As Zika Virus Spreads, Cruise Lines Offer Pregnant Women to Reschedule Cruises

Feb 08, 2016

Three major cruise lines announced it will allow some passengers to change or cancel their cruises to countries where the Zika virus is active. Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean are among the cruise lines that will offer pregnant women rescheduling of their voyage for a future date or to change their cruise to a region that isn’t affected by the Zika virus. According to CDC the countries and territories affected by the mosquito Zika virus has now risen to 23. To protect travelers Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel alert for the following countries and territories: Bolivia, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Cape Verde , Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador , French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Mexico, Martinique, Paraguay, Panama, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Saint Martin, Venezuela and U.S. Virgin Islands. CDC isn’t saying that people should avoid travel to regions impacted by Zika virus however it does say that pregnant women should cancel their travel arrangements. While for most people affected by Zika virus the impact is usually mild, with symptoms like red eyes, fever, rash and joint pain, for pregnant women it may cause brain damage in babies, and in rare cases may also cause paralysis. Norwegian Cruise Line announced it will allow pregnant women and their companions to change their itinerary to an area that isn’t affected by the Zika virus or to reschedule their voyage for a future date. Carnival Cruise Line notes that pregnant women who wish to cancel their voyage will get a credit for a future cruise. Royal Caribbean says it will provide alternate itinerary options for the pregnant women, which may include giving them a future cruise credit valid for the next two years.