It seems that the swine flu scare is subsuding, just a few weeks after it made the front pages. On May 15th, the CDC removed its recommendation to avoid traveling to Mexico.
On the cruise front, Royal Caribbean is resuming visits to Mexican ports of call on sailings starting on May 24th. Carnival has also announced that it will resume its stops in Mexico once their already modified itineraries run their course. In fact, I’ve already started to receive requests for short cruises to the Western Caribbean, which stop in Cozumel, such as this one. Mexican Riviera sailings will also be restored.
Even if cruise lines were affected economically by the epidemic, they were still able to operate and most guests elected to sail the modified itinerary. Hotels and resorts didn’t fare as well. Some chains, like Iberostar and Occidental, were forced to close some of their hotels, with the effect that has on the company and its employees. Guests in the affected hotels were upgraded to the more upscale resorts that remained open.
Guests may not return as quickly as people would hope, so companies are enticing tourists to come back with discount and even assurances. Occidental Resorts is offering free nights, starting with every second night free at the Occidental Grand Xcaret and the Grand Cozumel, all the way to every 4th night free at the luxurious Royal Hideaway.
Free Nights from Occidental Resorts
AMResorts, owner of the Dreams, Secrets, and Zoetry brands, announced a Flu Free Guarantee. If a guest contracts Influenza A – H1N1 while staying at one of their resorts, their next three vacations will be free of charge. In order to qualify, the guest must have reserved their stay between May 8, 2009 and June 30, 2009 for travel taking place between May 8, 2009 and December 20, 2009 (see the website for more details).
More offers are available from other companies, so if you want to hear about them and plan your next trip, let us know.
Regards,
Enrique Brener KC Travel N. Miami Beach, FL www.kctravel.jurni.net info@kctravel.jurni.net 305-792-0618 FL Seller of Travel Reg. TI-35171
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