Passengers not jumping ship yet
Advertiser Staff and News Services
MIAMI — More than 1,000 cruise passengers have been stricken by a highly contagious stomach virus in recent weeks, but so far the outbreaks have not produced a wave of cancellations or a big drop-off in bookings.
Associated Press
Wendy Goodenow, owner of Honolulu travel agency HNL Travel Associates, said she has not seen any drop in cruise bookings. In spite of the outbreaks of illnesses, "we sell a lot of cruises," she said.
Nearly 200 people aboard the cruise ship Fascination, shown here at Cozumel, Mexico, suffered from a gastrointestinal ailment, and more than 1,000 cruise-ship passengers have been stricken by flulike illnesses in recent months.
It also helps that Hawai'i cruises have not been affected in any of the recent incidents.
Norwegian Cruise Line spokesman Steve Hirano said the Hawai'i cruise ship Norwegian Star received a perfect score on a U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention inspection of the sanitation program six weeks ago.
Mainland travel agents that sell cruises to Hawai'i and other destinations said yesterday that tourists seem unfazed.
"They don't think it's that bad," said Margaret Jones, a travel agent for A-1 Tuscany Travel in Murrieta, Calif., who hasn't had any cruise customers cancel their plans. "People are saying, 'I've stayed home and had half a dozen friends get the flu.' "
Rather than miss out on their long-planned vacations, many passengers have decided to sail, but with a few precautions. Some are washing their hands frequently or using antibacterial lotion. Others are taking a pass at the self-serve buffets. One traveler even brought his own food, water and a pillow.
The industry, which is still recovering from a slump attributed to the weak economy and Sept. 11, has been aggressive in trying to reassure the public. The cruise lines have been quick to note that they have been taking ships out of service and scrubbing them from stem to stern.
Carnival Cruises and Holland America, both owned by Miami-based Carnival Corp., gave passengers letters with details of the Norwalklike virus blamed for most of the illnesses. Holland America also contacted travel agents to brief them on what to tell would-be travelers.
"It's really been about educating and arming travel agents with the information they need to pass along to their customers," said Rose Abello, spokeswoman for Holland America.
Travel agents said they have fielded questions from people booked far in advance on cruises, but have not seen many customers back out.
And cruise industry analysts said it is too early to tell whether the streak of stomach virus outbreaks aboard Carnival, Holland America and Disney cruise ships will harm bookings over the next few months.
Jeanne T. Van Houten, owner of Isings Travel in Boca Raton, said one party booked for a cruise on the Amsterdam canceled.
"Our passengers are still cruising," Van Houten said. "Some of our passengers who are experienced cruisers do understand the real facts. Some of it has been totally overblown."
"We've had no cancellations. I cannot say that there's been a notable decline in bookings," said David Gadansky, co-owner of Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Aventura.
Gadansky said December is typically a slow month, with cruisegoers traditionally making reservations for next summer beginning in January. "I can't say I'm concerned at this point," he said.
Richard Copland, president and chief executive of the American Society of Travel Agents, said he expects the issue to fade in a few weeks: "You get indicted on page one and you get acquitted on page 50."
