Hysteria surrounding the two biggest travel industry news stories of the moment – swine flu and pirates – appears to have yet had a negative impact on cruise lines but contingency plans are being put in place.
What is for certain is that there’s lots of behind the scenes activity going on as cruise company executives attempt to second guess the potential impact of both and ensure they are prepared for all eventualities.
I’m not trying to underplay the seriousness of both the virus outbreak and attempts by pirates off the Somali coast in Africa to attack ships, but like all potential crisis incidents, a sense of proportion needs to be applied.
My sources tell me that cruise bookings have not been affected by concern over the spread of swine flu or pirates on the high seas. One cruise line even reported booking levels rising by almost a quarter on Monday of last week, better than any previous day this year.
Few cruise ships sail the Gulf of Aden where the pirates have been operating other than those on world cruises and re-positioning voyages, and those that do are taking steps to avoid the region.
Minds were certainly concentrated when the MSC Cruises ship Melody came under fire from pirates in small boats off the coast of the Seychelles as it was sailing between South Africa and Italy last week. While this must have been frightening for those on board, happily no one was hurt and the attackers were repelled.
The issue of swine flu is very different and arguably more serious as there are so many unanswered questions about the spread and impact of the virus from the original outbreak on the outskirts of Mexico City.
Cruise lines have been taking evasive action and have started suspending calls in Mexican ports on western Caribbean and US West Coast itineraries as a precaution.
Those making alternative calls include Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Fred Olsen.
Ships are either visiting other ports or spending more time at sea.
For example, Fred Olsen has cancelled a call into Acapulco as part of Balmoral’s world cruise this week. Instead of visiting the port on May 6-7, the ship instead had an extended stay in San Diego will is then proceeding to Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala on May 8. An additional port, Puntarenas in Costa Rica, will be visited on May 10. The ship is due back in Dover on May 29.
While itinerary changes of this nature may disappoint some passengers looking forward to a stop in one of the world’s most spectacular bays, their health and safety is of paramount importance in incidents of this nature and this will be the top priority for all cruise companies.
It is for this reason that some cruise companies can be expected to start screening passengers to make doubly sure the swine flu virus is not carried on board ships.
According to industry website Cruise Critic, cruise lines may be revising their cancellation and compensation policies for passengers who have had changes in itinerary because of the flu outbreak.
This appears to most likely apply to sailings that were sold as ‘Mexico cruises’
For example, Royal Caribbean has four ships which make regular calls in Mexico – Enchantment of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. Two additional ships were scheduled to make Mexican port calls as part of repositioning voyages – Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. Sister company Celebrity Cruises’ Infinity was also due to visit Mexico.
All but one of the affected ships will either make alternative port calls or spend additional time at sea, according to the company. Mariner of the Seas will sail a fully revised itinerary, visiting Canada and the US West Coast rather than a Mexican Riviera itinerary.
You can be that cruise companies are doing everything within their powers to minimise the potential impact of swine flu.
They are greatly helped by having the ability to quickly manoeuvre ships away from affected areas – something I suspect we will be witnessing more of in the coming weeks.
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