we3luvdisney
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- Aug 15, 2000
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Thought all the cruise line fans would like to read this article I found on the web.
Two Cruise Lines Issue SARS-Related Ban
By ADRIAN SAINZ, Associated Press Writer
MIAMI - Two cruise lines are banning passengers who appear sick and have recently visited Toronto to try to prevent spread of a new respiratory disease, cruise company officials said Friday.
Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruises said they would send home anyone who had been in Toronto in the two weeks before their voyage and who had a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or showed other symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The cruise lines already had banned passengers who had recently traveled to China, Singapore, Hong Kong or Vietnam. Toronto was included after the World Health Organization this week added the city to a list of places travelers should avoid because they are hot spots for SARS.
The disease has infected 4,600 people and killed more than 270 since it was identified in Asia months ago. Most of the 18 deaths in Canada were in Toronto. No one in the United States has died.
Royal Caribbean kept six passengers off a cruise about two weeks ago because travelers in the two groups had been in Asia, company spokesman Michael Sheehan said.
Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said she said she didn't know if anyone with Toronto ties has been denied boarding as of Friday.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are offering full refunds or credits for future voyages for passengers they turn away, plus reimbursement of any air travel costs. Carnival is the world's No. 1 cruise operator, followed by Royal Caribbean.
Cruise lines late last year had to take precautions to handle about 1,500 passenger illnesses caused by the Norwalk virus. Some ships were removed from service and voyages canceled so the ships could be thoroughly cleaned.
Norwalk-like viruses cause diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting for up to 48 hours.
Two Cruise Lines Issue SARS-Related Ban
By ADRIAN SAINZ, Associated Press Writer
MIAMI - Two cruise lines are banning passengers who appear sick and have recently visited Toronto to try to prevent spread of a new respiratory disease, cruise company officials said Friday.
Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruises said they would send home anyone who had been in Toronto in the two weeks before their voyage and who had a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or showed other symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
The cruise lines already had banned passengers who had recently traveled to China, Singapore, Hong Kong or Vietnam. Toronto was included after the World Health Organization this week added the city to a list of places travelers should avoid because they are hot spots for SARS.
The disease has infected 4,600 people and killed more than 270 since it was identified in Asia months ago. Most of the 18 deaths in Canada were in Toronto. No one in the United States has died.
Royal Caribbean kept six passengers off a cruise about two weeks ago because travelers in the two groups had been in Asia, company spokesman Michael Sheehan said.
Carnival spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said she said she didn't know if anyone with Toronto ties has been denied boarding as of Friday.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are offering full refunds or credits for future voyages for passengers they turn away, plus reimbursement of any air travel costs. Carnival is the world's No. 1 cruise operator, followed by Royal Caribbean.
Cruise lines late last year had to take precautions to handle about 1,500 passenger illnesses caused by the Norwalk virus. Some ships were removed from service and voyages canceled so the ships could be thoroughly cleaned.
Norwalk-like viruses cause diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting for up to 48 hours.
