Carnival Cruise Lines to Resume Port Calls in Mexico

/PRNewswire / -- 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 http://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.

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Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air to Resume Portland and Seattle Operations Monday With Significantly Reduced Early Schedules

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air announced they will resume operations in Portland, Ore., and Seattle Monday with significantly reduced early schedules due to ongoing weather conditions.

The snow, freezing rain and high winds that hit the region starting last week have severely impacted the airlines' operations, causing the carriers to suspend flights Sunday afternoon. The resumption of operations in Portland and Seattle is weather-dependent, and further cancellations and delays are likely.

"We are doing our best to operate as many flights as possible in the morning to get people where they need to go for the holidays," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines' chief operating officer. "We appreciate customers' patience and understanding as we contend with this unprecedented weather cycle that has disrupted travel throughout the region. Our operational decisions will continue to be guided by our commitment to safety."

Portland

Horizon's first flight is scheduled to depart Portland for Oakland at 6:45 a.m. Monday. Alaska's first flight out of Portland is a 7:30 a.m. departure to Boston.

"If weather conditions abate Monday in Portland, we plan to operate more flights as the day progresses, building to a normal schedule by afternoon," said Tom Gerharter, senior vice president of Horizon Air operations.

Seattle

In Seattle, the following morning and midday Alaska Airlines flights are scheduled to operate:

Flight Destination Departure Time
244 Los Angeles 6 a.m.
61 Juneau 7:50 a.m.
81 Anchorage 8 a.m. (originally scheduled for 6 a.m.
- two hour delay)
83 Anchorage 8 a.m.
20 Chicago 8:35 a.m.
202 Puerto Vallarta 9 a.m.
200 Cancun 9:10 a.m.
87 Anchorage 10 a.m.
324 San Jose 10 a.m.
460 Los Angeles 10 a.m.
630 Phoenix 10:25 a.m.
206 Los Cabos 10:30 a.m.
484 San Diego 11 a.m.
75 Juneau 11:25 a.m.
662 Dallas-Ft. Worth 11:55 a.m.
95 Anchorage Noon
648 Tucson 12:20 p.m.
636 Phoenix 12:35 p.m.
38 Minneapolis-St. Paul 12:35 p.m.
16 Miami 1:20 p.m.
10 Orlando 1:30 p.m.



Horizon Air plans to begin Seattle flying at 9 a.m. and requests that customers check online at horizonair.com for the status of their flights.

The airlines will provide a mid-morning update on the status of flights for the remainder of the day.

Before leaving for the airport, all customers are advised to check for the most current flight status information online at alaskaair.com or horizonair.com or by calling 1-800-252-7522 or 1-800-547-9308.

The airlines are working to re-accommodate passengers whose flight schedules have been disrupted. Passengers booked on a canceled flight may re- book on the next available flight without penalty or apply for a full refund of the unused portion of their ticket. Passengers wishing to exercise either of these options should call Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-252-7522 or Horizon Air Reservations at 1-800-547-9308. Reservations lines will remain open 24 hours to serve customers who have been impacted.

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