Royal Caribbean is postponing the inaugural voyage of its newest ship, Odyssey of the Seas, from a South Florida port because eight crew members have tested positive for COVID-19.


What You Need To Know

  • Odyssey of the Seas' inaugural journey out of Florida pushed back to end of July

  • Eight crews members tested positive for COVID-19, Royal Caribbean says

  • Florida, CDC are battling in court over the return to cruising during the pandemic

  • RELATED: 2 vaccinated cruise ship guests test positive for coronavirus

Odyssey of the Seas was supposed to sail out of Fort Lauderdale on July 3, but the voyage has been rescheduled for July 31, Royal Caribbean announced.

Although all 1,400 crew members have been vaccinated, the positive test results came before the vaccines were fully effective, Royal Caribbean said. It added that passengers who were booked for the cruise will be given other options.

The delay did not discourage avid cruise traveler Marie Pecorella, from Cocoa Beach. She said she understands the decision.

“I guess it's the right idea," Pecorella said. "They have to learn, and they have to follow the rules on the CDC and need to side on precaution.”

Pecorella said she plans to sail from Port Carnival on Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras and hopes ships can sail soon.

The delay for Royal Caribbean comes as major cruise lines prepare for test cruises in an effort to get back to normal sailing operations.

Port Canaveral leaders said it's still business as usual for the port and plans have not changed. Disney plans a simulated cruise at the end of June.

According to Royal Caribbean's website, Freedom of the Seas is departing Miami on July 2, and Allure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas are starting trips from Port Canaveral in August.

The cruise line recommends vaccinations for passengers but is not requiring them.

Last week, two passengers on Celebrity Millenium, which is owned by Royal Caribbean, also tested positive for COVID-19 on board a cruise in the Caribbean. The company said the passengers had been vaccinated.

A federal judge in Tampa is still working on a decision on Florida's lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state is challenging the CDC's requirement that passengers prove they've been vaccinated before setting sail.

The state of Florida argues that passengers can assess their own level of risk when traveling. But the CDC says it has the right to set guidelines for cruise ships.