Cruise lines begin canceling port calls in Mumbai

The widely-reported terrorist attacks in Mumbai this week already have prompted one cruise line, Royal Caribbean, to cancel an upcoming call in the city, and more lines are expected to follow. 

Royal Caribbean's 2,076-passenger Legend of the Seas was scheduled to arrive in the Indian commercial capital Sunday for a two-day visit but now will go elsewhere. The ship is on a 27-night cruise from Rome to Singapore.

The terrorist attacks, which appeared aimed at Westerners including tourists, also could affect several other ships scheduled to call in Mumbai in the next few weeks including the Seabourn Spirit and Azamara Quest, though other lines have yet to announce cancellations.

Located on the West coast of India, Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), is a popular stopover for cruise ships heading from Europe to Asia and vice versa. Billed as the world's fifth most populous metropolitan area, it's home to India's financial and entertainment centers.

The terrorist attacks centered in part on well-known Mumbai hotels often visited by Western tourists.