Report: Key West Mulling Ban On Large Cruise Ships

Residents of Key West are reportedly considering banning large cruise ships from calling on the island city.

CruiseIndustryNews.com reports that in November 2021 a referendum will be placed on Key West’s ballot which limit the size of vessels calling on the city. Ships with over 1,300 guests would not be allowed to call on Key West at all, and the number of daily guests cruise ships disembark would be set at a total of just 1,500. 

Other provisions would give certain priority to cruise ships that have better public health records and are that judged to be more environmentally friendly.

Key West’s second-guessing of cruise traffic comes at an especially sensitive time for the industry. Carnival Cruise Lines recently announced that it is selling 13 cruise ships in a bid to remain solvent. Meanwhile, it is unclear when cruise lines will be able to return to operations.