Union Shares Concerns with Travel Agents over Carnival Cruises

TORONTO, Jan. 16,  2014 /CNW/ - The United Steelworkers (USW), North America's largest industrial union, is asking thousands of travel agents across the continent to consider whether they should recommend Carnival Corporation cruises to their customers.

"Given the string of tragedies that have plagued the world's largest cruise ship operator over the past two years, you may not want to expose yourself to potential liability if things go wrong on a Carnival cruise," the USW says in a letter sent to 16,000 travel agents.

"With the number of disturbing incidents still occurring on cruises ships owned by Carnival, travel agents are advised to act cautiously and responsibly by making their clients fully aware of the risks they may be taking if they decide to book with Carnival."

Travel agents also are reminded that Carnival operates the Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa, AIDA, P&O and Ibero cruise lines.

The USW also has taken Carnival CEO Arnold Donald to task for his role as a director of manufacturing giant Crown Holdings and its attacks on employees' working and living standards.

For more information, including the USW's complete letter to travel agents, visit www.usw.ca/crownholdings.

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Joe Drexler, USW Strategic Campaigns, 416-544-6009, 416-434-7907, [email protected]; Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, 416-434-2221, [email protected]