RCL may make Pacific Northwest Itinerary permanent

The Mariner of the Seas' itinerary switch from Mexico to the Pacific Northwest has been such a big hit, Royal Caribbean might put it on the books in 2010.

Royal Caribbean changed the ship’s itinerary earlier this month, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Mexico travel warning due to the H1N1 flu outbreak.

The ship’s new route goes north from its Los Angeles base, visiting Seattle and Victoria, B.C., and either San Francisco or Astoria, Ore.

Royal Caribbean said it is considering alternating the Pacific Northwest itinerary with its traditional three-port Mexican Riviera cruise next summer.

"The response we are receiving is terrific," Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean's senior vice president of sales and marketing, said in a letter to travel agents about the new itinerary.

"In fact, many of our guest comment cards have suggested we consider adding this itinerary to Mariner's schedule throughout the peak summer months -- alternating between the Mexican Riviera and these Pacific coastal ports."