FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ Gail Raines, of Royal Palm Beach, has been on over 30 cruises and has no plans to stop. She hasn't been scared by tragic tales of ships stranded at sea while passengers die on board. And she thinks people are overreacting when they compare ships to floating petri dishes.
Raines, 55, is among a loyal contingent of South Florida cruisers who book trips like clockwork each year, rack up rewards and enjoy onboard perks such as free champagne. For them, a cruise is not a one-off vacation. It's a way of life. "It's just what we do," she said.
That's a breath of fresh air to Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruises, the three largest lines who face an uphill battle to win back trust from passengers and recover from massive revenue shortfalls.
First, they must win over ports, health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, convincing them that setting sail in August will be safe. In recent weeks, the companies have issued statements highlighting their work with experts to develop enhanced safety protocols onboard to protect against the coronavirus.
But few details have been shared publicly about what those protocols will look like and health professionals question how effective they will actually be.
As vacant ships in South Florida bob alongside ports, some speculate how well South Florida's cruise industry will rebound. Enthusiasts such as Raines give executives hope.
"Despite everything that has gone on, people still want to cruise," said Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio in a May 14 earnings call. "That's the best indication we have that there is a future."
