Travelers are backing out of planned cruises over fears of the spread of coronavirus, dealing a punishing blow to the industry at a time of year when ships typically start to fill up.

The major cruise lines book the bulk of their summer cruises to the Mediterranean in March, and up until late January the season was shaping up to be one of high demand. But the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 90,000 people and killed more than 3,000, has slowed bookings.

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