Cruise Lines

Cruise ships that have been stuck in port since the pandemic struck are starting to trickle back into Florida. But Tampa Bay won't see any cruise lines return until the fall.

The approval is a welcome milestone for the cruise industry, which has been paralyzed in the U.S. since March 2020 after COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths on several ships.

The passengers, who will have to wear face masks and observe social distancing, must be fully vaccinated or clear of high-risk medical conditions.

The CDC released a letter that outlines guidance, along with a potential restart date for cruises departing from U.S ports this summer.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek says the ship will draw on several beloved Disney characters and worlds as part of its at-sea attractions and dining experiences.

Florida's Attorney General says the CDC violated the law in prohibiting cruise ships from sailing during the pandemic.

More than 20 people traveled more than 600 miles from the Keys to Tallahassee to make their voices heard on a bill that would overturn Key West's limits on cruise ships.

Advocates for limiting cruise ships in Key West say water quality improved while they were gone. A new study from Florida International University backs them up.

Port Tampa Bay officials say that cruises won’t likely return until fall at the earliest -- or possibly even 2022.

The Florida Ports Council estimates that the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an economic impact of $22 billion in the state and has affected 170,000 jobs.

On Election Day, Key West voters approved three measures that would severely limit the cruise industry on the island. That issue was already in court — and now the people who pushed for the new limits want to stay part of the legal battle.

Amid reports of widespread outbreaks on cruises earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers avoid cruise ships around the world, given the “very high” risk of becoming infected or spreading coronavirus.