Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio said on Monday that he is confident that the cruise line operator will be able to sail safely this summer, for the first time in more than a year.
Earlier in the day, the company sent a proposal to the United States 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 their ships to be fully vaccinated weeks before disembarkation and limiting capacity on board to 60%. Capacity would be increased by 20% every 30 days thereafter.
“I challenge you to tell me about another location anywhere that has this type of iron-clad health and safety protocol in place … cruise ships will in fact become the safest place in the world,” said Del Rio CNBC’s Jim Cramer in a “Mad Money” interview. “We want to start as safely as possible and that is … everyone on board has to be vaccinated.”
The company’s proposal and Del Rio’s comments came more than a year after the CDC applied for a ban on sailing on cruises due to Covid-19 outbreaks on several ships around the world.
Norwegian saw its revenues plummet 80% in 2020, as the response to the pandemic affected the travel and vacation industry. Executives hope to resume operations and gradually receive more and more guests over time.
“It’s time to get back on the cruise,” said Del Rio. “I don’t mean that I’m challenging CDC to do something, but I want to hear any feedback that suggests this isn’t the best way to get back and sail again.”
Norwegian’s shares rose 7% on Monday, closing at $ 29.71 per share.