Carnival Cruise Lines said it would not host the second International Cougar Cruise, after hosting the first one last month on the Carnival Elation.
That sailing was successful enough to spur a second "cougar" cruise to sail only six months later. But because of Carnival's decision, Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas will host the seven-day sailing departing May 16 from Los Angeles.
Its organizers, Singles Travel Company and the Society of Single Professionals, bill it as a cruise for "younger men and older women. "Cougar" is a slang term for an older woman who pursues younger men.
In a statement, Carnival said, "We made the decision in late 2009 not to allow any future groups on our ships to be marketed under this theme. It was a business decision."
The line added that it was not offering any comment beyond that.
Royal Caribbean stated: "We have no reason to deny this group the opportunity to sail on our ship. We assume this group will follow our guest conduct policy, just like any other guest. We have no reason to think otherwise."
