Cruise catastrophe not hurting sales

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - 17 million people are expected to go cruising this year.  That means AAA of the Miami Valley is busy especially since it's 'Cruise Sale Week'

"We have booked dozens of cruises.  We've had no cancelations," says Cindy Antrican, spokesperson for AAA of the Miami Valley.

Even the recent cruise catastrophe isn't causing a decrease in sales.

4,200 people were stranded for more than four days in the Gulf of Mexico after an engine fire on a Carnival Cruise.

"Cruising is safe and it's affordable and this is a rarity.  You're never going to say it can't happen, obviously, it can happen.  And, for the people who have had their vacation plans, you know, we feel really bad for them.  It must horrific conditions on the ship and truly, it's very sad to see," explains Antrican.

She isn't aware of any passengers on that ship who booked through the local office.

Ray Keyton has been cruising for 40 years and says this incident won't stop him from setting sail in the future.

"I have an upcoming cruise, there's 10 of my family going.  All the way age, 86-years-old at the top end, down to 3-years-old.  I'm not the least bit concerned or scared or anything like that on cruising," comments Keyton.

He has some advice for you if you're considering a cruise.

"Don't let this deter you.  If you're in something that's mechanical, it can break.  So, just keep it into consideration and it's not deterring me at all," says Keyton.
    
2 News spoke with Carnival Cruise Lines to see if there were any local people on the stranded ship.  They tell us they don't keep that kind of information.