Asian Flu info from Oceaniafrom Sea trade magazine

[ClaudiaF]

Oceania sends letter on avian flu

28/11/2005

Letters with information on avian flu are going out this week to travel agents and Oceania Cruises passengers in advance of the Nautica's maiden Asia season.

'It's certainly a subject that's on people's minds and we want to put it in proper perspective,' Oceania chairman Joe Watters told Seatrade Insider. 'Our response as a cruise line is to watch the situation carefully and not expose our guests or crew to any situation that would be of great risk. The incidences so far have been at poultry farms and live animal markets, and that's definitely not where we're going to be going.'

This is also what Watters tells guests in the Oceania letter, adding that he and his family will accompany the Nautica's Dec. 22 Asia voyage, which calls in Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Watters further notes that Oceania is in close contact with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources monitoring the avian flu situation. The letter adds: 'Please be assured that the safety and comfort of our guests and crew is of paramount importance to our line and we will operate all our programs accordingly.'

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