Magic sailing from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean offers yet another option for our guests to enjoy all the fun a Carnival cruise offers from one of our most popular homeports,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
wftv.comUS Coast Guard searches for man who jumped from cruise ship east of Port Canaveral
US Coast Guard searches for man who jumped from cruise ship east of Port CanaveralPORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man who jumped overboard from a cruise ship early Saturday as it approached Florida. WATCH: Carnival’s Mardi Gras cruise ship set to sail from Port CanaveralThe man jumped from the Carnival Cruise Line ship Mardi Gras just after midnight about 55 miles east of Port Canaveral, according to the Coast Guard and Carnival. The Coast Guard responded with two cutters and an airplane to search for the 43-year-old man. The Mardi Gras and the cruise ship Elation also participated in the search, said Coast Guard spokesman David Micallef. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest and his family.”Lupoli said the Coast Guard released the ship from the search efforts and it continued to Port Canaveral.
wftv.comU.S. Coast Guard searches for man who jumped from Carnival ship nearing Port Canaveral, cruise line says
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man who allegedly jumped from the Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ship early Saturday morning on its approach to Port Canaveral, the cruise line said in a statement.
US Coast Guard searches for man who jumped from cruise ship
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man who jumped overboard from a cruise ship early Saturday as it approached Florida. The man jumped from the Carnival Cruise Lines ship Mardi Gras just after midnight about 55 miles (89 kilometers) east of Port Canaveral, according to the Coast Guard and Carnival. The Coast Guard responded with two cutters and an airplane to search for the 43-year-old man. The Mardi Gras and the cruise ship Elation also participated in the search, said Coast Guard spokesman David Micallef. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest and his family.”Lupoli said the Coast Guard released the ship from the search efforts and it continued to Port Canaveral.
wftv.comUS Coast Guard searches for man who jumped from cruise ship
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man who jumped overboard from a cruise ship early Saturday as it approached Florida. The Coast Guard responded with two cutters and an airplane to search for the 43-year-old man. The Mardi Gras and the cruise ship Elation also participated in the search, said Coast Guard spokesman David Micallef.
news.yahoo.comSpace Coast tourism blasting off, February sets record numbers
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Space Coast tourism is on quite a streak with people driving, flying and cruising into the area. READ: SpaceX launches Axiom Space’s 1st all-private mission to the Space Station“I tend to be an optimist, but I never anticipated the kind of rebound that we’ve had post-COVID,” said Peter Cranis, executive director for the Space Coast Office of Tourism. February doesn’t tend to be a peak month for tourist development tax revenue on the Space Coast. Adding to that, they’ve had 11 straight months of record tax collections. On May 1, the office of tourism will kick off its $2.1 million summer marketing campaign around the southeast and beyond.
wftv.comCruise ships now sailing without CDC’s travel warning
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Ships at Port Canaveral are now sailing without the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s travel warning, which was first issued more than two years ago. READ: CDC lifts COVID-19 risk warning for cruise ships“No one wants the industry to be operating safely more than the cruise lines. But don’t expect anything to change for passengers while on cruise ships. They’ll continue to require passengers and crew to be vaccinated,” said Stewart Chiron, a cruise expert. Here’s what you need to knowMurray told Eyewitness News that several cruise ships are already operating at full capacity and bookings are strong.
wftv.comCDC lifts COVID-19 risk warning for cruise ships
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — For the first time in two years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lifted its “Travel Health Notice” warning about COVID-19 risks on cruise ships. READ: Seminole County supervisor of elections announces program to make elections safer, more secureCanaveral Port Authority CEO Capt. READ: “No excuse for this”: Woman burdened with medical debt urges Congress to tackle issue“I will tell you this will do nothing to change the health protocols the cruise industry has implemented,” Chiron said. “No one wants the industry to be operating safely more than the cruise lines, that’s the bottom line,” Capt. READ: Here’s what the plan for affordable housing near Universal includesMurray says a number of cruise ships are already operating at full capacity and bookings have been strong.
wftv.comPort Canaveral expanding to allow larger ships as cargo business booms
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Port Canaveral’s cargo business is booming, but there is more demand than space available. Port officials hope a major renovation underway will help the port expand its operations and accommodate larger ships. It’s considered obsolete, but construction underway right now will allow for larger ships to dock and increase the port’s cargo capacity. Photos: Port Canaveral expanding to allow larger ships as cargo business boomsExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Photos: Port Canaveral expanding to allow larger ships as cargo business boomsPort Canaveral’s North Cargo Berth 3 Renovation Project is well underway. And the port’s cargo business is only getting more diverse.
wftv.comBookings expected to increase as CDC eases travel warning for cruises
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Cruise traffic is picking up at Port Canaveral, and experts say bookings are expected to ramp up even more now that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has eased its travel warning for cruising. The industry’s largest trade association calls the change from warning level four to level 3 a step in the right direction. He said he doesn’t believe that the level 4 warning instituted by the CDC on Dec. 30 accurately reflected what was going on. READ: Disney Wish inaugural sailing delayed from Port CanaveralPort Canaveral saw a drop in cruise traffic in January, but passenger counts are back up. Ships will continue to be assigned a color status of green, yellow, orange or red to indicate it’s COVID-19 status.
wftv.comMan helped former Brevard bike shop worker steal bicycles worth $15K, deputies say
A man was arrested by Brevard County deputies Thursday and accused of helping someone steal more than $15,000 worth of bicycles from a Port Canaveral bike shop they were recently fired from, according to an affidavit for an arrest warrant.
Disney Wish inaugural sailing delayed from Port Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — People looking to sail aboard Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship will have to wait a little bit longer to get on board. The cruise line announced Thursday that the inaugural sailing of the Disney Wish from Port Canaveral will be delayed by six weeks. READ: Disney Cruise Line unveils newest ship, the Disney WishCruise line officials said they are reaching out to affected guests to help them adjust their vacation plans. Among the options offered to impacted guests is a 50% discount on a future cruise departing by Dec. 31, 2023. READ: Bridge has to go temporarily to make way for Jeff Bezos’ super yachtExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 25 Disney Cruise Line unveils newest ship, the Disney Wish Disney Cruise Line unveils newest ship, the Disney Wish (Disney Cruise Line)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comCoast Guard crews rescue boaters after ship takes on water 27 miles from Port Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Some boaters are safe on dry ground Saturday, after getting rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. WATCH: Number of homes for sale around Orlando hits historic lowU.S. Coast Guard officials shared photos of the rescue Saturday afternoon. Crews responded to the sailboat earlier Saturday after it started taking on water, about 27 miles southeast of Port Canaveral. READ: Police: teacher left children home alone while she vacationed in FloridaOfficials said the vessel had safety equipment on board that aided in their rescue including a VHF-FM radio, emergency positioning radio beacon, life raft, life jackets and flares. The crew took the four boaters to Cape Marina and said no one was hurt.
wftv.comRoyal Caribbean cancels additional voyage out of Port Canaveral over COVID-19 concerns
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — COVID-19 has caused another cruise cancelation out of Port Canaveral. WATCH: 2 cruise lines cancel sailings from Port CanaveralThe ship was originally scheduled Friday to depart on a chartered cruise, but that voyage was canceled earlier this week. Independence of the Seas returned to Port Canaveral on Friday to allow passengers to disembark. On Wednesday, Channel 9 reported Royal Caribbean cancelled two chartered cruises aboard the Independence of the Seas scheduled for January. READ: Want to live on a cruise ship?
wftv.com2 cruise lines cancel sailings from Port Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — For the first time since the restart of cruising at Port Canaveral, two cruise lines are canceling sailings. John Murray, sees the cancellations as a short-term issue, as cruise lines navigate the omicron variant. READ: Want to live on a cruise ship? He said cruise lines are not going to operate their ships if they can’t provide 100% of the vacation experience consumers are expecting. READ: Disney Cruise Line announces Port Everglades in Broward County as second year-round homeportThe port will miss out on a few sailings this month, but very soon a new ship will be arriving ahead of schedule.
wftv.comBusiness as usual at Port Canaveral despite omicron surge
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — It’s business as usual at Port Canaveral, despite a recent recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not to cruise, regardless of vaccination status. On Wednesday, the port’s CEO said the cruise ship protocols in place are working, and plenty of passengers are making the choice to sail. Passengers cruising aboard the Norwegian Gem told Channel 9 that when it comes to travel, they believe a cruise ship is one of the safest places they could be. READ: Coronavirus: Thousands held on cruise ship after COVID-19 scareMurray said cruise traffic exceeded expectations for the first quarter of the fiscal year. The next big test for cruise traffic will come during spring break.
wftv.comCDC recommendation to avoid cruising causing concern for area business owners
Owner Rich Hensel said it’s a huge relief after tourism took a huge hit during the pandemic. READ: CDC says to avoid cruises no matter COVID-19 vaccine statusThat relief may be short-lived. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 88 ships are now either under investigations or observation. The agency is now recommending all passengers, even those vaccinated, avoid cruising due to omicron. Adding fewer ships leaving the port to that mix could be catastrophic for business owners like him.
wftv.comPort Canaveral leaders look to upgrade Beach Line as cruise industry rebounds
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — The cruise industry is rebounding in a big way at Port Canaveral and the port authority is working to bring bigger and bigger ships. But the port believes the stretch of the 528 and bridges leading up to the port need major upgrades. “As we evolve into next year, you’re going to hear a lot of other exciting news on a cruise front,” said Canaveral Port Authority CEO John Murray. WATCH: Port Canaveral celebrates rising economic tide in the cruise ship industryThe Beach Line expressway is four lanes, two in each direction. The work would be done in three projects: the first from just east of Industry Road to near State Road 3, then from there to the Port Canaveral interchange.
wftv.com‘Horrific’: Port Canaveral officials talk devastating impacts of pandemic, plans for rebound
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The pandemic was devastating for the cruise industry and Port Canaveral’s revenue, but port officials said Wednesday that things are looking up. Port Canaveral went 17 months without cruise revenue. Port officials provided an update at the “state of the port” address. “17 months without cruise revenue for this port is horrific,” he said. Now into the 2022 fiscal year, projections for cruising at Port Canaveral are looking good.
wftv.comPort Canaveral’s return to cruising gaining steam despite extension of CDC conditional sailing order
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Port Canaveral’s return to cruising is gaining momentum. Port CEO Captain John Murray says the cruise lines are gradually increasing the number of passengers boarding their ships. READ: Port Canaveral celebrates rising economic tide in the cruise ship industry“The industry is strong,” Murray said. For the people who support the cruise industry, it also means a return to work. We’re just thankful to be working again.”The CDC’s conditional sail order extends through January 15th.
wftv.comHappening Thursday: Workers to rally against medical mandates on the Space Coast
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A workers rights rally against medical mandates will be held Thursday on the Space Coast. The rally is set to start at 6 a.m. at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station south gate, behind Port Canaveral. Organizers said aerospace workers, firefighters, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station workers, Kennedy Space Center workers and contractors will gather for a peaceful protest. READ: Dozens of Florida entities under review for violating state ‘vaccine passport’ banThey said they “are standing up against medical mandates.”Federal employees working on Florida’s Space Coast must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22. Click here to watch Eyewitness News This Morning for live coverage of the event.
wftv.comCDC extends Covid restrictions for cruise ship industry to January
People come out to watch the new Carnival Cruise Line ship Mardi Gras as it departs on its maiden voyage, a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida on July 31, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended into January restrictions on the cruise ship industry that were set to expire next week, citing concerns over the highly contagious delta variant and breakthrough cases among vaccinated travelers. The CDC has allowed cruise ships to operate with conditions since October 2020, requiring masks onboard and vaccinations or testing of passengers and crew, among other safety precautions. "However, CDC decided to temporarily extend the Order due to the continued spread of the Delta variant." Cruise lines that fail to secure a Covid-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate from the CDC will be barred from operating in U.S. waters.
cnbc.comCarnival Cruise Line pops the champagne while christening new Mardi Gras cruise ship
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Carnival Cruise Line popped the champagne and christened its Mardi Gras cruise ship on Saturday. It was the first cruise to set sail again since ships stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. READ: Hali, a great white shark, is located off east coast of FloridaSaturday was a day for the Carnival history books. Carnival CEO Arnold Donald opened the ceremony to their newest ship by highlighting diversity. READ: Walmart announces new delivery options for the holiday seasonShaq helped cut the ribbon for his newest restaurant on the Mardi Gras, Big Chicken.
wftv.comFlorida ports are open for business, DeSantis says
Ron DeSantis announced Florida Ports are open for business. However, don’t expect many changes locally, as Port Canaveral officials said they haven’t received any new shipments, nor do they expect to. The reason is that sailing from Los Angeles to Port Canaveral through the Panama Canal is more than 5,000 nautical miles and takes more than nine days. At a press conference in Jacksonville on Tuesday, DeSantis once again announced that Florida’s ports are open for business. Even still, Florida ports are making their pitch.
wftv.comWith shipping bottleneck in California, Florida ports roll out red carpet
Florida ports, including Port Canaveral have taken big financial hits amid the pandemic. WFTV talks with officials about what they are doing now to try to get more help for struggling seaports. BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — As dozens of ships remain off the coast of Los Angeles due to a bottleneck in the city’s ports Thursday, Florida’s shipping port lobby rolled out the welcome mat. “Let’s save Christmas,” the Florida Ports Council Twitter account declared, inviting ships to reroute through the Panama Canal. President Biden has enacted a plan to help Los Angeles shift to 24/7 operations, which Vakharia said should help snuff out the struggle in approximately four to six weeks.
wftv.comBrevard Zoo to develop fundraising campaign to build new, world-class aquarium
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard Zoo has plans to build a world-class aquarium and conservation campus that will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to Port Canaveral every year. WATCH: Port Canaveral celebrates rising economic tide in the cruise ship industryThe Brevard Zoo is now planning a three-year fundraising campaign for the new $85 million aquarium. Photos: Brevard Zoo to develop fundraising campaign to build new, world-class aquariumExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 5 Brevard Zoo to develop fundraising campaign to build new, world-class aquarium $31 million is already committed to the project that is expected to generate 1,000 jobs and attract half-a-million visitors to the area every year. “Like Brevard Zoo, it’s actually going to be a covered walkway that’s a loop and then indoor pavilions that are climate controlled,” said Brevard Zoo Executive Director Keith Winsten. John Murray, CEO for the Canaveral Port Authority.
wftv.comPort Canaveral celebrates rising economic tide in the cruise ship industry
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Port Canaveral is sailing into profitability for the first time in more than a year as more ships are headed into port. Officials said cruise revenue was nonexistent just a few weeks ago, but they are now projecting what could be the best year yet for cruise revenue. WATCH: Cruise revenue returning to Port Canaveral with sailing numbers increasing“Great news for August,” said Capt. Murray said most of the cruise passengers boarding those ships aren’t flying into Central Florida, they’re driving to Port Canaveral from around the Southeast. Before the end of the year, Port Canaveral is anticipating the arrival of four additional homeported ships.
wftv.com‘God told me not to take this vaccine:’ Brevard restaurateur won’t ask employees to get COVID shot
While many local restaurant owners are waiting for more details from Biden's order that businesses with 100 or more employees require their workforce to get vaccines or take weekly COVID tests, at least one already has made up his mind.
Disney Cruise Line set to require passengers to be fully vaccinated
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line will now require passengers to be fully vaccinated in order to board its ships that sail to the Bahamas. As Disney Cruise Line resumes sailing in a gradual, phased approach that emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measures developed in consideration of guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other medical experts, it will now require some passengers to be fully vaccinated. For guests sailing to the Bahamas from Sept.3 through Nov. 1, new guidelines will be in place concerning vaccination requirements. In order to be allowed entry in any of its cruise ports, the Bahamas will require that all passengers ages 12 and older be fully vaccinated. To comply with this new requirement, all guests ages 12 and older must be fully vaccinated to board the Disney ship, according to a news release.
wftv.comCruise revenue returning to Port Canaveral with sailing numbers increasing
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — For the first time in months, cruise revenue is trickling back into Port Canaveral. Eleven ships have departed the port with paying passengers since July 31, and dozens more are scheduled to sail in the weeks ahead. John Murray, CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority, said the ships leaving the port now are sailing at 30 to 75% of their normal capacity. We haven’t had any cruise revenue for nearly 17 months now.”In that time, the port saw an estimated revenue loss of more than $113 million. READ: Disney Cruise Line unveils new dinner adventure ‘Avengers: Quantum Encounter’The focus is now on the next fiscal year, with a phased return to cruising and a projected $85 million in cruise revenue.
wftv.comModerna says its Covid vaccine booster produced ‘robust’ immune response against delta
Moderna said its Covid-19 vaccine booster shot produced a "robust" antibody response against the highly contagious delta variant, according to details of a study released Thursday with the company's second-quarter earnings report. In a phase-two trial, Moderna is testing a 50-microgram dose of three vaccine booster candidates in previously vaccinated individuals. The company's second-quarter financial results also beat Wall Street expectations on earnings and revenue. Moderna, which was founded in 2010, was the second company to gain U.S. authorization for its Covid vaccine behind Pfizer-BioNTech. Moderna's Covid vaccine generated $4.2 billion in sales in the three months ended June 30, according to the earnings report.
cnbc.comThe Latest: 1st cruise ship in Puerto Rico since pandemic
(Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) (Joe Burbank)SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Carnival Mardi Gras has docked in Puerto Rico — the first cruise ship to visit the U.S. territory since the start of the pandemic. The ship arrives as Puerto Rico is reporting an increase in COVID-19 cases blamed on the delta variant. Some 1.9 million cruise ship passengers visited Puerto Rico in 2019, a record for the island, said tourism spokeswoman Astrid Rolón. Sultan said Pakistan since March has administered 30 million vaccine doses and out of them 10 million doses were administered in only the past two weeks. Sixty-two percent of Kentucky residents ages 18 and older have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
wftv.comCarnival’s Mardi Gras set to sail from Port Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — The cruise industry is taking a step closer to normalcy here in Central Florida. People are getting on a Carnival Cruise ship for the first cruise with paying customers out of Port Canaveral in over a year. On Saturday, Carnival’s liquified natural gas-powered “Mardi Gras” will start operating 8-day cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. So, that’s big news for us,” said Port Canaveral CEO John Murray. Disney Cruise Lines first voyage with paying customers in over a year will sail out of Port Canaveral in a little over a week.
wftv.comCarnival’s Mardi Gras cruise ship set to sail from Port Canaveral
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Port Canaveral’s first cruise to sail with paying passengers in 18 months departs Saturday. Guests got a sneak peak of Carnival’s new flagship, The Mardi Gras, on Friday and some undoubtedly notice some changes. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras (Mel Holt)When this ship sails on Saturday, it will be with 4,000 passengers and at 70% of its capacity. The liquefied natural gas-powered Mardi Gras will start operating seven-day cruises to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral. They are also tested before they board, and if a voyage is longer than 4 days, they are tested again.
wftv.comHappening at 8 a.m.: Florida Department of Transportation to hold news conference at Port Canaveral
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation will host a news conference early Thursday at Port Canaveral. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault, Captain John Murray, Eric Green, Jonathan Daniels and Juan Kuryla will also be in attendance. The news conference is set to begin at 8 a.m.Officials did not say what the news conference will be about. Channel 9 will livestream the news conference on its website. Click here to watch it once it begins.
wftv.comFederal court lifts CDC rules for Florida-based cruise ships
The cruise included about 300 Disney cruise employees and their guests. Last weekend's temporary stay had kept the CDC regulations regarding Florida-based cruise ships in place while the CDC appeals the June decision by U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday. In court filings, attorneys for Florida had urged the 11th Circuit to reject the CDC request to keep its rules intact. The CDC first flatly halted cruise ships from sailing in March 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which had affected passengers and crew on numerous ships. Merryday’s decision concluded that the CDC can’t enforce those rules for Florida-based ships and that they should merely be considered nonbinding recommendations or guidelines.
wftv.com