Cruise passengers return to Mobile after Mexico stop

It looks like the swine flu has worked in our favor at the moment. Because of the outbreak of it in Mexico, we will not be going to Cozumel and Calica, Mexico. Instead we found out last night that we will be going to Key West and Freeport, Bahamas which we are thrilled about. I just pray that the swine flu remains mild and does not get bad. The pandemic level was raised to 5 yesterday which is not good.

Below is the article in the Press Register about the cruise that came into port this morning. There is a 4 day cruise leaving out this morning who also been rerouted from Cozumel to Key West. They will arrive back in Mobile on Mon. morning and we leave Monday afternoon.

Can't wait!!!

Cruise passengers return to Mobile after Mexico stop
Posted by Casandra Andrews and Kaija Wilkinson April 30, 2009 11:21 AM
Categories: Breaking News, Swine Flu, Top Stories
Press-Register/

Bill StarlingMichael and Kristy Buckle from Atlanta walk away from the Carnival Cruise ship Holiday after arriving in Mobile today. The ship made its regularly scheduled stop in Progreso, Mexico, but canceled the excursion to Cozumel because of swine flu concerns.MOBILE, Ala. - Passengers aboard the Carnival Cruise Line ship Holiday disembarked Thursday without incident, according to officials with the cruise terminal and Alabama Department of Homeland Security Director Jim Walker.
The ship stopped in Progreso, Mexico, during the week but canceled an excursion to Cozumel because of concerns about the spread of swine flu.
Passenger Kay Wright, 52, of Martin, Tenn., said she had never been so happy to be back in the country.
"I'd like to get down and kiss the ground," she said, bending over toward the concrete and grinning as she stepped outside the terminal into the sunshine. "We were apprehensive we wouldn't be able to get off."
At least one passenger, a teenage boy, could be seen wearing a facemask as he waited for a car inside the parking garage.
Al St. Clair, director of the Alabama Cruise Terminal, said this morning that the mood was relatively light aboard the Holiday during the five-day cruise.
St. Clair, who took the cruise, said the dining rooms, casino and public spaces were full Wednesday night.
He said he saw no passengers with obvious signs of illness and that cruise ship staff issued the usual reminders to take flu-prevention measures, such as wash hands frequently and cover one's mouth when sneezing or coughing.
The ship received news feeds from Fox News out of Denver, he said, but most televisions were tuned to soccer. He said he saw no newspapers on the ship.
Carnival Cruise Lines announced Wednesday that it would divert the four-day cruise leaving Mobile today to Key West, Fla., and the five-day cruise leaving May 4 to Key West and Freeport, Bahamas.
Guests who do not wish to sail on a modified itinerary may opt to receive a refund in the form of a future cruise credit equal to the full amount paid for the voyage through the end of 2010, Carnival said.