After almost a month of switched itineraries due to the over exaggerated swine flu scare, the cruise ships are coming back to Mexico and Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas already made a call in Cozumel.
http://www.traveltrade.com/news_article.htm?id=7001&p=index.htm
Mexico has some of the best travel values out there now including buy 1 night get 1 free- just too good to pass up at a brand new adults only, all inclusive resort, Secrets Silversands. These deals won't last long since the Riviera Maya was always a good value to begin with.
Contact me for more great deals in Mexico.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Newest Passport Ruling
With so many changes in passport rulings, it is hard to keep up with them. As of June 1, 2009, the lastest passport ruling is going into effect.
This came from Carnival Cruise Lines for those passengers who are sailing a "closed loop" itinerary- meaning their cruise will start and end in the same US port.
While the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.
U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license. Children will also be required to carry a birth certificate and a photo ID if over the age of 15.
Although a passport is not required for “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend that all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel), a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Having these documents will enable them to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.
If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port, a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required for any of our Europe cruises.
For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov
REMINDER - all guests need proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued. We strongly encourage your clients to invest in a passport since it is the preferred document of choice for proof of citizenship.
It is My Vacation Lady's strongest recommendation that ALL CRUISE PASSENGERS use a valid passport when taking a cruise regardless of the this latest ruling. If, for any reason you must leave the cruise early (illness, injury or family emergency) and must be flown home from Mexico, Canada or a Caribbean Island that is not a part of the United States, you will not be allowed back into the country without a valid passport. For adults the passport application is $97 and is valid for 10 years- that is the best form of ID you can have at the cost of less than $10 per year. For kids 15 and under, the passport is at a lower cost but only is valid for 5 years.
Please get your passport now!
This came from Carnival Cruise Lines for those passengers who are sailing a "closed loop" itinerary- meaning their cruise will start and end in the same US port.
While the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires valid passports for land and sea travel, a final ruling was issued allowing leniency for “closed-loop” cruises, i.e., sailings that both originate and terminate in the same U.S. port.
U.S. citizens taking “closed-loop” cruises are not required to have a passport but will need proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate and a driver’s license. Children will also be required to carry a birth certificate and a photo ID if over the age of 15.
Although a passport is not required for “closed loop” cruises, we strongly recommend that all guests travel with a passport (valid for at least six months beyond completion of travel), a passport card or an enhanced driver’s license (EDL). Having these documents will enable them to fly from the U.S. to a foreign port in the event they miss their scheduled embarkation or to fly back to the U.S. if they need to disembark the ship mid-cruise due to an emergency.
If a cruise begins and ends in different U.S. ports or begins and ends in a foreign port, a valid passport or other recognized WHTI-compliant document is required. A valid passport is required for any of our Europe cruises.
For more information, a complete list of WHTI-compliant documents or to obtain a passport application, visit www.travel.state.gov
REMINDER - all guests need proof of citizenship in order to travel and failure to present a valid document at check in will result in denied boarding and no refund will be issued. We strongly encourage your clients to invest in a passport since it is the preferred document of choice for proof of citizenship.
It is My Vacation Lady's strongest recommendation that ALL CRUISE PASSENGERS use a valid passport when taking a cruise regardless of the this latest ruling. If, for any reason you must leave the cruise early (illness, injury or family emergency) and must be flown home from Mexico, Canada or a Caribbean Island that is not a part of the United States, you will not be allowed back into the country without a valid passport. For adults the passport application is $97 and is valid for 10 years- that is the best form of ID you can have at the cost of less than $10 per year. For kids 15 and under, the passport is at a lower cost but only is valid for 5 years.
Please get your passport now!
Monday, May 18, 2009
State Dept and CDC lifts Travel Alerts to Mexico
In spite of all of the media overkill, the swine flu or H1N1 influenza, the CDC removed its alert advising against non essential travel to Mexico and shortly afterward, the State Departement lifted theirs.
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html
Cruise ships will be coming back to Mexican ports of call within the next few weeks and some of the tour operators (like Apple Vacations) are running some great specials when using their charter fligths (PHL, PIT, BWI and more).
With hoteliers consolidating hotels to keep the businesses running, this has been a difficult year for Mexico's tourist business. I, for one, hope it can rebound quickly.
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html
Cruise ships will be coming back to Mexican ports of call within the next few weeks and some of the tour operators (like Apple Vacations) are running some great specials when using their charter fligths (PHL, PIT, BWI and more).
With hoteliers consolidating hotels to keep the businesses running, this has been a difficult year for Mexico's tourist business. I, for one, hope it can rebound quickly.
Friday, May 15, 2009
CDC removes alert against travel to Mexico
On May 15, the CDC downgraded its advisement not to travel to Mexico.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/travel-health-precaution/novel-h1n1-flu-mexico.aspx
Carnival Cruises announced that their cruise ships will return to Mexico ports of call again starting in mid June.
Tourists have been staying away from Mexico since the April 27 alert. Hopefully, now the tourist areas of Mexico can get back to welcoming travelers to their beautiful beaches and resorts.
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/travel-health-precaution/novel-h1n1-flu-mexico.aspx
Carnival Cruises announced that their cruise ships will return to Mexico ports of call again starting in mid June.
Tourists have been staying away from Mexico since the April 27 alert. Hopefully, now the tourist areas of Mexico can get back to welcoming travelers to their beautiful beaches and resorts.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Carnival Cruises wants to return to Mexico
This article is taken from a daily travel agent news letter that I subscribe to.
Carnival's Arison Seeks Lifting of Mexico Travel AdvisoryPublished on: May 14, 2009
Carnival Corp. Chairman and CEO Micky Arison (pictured) is asking President Obama and federal authorities to lift the advisory that discourages non-essential travel to Mexico due to fears of H1N1 influenza. “This travel advisory is, in effect, a ban on cruise travel to Mexico,” Arison wrote in a letter on behalf of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, which he chairs. “Cruise ships have stopped taking passengers to all Mexican ports. The impact of this ban on the economy of Mexico is very serious. It will have unintended consequences on Mexican citizens that include loss of employment, revenues to governments, and ultimately their public health and welfare.”
Arison said cruise ships have medical facilities onboard, screen passengers, and have worked closely for many years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Our medical professionals agree with CDC and World Health Organization officials who have publicly stated that the H1N1 virus is generally no greater health risk than seasonal influenza,” Arison wrote. “The WHO issued the enclosed statement titled, ‘No Rationale for Travel Restrictions.’ The Department of Homeland Security has determined that closing land border crossings is not warranted. Airlines offer flights to Mexico, although the travel advisory has had a similar effect on leisure travel to Mexican resorts. It is now apparent that the health implications of H1N1 are not limited to Mexico. The same precautions that you mentioned this week should apply to all travelers, domestic and international. Effectively banning travel to the entire country causes unnecessary widespread harm to Mexico. We respectfully request that the State Department encourage CDC to revise this Travel Advisory to allow responsible travel to Mexico.”
Carnival's Arison Seeks Lifting of Mexico Travel AdvisoryPublished on: May 14, 2009
Carnival Corp. Chairman and CEO Micky Arison (pictured) is asking President Obama and federal authorities to lift the advisory that discourages non-essential travel to Mexico due to fears of H1N1 influenza. “This travel advisory is, in effect, a ban on cruise travel to Mexico,” Arison wrote in a letter on behalf of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, which he chairs. “Cruise ships have stopped taking passengers to all Mexican ports. The impact of this ban on the economy of Mexico is very serious. It will have unintended consequences on Mexican citizens that include loss of employment, revenues to governments, and ultimately their public health and welfare.”
Arison said cruise ships have medical facilities onboard, screen passengers, and have worked closely for many years with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Our medical professionals agree with CDC and World Health Organization officials who have publicly stated that the H1N1 virus is generally no greater health risk than seasonal influenza,” Arison wrote. “The WHO issued the enclosed statement titled, ‘No Rationale for Travel Restrictions.’ The Department of Homeland Security has determined that closing land border crossings is not warranted. Airlines offer flights to Mexico, although the travel advisory has had a similar effect on leisure travel to Mexican resorts. It is now apparent that the health implications of H1N1 are not limited to Mexico. The same precautions that you mentioned this week should apply to all travelers, domestic and international. Effectively banning travel to the entire country causes unnecessary widespread harm to Mexico. We respectfully request that the State Department encourage CDC to revise this Travel Advisory to allow responsible travel to Mexico.”
Monday, May 11, 2009
Review of the MSC Orchestra
On Wednesday, May 6, 2009, I was invited to see the MSC Orchestra on it’s first port call in New York City. This is the first time any MSC ship has visited New York and they have promised to visit New York more frequently.
There was much fanfare about the ship when we arrived. The press was invited to tour the ship along with high ranking police and fire department officials, as well as about 100 or more local travel agents. As this was the first time that I had ever seen a ship from this cruise line, I was very anxious to see what MSC was all about.
Upon entering the ship, you can see right away that this ship is stunning with rich dark woods and elegant furnishings. Although we didn’t get to see the entire ship, I truly liked what I saw.
The main theatre is large and probably the nicest that I have seen on any cruise ship. Again, the décor was stunning and elegant- rich blues and thousands of tiny blue lights to greet you upon entering.
We saw a couple of different lounges. The Savannah with it’s leopard décor is exotic and fun but done is a tasteful way. All of the furnishings are in a leopard print with leopard lamps all round and one would think this would be tacky- but it wasn’t at all. It was probably my favorite of the lounges.
The cabins are small but adequate. There were stall showers in all but the suites, which had bathtubs. The cabins all have TV’s, in room safes and mini bars. The standard balcony cabin is 161 square feet plus a 38 square foot balcony- a bit smaller than many other cruise lines and I might imagine that on a longer cruise, this might be a bit tight on closet and drawer space. The interior cabins are 150 square feet and some can accommodate up to 4 guests with 2 upper berths. Again, to me this might feel tight but for a family on a budget, this is an extremely economical way to cruise.
Speaking of families, MSC is one of the cruise lines that allow kids 17 and under to sail for free when in the cabin with 2 full fare passengers and they truly mean it. When I priced out family cabins for clients, all the kids paid were the taxes. There is a nice kid’s area as well with a great jungle gym, as area for the teens. The Kids Sail Free is capacity controlled so if you are considering taking advantage of this promotion, it would be a great idea to book early.
Food is always a big part of cruising and MSC lived up to their Italian heritage. We were treated to a great lunch that included an appetizer of a king crab leg and smoked salmon, salad, ravioli (among the best I have ever had) and a main entrée of full lobster tail and a huge portion of filet mignon. Tiramasu rounded out the meal and I can honestly say the food was excellent. The waiters came around with bottled water constantly and wine. This, of course, was a special luncheon and wine would be additional at a normal meal.
We didn’t get to see the buffet but we did see the Shanghai Asian restaurant which gives guest an option of dining there for an additional fee. Room service is free in the Caribbean (I heard that there was an additional charge for it in Europe). There is actually 1 hour during the day (between 5 and 6 pm) where there is no food available other than room service. Dining has 2 set seating options- main and late and there is the option of upstairs at the casual restaurant which turns into the Four Seasons at night offering a wonderful sunset view. This offers an a la carte menu at a set charge. The casual, pool side restaurant, La Piazzetta, also offers pizza in the evening.
Entertainment is an area where MSC stands out and their entertainment staff puts on a different show every evening. The evening shows range from a main theatre production, opera type production, acrobatics, magicians or jugglers. Please keep in mind that the MSC ships attract an international clientele and some of the productions might not be entirely in English.
Who would I recommend to sail on MSC?
MSC is a European cruise line and will attract a very international clientele. For those travelers who are looking for an all American crowd where English is the only language spoken, this is not going to be the cruise line for you.
If you are comfortable with English being one of 5 languages spoken and you like a more European atmosphere, MSC is a great option offering great values.
I can be reached at mindy@myvacationlady.com for more info on the MSC Orchestra.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
I stole this from my Norwegian Cruise Line manager, Maria DiRocco. I hope she doesn't mind.
ON BEING A MOTHER...
Somebody said it takes about 6 weeks to get back to normal after having a baby.
That somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, NORMAL is history!
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is giving birth.
That somebody never watched her "baby" get on the school bus for the first day of kindergarden.
Somebody said if you're a "good mother" your child will turn out good.
That somebody thinks kids come with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices.
That somebody never came out the back door just in time to she her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's window.
Or on a plane headed for military "boot camp".
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
That somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter in law to a mother's heartstrings.
Someboyd said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
That somebody isn't a mother!
ON BEING A MOTHER...
Somebody said it takes about 6 weeks to get back to normal after having a baby.
That somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, NORMAL is history!
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is giving birth.
That somebody never watched her "baby" get on the school bus for the first day of kindergarden.
Somebody said if you're a "good mother" your child will turn out good.
That somebody thinks kids come with directions and a guarantee.
Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices.
That somebody never came out the back door just in time to she her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's window.
Or on a plane headed for military "boot camp".
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
That somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter in law to a mother's heartstrings.
Someboyd said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
That somebody isn't a mother!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mexico hotels are closing due to low occupancy
I have said many times that the media has blown the entire swine flu or H1N1 flu completely out of proportion with the amount of sensational coverage on this. Now, 2 weeks later, there are barely any mentions of it.
What did the media succeed in doing? In addition to scaring the daylights out of travelers, it also succeeded in helping to devastate an entire nation's tourism.
In the last couple of days, I have been notified that 3 hotel chains, Iberostar, Riu and now Barcelo, are consolidating their hotels in Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta by closing some and relocating guests to the few that will remain open. Granted, May is typically a slower time of year for tourism to Mexico but I have heard of occupancy rates as low as 18% at some hotels. In April, after the exaggerated reports of the drug wars in Cancun and now the flu, occupancy rates tumbled as travelers cancelled planned vacations or moved their vacations to other destinations.
In order to bring back tourists to Mexico's gorgeous resort areas, we need the airlines to continue to fly there. Many have already cut flights due to the lower demand. Apple Vacations is offering their charter flights on USA3000 for $99.99 each way (plus taxes) on most dates from May-October from Philadelphia to Cancun. One company can't single handedly bring back enough tourists to Mexico but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
What did the media succeed in doing? In addition to scaring the daylights out of travelers, it also succeeded in helping to devastate an entire nation's tourism.
In the last couple of days, I have been notified that 3 hotel chains, Iberostar, Riu and now Barcelo, are consolidating their hotels in Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta by closing some and relocating guests to the few that will remain open. Granted, May is typically a slower time of year for tourism to Mexico but I have heard of occupancy rates as low as 18% at some hotels. In April, after the exaggerated reports of the drug wars in Cancun and now the flu, occupancy rates tumbled as travelers cancelled planned vacations or moved their vacations to other destinations.
In order to bring back tourists to Mexico's gorgeous resort areas, we need the airlines to continue to fly there. Many have already cut flights due to the lower demand. Apple Vacations is offering their charter flights on USA3000 for $99.99 each way (plus taxes) on most dates from May-October from Philadelphia to Cancun. One company can't single handedly bring back enough tourists to Mexico but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Celebrity will cruise the Caribbean Year Round!
This is a first in a good many years and I am excited to have the Solstice near by for those of us who like to cruise the Caribbean in the summer!
Celebrity to Base Solstice Year-Round in Caribbean
Published on: May 5, 2009
Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Solstice will sail year-round in the Caribbean in 2010. “The extraordinary response from our guests to Celebrity Solstice has created a corresponding demand for the ship to sail year-round in the Caribbean, and we’re thrilled to meet that demand,” said Celebrity President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. The Solstice will sail alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in summer months and seven-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries from the same port in the winter. This deployment marks the first time since 2004 that Celebrity has offered a year-round seven-night sailing in the Caribbean. Celebrity Solstice will be one of two Celebrity vessels sailing continuously in the region; Celebrity Century, as previously announced, will operate four- and five-night sailings from the Port of Miami.
The shift of Solstice to the Caribbean year-round led to a corresponding transition in Celebrity’s European itinerary lineup for 2010-11. The new Celebrity Equinox will offer the 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings from Rome, previously planned for Celebrity Solstice. The 12-night voyages previously announced for Celebrity Equinox between Barcelona and Venice in 2010 have been discontinued. The European sailings previously announced for Celebrity Eclipse -- which debuts in 2010 -- and Celebrity Constellation remain unchanged. Celebrity representatives are contacting guests with bookings affected by the European deployment transition with Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox in 2010-11. Guests or travel agents in the U.S. with questions about pertinent bookings may call 888-281-9343.
Six Celebrity ships -- in addition to the Celebrity Solstice -- will sail in the Caribbean on a seasonal basis in 2010-11, for a total of 155 sailings with visits to 43 ports. Celebrity Constellation will operate 14-night Exotic Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip on Saturdays from Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Eclipse, the third in the Solstice Class making its debut in April 2010, will present alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Miami. Celebrity Equinox, the second Solstice-class ship launching this July, will offer 10- and 11-night Ultimate Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Mercury will present a second season of nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Eastern Caribbean sailings departing Mondays and Saturdays from Baltimore from October 2010 through February 2011, followed by 10- and 11-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Mondays and Fridays from Charleston from March through April 2011. Celebrity Millennium will reprise 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan on Mondays and Fridays from October 11, 2010 through April 8, 2011. Celebrity Summit will continue seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from San Juan on Saturdays. Bookings open May 6 for the new year-round Caribbean cruises on Solstice, as well the seasonal Caribbean itinerary lineup
Celebrity to Base Solstice Year-Round in Caribbean
Published on: May 5, 2009
Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Solstice will sail year-round in the Caribbean in 2010. “The extraordinary response from our guests to Celebrity Solstice has created a corresponding demand for the ship to sail year-round in the Caribbean, and we’re thrilled to meet that demand,” said Celebrity President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. The Solstice will sail alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in summer months and seven-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries from the same port in the winter. This deployment marks the first time since 2004 that Celebrity has offered a year-round seven-night sailing in the Caribbean. Celebrity Solstice will be one of two Celebrity vessels sailing continuously in the region; Celebrity Century, as previously announced, will operate four- and five-night sailings from the Port of Miami.
The shift of Solstice to the Caribbean year-round led to a corresponding transition in Celebrity’s European itinerary lineup for 2010-11. The new Celebrity Equinox will offer the 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings from Rome, previously planned for Celebrity Solstice. The 12-night voyages previously announced for Celebrity Equinox between Barcelona and Venice in 2010 have been discontinued. The European sailings previously announced for Celebrity Eclipse -- which debuts in 2010 -- and Celebrity Constellation remain unchanged. Celebrity representatives are contacting guests with bookings affected by the European deployment transition with Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox in 2010-11. Guests or travel agents in the U.S. with questions about pertinent bookings may call 888-281-9343.
Six Celebrity ships -- in addition to the Celebrity Solstice -- will sail in the Caribbean on a seasonal basis in 2010-11, for a total of 155 sailings with visits to 43 ports. Celebrity Constellation will operate 14-night Exotic Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip on Saturdays from Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Eclipse, the third in the Solstice Class making its debut in April 2010, will present alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Miami. Celebrity Equinox, the second Solstice-class ship launching this July, will offer 10- and 11-night Ultimate Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Celebrity Mercury will present a second season of nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Eastern Caribbean sailings departing Mondays and Saturdays from Baltimore from October 2010 through February 2011, followed by 10- and 11-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Mondays and Fridays from Charleston from March through April 2011. Celebrity Millennium will reprise 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan on Mondays and Fridays from October 11, 2010 through April 8, 2011. Celebrity Summit will continue seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from San Juan on Saturdays. Bookings open May 6 for the new year-round Caribbean cruises on Solstice, as well the seasonal Caribbean itinerary lineup
Monday, May 4, 2009
Cruise lines increase boarding screening to detect sick passengers
CLIA Lines Enhance Swine Flu Screening Protocols
Published on: May 4, 2009
The Cruise Lines International Association said its member lines have adopted and begun employing enhanced screening procedures on a global basis to help prevent the introduction and/or spread of Influenza A (H1N1) on cruise ships. Under the new CLIA health screening protocols, all passengers will be required to complete and sign a written questionnaire prior to boarding a CLIA-member cruise ship anywhere in the world. “The health and safety of all cruise passengers is of utmost importance to all Cruise Lines International Association member lines,” said Terry Dale, CLIA president and CEO. “The cruise industry is taking these proactive steps out of an abundance of caution to identify, isolate and treat any suspect Influenza A (H1N1) -- commonly called swine flu -- cases as appropriate. We will continue to review these protocols and the need for any further actions as necessary.”
All passengers will be required to complete the new public health questionnaire prior to boarding at any port. Under the enhanced screening protocols, CLIA-member lines will perform a secondary screening if a passenger reports on the questionnaire flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat, or contact with a confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case. Medical personnel at each cruise line will make case-by-case decisions regarding the boarding of these passengers. Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they exhibit influenza-like illness or meet the suspect case conditions for Influenza A (H1N1) as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/swineflu/casedef_swineflu.htm). All other passengers will be permitted to travel. The industry instituted similar global screening protocols in the past during the outbreak of SARS in Asia.
Dale noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that H1N1 is already widespread and that the public health priority is to mitigate the further spread of the virus. He said that the enhanced health screening protocols were designed to do just that while protecting passengers, crew and ports of call. Further, medical staff will isolate and treat passengers and crew with flu symptoms. CLIA-member lines that operate internationally will maintain appropriate medical support equipment and medications, including anti-viral medications that are effective in treating flu. The new screening protocols augment comprehensive vessel sanitation and public health surveillance procedures already employed by the industry, and subject to inspection by CDC in the U.S., that reduce the potential for transmission of contagious diseases including H1N1. These practices include the use of recommended disinfectants, surveillance and treatment of illnesses like influenza, isolation of sick passengers, food safety sanitation protocols, and consultation with public health authorities.
Published on: May 4, 2009
The Cruise Lines International Association said its member lines have adopted and begun employing enhanced screening procedures on a global basis to help prevent the introduction and/or spread of Influenza A (H1N1) on cruise ships. Under the new CLIA health screening protocols, all passengers will be required to complete and sign a written questionnaire prior to boarding a CLIA-member cruise ship anywhere in the world. “The health and safety of all cruise passengers is of utmost importance to all Cruise Lines International Association member lines,” said Terry Dale, CLIA president and CEO. “The cruise industry is taking these proactive steps out of an abundance of caution to identify, isolate and treat any suspect Influenza A (H1N1) -- commonly called swine flu -- cases as appropriate. We will continue to review these protocols and the need for any further actions as necessary.”
All passengers will be required to complete the new public health questionnaire prior to boarding at any port. Under the enhanced screening protocols, CLIA-member lines will perform a secondary screening if a passenger reports on the questionnaire flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat, or contact with a confirmed Influenza A (H1N1) case. Medical personnel at each cruise line will make case-by-case decisions regarding the boarding of these passengers. Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they exhibit influenza-like illness or meet the suspect case conditions for Influenza A (H1N1) as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/swineflu/casedef_swineflu.htm). All other passengers will be permitted to travel. The industry instituted similar global screening protocols in the past during the outbreak of SARS in Asia.
Dale noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has said that H1N1 is already widespread and that the public health priority is to mitigate the further spread of the virus. He said that the enhanced health screening protocols were designed to do just that while protecting passengers, crew and ports of call. Further, medical staff will isolate and treat passengers and crew with flu symptoms. CLIA-member lines that operate internationally will maintain appropriate medical support equipment and medications, including anti-viral medications that are effective in treating flu. The new screening protocols augment comprehensive vessel sanitation and public health surveillance procedures already employed by the industry, and subject to inspection by CDC in the U.S., that reduce the potential for transmission of contagious diseases including H1N1. These practices include the use of recommended disinfectants, surveillance and treatment of illnesses like influenza, isolation of sick passengers, food safety sanitation protocols, and consultation with public health authorities.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Phone call from Cozumel
To keep all of you as up to date as possible on the swine flu, I have included a posting that was on one of my travel agent only forums. This posting is from another travel agents' client who is currently in Cozumel. For those not familiar with Cozumel, it is a short ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya.
Thought you all might be interested in a phone call I just had from clients who are at the Palace Resort in Cozumel this week.
She just wanted me to know that she and her family (nine) were all having the time of their lives and there was no sign of any sickness or anything in Cozumel. She said you don't have to worry about being in crowds because there aren't any, but the weather, resort and everything is wonderful.
She and her family having been watching CNN and were pretty unhappy with the way this has been handled for Mexico........told me I could give her phone number and cell phone number to any other of my clients who were hesitant about going.
This is a pretty careful lady...we went through many phone calls about the drug problems in Mexico...she just wanted to be sure she wasn't taking her family to any dangerous place, so I feel that she is entirely sincere. Said they were tipping like mad because they feel so sorry for the workers in the somewhat empty resorts over what she called "misinformation about Mexico".
She said they had taken the ferry over to Playacar a couple of times to shop and all is well, there as well, except it is totally uncrowded.
She had high praises for the Cozumel Palace and staff.
I can never tell my clients what is best for them and whether they should go to Mexico on their vacation. I always highly recommend travel insurance which gives you the option to cancel for any reason. This may be available from the tour operators but it is also available through my preferred travel insurance providers.
Please let me know if you have any questions about your upcoming vacation to Mexico.
Thought you all might be interested in a phone call I just had from clients who are at the Palace Resort in Cozumel this week.
She just wanted me to know that she and her family (nine) were all having the time of their lives and there was no sign of any sickness or anything in Cozumel. She said you don't have to worry about being in crowds because there aren't any, but the weather, resort and everything is wonderful.
She and her family having been watching CNN and were pretty unhappy with the way this has been handled for Mexico........told me I could give her phone number and cell phone number to any other of my clients who were hesitant about going.
This is a pretty careful lady...we went through many phone calls about the drug problems in Mexico...she just wanted to be sure she wasn't taking her family to any dangerous place, so I feel that she is entirely sincere. Said they were tipping like mad because they feel so sorry for the workers in the somewhat empty resorts over what she called "misinformation about Mexico".
She said they had taken the ferry over to Playacar a couple of times to shop and all is well, there as well, except it is totally uncrowded.
She had high praises for the Cozumel Palace and staff.
I can never tell my clients what is best for them and whether they should go to Mexico on their vacation. I always highly recommend travel insurance which gives you the option to cancel for any reason. This may be available from the tour operators but it is also available through my preferred travel insurance providers.
Please let me know if you have any questions about your upcoming vacation to Mexico.
Friday, May 1, 2009
A Travel Reporter's Take on the Swine Flu
I don't want to minimize the seriousness of the swine flu but I just wanted to give you another prospective. This article is from a travel reporter who was at a travel conference in Acapulco just as the outbreak was being reported.
Again, just another point of few for you to ponder....
Letter from Acapulco
By Kerry Medina
Published on: May 1, 2009
This past week I attended the 34th annual Tianguis Turistico, Mexico’s tourism marketplace in Acapulco – and it certainly was an eye-opening event. Not that I’m unfamiliar with Mexico’s tourism industry (I’m the Mexico editor for Travel Pulse and our print magazines), but strangely I did not see a single person with the swine flu or anyone showing symptoms of the virus. After the barrage of media coverage of the illness, I would have expected to find victims of swine influenza (or H1NI as it has been renamed) at every corner.
No, there were no people sick with the virus at the Crowne Plaza where I stayed; at the Acapulco Convention Center, where Tianguis took place; or the Fort of San Diego, where convention-goers, including 1,287 exhibitors, were invited to dinner. Instead, I saw members of Mexico’s travel business shaking hands and greeting each other with kisses on the cheek. In fact, I even welcomed a few warm embraces from old friends myself.
This isn’t to say that Tianguis attendees weren’t taking the swine flu seriously. Everyone was concerned about it and followed closely what the World Health Organization, CDC and the Mexican government were doing to counter it. Laura Malone, spokeswoman for Riu Hotels & Resorts, based in Playa del Carmen, told me that all of her company’s Mexico hotels had implemented a “virus outbreak protocol” of sanitary guidelines for staff to follow as a precautionary measure. But she said Riu has not had one guest report any incidents of swine flu or symptoms of it.
Sylvie Laitre, director of Mexico Boutique Hotels, which has 46 properties in 26 destinations throughout Mexico, also told me that none of the group’s members have had any guests with swine influenza either. But the company has suffered from a huge jump in cancellations and as a result, individual properties are modifying their cancellation policies to accommodate worried travelers.
Francisco Cuevas Feliu, Aeromexico’s executive director of commercial services, assured journalists attending Tianguis that the airline “has and will continue to honor guidelines established by sanitary authorities in Mexico and will abide by any new guidelines issued.” So I wasn’t particularly worried about my return trip.
I realize some may disagree, but having just spent three days in Mexico, the only epidemic I could see was in the press’ endless reporting on the illness. As of April 30, 2009 at 4:34 p.m., the Mexican government has officially reported only 18 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection, according to the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/travel/), though I realize the press has reported more than 150 deaths.
Mexico has a population of 111,211,789, as of July 2009, according to the CIA’s World Fact Book. So if you take those 18 deaths officially attributable to the virus, it means just 0.000016 percent of the country’s population have unfortunately died of the disease. To put it in perspective, if your company’s bottom line fluctuated 0.000016 percent, how drastically would you change the way you do business? Probably not at all, since it’s a negligible number. So why has there been so much media attention causing so much hysteria among travelers?
I’m equally as unsure as to why, when an earthquake measuring 5.6 in magnitude struck southwestern Mexico near Acapulco on Monday, there wasn’t nearly as much fanfare about it in the press. I can tell you from first-hand experience that the convention center oscillated violently in the middle of the day. I was sitting in a second-floor conference room and watched the walls shake before running outside with everyone else.
I suppose it’s because there were fortunately no deaths or major destruction that warranted more on-the-scene reporting. Plus, an earthquake doesn’t cause armies of people to walk around wearing surgical masks, and as we’ve all seen that does make for some very captivating images. There were definitely lots of those photo ops to be had, especially at the Mexico City airport, where I spent the better part of Wednesday during a layover.
It seemed that more than half of the people in the airport -- both employees and passengers -- were wearing face masks, although I chose not to. Aside from the fact that in general I felt there was little, if any, risk of contracting the virus, I also don’t think that a face mask is going to protect anyone from germs and bacteria transmitted from hand-to-surface-to-hand contact, especially not in a pubic place like an airport. On top of that, I was far more fearful of being detained at passport control and customs upon my arrival at JFK.
Given how much I was hearing and reading about swine influenza and the reaction to it in the U.S., I was sure that I was going to be pulled aside at JFK and subjected to an ear, nose and throat exam at the very least. At worst, I thought I might be quarantined just based on the fact that I was arriving from Mexico. Instead, I made it through both passport control and customs in a little less than five minutes -- and that included the time it took me to fill out the customs form. I firmly believe this is a testament to how seriously all of us should take the issue of swine flu.
Certainly you should use common sense in your travels -- wherever they may take you -- and advise your customers to do the same. But don’t let run-away-train reporting form the basis of your travel decisions. Or your next trip could be on the road to agoraphobia.
Kerry Medina
Executive Editor-Hotels & Mexico
TravelPulse.com
Again, just another point of few for you to ponder....
Letter from Acapulco
By Kerry Medina
Published on: May 1, 2009
This past week I attended the 34th annual Tianguis Turistico, Mexico’s tourism marketplace in Acapulco – and it certainly was an eye-opening event. Not that I’m unfamiliar with Mexico’s tourism industry (I’m the Mexico editor for Travel Pulse and our print magazines), but strangely I did not see a single person with the swine flu or anyone showing symptoms of the virus. After the barrage of media coverage of the illness, I would have expected to find victims of swine influenza (or H1NI as it has been renamed) at every corner.
No, there were no people sick with the virus at the Crowne Plaza where I stayed; at the Acapulco Convention Center, where Tianguis took place; or the Fort of San Diego, where convention-goers, including 1,287 exhibitors, were invited to dinner. Instead, I saw members of Mexico’s travel business shaking hands and greeting each other with kisses on the cheek. In fact, I even welcomed a few warm embraces from old friends myself.
This isn’t to say that Tianguis attendees weren’t taking the swine flu seriously. Everyone was concerned about it and followed closely what the World Health Organization, CDC and the Mexican government were doing to counter it. Laura Malone, spokeswoman for Riu Hotels & Resorts, based in Playa del Carmen, told me that all of her company’s Mexico hotels had implemented a “virus outbreak protocol” of sanitary guidelines for staff to follow as a precautionary measure. But she said Riu has not had one guest report any incidents of swine flu or symptoms of it.
Sylvie Laitre, director of Mexico Boutique Hotels, which has 46 properties in 26 destinations throughout Mexico, also told me that none of the group’s members have had any guests with swine influenza either. But the company has suffered from a huge jump in cancellations and as a result, individual properties are modifying their cancellation policies to accommodate worried travelers.
Francisco Cuevas Feliu, Aeromexico’s executive director of commercial services, assured journalists attending Tianguis that the airline “has and will continue to honor guidelines established by sanitary authorities in Mexico and will abide by any new guidelines issued.” So I wasn’t particularly worried about my return trip.
I realize some may disagree, but having just spent three days in Mexico, the only epidemic I could see was in the press’ endless reporting on the illness. As of April 30, 2009 at 4:34 p.m., the Mexican government has officially reported only 18 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection, according to the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/travel/), though I realize the press has reported more than 150 deaths.
Mexico has a population of 111,211,789, as of July 2009, according to the CIA’s World Fact Book. So if you take those 18 deaths officially attributable to the virus, it means just 0.000016 percent of the country’s population have unfortunately died of the disease. To put it in perspective, if your company’s bottom line fluctuated 0.000016 percent, how drastically would you change the way you do business? Probably not at all, since it’s a negligible number. So why has there been so much media attention causing so much hysteria among travelers?
I’m equally as unsure as to why, when an earthquake measuring 5.6 in magnitude struck southwestern Mexico near Acapulco on Monday, there wasn’t nearly as much fanfare about it in the press. I can tell you from first-hand experience that the convention center oscillated violently in the middle of the day. I was sitting in a second-floor conference room and watched the walls shake before running outside with everyone else.
I suppose it’s because there were fortunately no deaths or major destruction that warranted more on-the-scene reporting. Plus, an earthquake doesn’t cause armies of people to walk around wearing surgical masks, and as we’ve all seen that does make for some very captivating images. There were definitely lots of those photo ops to be had, especially at the Mexico City airport, where I spent the better part of Wednesday during a layover.
It seemed that more than half of the people in the airport -- both employees and passengers -- were wearing face masks, although I chose not to. Aside from the fact that in general I felt there was little, if any, risk of contracting the virus, I also don’t think that a face mask is going to protect anyone from germs and bacteria transmitted from hand-to-surface-to-hand contact, especially not in a pubic place like an airport. On top of that, I was far more fearful of being detained at passport control and customs upon my arrival at JFK.
Given how much I was hearing and reading about swine influenza and the reaction to it in the U.S., I was sure that I was going to be pulled aside at JFK and subjected to an ear, nose and throat exam at the very least. At worst, I thought I might be quarantined just based on the fact that I was arriving from Mexico. Instead, I made it through both passport control and customs in a little less than five minutes -- and that included the time it took me to fill out the customs form. I firmly believe this is a testament to how seriously all of us should take the issue of swine flu.
Certainly you should use common sense in your travels -- wherever they may take you -- and advise your customers to do the same. But don’t let run-away-train reporting form the basis of your travel decisions. Or your next trip could be on the road to agoraphobia.
Kerry Medina
Executive Editor-Hotels & Mexico
TravelPulse.com
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