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Long term effect of swine flu scare on Mexico cruises? 'Too early' to know, say agents

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mercedes

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Cruise lines have canceled all calls in Mexico for the coming week and, in some cases, beyond. But, as of now, most stops in Mexico planned for mid-May through the summer are still on. Assuming that doesn't change, will vacationers still want to go?

That's one of the big questions this week in the industry as fears over the swine flu outbreak in Mexico grip the world. Now is the time that cruise lines normally would be selling out sailings to Mexico scheduled for May, June and July.

"At this point it’s too early to determine if there will be an impact on bookings (for cruises) to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera," says Mike Brill of CruiseOne in Palm Springs, Calif. What is clear, he says, is that "potential cruise clients are taking a wait-and-see attitude before booking a close-in cruise to any part of Mexico."

Indeed, another CruiseOne agent, Becky Piper of CruiseOne in Strongsville, Ohio, says she's seen a shift in her customers since the swine flu outbreak became big news over the weekend.

"Clients who are looking for a cruise are still going, they are just looking at other (non-Mexico) itineraries," she says.

Both Brill and Piper report no cancellations yet from passengers already booked on upcoming Mexico cruises. But they're both getting calls from customers that, as Brill notes, are "expressing concerns, and questioning possible alternatives."

A third CruiseOne agent, Ralph Santisteban of CruiseOne in Miami, adds there seems to be a general assumption among cruisers that the issue will be resolved within the next few weeks or months.

"Passengers that are booking their cruises five to six months in advance have shown little if any concern as to the Swine flu outbreak," he notes.

All three of the agents praised cruise lines for their quick reponse to the situation.

"They have chosen to allow passenger safety issues to dictate their itinerary choices," says Santisteban. "It reinforces to consumers and to the industry itself that passenger safety and well being takes top priority."

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This story may have had more credibility if the author would have spoken to more than CruiseOne.

Although,I do agree it is too early to understand the long lasting effects of this on the ports of call in mexico..I don't see any return until this situation is well in hand Royal Caribbean is booking the west coast to Vancouver/Victoria run RT out of LA at least through the end of Mays schedule.. I didn't look beyond that..

The longer the posts are closed in Mexico on both sides pacific and gulf....the longer it will take for the public to feel comfortable in returning..and at this point it's easier to change itineraries in mid stream then sail with bargain filled cabins..

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Because we are so close to the border, the President of the University of Arizona has put out a statement asking students and faculty not to travel to Mexico. He also told us that they are contacting all of the students and faculty that are on school sponsored trips in Mexico, working on safe, healthy returns (when the time comes).

UofA alumni group tours has postponed all of their tours to Mexico. They said they will hold them next year, but not sure when.

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