Swine flu prompts Royal Caribbean Cruises to suspent port calls in Mexico

Royal Caribbean Cruises suspends port calls in Mexico

Leanne Bell , 30 April 2009

Swine flu outbreak sparks Mexican suspension for cruise ships

The swine flu outbreak has prompted Royal Caribbean Cruises to suspend port calls in Mexico.

The suspension applies to the company's Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands and affects seven ships.

Royal Caribbean International's Enchantment of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas have regularly been making a stop in Mexico.

Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas were previously scheduled to have made Mexican port calls.

Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Infinity was also scheduled to have docked in Mexico while it repositioned itself.

All affected ships apart from Mariner of the Seas will make an alternative port of call or spend additional time at sea. Mariner of the Seas will sail a fully revised itinerary.

Royal Caribbean Cruises chief medical officer Art Diskin said: "Although authorities have not raised specific concerns regarding the ports we visit in Mexico, we want to err on the side of caution. We're taking steps on-board our ships to help ensure the health and wellbeing of our guests and crew members and this is just one more step."