Cruise Lines Cancel Stops in Mexican Ports in Response to Swine Flu Feature Article Discussion Forum

In light of the recent CDC Travel Advisory to Mexico because of the Swine Flu outbreak, some cruise lines are canceling their port stops in Mexico. The advisory states that travelers should avoid all unnecessary travel to Mexico. The following is summary of announcements made by each cruise lines in light the recent developments.

Carnival

"We have decided to cancel calls at Mexican ports for all current sailings. Additionally, we will cancel calls in Mexico for all voyages departing Thursday, April 30 through Monday, May 4. In many cases, we will be able to substitute the cancelled call with an alternative port and are currently working on those itineraries. Full details will be available by 5 p.m. today. Guests who do not wish to sail on a modified itinerary will be given the option to re-schedule their cruise for a later date.

Updates will be posted on our website at www.carnival.com."

Celebrity

"Today, we announced we are temporarily suspending our port calls in Mexico. The decision was made in an abundance of caution, and allows additional time to better understand the full impact of the Swine Flu.

The temporary suspension involves only of our ships on its current repositioning sailing – Celebrity Infinity. The ship will replace its port calls in Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with alternative port calls that are currently being finalized."

Disney

I couldn't' find an official statement on their website, however reports say that Disney Magic will cancel a scheduled call in Cozumel and …

I think that the cruise lines are being extra cautious about this.  With all the bad publicity they get about Noro virus, when it is not any more prevelent on cruise ships's than anywhere else, I think that they are using extra caution.   They don't want there to be a perceptions that theyare spreading H1N1 either.

Bluesky, thanks for posting the link, I hadn't seen that form. The cruise line used to have a form that was similar but dealt more with Noro, and it didn't have the medical staff assesment and the clause about being allowed to travel if you do not have an “international health concern.”  They may be trying to have people be more forthcoming so as to not conceal an illness in order to board.