Airline water Study 2019: Which Airline's Water Is Safest At 35,000 feet? New Study Rates Health Of Water Provided To Passengers

 

Alaska & Allegiant Airlines The Safetst Water in the Sky

JetBlue & Spirit The Worst

New York, N.Y. - A 2019 Airline Water Study released by DietDetective.com and the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center at the City University of New York reveals that the quality of drinking water varies by airline, and many airlines have possibly provided passengers with unhealthy water.

Unhealthy water violates the federal government's Aircraft Drinking Water Rule (ADWR), which was implemented in 2011 and requires airlines to provide passengers and flight crew with safe drinking water.

The 2019 Airline Water Study ranks 11 major and 12 regional airlines mainly by the quality of water they provided onboard its flights. Each airline was given a "Water Health Score" (5 = highest rating, 0 = lowest) based on 10 criteria, including fleet size, ADWR violations, positive E. coli and coliform water sample reports and cooperation in providing answers to water-quality questions. A score of 3.0 or better indicates that the airline has relatively safe, clean water.

"Alaska Airlines and Allegiant win the top spot with the safest water in the sky, and Hawaiian Airlines finishes No. 2," says Charles Platkin, PhD, JD, MPH, the editor of DietDetective.comand the executive director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center.

The airlines with the worst scores are JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, the study shows. "Except for Piedmont Airlines, regional airlines need to improve their onboard water safety," Platkin says.

The ADWR requires airlines to take samples from their water tanks to test for coliform bacteria and possible E. coli. Airlines are also required to disinfect and flush each aircraft's water tank four times per year. Alternatively, an airline may choose to disinfect and flush once a year, but then it must test monthly.

The 2019 Airline Water Study also finds that the Environmental Protection Agency - one of the federal agencies responsible for ensuring safe aircraft drinking water- rarely levies civil penalties to airlines in violation of the ADWR.

Here are the study's findings:

• The major airlines receiving the highest Airline Water Health Score are Allegiant and Alaska - each with a score of 3.3 on a 0-to-5 scale. Hawaiian Airlines is a close second at 3.1.
• Piedmont Airlines, which operates American Eagle flights, is the highest-rated regional carrier with a score of 4.33.
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• Among major airlines, Spirit and JetBlue tied for the lowest score of 1 on a 0-to-5 scale.
• Nearly all regional airlines, except Piedmont, have poor Water Health Scores and a large number of ADWR violations. Republic Airways (which flies for United Express, Delta Connection and American Eagle) has the lowest score at 0.44 on a 0-to-5 scale and ExpressJet is second-lowest at 0.56. ExpressJet averages 3.36 ADWR violations per aircraft.
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• The number of ADWR violations by all airlines in 2018 was significantly less than the number in 2012, the first year after the ADWR was enacted. For major airlines, violations have decreased 69% (262 to 81), while violations among regional airlines have decreased 71% (351 to 103). However, the decrease might reflect a lack of enforcement by the EPA, which has issued few penalties in recent years.
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• The "Shame on You" Award goes to the EPA and nearly all major airlines (regional airlines weren't contacted) for their very poor response time and lack of cooperation answering detailed questions. The EPA didn't answer most penalty-related questions, and Spirit, Allegiant and Frontier did not respond to any questions. Very weak responses - and responses that didn't address questions - were provided by American, United, and JetBlue, which had a large number of violations during the past seven years.
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• Testing for coliform bacteria is important, because their presence in drinking water indicates that disease-causing organisms (pathogens) could be in the water system.
• When an aircraft's water sample tests positive for coliform, it must be tested again to determine if E. coli is present. If E. coli is not present, the airline must take repeat samples within 24 hrs, disinfect and flush the water system within 72 hrs. Or the airline can shut down the water system within 72 hrs and then disinfect and flush. If the sample is E. Coli positive, the airline must shut off public access to the water system within 24 hrs and disinfect and flush.
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• The ADWR does not require the same testing as the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, which includes other microorganisms in addition to total coliform. (See here).
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• An aircraft flies to numerous destinations and may pump drinking water into its tanks from various sources at domestic and international locations. The water quality onboard also depends on the safety of the equipment used to transfer the water, such as water cabinets, trucks, carts and hoses.
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• Here's the bottom-line advice from DietDetective.com and the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center. To be extra safe:
  • NEVER drink any water onboard that isn't in a sealed bottle,
  • Do not drink coffee or tea onboard,
  • Do not wash your hands in the bathroom; bring hand-sanitizer with you instead.

Airline Water Health Scores At-a-Glance (5 = highest rating, 0 = lowest):

Major Airlines

Alaska Airlines: 3.3, Allegiant Air: 3.3, Hawaiian Airlines: 3.1, Frontier Airlines: 2.6, Southwest Airlines: 2.4, Delta Air Lines: 1.6, American Airlines: 1.5, United Airlines: 1.2, JetBlue: 1, Spirit Airlines: 1

Regional Airlines

Piedmont Airlines: 4.33, Sun Country Airlines: 2.78, Envoy Air: 2.11, GoJet Airlines: 2, Trans States Airlines: 1.78, Compass Airlines 1.22, PSA Airlines: 1.22, SkyWest Airlines 1.11, Endeavor Air: 0.78, Air Wisconsin Airlines: 0.68, ExpressJet Airlines: 0.56, Republic Airways: 0.44

Airline Water Study Results*

Major Airlines

Alaska Airlines
Onboard Water Health Score: 3.3 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 335
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 2
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.01
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 1
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 64
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not helpful
Comments: While Alaska Airlines has a very low number of violations per aircraft, and received the highest water score. The airline has several unrecorded violations for its failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

Allegiant
Onboard Water Health Score: 3.3 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 91
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 6
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.06
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 2
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 0
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not helpful
Comments: Allegiant has a very low number of average violations per aircraft and received the highest water score.

Hawaiian Airlines
Onboard Water Health Score: 3.1 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 57
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 25
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.44
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 0
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 7
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Somewhat helpful
Comments: The airline says it samples water twice as often as EPA guidelines recommend. However, the airline had a relatively high average number of violations per aircraft. It is also important to note that 15 of the airline's 25 violations (since 2012) were in the last 18 months.

Frontier Airlines
Onboard Water Health Score: 2.6 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 91
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 19
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.21
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 4
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 8
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not helpful
Comments: Frontier had a relatively high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring.

Southwest Airlines Co.
Onboard Water Health Score: 2.4 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 754
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 33
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.04
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 2
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 122
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not helpful
Comments: Southwest had a very low number of violations per aircraft. However, the airline had an elevated number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and failure to perform corrective actions as required.

Delta Air Lines
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.6 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 916
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 213
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.23
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 15
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 359
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Helpful
Comments: Delta is the only airline to actually written a blog post on its water. However, the airline had a relatively high number of average violations per aircraft and a very high number of positive E. Coli lavatory samples. Additionally, the airline had a very high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and a high number of violations for failure to perform corrective actions. Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta, also did not do very well with a score of 0.78.

American Airlines
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.5 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 968
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 108
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.11
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 23
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 660
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not helpful
Comments: American Airlines had a very high number of galley water samples testing positive for E.Coli. Additionally, American had a relatively high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and failure to perform corrective actions and repeat or follow up samples. American also owns regional carriers, PSA Airlines and Envoy Air, which have very poor onboard water records. However, its other subsidiary, Piedmont Airlines, received the highest water score.

United Airlines
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.2 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 786
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 79
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.10
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 3
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 205
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not helpful
Comments: The airline had a high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result. Additionally, United is associated with the regionals Air Wisconsin, ExpressJet and Trans States Airlines, which have very poor onboard water records.

JetBlue
Onboard Water Health Score: 1 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 254
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 354
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 1.40
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 9
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 144
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not Helpful
Comments: A poor response from JetBlue representatives and a poor water safety record. JetBlue had the highest number of total ADWR violations among the major airlines and a very high number of average number of violations per aircraft. The airline also had a relatively high number of water samples testing positive for E. coli and a high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring, failure to perform required corrective actions and failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

Spirit Airlines
Onboard Water Health Score: 1 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 135
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 193
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 1.43
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 1
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 31
Cooperation In Water Investigation: Not helpful
Comments: Spirit had the highest number of average of violations per aircraft among the major airlines. Additionally, the airline had a high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and failure to perform corrective actions as required.

Regional Airlines

Piedmont Airlines (operates as American Eagle, owned by American Airlines)
Onboard Water Health Score: 4.33 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 60
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 1
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.02
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 0
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 5
Comments: Piedmont, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group, had the least number of ADWR violations among all regional carriers.
Sun Country Airlines
Onboard Water Health Score: 2.78 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 30
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 19
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.63
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 2
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 8
Comments: Sun Country had a relatively high number of average violations per aircraft.

Envoy Air (operates as American Eagle, owned by American Airlines)
Onboard Water Health Score: 2.11 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 63
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 63
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 1.00
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 24
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 172
Comments: Envoy had a very high number lavatory water samples testing positive for E. Coli. Additionally, the airline has a relatively high number of violations for failure to perform corrective actions and a high number of violations for failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

GoJet Airlines (operates as United Express, Delta Connection)
Onboard Water Health Score: 2 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 53
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 26
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.49
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 2
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 64
Comments: GoJet Airlines had a relatively high number of average violations per aircraft. As of August 6, 2019, Delta Connection ended its partnership with Gojet and Compass Airlines.

Trans States Airlines (operates as United Express)
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.78 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 46
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 33
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.72
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 2
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 0
Comments: Trans States Airlines had a relatively high number of violations per aircraft.

Compass Airlines (operates as Delta Connection and American Eagle)
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.22 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 56
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 113
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 2.02
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 0
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 65
Comments: Compass had a very high number of violations per aircraft and a very high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring, failure to perform corrective actions as required and failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

Mesa Airlines (operates as United Express and American Eagle)
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.22 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 145
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 73
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.50
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 7
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 67
Comments: Mesa had a relatively high number of violations per aircraft.
PSA Airlines (operates as American Eagle and owned by American Airlines)
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.22 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 144
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 78
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.54
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 7
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 89
Comments: PSA had a relatively high number of violations for lavatory water samples testing positive for E. Coli and failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

SkyWest Airlines (operates as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle, Alaska SkyWest)
Onboard Water Health Score: 1.11 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 512
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 117
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.23
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 25
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 1042
Comments: SkyWest had a very high number of the lavatory water samples testing positive for E.Coli. Additionally, the airline had a very high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and a very high number of violations for failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

Endeavor Air (operates as Delta Connection owned Delta Air Lines.)
Onboard Water Health Score: 0.78 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 157
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 322
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 2.05
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 14
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 430
Comments: Endeavor had a relatively high number of lavatory water samples testing positive for E. Coli and a very high number of average violations per aircraft. Additionally, the airline had a very high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring, failure to perform corrective actions as required and failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

Air Wisconsin Airlines (operates as United Express)
Onboard Water Health Score: 0.67 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 64
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 188
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 2.94
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 4
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 133
Comments: Air Wisconsin had a very high number of average violations per aircraft and violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result. The airline also had a relatively high number of violations for failure to perform required corrective actions.

ExpressJet Airlines Inc (operates as United Express)
Onboard Water Health Score: 0.56 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 128
Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 430
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 3.36
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 12
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 679
Comments: Abysmal. ExpressJet had the highest average number of violations. The airline also had a very high number of lavatory water samples testing positive for E. coli and violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring, failure to perform required corrective actions and failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

Republic Airways (operates as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle)
Onboard Water Health Score: 0.44 / 5 Stars
Aircraft Fleet Size: 191 Total ADWR Violations (2012-2019): 132
Avg # of ADWR Violations per Aircraft: 0.69
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For E. Coli (2012-2019): 6
Total Water Samples Testing Positive For Coliform (2012-2019): 125
Comments: Republic had a relatively high number of average violations per aircraft and a very high number of violations for failure to conduct routine monitoring and failure to perform required corrective actions. The airline also had a high number of violations for failure to collect repeat or follow-up samples of a coliform-positive result.

Americans Will Need A Visa For European Travel Beginning 2021

By Maria Chamberlain

For Americans accustomed to just booking European travel without the hassle of going through an embassy, those days are numbered. 

In two years, the European Union will begin implementing a new travel visa as a requirement for U.S. citizens and citizens from 59 other countries to enter.  

The Visa website cited concerns over illegal migration and terrorism as the reasons for the increased security measures. 

Currently, Americans traveling to Europe for 90 days or less don't need a visa.

Beginning Jan. 21, 2021, all Americans looking to travel to a European Schengen-zone country, including France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and others, will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) visa. This includes minors.

In order to get one, you'll need a valid passport, credit or debit card and an email account. 

The visa is valid for three years and is "multi-entry," so you don't need to apply every time you want to visit. 

The visa website did not list the cost but said payment must be paid in advance online when applying with the traveler's contact information and passport details. Registration will also include some basic security questions.

The ETIAS is similar to the ESTA, which is what Europeans currently need in order to enter the US. 

With the impending Brexit deal between the UK and the EU, Americans will not need a visa to enter the UK. 

British Airways’ Parent Company Has Launched A Budget Carrier Called 'Level'

British Airways is not a government-owned airline. The airline merged with Iberia in 2011 to form International Airlines Group (IAG).

British Airways’ parent company – International Airlines Group – has decided to spread its wings into low-cost short-haul flying with a budget carrier called ‘Level’.

‘Level’ may sound familiar – the group launched an airline with the same name earlier this year to fly low-cost long-haul flights from Spain to the USA.

The new short-haul carrier is taking off on 17 July and will be based out of Austria where it will operate on 14 routes, including Vienna to London (Gatwick), Barcelona, Paris, Milan and Dubrovnik.

Initially, the carrier’s fleet will be made up of Airbus A321s fitted with Premium Economy and Economy. Each cabin comes with seat-back entertainment screens.

The airline’s A321 has Premium Economy & Economy (pictured) cabins.

IAG Chief Executive Willie Walsh said ‘Level’ delivers more choice for those flying around Europe, while also contributing to Vienna’s economy by creating 200 jobs and providing affordable, reliable flights.

“We’re really excited about LEVEL which offers amazing fares, stimulating demand by providing people with more choice.”

Willie Walsh, IAG Chief Executive

Travelore News: American Airlines Will Reward Fliers Based On Dollars, Not Miles

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FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2016, file photo, a passenger talks on the phone as American Airlines jets... Read more

DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines is following other airlines by basing perks like free flights on how much passengers spend on tickets, not how many miles they fly.

The change, which matches those at Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, starts with flights on Aug. 1 and rewards American's highest-paying passengers.

Elite-status members of American's AAdvantage frequent-flier program will earn bonus miles for every dollar they spend.

American signaled in October that changes were coming, but gave few details until Monday.

AAdvantage has about 100 million members, making it the biggest and the oldest major airline loyalty program. It featured easy math: Fly one mile, earn one mile.

Today that simplicity is a quaint throwback. Airlines now compete fiercely for high-paying customers — they lavish elite travelers with upgraded cabins, lie-flat beds, better food and bigger frequent-flier rewards.

American said most members will earn five miles for every dollar they spend on base fares and carrier-imposed fees. That multiple rises to seven, eight or 11 for elites — gold, platinum and executive-platinum members.

Miles alone will no longer make you elite. Starting Jan. 1, customers will have to hit annual mileage marks and spending minimums, including at least $3,000 for gold and $12,000 for executive-platinum. A fourth level will be added just below executive platinum.

After Delta and United announced that they would switch to spending-based rewards in 2015, American responded by giving bonuses to high-fare customers. American officials decided that the promotion wasn't a dramatic enough change.

But the overhaul of AAdvantage was pushed back last year as the company focused first on integrating American and US Airways following their merger in December 2013. "This was as quick as we could do it," said Bridget Blaise-Shamai, the company's managing director of loyalty.

American, however, denied that AAdvantage's traditional format was causing the airline to lose high-paying customers to rivals.

"If there had been significant book-away, you would have seen it in our revenue," said Casey Norton, spokesman for Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines Group Inc.

Besides Delta and United, spending-based rewards are now the rule at Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Virgin America.

By DAVID KOENIG

Highly Anticipated LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton Opens Its Doors On May 26, 2016

Inspired by the buildings original name the London Guarantee & Accident Building, the 93-year structure in which the hotel is located, LondonHouse Chicago uses its design to memorialize the era in which the 23-floor tower was originally built. Credit: Tom Rossiter.

Oxford Capital Group’s wholly owned management affiliate Oxford Hotels & Resorts and Curio – A Collection by Hilton™ proudly announce the eagerly-awaited opening of LondonHouse Chicago at the corner of North Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. Originally opened as the London Guarantee Building in 1923, LondonHouse Chicago pays tribute to its past while also incorporating visually striking modern elements. The luxury lifestyle hotel brings 452 chic rooms and suites, as well as tech-forward amenities catering to leisure and business travelers alike

Cruise Lines Waiving Cancellation Penalties For Cruises Affected By The Zika Virus

Cruise lines have begun waiving cancellation penalties for some customers booked on voyages to the Caribbean and other regions affected by the Zika virus.

Industry giant Carnival Cruise Lines said it will allow pregnant women on sailings that include stops in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and other destinations impacted by the virus to switch to an itinerary to an unaffected area.

Alternately, passengers can postpone their trip or cancel outright and receive a future cruise credit.

Norwegian Cruise Line also is allowing pregnant women sailing to affected areas to postpone trips to a later date or switch itineraries, and Royal Caribbean is also giving pregnant women alternative options.

The cruise lines said the options also are being offered to people traveling with the pregnant passenger.

US health officials said that while posing little risk to most people, the Zika virus is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

They have cited a link to microcephaly, a birth defect in which infants are born with small skulls and incomplete brain development.

Last week, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded a Zika-related travel alert to include the US Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.

Earlier, the CDC had issued travel alert for Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico and St Martin. The alert recommends pregnant women to postpone travel to those destinations.

Also included in the CDC alert are Bolivia; Brazil; Cape Verde; Colombia; Ecuador; El Salvador; French Guiana; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Mexico; Panama; Paraguay; Samoa; Suriname and Venezuela.

Source: http://www.cruisediscuss.com/