Number of Cruise Ships Diverted to San Diego Rising

Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Contact: John Gilmore (619) 341-5684, Barbara Moreno (619) 829-9122, Marguerite Elicone (619) 787-6391

The first of nearly one dozen cruise ships that are being diverted to the Port of San Diego in the coming days because of the swine flu outbreak will come into port on Thursday, April 30.   Princess Cruises Sapphire Princess is due to dock at the B Street Cruise Ship Terminal at 7 a.m. That ship will be followed by Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas at noon at the North Broadway Pier.

The Sapphire Princess is sailing in from Ensenada, Mexico and the Serenade of the Seas is arriving from Acapulco.  Combined, both ships will bring more than 4,000 tourists to the region.

Carnival Cruise Line's Elation, which was already scheduled to berth in San Diego, will also be in port. The cruise line, which is home ported in San Diego, canceled all calls to Mexico through May 4.

"In many cases, we will be able to substitute the canceled call with an alternative port," the cruise line said in a statement issued Wednesday. "In the unlikely event that our new itinerary options are not to your liking, we will also give you the opportunity to reschedule your cruise at a later date.  Those details will also be made available (Thursday)." Passengers with questions can call 888-CARNIVAL.

Officials with Princess Cruise Lines said the flu outbreak forced them to rearrange eight itineraries and 22 calls in Mexico.

Four cruise lines are making San Diego their newest port of call between now and Tuesday, May 5. The new arrivals are:

• May 1: Holland America's Ryndam, (morning)
• May 2: Norweigan Cruise Line's Norweigan Pearl (morning)
• May 3: Normal arrivals, no diverted ships due in
• May 4: Princess Cruise's Sapphire Princess (morning)
• May 5: Princess Cruise's Star Princess (morning)

Eight other ships are due to berth at the Port of San Diego through Thursday, May 14. Most of the vessels will be in port for one full day, allowing passengers the chance to experience the Big Bay and other attractions around San Diego.  Passengers are being handed out flyers ( Port of San Diego Cruise Passenger Welcome (2.82 MB) ) from the Port of San Diego on what they can experience while in port.

The cruise lines have stated that their ships and medical staff are "well equipped to prevent and contain the spread of contagious diseases, including swine flu." They are also enhancing screening practices for passengers and crew, including isolation of anyone suspected of having the flu. Rigorous cleaning and sanitation of the ships is routine.

On Tuesday, the Port of San Diego placed posters, provided by the Centers for Disease Control, in place at the Port of San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal. The posters offer tips on proper hygiene in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.

Monitor the following sites for the latest information on the swine flu:

• Centers for Disease Control
• San Diego County Office of Emergency Services
• California Emergency Management Agency

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