Magazine Online    The Authority On African-American Conventions, Incentives, & Leisure Travel
Cruise News
DISNEY CRUISE LINE TO HOMEPORT DISNEY WONDER AT THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES Ship to Arrive in San Pedro for an Extended West Coast
Estimates are that the new Disney Wonder sailings will generate more than 250,000 guests passing through the Port of Los Angeles over a five-year period. Many of those guests will be incentive winners and top performers experiencing new incentive opportunities that Disney Cruise Line will offer in conjunction with the new itineraries, which will be announced at a later date.

The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of the overall expansion plan for The Walt Disney Company. Two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will arrive in Florida's Port Canaveral in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

"We look forward to returning to the Port of Los Angeles," said George Aguel, senior vice president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "Having a Disney ship based in this region is an ideal complement to the meeting and incentive experiences we offer nearby at the Disneyland Resort."

Disney Cruise Line successfully tested the West Coast market in 2005 and 2008 with two summer seasons of Mexican Riviera itineraries originating from the Port of Los Angeles. The line will announce details for its 2011 itineraries at a later date.

The Port of Los Angeles is one of the busiest cruise ports on the West Coast. Its proximity to area attractions, including Disneyland Resort, and convenience to nearby airports, have long made the Port of Los Angeles popular with meeting professionals.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES TO RESUME PORT CALLS IN MEXICO

Carnival Cruise Lines will resume visits to Mexican ports of call based on the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, which is no longer recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico. Once all voyages with previously modified itineraries are completed, those vessels will revert to their original routes featuring stops in Mexico. Most itineraries were modified through mid-June with the exception of the Holiday, which was modified through late May. A ship-by-ship listing including dates for when each vessel will resume its original itinerary is available at www.carnival.com/cms/fun/cruise_control/itinerary_updates.aspx.

"We are very pleased to resume our previous itineraries to Mexico, one of the cruise industry's most popular destinations, and we thank those guests who were impacted by the modified schedules in recent weeks for their understanding and patience," said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. Cahill added, "The health and well being of our guests and crew is our highest priority and we are returning to Mexico after careful evaluation and consultation with the CDC. It is important to note that the concentration of H1N1 flu cases in Mexico has been inland rather than in the coastal resort areas where our ships visit."

Cahill also noted that the cruise industry works closely with U.S. public health officials in the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program in developing and complying with extensive policies and procedures that are effective in mitigating illness aboard cruise ships. Carnival will continue to follow CDC guidelines for cruise ships which include pre-boarding health questionnaires for all guests and crew, along with secondary screening by shipboard medical professionals as necessary. Additionally, all Carnival ships stock influenza test kits and anti-viral medications for treating type A influenzas.

"Mexico has so many wonderful sites and attractions and feedback from our customers suggests that the majority support a resumption of port calls in Mexico. We know that they and our port destination partners are very much looking forward to our return," he added.
Advertisement