Help! I'm booked on the Mercury to Alaska with my mother from Singapore and am confused as to what to do. Several contacts with Celebrity customer service beginning late April when news broke that some cruise ships were (correctly) denying boarding to passengers from Singapore, Hong Kong, etc. I was told that we would probably be denied boarding (more than a month from the cruise) and to check back within 14 days of the cruise. I did so and was told again, "no boarding," as Mum is arriving 5 days before sailing. So they transfered me to the "SARS desk" where an angry woman raised her voice when I inquired about a refund and told me that I would be assessed the 50% penalty (I assumed because it's now less than a month before the cruise.) What gives? We're expected to fly to Vancouver from San Francisco on the chance that we'll pass a 3-question test and temperature test? It doesn't seem reasonable. Mum is 66 yrs old and this may be her last trip out here! Has anyone else had this experience with Celebrity or any other cruise line? How was it resolved?

Hello,

the International Council of Cruise Lines has published its members' policies regarding SARS on its web site. Celebrity is an ICCL member, so I assume those policies apply to them, as well. The policies are regularly updated.

According to the above web page, Singapore is not considered an "Area of Special Concern" (travelers from those areas will automatically denied boarding) but an "Area for Increased Screening".

Best regards,

Raoul Fiebig
Das Ruderhaus