Poll shows vast majority of Floridians disagree on DeSantis policy, think it’s OK to require COVID-19 vaccinations for cruise passengers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — More than three-quarters of Floridians in a poll released Wednesday disagree with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ policy banning cruise lines from requiring passengers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

The survey, conducted by the University of South Florida School of Public Affairs, found just 24% said cruise lines should not be allowed to require guests to show proof of vaccination — which is DeSantis’ position.

A plurality, 43%, said it should be mandatory for passengers to provide proof of vaccination on all cruises that port in Florida. And another 33% said it should be up to individual cruise lines. Neither of those options is allowed under rules championed and signed into law by DeSantis.

As with many aspects of the coronavirus pandemic, there’s a huge political divide. Support for mandatory vaccination was almost double for Democrats than Republicans.

The issue has evolved into a legal and political battle between DeSantis and the federal Centers for Disease Control, centering on whether state or federal authority governs cruises that use Florida ports. Cruise ships became an early face of the coronavirus pandemic last year when infections were spreading quickly on board and some ships had trouble finding places that would allow them to dock and disembark passengers.

On Tuesday, Royal Caribbean said the inaugural sailings of its Odyssey of the Seas cruise ship, scheduled from Port Everglades in July, have been postponed after eight crew members tested positive for COVID-19.

The USF poll found support for mandatory vaccinations was strongest when it came to cruises, but somewhat less about the state’s other big tourism draw: theme parks.

—Theme parks should not be allowed to require guests to show proof of vaccination — 31%.

—Should be up to individual parks whether they want to require proof of vaccination — 40%.

—Should be mandatory for guests to provide proof of vaccination for all theme parks in Florida – 30%.

Democrats and Republicans held sharply divergent views on the issue of cruise passenger vaccinations. Independents and people registered in minor political parties were generally closer to Republicans on the issue.

—Cruise lines should not be allowed to require guest to show proof of vaccination — Democrats, 12%, Independents, 29%; Republicans, 37%.

—Up to individual cruise lines — Democrats, 31%, Independents, 37%; Republicans 33%.

—Mandatory to show proof of vaccination on all cruises that port in Florida — Democrats, 58%; Independents, 34%; Republicans, 30%.

There was also a political split on the question of vaccination requirements for theme parks, but it wasn’t as pronounced as it was for cruises.

Mandatory vaccination for theme park guests was supported by 39% of Democrats, 25% of Independents and 21% of Republican. Banning theme parks from requiring vaccinations had support of 16% of Democrats, 37% of Independents 46% of Republicans.

OTHER FINDINGS

—Employers: A majority of people USF polled, 67%, said Florida business should be allowed to require employees to be fully vaccinated before returning to work; 33% disagreed.

—Schools and colleges: A majority of respondents, 61.5%, said pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade schools should require students to be vaccinated before the fall; 38.5% disagreed. Support was higher, 69%, for Florida colleges and universities requiring students to be fully vaccinated before returning to campus; 31% disagreed.

—Vaccine hesitancy: Among who haven’t been vaccinated, 55% said they would “probably not” or “definitely not” get vaccinated. Another 24% were undecided. The biggest reasons cited by people who probably or definitely will not get vaccinates is concern about potential side effects or that the vaccines were created too quickly.

—Misinformation: The survey researchers found 73% of Floridians saw or heard one of eight common COVID-19 misinformation themes during the last six months. The most common were that the vaccines contain a “live strain” of the virus (43%), the vaccines “contain 5G Microchips” (39%), and the vaccines “modify people’s genes and alter their DNA” (36%).

The more misinformation people encountered, the less likely they were to be vaccinated. People who didn’t report encountering any of the misinformation themes were more likely to be vaccinated.

The University of South Florida survey involved 600 adult Floridians. It was conducted through an online web panel from June 3-14. USF researchers said the survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. That means a result that shows 50% could be a range of 46% to 54%.

The sample size for smaller groups, such as Democrats, Republicans and independents, is smaller and the margin of error is higher.

Online web panels, which the American Association for Public Opinion Research describes as a sample of people who have agreed to complete surveys via the Internet, are becoming more common as more and more people are reluctant to answer phone calls.