blog post

Yesterday, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises announced that 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.

Enchantment of the Seas: 

• Its five-night sailings that depart Port Everglades on Mondays will replace their Cozumel port calls with additional time in Key West and an additional day at sea
• Its four-night sailings that depart Port Everglades on Thursdays will replace their Cozumel port calls with additional time in Key West and port calls in Nassau, Bahamas
• Its five-night sailings that depart Port Everglades on Saturdays will replace their Cozumel port calls with port calls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Freedom of the Seas:

• Its seven-night sailings that depart Port Canaveral on Sundays will replace their Cozumel port calls with additional time in George Town, Cayman Islands, and an additional day at sea 

Liberty of the Seas:

• Its seven-night sailings that depart Miami on Saturdays will replace their Cozumel port calls with port calls in Coco Cay, Bahamas

Mariner of the Seas:

• Its seven-night sailings that depart Los Angeles on Sundays will sail a fully revised itinerary, visiting Canada and the U.S. West Coast.  It will now visit San Francisco, California, Mondays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Victoria, British Columbia, Wednesdays from noon to 10 p.m.; and Seattle, Washington, Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The ship’s May 10 sailing will feature a port call in Astoria, Oregon, rather than San Francisco
• At the current time, our revised itineraries for Mariner of the Seas are scheduled to take place up to and including the ship’s June 14 sailing
• Guest currently booked on the revised sailings have three options:
• Mariner of the Seas OPTION 1: Guests who maintain their current bookings on the revised sailings will receive an onboard credits and a future cruise credits based on their stateroom category:
  • Inside and outside staterooms will receive a $250 onboard credit per stateroom.  An additional $100 onboard credit will be provided for each third and fourth guest in the stateroom.  Each stateroom also will receive a $250 future cruise credit for a future Mexico sailing through 04/24/11
  • Balcony staterooms will receive a $350 onboard credit per stateroom.  An additional $100 onboard credit will be provided for each third and fourth guest in the stateroom.  Each stateroom also will receive a $350 future cruise credit for a future Mexico sailing through 4/24/11
  • Suites will receive a $600 onboard credit per suite.  An additional $100 onboard credit will be provided for each third and fourth guest in the suite.  Each suite also will receive a $600 future cruise credit for a future Mexico sailing through 04/24/11
  • Future Cruise Certificates will be created and sent 3 to 4 weeks after guest sails.
  • Travel partner receives a $50 bonus commission

• Mariner of the Seas OPTION 2:  Guests currently booked on a revised sailing who choose to change their sailing date or move their booking to another ships will receive an onboard credits:
  • Inside and outside staterooms will receive a $100 onboard credit per stateroom.  An additional $50 onboard credit will be provided for each third and fourth guest in the stateroom.
  • Balcony staterooms will receive a $150 onboard credit per stateroom.  An additional $50 onboard credit will be provided for each third and fourth guest in the stateroom.
  • Suites will receive a $250 onboard credit per suite.  An additional $50 onboard credit will be provided for each third and fourth guest in the stateroom.
  • Travel partner receives a $50 bonus commission
• OPTION 3:  Guests currently booked on a revised sailing who choose to cancel their bookings will receive a full refund of monies paid to Royal Caribbean International
• Mariner of the Seas guests booked on a revised sailing are encouraged to contact their travel agent or Royal Caribbean International for compensation and rebooking options
• We have established a special help desk to assist these guests.  The toll-free is: 1-800-327-6700. 

Serenade of the Seas:

• On its current sailing, it will replace its port call in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with a port call in San Diego, California.

Radiance of the Seas:

• On its current sailing, it will replace its port calls in Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with an extended, overnight port call in San Diego, California, and additional time at sea.  

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CELEBRITY CRUISES

Celebrity Infinity:

• On its current sailing, it will replace its port calls in Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with alternative port calls that are currently being finalized

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Like our guests, we take all health matters seriously.  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 proactive steps onboard our ships to help ensure the health and well-being of our guests and crew members, and this is just one more step in that process.  We apologize for the disruption these changes will cause our guests, and we appreciate their understanding.

We continue to closely monitor Swine Flu developments and utilize our Influenza Prevention and Response Plans.  That plan was developed by our office of Medical and Public Health in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health experts.  The plan is based on three pillars: Preparedness and Communication; Surveillance and Detection; and Response and Containment.

Our Swine Flu activities include:

• Providing guests with Swine Flu information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Screening embarking guests and crew members regarding recent visits to, or travel through Mexico, contact with people ill with the Swine Flu, and for recent flu-like symptoms
• Conducting enhanced sanitizing of all high-touch areas onboard
• Providing hand sanitizers throughout all ships
• Asking guests to follow the advice of medical experts regarding the best ways to help prevent the spread of flu and other illnesses – via proper and frequent hand washing, and covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• And, if necessary, onboard medical staff can isolate and treat guests or crew members who display flu-like symptoms, using the supply of anti-viral medications kept onboard all ships.

We’ll continue to closely follow developments regarding the Swine Flu.  Additional information regarding the Swine Flu is available at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:  www.cdc.gov

Thank you for your assistance in relaying this information to your clients.  As always, we thank you for your ongoing support of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises.