Mexico's government intervenes after cruise ships denied entry to ports
As the omicron COVID-19 variant continues to show its resistance to vaccines, a small number of breakthrough cases have emerged on cruise ships over the past week. As a result, of the hundreds of vessels currently sailing, a handful from several major lines -- including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America -- were denied entry into Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and other ports.
The most recent ports to stop passengers -- even ones who weren't positive -- from disembarking were Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, prompting the Mexican government to step in.
On Monday, Carnival Panorama, which is currently in the middle of a seven-night Mexican Riviera voyage from Long Beach near Los Angeles, was denied entry at Puerto Vallarta, according to passengers on the sailing. Those onboard say the ship had five ill passengers and about 100 positive crew as of Monday.
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The ship was also prevented from visiting Mazatlan Tuesday, which The Associated Press says caused the Mexican government to intervene.
Mexico's Health Department said it will allow passengers who test negative to disembark, as long as ships follow proper World Health Organization protocols, including wearing masks, social distancing, hand-washing and sanitizing.
Translated, a joint statement from Mexico's government and the country's public health secretary says Mexico will receive cruise ships that request to dock and provide medical assistance to ill passengers who require it.
The decision came in time to allow Holland America's Zuiderdam to call on the port of Guaymas on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
Zuiderdam, which is halfway through a 10-day cruise from San Diego, has about 2,000 passengers and crew onboard and reported that 30 -- two passengers and 28 crew members -- were affected. All are fully vaccinated and were either asymptomatic or showed only minor symptoms.
The latest outbreaks onboard ships have affected about 1% of their respective onboard populations, at least 90% of which are fully vaccinated per U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Mexico has been one of the most consistently lenient countries throughout the pandemic in terms of travel restrictions. Recently, the U.S. State Department upped its travel warning to "reconsider travel," in part citing the nation's high number of COVID-19 cases.
Zuiderdam is due to call on Topolobampo on Wednesday and Mazatlan on Thursday. The sailing is slated to conclude on Jan. 2 in San Diego. Carnival Panorama is scheduled to call on Cabo San Lucas Wednesday with a sea day Thursday before arriving back in Long Beach on Friday.
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10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
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Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023