May 01, 2009
Celebrity Cruises Suspends Mexican Ports of Call
Celebrity Cruises has temporarily suspending its port calls in Mexico. The decision was made in an abundance of caution, and to allow additional time to better understand the full impact of the Swine Flu.
The temporary suspension involves only one 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 port calls in San Diego, Catalina Island and an over night stay in San Francisco, California.
Like our guests, we take all health matters seriously. Although authorities had 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.govwww.cdc.gov