Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International will resume visits to Mexican ports of call since the Centers for Disease Control is no longer recommending against non-essential travel to the country. Voyages with previously modified itineraries will continue and revert to their original routes in Mexico; most itineraries were modified through mid-June with the exception of the Holiday which was modified through late May. A ship-by-ship listing, including dates for when each vessel will resume its original itinerary, is available at www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/itinerary_updates.aspx.
Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean will resume its port calls in Cozumel beginning with sailings that depart on or after May 24. Ships with Cozumel port calls include Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Enchantment of the Seas. Mariner of the Seas will continue its modified Pacific Northwest itinerary, up to and including, its June 14 sailing. Several other lines that operated Mexico itineraries this past winter have since repositioned ships to Alaska for the summer.
?We are very pleased to resume our previous itineraries to Mexico, one of the cruise industry?s most popular destinations, and we thank those guests who were impacted by the modified schedules in recent weeks for their understanding and patience,? said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. ?The health and well-being of our guests and crew is our highest priority and we are returning to Mexico after careful evaluation and consultation with the CDC. It is important to note that the concentration of H1N1 flu cases in Mexico has been inland rather than in the coastal resort areas where our ships visit.
As the cruise lines announced their return to Mexico, Puerto Costa Maya President Teofilo Hamui noted that ?neither Costa Maya nor Mahahual, its neighboring fishing village, have had any reported cases of the H1N1 virus, which further solidifies this region as a safe place for travelers. With Costa Maya located in a remote and pristine area on the Yucatan Peninsula, we have remained unaffected by the virus that had hit other parts of our country and the world. We hope cruise ships and passengers returning to our shores will feel secure knowing that they can enjoy our destination once again without concern for their health and well-being.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean both said they will continue to follow CDC guidelines, which include pre-boarding health questionnaires, sanitizing, and stocking of influenza test kits and anti-viral medications. ?Mexico has so many wonderful sites and attractions and feedback from our customers suggests that the majority support a resumption of port calls in Mexico, Cahill said. ?We know that they and our port destination partners are very much looking forward to our return.
Showing posts with label CDC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CDC. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2009
State Dept., CDC Lift Mexico Travel Warning
The U.S. Department of State late Friday lifted its travel alert for Mexico due to the H1N1 influenza outbreak. The announcement was made right after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted its own travel warning against all nonessential travel to Mexico. The CDC announced that the "warning" was downgraded to a "travel health precaution," which is directed at those who are at high risk of complications due to any kind of influenza.
Daniel Jernigan, deputy director of the CDC's influenza division, said that there is no evidence that the Influenza A (H1N1) virus is becoming stronger. "Mexico's government and tourism authorities are very satisfied with the decision taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and consequently, the U.S. Department of State, to lift the H1N1 influenza alert against nonessential travel to Mexico,said Rodolfo Elizondo, Mexico?s minister of tourism. ?Our main priority continues to be the safety of our citizens and visitors, and with evidence that the flu appears to be less threatening than originally thought, Mexico is ready to welcome back all of its visitors and offer them the hospitality and services that have always distinguished us.
According to the CDC, the increasing number of cases that are being seen in the United States and other countries are not directly associated with travel to Mexico. Countries such as Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Italy, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom and Switzerland have also lifted their advisories against travel to Mexico and have resumed all commercial flights to the country. Carnival Cruise Lines also has announced that it will resume all scheduled port calls to Mexico once all previously modified trips are completed. ?There is no doubt that the H1N1 has hit our country very hard; specially the tourism sector, an essential part of our economy,? said Oscar Fitch, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. ?Mexico is known for its capacity of coming out of tough situations even stronger, and this will not be the exception. The travel industry -- at all levels -- is ready to offer its visitors what they come here for: diversity, culture, relaxation, luxury, adventure, world class infrastructure and most importantly, the best service in the world.?
Daniel Jernigan, deputy director of the CDC's influenza division, said that there is no evidence that the Influenza A (H1N1) virus is becoming stronger. "Mexico's government and tourism authorities are very satisfied with the decision taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and consequently, the U.S. Department of State, to lift the H1N1 influenza alert against nonessential travel to Mexico,said Rodolfo Elizondo, Mexico?s minister of tourism. ?Our main priority continues to be the safety of our citizens and visitors, and with evidence that the flu appears to be less threatening than originally thought, Mexico is ready to welcome back all of its visitors and offer them the hospitality and services that have always distinguished us.
According to the CDC, the increasing number of cases that are being seen in the United States and other countries are not directly associated with travel to Mexico. Countries such as Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Italy, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom and Switzerland have also lifted their advisories against travel to Mexico and have resumed all commercial flights to the country. Carnival Cruise Lines also has announced that it will resume all scheduled port calls to Mexico once all previously modified trips are completed. ?There is no doubt that the H1N1 has hit our country very hard; specially the tourism sector, an essential part of our economy,? said Oscar Fitch, CEO of the Mexico Tourism Board. ?Mexico is known for its capacity of coming out of tough situations even stronger, and this will not be the exception. The travel industry -- at all levels -- is ready to offer its visitors what they come here for: diversity, culture, relaxation, luxury, adventure, world class infrastructure and most importantly, the best service in the world.?
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