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SYDNEY (AFP) — Australian authorities defended a decision to let 2,000 passengers off a cruise ship where there was a suspected Swine flu outbreak, as the confirmed cases here more than doubled in 24 hours.

Despite suspicions a number of people on board the Pacific Dawn liner were suffering Swine flu more than 2,000 passengers were allowed to return to the community Monday and told to self-quarantine for seven days.

A total of 14 passengers have since been diagnosed with t... Read More

SYDNEY (AFP) — More than 2,000 cruise ship passengers have been asked to quarantine themselves for a week after eight passengers and a crew member tested positive for Swine flu.

"We are all requesting that all people onboard this ship remain in quarantine for seven days," New South Wales chief health officer Kerry Chant told reporters after the Pacific Dawn ended its South Pacific cruise in Sydney.

Two five-year-old boys who arrived in Sydney onboard the ship on Monday tes... Read More

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Carnival Corp (CCL.N)(CCL.L) said on Monday it expects second-quarter and 2009 earnings to be hurt by itinerary changes the cruise operator made last month to contend with an outbreak of Swine flu in Mexico.

The Miami-based company reduced its earnings estimate by 5 cents per share about three weeks after it canceled Mexico stops for three of its cruise lines. Most of the impact would be seen in the second quarter, it said.

The wo... Read More

MIAMI, Fla. (AP) — Swine flu concerns will keep Carnival Cruise Lines away from Mexican ports of call longer than previously expected.

The company said Friday it has modified itineraries through May 11 to avoid the country — a week longer than it announced earlier. Most ships are stopping at alternate ports.

Some trips are being lengthened. Four- and five-day cruises from Galveston and New Orleans have been turned into seven-day voyages.

The five-day passenger... Read More