Pearls before swine flu: Now you can cruise the West Coast and Canada

by Janice Hough
West Coast cruise fans have long faced a choice for their cruise vacations. Fly to the East Coast, or at least Texas, to board a ship, or else generally get stuck with the same-old same-old itinerary for seven day cruises - Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan. Or cruise Alaska in the summer from Seattle or Vancouver.
Now, because of swine flu, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is offering a new seven-day cruise through June 14 from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia.
Other ships are altering itineraries to avoid Cozumel, but the ships sailing in the Caribbean ships are just replacing the Mexican port with another nearby - Jamaica, Grand Cayman or the Bahamas. But this new Royal Caribbean itinerary is something completely different. And it will even include sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge.
No doubt other cruise lines are assessing the situation and may make similar moves. Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines are in some cases just eliminating the ports in favor of extra sea days. Of course, with passengers staying aboard ship for longer periods of time there is always the additional worry about norovirus outbreaks. Which means the number one cruising health rule again, is “wash your hands.”
The situation in Mexico may change, although Royal Caribbean says it is committed to these new itineraries. The Mexican Riviera is actually pretty warm (read “hot”) this time of year, so for those who aren’t confirmed beach and sun people, the new itineraries could actually be preferable.


Mariner of the Seas
  • Its seven-night sailings that depart Los Angeles on Sundays will sail a fully revised itinerary, visiting Canada and the U.S. West Coast. It will now visit San Francisco, California, Mondays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Victoria, British Columbia, Wednesdays from noon to 10 p.m.; and Seattle, Washington, Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The ship's May 10 sailing will feature a port call in Astoria, Oregon, rather than San Francisco.
  • At the current time, our revised itineraries for Mariner of the Seas are scheduled to take place up to and including the ship's June 14 sailing.
  • Mariner of the Seas guests booked on a revised sailing are encouraged to contact their travel agent or Royal Caribbean International for compensation and rebooking options.
  • We have established a special help desk to assist these guests. The toll-free is: 1-800-327-6700.
  • Guests should remember to pack clothing that is appropriate for this revised itinerary.