MIAMI (AFP)--Major U.S. cruise companies suspended visits to
Mexican ports Tuesday due to the swine flu outbreak.
As the virus continued to spread, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and
the Norwegian Cruise Line - who transport thousands of holiday
makers daily around the Caribbean - announced the preventative
move.
"Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) today announced it is
temporarily suspending its port calls in Mexico," the firm said in
a statement.
"The decision was made in an abundance of caution, and allows
additional time to better understand the full impact of the swine
flu."
Royal Caribbean says it has four cruise ships that regularly
stop at Mexican ports, while two additional ships scheduled to make
upcoming Mexican port calls have been repositioned.
The Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. also canceled
scheduled stops by the "Norwegian Pearl" to Mexican ports on April
28 and May 1. After that there were no scheduled stops at Mexican
ports until late September, the cruise line said.
Carnival Corp. (CCL) announced it canceled Mexico stops for
three of its ships.