Cruise lines re-route to avoid Mexican ports

Cruise lines are switching itineraries to avoid Mexican ports to protect passengers from the risk of swine flu.

Royal Caribbean Cruises is temporarily suspending its port calls in Mexico for both its Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands.

Royal Caribbean International has four ships currently making regularly scheduled port call in Mexico - Enchantment of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.

Two additional Royal Caribbean International ships were scheduled to make upcoming Mexican port calls as they repositioned - Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas.

Celebrity Cruises had one ship scheduled to make upcoming Mexico port calls as it repositions - Celebrity Infinity.

All but one of the affected ships will either make alternative port calls or spend additional time at sea.

Royal Caribbean International's Mariner of the Seas will sail a fully revised itinerary, visiting Canada and the U.S. West Coast.

The temporary suspension will be regularly reviewed in light of any developments.

On the world cruise itinerary of Balmoral next week, Fred. Olsen has cancelled its call into Acapulco and instead the ship will have an extended stay in San Diego until May 3.

It will then proceed to Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala on May 8 and an additional port, Puntarenas in Costa Rica, will be visited on May 10.

By Bev Fearis