Carnival to resume Mexican cruises in late May

Flu advisories eased

Carnival, the world's largest cruise-line operator, will resume visits to Mexican ports later this month.

The decision came after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department said they would no longer recommend Americans avoid nonessential travel to Mexico because of the swine-flu outbreak.

The CDC downgraded its "warning" to a "travel-health precaution" with evidence that Mexico's outbreak of swine flu, known as H1N1, is slowing in many cities.

Carnival's news was welcomed by tourism boosters in Mexico, but so far no other major cruise line has announced plans to return to Mexico this summer.

Officials at Norwegian Cruise Line said the company wouldn't return until at least September, having already repositioned its summer tours for Alaska, Europe and the East Coast of the United States.

Holland America Line is not scheduled to return to Mexico until October. Princess Cruise Line, which has relocated most of its ships to begin cruises to Alaska, has only one ship off the coast of Mexico, the Sea Princess. A spokeswoman said the company is considering diverting the boat to a Mexican port.

Cuba petition drive

Orbitz has launched the Web site Open Cuba (www.opencuba.org), where Americans can sign a petition supporting an end to all travel restrictions to the country.

The move comes after new federal rules allowing Americans with family members in Cuba greater freedom to travel.

Free in San Diego

Visiting San Diego this summer? Here are some ideas for free activities:

• Take free fly-fishing lessons from the San Diego Fly Fishers club on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon at Lake Murray in La Mesa. See www.sandiegoflyfishers.com

• Sample some of the more than 200 varieties of fresh produce grown in San Diego at one of the region's many Farmer's Markets, held daily at locations throughout the county. www.sdfarmbureau.org

• Enjoy free organ concerts during the 22nd Annual International Summer Organ Festival at Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Concerts are on Monday evenings June 22 — Aug. 31. www.serve.com/sosorgan

• Check out the California Surf Museum on Highway 312 Pier View Way, with its collection of historic boards, photographs and videos. www.surfmuseum.org

Top destinations

The top five most popular summer destinations among Seattle-area residents are Los Angeles; Kona, Hawaii; New York; San Francisco; and Paris, according to booking information compiled by American Express Travel. The company's 600 agents rate Las Vegas; Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; New York; and Los Angeles as the top domestic destinations for value.

Volunteer vacations

Looking for a trip that will make a difference?

Two new books can help you find the right volunteer vacation: "The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life," by Pam Grout (National Geographic, $19.95) and "Volunteer Vacations Across America" by Sheryl Kayne (The Countryman Press, $19.95).

Compiled by Times staff and news services