Cruise lines take precautions amid Zika concerns

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Shinna Alexander had been looking forward to her yearly family vacation; this year it was a week-long Royal Caribbean cruise to Puerto Rico, St. Marteen and Haiti.

“I wanted to go on that big cruise ship. I’ve been (on) a cruise before and it was so fun so I was kind of looking forward to doing that again,” said Alexander.

But all three of those destinations have travel advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because of Zika transmission.

Alexander recently learned she’s pregnant.

“Fear. I guess I’m afraid that I may get bitten by a mosquito,” said Alexander.

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Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines said they’re closely monitoring the situation and even allowing passengers to change itineraries or giving them credit to sail at later dates.

A spokesperson with Carnival also said they’re allowing “pregnant crew to move around within the fleet to avoid itineraries with Zika impacted ports or take early vacation and shift their contracts if they wish.”

Meanwhile, Alexander’s parents and siblings are getting ready to sail; she said she just doesn’t want to take any chances.

“You can’t just go on the whim of having fun, you have to use some sense and think, well, I may put my baby in jeopardy,” said Alexander.

The Carnival Elation that leaves from Jaxport only goes to the Bahamas, which is not on the list of countries with a CDC travel advisory.

If you do need to cancel your trip because of Zika concerns, most of the major cruise lines are offering credit that’s valid for two years.

Cox Media Group