Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Reporting Financial Loss From Swine Flu

It is being reported that cruise operator Royal Caribbean is forecasting huge financial losses because of the outbreak of swine flu.

Swine flu has taken the world by storm, killing more than 100 people and infecting more than 19,000 spanning 60 countries.

A statement released by the cruise ship operator hinted that the swine flu outbreak will result in a 22 cent reduction in company shares because people are not traveling as much.

Cruise ships were forced to steer clear of Mexico and travel at less than full capacity. The launch of a new Mexican targetted ship was also postponed.

“The flu outbreak had a short, but highly disruptive impact to our operations,” Chairman and Chief Executive Richard D. Fain said in a statement.

The company says that now that the virus appears to have reached its peak, ships will be returning to their normal schedule very soon but that Mexican cruises will still suffer.