Travel Roundup: Carnival's Swine Flu Outbreak, Southwest Pilot's Child Porn Arrest, Southwest Allowing Pets and More

Carnival offers refund to swine flu-sickened passengers — Carnival Corp. reported it will reimburse passengers cruising in Australia after 53 passengers on the Pacific Dawn tested positive for swine flu. The cruise operator will offer each passenger 75 percent of their fare and the last 25 percent will be paid in credit on a future cruise. The swine flu outbreak has doubled Australia’s swine flu infections to 168. Three crew members were also affected. The 10-day cruise of the Great Barrier Reef was cut short five days so passengers and crew could seek medical help on shore. [Source: Bloomberg and Associated Press]

Southwest pilot arrested for child porn — A pilot for Southwest Airlines was arrested at his St. Petersburg home after child porn images were found on his home computer, according to the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office. Daryl Neil Kampwerth, 45, was charged with 23 counts of sexual performance by a minor after deputies confiscated his home computers. The investigation had been ongoing since November. [Source: Tampa Tribune]

Southwest allows pets as carry-on — Southwest Airlines will now allow small dogs and cats to fly with owners for $75 each flight. This is a new policy for the carrier which previously didn’t allow any pets onboard except service animals. However, animals still wouldn’t be allowed in cargo bins. The revised pet policy and fees are slated to begin June 17. [Source: Dallas Morning News]

EasyJet’s plan for pilots to marry passengers fails — Britain’s budget airline easyJet won’t be able to offer couples a chance to marry aboard one of their planes after a local government council said marriages and civil unions cannot take place on aircraft. The carrier had planned to use their pilots as officiants to marry passengers. The council said they would consider allowing marriages — on the ground – at the airport only. [Source: BBC News]