For industry, a ‘reversal’ as Zika spreads

Although cruise lines say they can’t see much impact from the Zika virus, several agents I spoke with last week said it is a headwind they weren’t expecting to deal with this year.

But there may be relief on the horizon.

Typical were comments from Laurie Hristov, owner of Just Cruises and Tours in Delray Beach, Fla. She said Zika has triggered generalized concern about areas where it is prevalent.

“So many people, even the elderly, are afraid to travel to the Caribbean,” Hristov said. “I have people that are expressing concern that are 60-plus. They’re not getting pregnant, but they say, ‘I’m scared.’ “

For anyone besides women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, Zika is not a hugely threatening disease. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain or conjunctivitis (red eyes). Other common symptoms include muscle pain and headache.

For travelers without pregnancy concerns, “It’s no different than any other mosquito virus at that point,” Hristov said.

At Cruise.com, CEO Anthony Hamawy said the first half has been affected by the “ups and downs” of the response to Zika. But he sees a silver lining to the dispersal of exposure.

“There’s kind of a reversal there as it spreads into the U.S.,” Hamawy said. “It seems like the Caribbean is less of an issue. Zika’s right here, so what’s the difference between going to the Caribbean and staying home? Zika exists in both places. So it almost becomes less of an issue because of the spread of it.”

He hastened to add that he doesn’t think the spread of Zika is a good thing for public health.

“But from a cruise industry point of view it might be less of a challenge because it’s everywhere,” he said. “It’s not just a problem in the Caribbean.”