ajs3531

Let's keep the good news coming! Isla health officials say the islands two suspected cases of swine flu tested NEGATIVE. They were NOT swine flu. This was reported in todays Por Esto! newspaper. Titulares PorEsto! I did try to have my doc call in a prescription for me for Tamiflu to bring with...just in case but was told he wouldn't prescribe since the CDC is recommending against it unless you've been diagnosed..might try another doc.

How about this? ; ) Quote: Originally Posted by mummergirl i'm thinking ours will say something like, "the stars aligned, hell froze over, pigs flu, and tom & lisa got married -- MEXICO 2009" ... it's a running (not so funny) joke that my parents have said numerous times "we NEVER thought YOU would get married" (kinda like tula in my big fat greek wedding ... i AM 36 years old already and never married, so i get it, but geez) ... so the "pigs flu" thing kinda works in my case, LOL. that is, IF we're able to go thru with things as planned. our plan B is to move to dominican republic, but 2 of the 3 dreams resorts there have already stated that my wedding date is unavailable (would have to be that day or next day for civil ceremony). 3479875589_d7dd662953.pdf

hi ladies - I'm cautiously feeling a little more optimistic today...hopefully we've made the turn for the better! One of the DWF girls I became friends with who is getting married at same resort (Isla Mujers Palace) this Saturday and left a couple days ago. I just heard from our WC and she made it down (with all her guests) and everything is just fine and they're having a blast. I saw some pics of their welcome cocktail party and looks like they don't have a care in the world. Great news for a change!!

Emily - After EXTENSIVE research on this I really think the odd are in your favor and you don't have anything to worry about - of course we don't know what will unfold but bottom line is that it's now in the states so it's not like we can hide from it - and we have to remember "it" is the flu and it's treatable. Just be safe and follow all precautions and you'll be just fine. And on the positive side it will probably mean the beaches are a lot less crowded. I'm on these Isla Mujeres message boards and got these messages from people down there today: Good luck, just remember to relax - and don't turn on the tv down there! If you get a chance please send us a message to let us know how it is. Message: I am down here now and as I lay on my beach chair in the breeze with a cool cervesa in hand, it seems like an oasis from the US fear machine! Im glad Im here and not there. We are fine!!! Message: things are still fine. Have been here since last Friday, and unfortunately we have to make our way back to the States in a few days. Had lunch at Bally Hoo and by the time we left every table was full..busy as normal on Medina and at least in my opinion the hard work on Hidalgo is coming along nicely. We have seen very few masks. We are swimming, eating, shopping and relaxing...just paying attention and washing our hands

They say everything happens for a reason so maybe your FL wedding will turn out to be better than anything you could have ever expected. Are you going with the same resort? I'm kinda wishing our resort had options in the States just in case but no such luck so guests will be paying a $380 cancellation charge just on their room - quite a wedding present for a wedding they never even get to go to (knock on wood)! Quote: Originally Posted by istephiez Hello ladies....I only started on this thread the day of the outbreak but have been following all of you this week and though have only posted a few times feel connected to those of you going through this horrible swine flu so wanted to post on here as well as my regular thread for my hotel My heart is breaking as I write this e-mail and I guarantee that it won't be my last. I am officially canceling my mexican wedding. I can not deal with the phone calls, e-mails, texts, fights, tears and not knowing what do do feeling anymore. Since the level was raised to 5 it has given us no reason to believe that we can still count on going anymore. There are too many people concerned and we don't want to do it without the 46 people that have committed to going with us. Pushing is also not an option because of the time lost by being a freelancer due to the wedding and the money would be greater if we wait and do it at another time. I just can't afford to go through the lack of work again and also can't guarantee that we could find a date that would work for everyone again. Our plan B is to goto Key Largo in the Florida Keys because it would give us a beautiful beach, weather, sunset and ability to put everyone at the same hotel thus creating the weekend environment that we had planned in Mexico, as I have said from the beginning it isn't about the wedding day it is about the whole trip and time spent with everyone which we would lose if we do it here in LA. I am still going to bring my Mexican Fiesta Koozies and gift bags that say May 15th even though I am now getting married on May 16th and I am still doing my starfish and chair bows and fans and having our friend do our ceremony so I know that I can end up with a very special weekend but just not what I wanted. If I wanted to do it this way I would have from the start..... That being said I need to find a way to get over the loss and move on with the new plan. I told my Fiance that since we aren't doing Mexico we ARE doing a honeymoon even if its got to be paid on a credit card. We are planning to hit Hawaii for a week which I am hoping will make up for some of the things I lose out on in Mexico. As I said I will still keep coming on here and checking in because I have gotten used to all of your support as well as the feeling of just getting to vent to

sorry to all your girls that have been cancelled. It's just not fair.

Oh god, have you guys seen this?? Seriously? What a media stunt! Swine Flu No Match for the Speidi Pandemic | TMZ.com

For you fellow Palace Resort brides: Palace Resorts and Le Blanc Spa Resort will allow reservations to be transferred to our Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort in the Dominican Republic, or to postpone until a later date within 2009, all at no fee. The difference in price is being adjusted on a one to one basis. In addition, many airlines have announced they will waive fees for guests to change scheduled flights to Mexico in the next few weeks. Swine Flu in Mexico and the U.S.

JamieLynne - I think your email sounds great - very informative and reassuring. I might copy some of it for our guests : )

Good CNN article Regular flu has killed thousands since January - CNN.com (CNN) -- There had been no confirmed deaths in the United States related to swine flu as of Tuesday afternoon. But another virus had killed thousands of people since January and is expected to keep killing hundreds of people every week for the rest of the year. That one? The regular flu.

Hi girls - my amazing FI just sent me this email - made me feel better and hopefully you guys too. Hang in there ~!! Baby- I just wanted to tell you how much I love you. You are my entire life and I feel bad this is all happening. The one thing you don’t ever have to worry about is me. I’m right beside you here and feel the same stress you do. All the work and effort you’ve put in to making this a successful event is being challenged right now during this crazy time. I’m sorry. If all else fails………don’t ever forget you have me for the rest of your life and no matter what happens………we’re going to be together. We’re not the only ones going through this right now. There are thousands more. I’m optimistic things will improve and if they don’t- we’ll come up with a plan B that will be equally as nice. Hang in there. This is completely out of our control and we just have to trust it will work itself out. I love you more because of all of this. You will be my wife regardless and we will make our plans accordingly to go celebrate.

Quote: Originally Posted by jax_the_beach_bride its good to hear that your TA is going to be so helpful! i hope u get something figured out!!.. my plane is supposed to stop in cancun before making it to cuba and my TA isnt doing anything to help us stop that!!! ... she even told off one of my guests!!! like WTF be a professional and deal with issues properly! Just heard Cuba blocked flights : ( Cuba halts Mexico travel; flu crosses new borders

Ugh - this one isn't good Scottish couple gets swine flu on honeymoon

good morning girls - Another stressful day...I just emailed my FI (who is totally convinced this will all blow over) but since I'm a planner I told him that we should at least start thinking about a Plan B - these were my thoughts (we were already planning on legally getting married in the states): Options: 1. Cancel Mexico (people get stuck with $100 airplane change fee & some fee from Palace); get married in WA 6/14 & we go on trip by ourselves later 2. Cancel Mexico (people get stuck with $100 airplane change fee & some fee from Palace); get married in WA 6/14 & we go on trip by ourselves later & do party at home 3. Cancel Mexico (people get stuck with $100 airplane change fee & some fee from Palace) and do an actual wedding at home 4. Reschedule Mexico (remembering heavy hurricane season is July – October); people pay $100 change fee for airfare dates 5. Chance location from Mexico to Hawaii or somewhere else – either sticking with same June dates or pushing out in the future - $100 plane chance plus Palace fee So more "wait and see"... This board has been a HUGE help to be able to have people who can actually relate - A big thanks : ) Here is an article I found posted from a travel agent that seemed pretty well balanced... The State Department did issue a travel alert due to swine flu. Ive posted the link above. This is just like when they issued the travel alert for drug-related violence escalating in border towns and certain areas. The alert means you need to be aware, and to take some precautions if you do travel. It states that the CDC has suggested no non-essential travel to Mexico, but the State Department has not joined in that statement at this point - they have not issued a warning, but only an alert, with suggestions to follow if you do travel, along with the information that most cases of flu are just the regular flu, and not swine flu. This is a tough call for anyone traveling within the next week. You have to do what you think is best for you. Some airlines and tour operators are offering alternatives - change dates and or location without the usual penalties. Im still waiting on an official ruling from our travel insurance rep, but I dont think travel insurance will cover you until the point where travel is restricted - then it does. But if you have a health situation (asthma, etc) that could make this more dangerous for you, a doctors note saying you are not allowed to travel could make the difference in being covered. For those traveling more than a week out, sit tight. It isnt fun to sit around waiting, unsure of what your plans will be, but until we know more, that is the best plan of action - no action. For those contemplating a last minute trip, Id at least wait a few days and see how this plays out. I hate to say that with some killer air deals popping up due to the drop in demand, but it makes sense to wait for more information first. Someone else posted about perspective earlier. It is hard to find perspective on this right now - but from the information Ive gathered, I am hopeful that this is not going to be a big problem in the long run. The cases in the US and elsewhere have been mild so far. But the mystery of why the deaths in Mexico (in particular the age 20-40s which normally are not affected so much by flu) is still a concern. What was different about those cases? Were they the originals and as the disease spreads it is weakened each time? Or is there another factor that puts you at higher risk? We dont have any answers yet. One thing about perspective - at this point 150 deaths in Mexico City from an outbreak of any flu would not be unusual. Mexico City has the second highest metropolitan population in the world (highest in the western hemisphere). 150 deaths in a population over 22 million is not anything unusual at all. Here is info on the regular seasonal flu which also puts things into perspective: In the U.S., an estimated 25–50 million cases of the flu are currently reported each year — leading to 150,000 hospitalizations and 30,000–40,000 deaths yearly. If these figures were to be estimated incorporating the rest of the world, there would be an average of approximately 1 billion cases of flu, around 3–5 million cases of severe illness, and 300,000–500,000 deaths annually. I hope we all find a way to stay healthy through this, and that anyone contracting swine flu from here forward has a mild case.

I'm SO sorry to hear that!! It really breaks my heart that you guys are already down there - I don't even know what to say - just sorry : (

Just doing a check in - has anyone actually cancelled or postponed or are we all in the same 'wait and see what happens' mode??

I'm laughing hysterically right now - I mean, seriously - what else

So unfair. Really. If I were you girls leaving in the next week I honestly don't know what I'd do - I have 7 weeks and I'm hoping by then things improve. My biggest fear is not getting the flu...its that a) guests will be upset and stressed out they will put restrictions on getting in/out of mexico c) the extra safety precautions they are doing will cause everyone to panic and huge delays. This is really the last thing I could have ever imagined...I will be thinking (or trying) good thoughts for all of us.

I've been sitting here researching 'flu death's and apparently 63,000 people die in the US from the regular 'ol flu every year. Hopefully after the initial shock and dissapointment I can now just focus on keeping this all in perspective FASTSTATS - Deaths and Mortality

I haven't heard back from our travel agent yet...will let you know. If you are on US Airlines by chance they are offering refunds - we are all booked on Alaska so I hope they follow suit. My FI keeps telling me that everything will look very different in a week and to not panic and just see what happens - but since guests will be asking I figure I at least have to have a plan B in place...just trying to figure out what that would be. This is pretty much my worst nightmare come to life US Airways customers with booked flights to Mexico can opt to change their tickets free of charge due to the influenza outbreak in Mexico. bAccording to the US Airways Web site, US Airways "will waive the standard change fee, advance reservation and ticketing requirements for customers with travel to, from or through Mexico City" for travel through April 30. Mexico travelers can change their entire itinerary up to seven days before or after the scheduled origination date, or choose a credit valued at the full cost of your Mexico airline ticket that can be used toward the purchase of another US Airways flight within seven days of the scheduled origination date. US Airways does post a disclaimer on their site that says some airline tickets may not be eligible for all or a part of this refund. If you purchased your Mexico airline ticket through a third-party site or discount travel Web site, you should call US Air to determine your options for refunding or changing your Mexico travel plans

I've already contacted our travel agent to see just how much money we'll lose if we have to cancel - I seriously can't believe this is happening after how much work I've put into anything - I know you girls can relate..... I can't blame guests if they don't want to go if they will have to be getting medically tested in the airport and face the possibility of borders being shut down...When the "drug war" thing was all over the news I knew that was absolutely nothing to worry about where we'd be at but this is different - I spent yesterday bawling my eyes out and now today I'm just kinda numb.

They confirmed today that the kids in New York tested postive for the flu recently returned from trip to Cancun - so not what I wanted to hear!! I guess we just wait and see how everything plays out.. 6 QUEENS STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR TYPE A INFLUENZA - New York Post

Oh ladies!! This really sucks...I just feel like I've FINALLY calmed my guests down about the whole drug violence thing in Mexico and now this - seriously bummed. Since it's still so new I don't really feel like I can tell guests not to worry...I would feel so horrible if someone traveling for my wedding got sick! I'm sure it's just normal media blowing things out of proportion but I just know I'm going to start getting a zillions calls - like we didn't have enough to worry about! : (

After all of the Mexico drug violence stuff now as of today there is this swine flu epiemic in Mexico! We're getting married in less than 2 months outside of Cancun and I feel like I've just calmed my guests down about the violence and now this! It's very scary and not just confined to one area of Mexico. I've already gotten a couple emails from concerned guests and I'm freaking out....

Ha ha - just read what I wrote and it makes it sounds like the 2 of you are getting married ; ) I meant to say have great weddingS!!!