Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/ar...uise-ship.html

'Swine flu' cruise ship blocked from Caribbean ports

By Travelmail Writer
Last updated at 12:24 PM on 11th June 2009


Fears that another cruise ship has been struck by swine flu are mounting after it was blocked from entering two ports this week.

Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas is making a seven-night tour of the Southern Caribbean and was this week denied entry at St Lucia and Antigua.

Two members of the crew and one passenger have reportedly displayed flu-like symptoms.

Chief executive officer for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James told cruise website CruiseCritic.co.uk that despite three people being isolated and treated in Barbados, the ship was stopped from visiting St Lucia.

The website reported: 'Permission to dock in Antigua was also denied, based on advice from Antigua's chief medical officer and minister of health.'

Mr James added that the cases were confirmed as the H1N1 virus but a Royal Caribbean spokeswoman said earlier this week that full lab results were not yet available.

This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has been affected by swine flu - crew members were struck down with the virus on Serenade of the Seas in May.

And the news comes after the cruise operator said that the recent swine flu outbreak had hit its earnings.