October 7, 2014
Cruises Change Itineraries Due to Ebola Concerns
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Several cruise lines have changed itineraries due to concerns over Ebola, canceling port stops in West Africa.
On Holland America Line's 35-day African Explorer cruise aboard the MS Rotterdam, from Cape Town, South Africa, to Southampton, England, three ports of call in Ghana, Gambia and Senegal will be replaced with an added overnight in Cape Town, an added overnight in Cape Verde and a stop in Tangier, Morocco, according to Holland America spokesman Erik Elvejord.
Elvejord said all guests were notified of the change in the trip, which departs Nov. 15.
CruiseCritic.com reported that cruise companies Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn and Fred. Olsen have also canceled port calls and changed itineraries to avoid areas that could potentially be affected.
The countries hardest-hit by the Ebola outbreak - Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone - were not on the itineraries to begin with, but Senegal, which has reported one case, shares a border with Guinea.
Other lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian said they do not have ships traveling in the affected areas.
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
