Travel Plan Changes Due To Swine Flu

[shygirl724]

Hoping for the best for our LL friends in Mexico.

Wondering if anyone else is changing / cancelling their travel plans to Mexico or elsewhere in the world due to the recent swine flu outbreak. I know that some airlines are allowing ticket changes. Are cruise ships following suit? At least 3 of the cruise lines have cancelled scheduled stops in Mexico. Does anyone know if travel insurance will cover such an event (whether it is this one, or any other health outbreak where your country recommends not traveling to the location).

It is a good reminder to all of us to check either at CDC.gov or with your doctor / local medical clinic to see what immunizations you should have before traveling to another country (the ones recommended, not just the required ones). I think sometimes we only take this step when going on exotic trips such as African Safaris. These are not the only risks. I was surprised when my hubby had to get a measels shot in preparation for our trip to Switzerland. Apparently they are having an outbreak there. Take the extra step to make sure you will have a healthy and happy trip, no matter where the winds take you.

[kyshel]

Well, your name belies your boldness!! I wondered WHEN the subject would come up--just never expected it from a "shy" source!!
My husband is currently in Africa and we're emailing to discuss our trip to Riviera Maya next week. We are flexible on flights anyway, so we're not effected that same as typical travelers.
The tripadvisor boards are bursting with ignorance and fear. From what I can tell [today] the charter companies are the only ones canceling flights. I have such sympathy for people who have planned a vacation (maybe once-in-a-lifetime) and agonized over which resort/hotel and what to take (this could be their first trip overseas)only to be emotionally stranded by indecision. Should they cancel/re-book--CAN they? Good question about insurance--many companies are being flexible about re-booking or re-locating (there's been a HUGE run on Dominican Republic flights and rooms)
I understand cruise ships taking their stance--it makes sense when you're in a semi-confined environment and going in and out of some rather questionable towns. The risk of spread/infection could be high and caring for sick passengers on a ship has to be difficult, as well as the panic it could cause.
Still, I'm "up in the air" about flight risks, tho. I have a good source of information and the CDC leans to the most cautious side (as they should).
There is so much fear that panic can take the place of good judgment. Swine flu is not new.
From the CDC:
"Most people recover from swine flu as a relatively minor illness.
There is no indication that the virus has been spread via air travel."
SO, I have my clothes ready...

[thepiranha]

Funny, I just went to the message board to pose the same question, but you beat me to it. I'm glad that we returned on March 31 from our trip to Mexico. We probably would have cancelled our trip if it had been scheduled for a month later. Hopefully, the medical experts will **bleep** this thing in the bud and there will be minimal fatalities.



One of the problems with the ease of transportation that we currently enjoy is that communicable diseases such as swine flu can spread very quickly. The same goes for invasive species that travel around the world and invade and destroy native flora and fauna. We can be vigilant, but there is no way to completely stop these things from occurring.

[shygirl724]

I see that some of the airlines are now pulling all their pillows and blankets off their flights. Good idea. This virus lasts 48 hours on surfaces. When traveling, we take small individually packaged disposable disinfectant wipes. We use them to wipe down the arm rests and tray tables at our seats prior to using. I keep extras to use after washing my hands, as I don't know if the soap in the bathrooms on planes is antibacterial.

At work I am exposed to lots of people in a variety of situations. Because of conserns for MRSA, we got a product called "Skin Wear" (www.skinwearusa.com) What is good about it is that it continues to kill germs up to 8 hours and can go through 4 hand rinsings. Other products kill what is on your skin at the time, but does not protect past that. It smells like green apples going on, but that quickly leaves as it dries. I have sensitive skin, but have not had any problems using this product. No, I have no interest in the company. Just want to pass on something I have found that works for me and my coworkers and is applicable in this situation when traveling.

[shygirl724]

Two more cruise ships docked in Seattle today. It is part of the schedule changes the big ships have made because of the outbreak. Can you imagine - booking a cruise to the Mexican Riviera and ending up seeing west coast US cities instead? Don't get me wrong, they are all beautiful locations. But somehow planning a break from spring weather to get some sun, only to be taken to areas that still are having cold weather, would be a bummer.

For me, I think the worst is over. Time to start firing up those LL Mexico auction offers again. I wonder if the prices will drop to get the tourists back quickly?

[bonniejoy03]

Hi S. Wow...big change from the beach to the northwest! I do think the worse might be over even though I have the TV on right now and they keep seem to be finding more people with the flu in Pennsylvania. Maybe it is a delay and Mexico is clearing up but the US will show more cases?

I'd hope that the prices would decrease. Unfortunately Mexico has been having a tough time with the crime situation and now the flu situtation. They will need to get the travellers back to the area. I wonder how this has affected the Caribbean. There was an article about tourists opting out of Mexico and instead going to the Caribbean. I am heading there in two weeks and wonder if the numbers are up.

[kyshel]

we are leaving the Hacienda Tres Rios today, having spent 4 fabulous nights at this premium all-inclusive resort south of Cancun. The only obvious evidence of a flu scare is the lack of tourists everywhere. No low staffing here--the service is impeccable!! I would suspect it may be easier to contract the influenza bug somewhere besides a Riviera Mayan resort...