The U.S. State Department has placed many popular cruise destinations under some form of warning or travel advisory.
A Level 1 advisory urges travelers to “Exercise normal precautions” while a Level 2 tells them to “Exercise increased caution.”
In some cases a Level 1 or Level 2 warning contains specific areas to be avoided. For example, the Bahamas, a country with multiple cruise ports, is under a Level 2 warning.
Related: Caribbean cruise port declares state of emergency
“The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands,” the State Department website says. “In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the ‘Over the Hill’ area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population.”
But with Level 1 and Level 2 warnings the U.S. government is not saying “don’t visit these countries.” It’s urging people to avoid certain places and to generally be more careful.
Level 3 and Level 4 warnings are much more serious. The Level 3 warning for Honduras, for example, contains a strong warning but also explains why cruise lines still call on Roatan.
“Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, remains common,” the State Department posted. “Violent gang activity, such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, narcotics, and human trafficking, is widespread.
“Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime incidents. Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed.”
Enclosed cruise-port areas are often much safer than the countries they are in. This is the port area of Roatan, Honduras.
Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWith.com
Carnival explains why it stops in ports with serious warnings
Many cruise lines regularly stop in ports that are under Level 3 and even Level 4 warnings. Royal Caribbean still stops in Labadee, Haiti, even as the country is under a Level 4 warning because it’s a private destination located far from where fighting and other problems are occurring.
Still, a cruise fan, LeAnne Taulman, recently asked Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald about the cruise line making certain port calls.
“Good morning John. I saw a travel advisory for the Mexican Riviera ports yesterday. We’re leaving on the Panorama on the 11th. Have you heard anything about whether we should get off the ship?” she asked.
Heald responded reassuringly.
“Thank you. Please don’t worry; these are sadly quite normal for parts of Mexico these days,” he wrote. “We will never take you anywhere that is not safe, and we always advise you to please stay in the tourist areas and take an excursion from the ship. But absolutely you will be able to go into port and enjoy this fabulous place.”
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Heald is offering sound advice for any port under a travel warning. Stick to tourist areas and take only reputable excursions. Those don’t have to be sponsored by your cruise line, but it’s important to do your homework and make sure any company you use has a very strong reputation.
Cruisers should also read any advisories the U.S. State Department issues and follow any specific advice offered in them.
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