Strikes in Europe prompt cruise lines to cancel calls

Several cruise ships in Europe are shifting port calls this week to avoid massive anti-austerity strikes, USAToday reports.

Royal Carribbean says the 3,634-passenger Independence of the Seas — one of the largest cruise ships in Europe — is skipping a call in Lisbon, Portugal today and instead will dock in Lanzarote, Spain.

Celebrity says the Constellation will call at Leixoes, Portugal on Thursday before a delayed visit to Vigo on Friday.

"We were aware of the upcoming strikes and proactively made changes to some itineraries," Royal Caribbean Cruises spokesperson Cynthia Martinez tells USA TODAY.

Royal Caribbean Cruises is the parent company of both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

At least one other cruise ship, the 208-passenger Seabourn Pride, also is skipping a port call today scheduled for Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The vessel moved up the call to this past Monday.

Unions in Europe called for strikes today across the Continent to protest the trimming of government-funded salaries and pension benefits, causing major disruption in a number of cities.