Gov. DeSantis Deep-Sixes Key West Cruise Rules

Above, Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas at Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The whims of some in Key West, Florida were thwarted when Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed some referendums limiting cruises lines that stop at the port.

I visited Key West two years ago as part of our cruise down to Havana, Cuba.

According to Florida Politics:

Gov. Ron DeSantis deep-sixed a series of referendums passed by Key West voters. Three local measures could have significantly limited cruising capacities there. The Republican Governor signed seaports legislation that makes clear ballot measures won’t set maritime rules in Florida.

Opponents of the new law (SB 1194) say this ensures a vital industry won’t be subject to political whims. Critics say the Governor just landed a blow to home rule and hurt an effort to save coral beds to boot.

Meanwhile, city officials in Key West plan to meet next week, where they well could change the course of ships and start this battle for the seas all over again. The city announced a special meeting will be held Tuesday where City Commissioners will discuss local direction around cruise activity.

Lawmakers this year embarked on the seaports legislation in response to three voter-approved referendums passed last November in Key West. The measures in part prohibit ships with 1,300 or more passengers from docking there and limit visitors from ships to 1,500 cruise passengers per day.

That could have an enormous impact on cruise lines deploying to one of the most popular docks on the Eastern U.S. Seaboard.

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