Cruise lines: No plans to cancel calls in Mexico due to swine flu

[mercedes]

Several major cruise lines with ships sailing to Mexico this week say they have no plans to cancel or alter the voyages despite global worries about a potentially deadly outbreak of swine flu in the country.

Industry giants Carnival and Royal Caribbean both say in statements today they are monitoring the situation in Mexico but will go ahead with itineraries that include calls in the country over the next few days.

Four Carnival ships are scheduled to call on Mexican ports Tuesday: the Carnival Paradise and Elation in Ensenada, the Carnival Inspiration and Holiday in Cozumel.

"We do not anticipate that our guests' cruise experience will be impacted by this type of illness and will not be making any adjustments to our itineraries," the line said in an updated statement issued late Monday. An earlier version of the statement today had said there was no evidence of a pandemic.

Royal Caribbean's statement noted it will conduct enhanced sanitizing of all high-touch areas on ships visiting Mexico and take other measures aimed at reducing the transfer of illness. Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas is scheduled to call Tuesday at Cabos San Lucas, Mexico.

A spokeswoman for Princess Cruises also tells USA TODAY the line plans to go ahead with calls in Mexico in coming days as several of its ships reposition to Alaska for the summer.

Two Princess ships, the Sapphire Princess and Coral Princess, are scheduled to call in Mexico on Tuesday -- in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, respectively. Both ships have additional calls in Mexico scheduled for later in the week as does a third Princess ship, the Star Princess.

"We're taking extra precautions and will follow guidance from health authorities," Princess' Julie Benson said. "Our ships and medical staff are well prepared to handle a contagious disease, and we'll also be stepping up screening."

Another major line that visits Mexico, Norwegian Cruise Line, already has finished its winter season of voyages to the country and doesn't have ships scheduled to call again until the fall, says a spokeswoman.

A spokeswoman for Celebrity Cruises says the line, which is just finishing its winter season in Mexico, will go ahead with one final cruise to the country now underway. The Celebrity Infinity is scheduled to visit Huatulco, Mexico on May 5, Puerto Vallarta on May 7 and Cabo San Lucas on May 8.

As worries about the outbreak have grown since Saturday, a number of individual countries as well as the health commissioner for the European Union have urged citizens to postpone or cancel non-essential travel to Mexico. Many airlines, including Continental, American, United and USAirways are waiving penalties for customers who want to postpone trips.

[JoeyandDavid]

Hopefully They can pull this off with no illness... but i think it could be like playing with matches...

[KeithnRita]

Since our government and the major news sources are playing this up maybe too much, I believe there will be a rash of cruise cancellations from those that are able to cancel without losing any money. If that starts to happen the cruise lines will change their itineraries.

[JoeyandDavid]

cancellations from those that are able to cancel without losing any money. If that starts to happen the cruise lines will change their itineraries.

Great point Keith!

[mercedes]

I agree Keith.

[Peddler]

The concern is always there for illness, but I feel the eastern peninsula (the Yucatan) is safer than the Western Mexican Riviera (Cabo etc) which is closer to Mexico City. I also feel there is some Media Sensationalism and fear factor that is being instilled into the readers. I also feel that if the fear is great enough that the itineries will change.

[KeithnRita]

For cruises leaving now the cruise lines may be dealing with a lot of folks canceling excursions and staying aboard ship in the affected ports.

[deb1220]

For cruises leaving now the cruise lines may be dealing with a lot of folks canceling excursions and staying aboard ship in the affected ports.

I know that's what I would do if I were on one of those ships.

[GottaCruz]

I was shocked to hear that on the news last night. Wouldn't it just be easier on everyone's nerves to change itineraries? They do that with the hurricanes out there so why not now???

[KeithnRita]

USA Today is reporting at least three major cruise lines are canceling port calls in the Mexican Riviera today. They are keeping their ships out to sea.