Norwegian Cruise Line threatens to skip Florida ports over "vaccine passport" ban

• DeSantis signed the bill on Monday, saying in a statement, "In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision."
• The ban was already in effect under an executive order DeSantis signed last month that also prevented state agencies from issuing so-called "vaccine passports."

What they're saying: "It is a classic state-versus-federal-government issue," said Norwegian's CEO, Frank Del Rio, Thursday during the company's quarterly earnings call, per AP.

• "Lawyers believe that federal law applies and not state law, but I’m not a lawyer. And we hope that this doesn’t become a legal football or a political football," he added.
• Del Rio also said the the route to resuming U.S. cruises is "a bit rockier and a bit steeper" than expected, adding that the company's plan to restart cruises mid-summer "could be in jeopardy."

• DeSantis' office did not immediately comment on Del Rio's remarks.

The bottom line: Del Rio concluded that if Norwegian ships can't go to Florida, they could go to countries in the Caribbean. "We certainly hope it doesn't come to that."

Go deeper: CDC guidance says cruise ships won't need to mandate vaccines